Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Nice color options, standout design, IP68 rating.

Scant retail package - no charger or headphones.

It's not that we don't like the Galaxy S21. On the contrary, we're quite fond of its looks, and there's proven substance beneath them. But maybe that's the issue - it's a little too proven. Last year's S20 is in many ways superior, and even though the...

Slick and colorful hardware ; Excellent display ; Improved fingerprint sensor ; Lower price leads to great value

Plastic back on base S21 ; Not a 2021 flagship camera experience ; Galaxy S21+ value disappointing at $1,000

Fantastic, versatile camera Cheaper than the Galaxy S20 Powerful and capable phone

No microSD support Screen isn’t the best No charger in the box

The Galaxy S21 isn’t the star of Samsung’s S series in 2021, like we’ve been used to for most of the past decade, but it’s a solid smartphone choice with an impressive camera, powerful internals and great battery life. If you want the best of the best,...

Powerful performance ; 120Hz display ; Impressive camera system

Plastic design ; No MicroSD card slot ; Wall charger not included in the box

Although not the most impressive phone from the S21 series, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will definitely appeal to the most people. This is a phone that combines a palatable price tag with higher-end specs like a 120Hz refresh rate and powerful CPU as...

Fast processor ; Nice screen ; Good battery life

Samsung bloatware ; Competition will undercut price ; No microSD storage expansion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 drops the price down to $800 while maintaining some key features. There is a fast new processor, but the screen and cameras are not going to amaze.

Hand-friendly form factor ; Bright, colorful screen ; Better Night photo mode than previous Samsung phones ; Supports future 5G network features

5G battery life is just on the edge of acceptable ; Future network features don't exist yet

The Samsung Galaxy S21 packs plenty of power into its small stature and sets the stage for better 5G phone performance in the future.

Rich, smooth display ; Solid battery life ; Superb all-round camera

No microSD slot, earbuds or charger ; Sony rival sounds better

The S21 gives here and takes there, but ultimately strengthens the Galaxy reputation

Affordable for a Samsung flagship New camera software

No microSD card slot Misses some Ultra perks

The Galaxy S21 is Samsung’s MVP for 2021 – its most value-driven phone. It has a large 6.2-inch display, new camera software and the latest chipset specs among Android phones. It does dial down the resolution, replaces the glass back with...

Beautiful design with a fantastic screen ; Great performance and battery life ; Subtle UI improvements make an overall better experience

Some users will miss the microSD card slot ; The camera is basically the same as the S20

When you boil it down, the Galaxy S21 isn’t all that different from the S20. It has the same size screen and the same camera, along with less RAM and a lower resolution. You’re also giving up a microSD card slot.