Rating 4.2 55 reviews
Manufacturer: Samsung
Digitaltrends
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G review: Right recipe, wrong ingredients

When Samsung introduced the Galaxy S21, it made an incredibly rare move in the high-end smartphone space: It lowered its prices. The Galaxy S21 5G series — across the board — debuts for $200 less than the launch prices of the Galaxy S20 phones. Faced with the reality that Galaxy S20 sales were markedly lower than that of both the S9 and S10, and that 2021 may not end up being as economically stable as originally hoped, this seems like the right move. But Samsung isn’t making this move out of charity — it’s choosing to lower the price to hopefully boost sales, and will make plenty of money on each phone sold regardless. The reality of these prices is that the Galaxy S21 and S21+ aren’t full upgrades over the S20 series phones they replace — and that has smartphone enthusiasts left scratching their heads. On the face of it, there is simply no reason for anyone with a Galaxy S20 to consider buying an S21. Samsung certainly knew this going in, considering it is well aware that a vast major...
Pros:
  • Slick and colorful hardware
  • Excellent display
  • Improved fingerprint sensor
  • Lower price leads to great value
Cons:
  • Plastic back on base S21
  • Not a 2021 flagship camera experience
  • Galaxy S21+ value disappointing at $1,000
Read more on Digitaltrends
Recombu
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a good phone that, above all, offers high processing performance and a reliable camera. There have been some compromises made in comparison to other top-notch phones, most notably the plastic materials and the lower screen resolution, while the battery hasn’t blown us away...
Read more on Recombu
expertreviews.co.uk
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

samsung galaxy s21: It’s cheaper than last year, but is the Galaxy S21 worth the upgrade?
Pros:
  • Intriguing design
  • Substantial performance uplift
  • Cameras continue to impress
Cons:
  • No microSD expansion
  • Charger sold separately
Read more on expertreviews.co.uk
Android Headlines
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

The Best $800 smartphone on the market.
Pros:
  • Small size is perfect for one-handed use
  • Incredible battery life
  • The Full HD+ display is amazing
  • Camera much improved from predecessor
  • Fingerprint sensor is much faster
  • Cheaper than most other flagships
Cons:
  • No micro SD card slot
  • No headphone jack
  • MST removed from Samsung Pay
  • Plastic back
Read more on Android Headlines
TechDigest
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

The long-awaited Samsung Galaxy S21 series which launched on January 14, 2021 faces an uncertain future, a ccording to research data analyzed and published by the Finish investment company Sijoitusrahastot.
Read more on TechDigest
Digitaltrends
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

“The Galaxy S21 makes a smart bet on value with a lower starting price, but in doing so feels stuck in 2020. A good phone, but not a particularly exciting one.”
Pros:
  • Slick and colorful hardware
  • Excellent display
  • Improved fingerprint sensor
  • Lower price leads to great value
Cons:
  • Plastic back on base S21
  • Not a 2021 flagship camera experience
  • Galaxy S21+ value disappointing at $1,000
Read more on Digitaltrends
Android Authority
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

Not everyone wants (or can afford) a Merc. The Galaxy S21 is for people who need something great but also practical....
Pros:
  • Fair price Great design Solid camera system Powerful processor
Cons:
  • No in-box charger Mediocre fast charging No expandable storage
Read more on Android Authority
Trusted Reviews
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

There are sacrifices yes, but this is still a great phone for a more enticing price. It has a lovely screen, a reliable camera and a slick new design that feels a little bit futuristic. The basics are here and they're all done excellently.
Pros:
  • Much more affordable
  • Still a great screen (and it's flat)
  • Snappy performance
Cons:
  • Lack of microSD and WQHD+ resolution make it feel like an S20 downgrade
  • Doesn't feel as good as previous S series phones
  • Minimal camera upgrades
Read more on Trusted Reviews
What Hi-Fi?
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

The S21 gives here and takes there, but ultimately strengthens the Galaxy reputation
Pros:
  • Rich
  • smooth display
  • Solid battery life
  • Superb all-round camera
Cons:
  • No microSD slot
  • earbuds or charger
  • Sony rival sounds better
Read more on What Hi-Fi?
unbox.ph
5 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Phantom Violet SM-G991BZVGXNZ review

Samsung’s new flagships vastly improve on last year’s offerings, though many brand loyalists may not be happy at the thought of plastic-backed phones costing well over Php 40K being the norm now.
Read more on unbox.ph
4.2 from 55 reviews
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