Good Job!
The Samsung Galaxy S21. One of my favorite Samsung devices since the Galaxy S8! I’ve been using the phone since its release and man, good job Samsung! There have been a lot of mixed thoughts and results of this device since Samsung did cut back on a couple of features, but take my word for it, it’s still an amazing device. Anyway, let’s see what my thoughts are about the S21, three months later!
DESIGN
Ah, yes. The design. The S21 design is definitely striking and does stand out. The camera cutout is something Samsung intended to show, so when people see this device, they’ll be able to say “ah yes, that’s a Galaxy S21!”. The plastic back has this matte finish and I love it. I know what you’re thinking. It’s plastic. This isn’t that cheap-feeling plastic phones had back with the S4 and S5. It does feel smooth and to be honest, I kind of recommend this over a glass back, but that’s just me. Upfront, the S21 has a 6.2 inch Full HD 120hz adaptive refresh rate display with a flat design. No curves on the screen whatsoever. It does have a lower screen resolution, but honestly, that’s okay. No worries. Its adaptive refresh rate ranges from 48hz to 120hz and to be honest, I really don’t notice the change. Maybe it’s because it didn’t catch my eye, but the S21 has a beautiful display and that’s a given.
Watching YouTube videos is super pleasing especially since I’m always watching videos. I can say that this could be the first phone I’ve had in a while that could be used without a case, but I still use one nonetheless. There is no microSD card slot which is a feature that Samsung dropped with the S21 series, but personally, I would rarely use one anyway. Its dual speakers do get fairly loud, so no problem there. Samsung has always done well with the design and the S21 is no different.
SOFTWARE
We used to remember Samsung software as slow, inconsistent, and just plain out ugly. However, over the years, Samsung has drastically improved its software and it’s going towards a clean path. The S21 comes with Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 and while many still don’t prefer its look and feel, I really dig it. Samsungs old user interface used to stick out like a sore thumb and everything would pop out, but with One UI 3.1, Samsung has chosen to move towards more Google services and has taken away many of the extra features and bloatware. It’s super clean and responsive. In my use, I haven’t come across any lag whatsoever.
What’s even better is that Samsung really stepped up its game with software updates and they’ve been frequently pushing out updates. Software updates in the android world are really important and Samsung has guaranteed 3 major software updates and 4 years of security updates and look, that is super good especially for Samsung. This means that the S21 will receive Android 12, 13, and 14. That is good. Very good. If you’re going to rock this device for 3 years, you won’t have any issue at all. I applaud Samsung for its commitment in the software department.
CAMERA
Samsung has always been pretty good when it comes to camera performance, but the S21 has changed the way I see its camera quality. The Galaxy S21 camera hardware isn’t any different as it hasn’t changed from the Galaxy S20. The S21 comes equipped with a triple-lens rear camera setup: 12MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto capable of a 3x hybrid optical zoom. Samsung has implemented lots of software improvements with this year’s model and they stand out. You also have a 10MP front-facing camera and while I don’t use it often, I can say that it won’t disappoint. When it comes to talking about the camera, I don’t like diving too much into camera specs and whatnot because I’m like most other people. I pick up the phone and hit the capture button.
Oh, for those of you who are interested in what video modes the S21 offers, you’ve got the option of 8K at 24 frames per second, which offers maximum quality and detail, 4K at 30 and 60 frames per second, as well as Full HD at 30, 60 and 240fps.
BATTERY LIFE
If there is one thing I was surprised and bummed about, it’s the battery life on the S21. I don’t know what to say. It just hasn’t impressed me at all and I guess I had high expectations coming from the OnePlus 8T. I would expect the Snapdragon triple 8 to be a little bit more battery efficient with a fairly well placed 4000mAh battery, but nope, by the time it’s 4 pm, I have to charge my phone and since I’m used to the fast 65W wired charging, the S21 doesn’t feel just as fast. It is, but like I said I had high expectations and I guess I shouldn’t haven’t done that. One good thing that the S21 has that the 8T doesn’t is wireless and reverse wireless charging and it comes in clutch when remembered. I still haven’t fully switched to wireless charging, so, it’s not a priority for me, but knowing the phone has this feature is nice to know.
I’m a heavy user since I use my phone for personal and business use and I also do watch YouTube videos frequently, so, yes, this phone struggles to get me throughout the day. However, for those who don’t use their phone often or only use it to call, email, or text, for example, you shouldn’t be worried about it. Don’t get me wrong, the S21 doesn’t have a terrible battery, but it just doesn’t hold up in my usage and my experience. Who knows, maybe Samsung might push a software update to further improve its battery life.
PRICE
With the release of the Galaxy S20 last year, the base model was priced at $999 and it wasn’t received too well. So, Samsung took a step back this year and reduced the price of the S21 series and specifically this model to $799. It was a good call. And what’s better is the fact that Samsung devices frequently go on sale in which you can find the S21 for $699 and if you’re super lucky, sometimes $599.
For what you’re getting, an awesome camera, an awesome screen, great software, up-to-date hardware, the S21 is an awesome deal. For those who didn’t pick up the S21 at launch, I think you did the right thing by waiting since the phone always goes on sale. Also, for those who live in the US, you’ll most likely always find a good deal on your carrier, too.
Samsung is on track for a good year with the S21. Now, I did pre-order this phone and traded in my S10e and I got a 550 dollar value for it, so, in reality, I only paid about $250 for my S21 which was a super sweet deal. Just as a heads-up, if you’re looking for a trade-in, Samsung in my experience has offered the best trade-in value followed by BestBuy. I would also look into a trade-in if possible, but otherwise, the S21 pricing is on point.
The Link LonkApril 26, 2021 at 11:47PM
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Three Months Later! | by Melih Gungor | Writers' Blokke | Apr, 2021 - Medium
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