Samsung Galaxy S21 5G review

21 January 2021


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  • M
  • MrDong
  • xZI
  • 22 Jan 2021

Anonymous, 22 Jan 2021I don't understand how Exynos 1080 scores 690k and abo... moreThat’s because you cannot trust Antutu at all.

But anyway, looks like this has a scheduler issue like the A14, SD888 and Kirin 9000 causing to thermal throttle excessively.

Pretty sure there will be some improvement later once the software is fixed.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • rJX
    • 22 Jan 2021

    I think the dimensions of the phone is its greatest pro. For next generation, Samsung should definitely bring back the e model, otherwise it would lose its customers to other brands

      • S
      • Sawsan
      • q{r
      • 22 Jan 2021

      Android-Authority, 22 Jan 2021Best Compact flagship currently on the market. The dual co... moreNah, it's a tad meretricious imo.

        • F
        • Finn
        • Hxv
        • 22 Jan 2021

        Plastic back and flat screen are really welcome

          • w
          • wobfan
          • 0x9
          • 22 Jan 2021

          Anonymous, 22 Jan 2021It's the same phone with a better battery that's ... moreI like how it’s literally the battery that’s the only thing that didn’t change from last year to this year, but okay..

            Flat screen is definitely a Pro, not a Con.
            I wished they switched back to flat screens for the S series ever since I dropped my S8 and it fell right on the exposed rounded screen edge and cracked.

              Best Compact flagship currently on the market.
              The dual color look with violet and gold feels so premium.

                shameful Exynos, should sell it for less. it appears this base model is limited with cooling/power as the Ultra with Exynos has better CPU than SD888. in short, the Exynos is a power hog.

                  • r
                  • regs
                  • swN
                  • 22 Jan 2021

                  Alex, 22 Jan 2021OK, we've already got that the hardware downgrades mov... moreMi 11 reportedly has a lot of issues with SD888. So too early to say.

                  Cameras are not worse. They are identical to S20. Probably lens are a bit different. But sensor are same as in S20. Looks like Samsung thinks they are monopoly now, so no need to improve anything.

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • w1f
                    • 22 Jan 2021

                    Where are all the fanbois/optimists telling that this year exynos will be different, lmao

                    Hardly edging sd865+ only

                      • F
                      • Fains
                      • anE
                      • 22 Jan 2021

                      Damn, why is impossible to find top phone in small package nowadays?
                      S21 = meh
                      Pixel 5 = miss telephoto and top CPU
                      Sony xperia 5 II = miss wireless charge
                      My poor mate 20 pro is dying and need a raplece soon.
                      Hang in there buddy

                        • r
                        • regs
                        • swN
                        • 22 Jan 2021

                        Davy Jones, 22 Jan 2021How come IP 68 rating is a pros while it has been a standar... moreP40 and P30 didn't have IPx7+ rating. So so far it's a pros. Rumors says though P50 will have.

                          • A
                          • Alex
                          • qC@
                          • 22 Jan 2021

                          OK, we've already got that the hardware downgrades moved Galaxy S from premium to a solid midranger level. Even Exns 2100 failed to show a step up, hardly reaching SD865+.
                          But without the latest software updates installed, that Arena did for Ultra, this review is kinda pointless:
                          It shows us a damn bad midranger, and we have to keep guessing if that's a hardware or a software problem. E.g. cameras, with all three rear ones being worse ("god awful" for ultrawide) than the identical S20 cams. (Front cam turned out to be a magic exception from this downsizing trend.)

                            • r
                            • regs
                            • swN
                            • 22 Jan 2021

                            Shui8, 22 Jan 2021Considering this, try to jumpship from Huawei because of th... moreLack of GMS isn't an issue. Only original Youtube with social functionality (comments etc) that is lacks on Huawei. Anything else is there or replaceable. Even Chrome. Edge is there. And Firefox is evolving. Once they they do a gesture to swipe to open tab tray Chrome is done.

                            And HMS is free of US sanctions. So politically blocked apps by USA from all around the world do work there.

                              • M
                              • MKL
                              • IBC
                              • 22 Jan 2021

                              Alex, 22 Jan 2021A Pro is a fact that IP rating hasn't been removed fro... moreThen why not give pros that it has battery, display and all.

                                • r
                                • regs
                                • swN
                                • 22 Jan 2021

                                Engr, 22 Jan 2021Gsmarena.com please give same review for S21 Plus and S21 UltraS21+ his the same device with larger body. So it doesn't need any special review. And it won't be a popular device anyway. Between two most people will prefer smaller one. Especially when there is no difference.

                                  • E
                                  • Engr
                                  • waU
                                  • 22 Jan 2021

                                  Gsmarena.com please give same review for S21 Plus and S21 Ultra

                                    • A
                                    • Alex
                                    • qC@
                                    • 22 Jan 2021

                                    Davy Jones, 22 Jan 2021How come IP 68 rating is a pros while it has been a standar... moreA Pro is a fact that IP rating hasn't been removed from this phone unlike other useful features.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • aXR
                                      • 22 Jan 2021

                                      It's the same phone with a better battery that's it. They just significantly changed the design to fool you. The S21 is to the S20 what the s7 is to the s6 and the s5 to the s4: marginal upgrade.

                                        How come IP 68 rating is a pros while it has been a standard feature for on all flagship for years🤨