What’s not ideal is the Galaxy S21 dropped the microSD card slot its predecessors have sported for a while. I found the S21 rarely rejected a hasty tap from my thumb, which does wonders for my quick-temper. The Galaxy S21’s in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader is also more responsive thanks to using Qualcomm’s new scanner, which is 1.7x larger and 50% faster than the previous generation. But I think it is the ideal size and weight for one-hand use small enough for my thumb to reach two-thirds of the display, but large enough to sit down and watch hours of videos on. Measuring 6 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches and weighing 6.07 ounces, the Galaxy S21 is a bit smaller yet a little heavier than the Galaxy S20 (5.9 x 3 x 0.31, 5.7 ounces). Three other color options - Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, Phantom White - are available but I've yet to see them in the metal and plastic. The violet panel has a pleasantly soft hue, while the faint copper color of the camera bump and edges give the S21 a pseudo retro sci-fi look think Star Trek meets Art Deco. Personally, I’m happy to pocket the savings if this helps keep costs down.Īnd the Phantom Violet S21 I had to review looks fantastic, even if the name sounds a little daft. Not only do I think it feels a little nicer than the polycarbonate on the S20 FE’s rear, it also has a more tactile finish than the glass-backed Galaxy S series, making it feel less likely to escape your grip or suck up fingerprints. And while the lack of a glass back might seem odd for a flagship phone, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didn’t feel cheap. Opting for a plastic back is likely the biggest reason Samsung can offer the Galaxy S21 at its cheaper price. Samsung calls it polycarbonate but it's basically fancy plastic, whereas the S20 makes use of glass. Speaking of which, the metal gives way to what’s arguably the Samsung Galaxy S21’s biggest change: a plastic back. The flat edges on the Samsung Galaxy S21 lead to the metal edges flowing to the new “Contour Cut” camera design, where the rear camera module seems to blend into the S21’s left-hand edge, as well as the back. Look closer and you’ll see the S21 has dropped its predecessor's curved display and opted for flat edges. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Designįrom the front, the Galaxy S21 looks alot like the Galaxy S20, with its 6.2-inch display complete with a neat punch-hole selfie camera in the top middle of the screen. So if you're not in a hurry to get a new Samsung phone, it may be worth waiting for the Galaxy S22 given we're have high hopes for its rumored upgrades. The S20 FE isn’t as advanced as the S21, but it still has plenty a sub flagship price.Īnd do bear in mind that the Samsung Galaxy S22 is on the horizon, tipped for a February reveal this far. (The $799 iPhone 12 only offers 64GB of storage.) But the S21 is more expensive than the $699 Google Pixel 5, which is a little lacking in raw specs but offers a fantastic camera. Ironically, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE could be a threat to the Galaxy S21 as it offers a 120Hz display, a still powerful Snapdragon 865, and a trio of solid rear cameras for $699. The Samsung Galaxy S21 undercuts its most obvious rival the iPhone 12, which costs $879 for a handset with 128GB.
And the S21 only comes with 8GB of RAM, with no option to get the 12GB of the Galaxy S20, unless you opt for the considerably more expensive Galaxy S21 Ultra. Just bear in mind, there’s only a USB-C cable in the box, so you’ll need to pay out for a charger if you don’t have one already. The 5G Galaxy S20 came in at £899, so the S21 is £130 cheaper. the Samsung Galaxy S21 starts at £769 for the 128GB model, with double the storage setting you back £819.
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