If you are looking for complete, up-to-date and professional information about the Samsung Galaxy S21, here you will find the most exhaustive analysis, integrating all the features, specifications, differences, comparisons and practical information about one of Samsung's most iconic mobile phones. The Galaxy S21 is one of the smartphones that has set a trend within the high-end range, positioning itself as one of the preferred options thanks to its Compact design, power, screen quality, advanced cameras and next-generation connectivityIn this article, you'll discover everything about this model in depth, from its design to its everyday performance, along with reviews, recommendations, and comparisons with similar models.
Design and construction: materials, ergonomics and colors
The Samsung Galaxy S21 stands out for its modern and sophisticated aesthetics, featuring elegant lines and a compact format that makes it easy to use with one hand. The device offers a solid construction, with an aluminum chassis and a back made of a material that Samsung itself calls "glasstic," a combination of plastic and glass that provides robustness while reducing overall weight. This finish, while less premium to the touch than pure glass, has clear advantages: greater impact resistance and fewer marks, especially visible in models with matte finishes or in light tones.
In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy S21 measures 151,7 x 71,2 x 7,9 mm and weighs barely 171 grams, making it one of the most manageable and comfortable high-end phones for everyday use. The camera module, located in the upper left corner and fused with the frame of the device, stands out visually and represents a change in design compared to previous generations. The Galaxy S21 is available in several colors, including Phantom Violet, Phantom Grey, Phantom White and Phantom Pink, as well as special editions depending on the market and operator.
Without losing the essence of the S series, the Galaxy S21 retains the IP68 certification Water and dust resistance, enabling it to withstand adverse conditions and minor everyday accidents. Construction details include easily accessible power and volume buttons, a dual-SIM tray at the bottom, and, as is the trend in high-end models, the absence of a headphone jack or microSD slot—a point worth considering for those looking to expand local storage.
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display: Visual Experience and Associated Technologies
One of the great advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 is its 2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 6,2X displayThis panel offers a Full HD+ resolution (2.400 x 1.080 pixels) with a density of 421 dpi, which guarantees a excellent definition and sharpness both for multimedia playback and for browsing and gaming.
The panel incorporates cutting-edge technologies, such as HDR10 + for advanced dynamic range management, and a adaptive refresh rate from 48 to 120 Hz This provides impressive fluidity when interacting with the system, scrolling through apps, or playing games that support high frame rates. The maximum brightness is very high, allowing the phone to be used even in direct sunlight, while the minimum brightness is soft and suitable for dark environments, promoting eye comfort.
A differentiating element is the ultrasonic fingerprint reader integrated into the screen, which improves security and unlocking speed compared to previous generations. In addition, Corning protection Gorilla Glass Foods provides additional resistance against scratches and drops on the front.
The Galaxy S21's display can be calibrated to deliver natural or vibrant colors, depending on your preference, and features a blue light filter and dark mode to reduce eye strain. The design almost completely eliminates the side and top bezels, leaving only a small central hole for the selfie camera, making the most of the front of the device.
Processor, hardware and real performance
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is known for offering a high performance and great responsiveness in any usage scenario. Depending on the market, the device integrates the Exynos 2100 processor (in Europe, Latin America and other countries) or the Snapdragon 888 (in the United States, Korea and China), both manufactured in 5 nm and accompanied by the Mali-G78 MP14 or Adreno 660 GPU respectively.
Memory configurations start from 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and options of 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storageThere's no way to expand memory using a microSD card, a decision that reflects the current trend toward doing away with external storage in high-end models for reasons of security and speed of access.
In terms of user experience, the Galaxy S21 offers Smooth multitasking, instant app launch, excellent graphics performance in demanding games and full support for professional applications. The cooling system ensures the device remains stable under prolonged loads, although during intense gaming sessions or 8K video recording, some warming may be noticeable, which is not a concern thanks to the materials and advanced thermal management.
Performance tests and benchmarks demonstrate category-leading scores in both Geekbench and 3D Mark and PCMark. This performance translates into a fast, lag-free experience, even when managing multiple apps, high-end games, or image and video editing tasks.
Internal storage and expansion possibilities
The internal storage of the Samsung Galaxy S21 can be 128 GB or 256 GB depending on the version purchased, both using UFS 3.1 technology that guarantees high read and write speeds. It is important to note that, like other recent high-end terminals, The S21 does not support microSD cards., so it is advisable to choose the variant that best suits your storage needs.
As an alternative to external storage, Samsung provides cloud solutions through Samsung Cloud and support for backup and sync apps, plus native integration with services like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and others.
Camera system: photography and video in all scenarios
The camera system of the Samsung Galaxy S21 is one of the most pampered sections by the brand. The device incorporates a triple rear camera made of:
- 12 megapixel main sensor, with f/1.8 aperture, Dual Pixel Autofocus technology and optical image stabilization (OIS).
- 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle with f/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view to capture wide scenes.
- 64 megapixel telephoto lens with f/2.0 aperture, 3x hybrid optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, also with optical stabilization.
On the front, the selfie camera offers 10 megapixels and f/2.2 aperture, allowing for sharp selfies, improved portrait mode, and 4K video recording at 60 fps.
The camera's software features include:
- Advanced Night Mode: Clear images with good dynamic range even in low light conditions.
- Auto HDR y AI Scene Optimizer, which automatically adjust parameters according to the scene and subject.
- Professional portrait mode (formerly called Dynamic Focus), with advanced background simulation and various lighting options.
- Single catch: Allows you to take multiple photos and videos of different styles with a single tap.
- Pro Mode: Full manual control over ISO, focus, white balance and shutter speed.
- Tracking autofocus, ideal for moving subjects.
In the video section, the Galaxy S21 supports 8K 24fps recording (ideal for capturing details and extracting high-resolution frames), as well as 4K is 60 fps on all cameras. Super Steady mode uses artificial intelligence to stabilize moving videos, perfect for sports and action. Other options include HDR10+ video, slow and super slow motion, panoramic video, and tools for fine-tuning professional settings.
Battery and autonomy: fast charging, wireless charging and reverse charging
The autonomy of the Galaxy S21 is given by a 4.000 mAh battery. This component, optimized in combination with the processor efficiency and intelligent management of One UI, offers up to a full day of demanding useModerate users can easily make it through the day and, in certain scenarios, even make it to the second day on a single charge.
The device supports Fast wired charging up to 25W, which allows you to obtain close to 50% battery in about 30 minutes with a compatible charger. It also has 15W wireless charging y reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare), to charge other devices such as headphones, smartwatches or even another smartphone by simply placing them on the back of the S21.
One thing to keep in mind is that The wall charger is not included in the box Factory-installed, following the environmental sustainability trend pioneered by other brands. However, the USB-C cable and SIM tool are included, so you may need to purchase a compatible fast charger if you don't have one.
Software and user experience: One UI, updates, and extra features
The Samsung Galaxy S21 comes standard with Android 11 and the custom One UI 3.x layer, but it supports multiple version updates, extending the life of the device and improving security. Samsung guarantees at least three major Android updates and several years of security patches, ensuring the phone will last a long time.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers an advanced and customizable user experience with its One UI layer. In addition, support for features such as Samsung DeX and integration with platforms like Google Discover make multitasking and accessing multimedia content simple and effective.
Samsung's security updates for the Galaxy S21 ensure system protection for years to come, helping to keep your device current and secure against digital threats.
The Galaxy S21's design, finished with durable materials, combines aesthetics and durability, ideal for intense and safe daily use.
