Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21 is a series[5] of Android-based smartphones designed, developed, marketed, and made by Samsung Electronics as part of its Galaxy S series.[6] They are after the Galaxy S20 series. The first three were announced at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event on 14 January 2021 while the FE was annouced on 3 January 2022.[7][8] The first three phones were released on 29 January 2021 while the FE was released on 11 January 2022.
![]() From left to right S21, S21 FE, S21+, and S21 Ultra. | |
| Codename | Unbound |
|---|---|
| Brand | Samsung Galaxy |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics |
| Slogan | Everyday Epic |
| Series | Galaxy S |
| Model | International models: SM-G990x (S21 FE) SM-G991x (S21) SM-G996x (S21+) SM-G998x (S21 Ultra) (Last letter varies by carrier and international models) Japanese models: SCG09 (au, S21 5G) SC-51B (NTT Docomo, S21 5G) SCG10 (au, S21+ 5G) SC-52B (NTT Docomo, S21 Ultra 5G) |
| Compatible networks | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| First released | January 14, 2021 (S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra) January 3, 2022 (S21 FE) |
| Availability by region | January 29, 2021 (S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra) January 11, 2022 (S21 FE) |
| Predecessor | Samsung Galaxy S20 |
| Successor | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
| Type | Phone |
| Form factor | Slate |
| Dimensions |
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| Mass |
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| Operating system | Original: Android 11 with One UI 3.1 Upgradable: Android 12 with One UI 4 |
| System on chip |
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| CPU |
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| GPU |
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| Memory | |
| Storage |
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| Removable storage | None |
| Battery |
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| Charging |
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| Data inputs | USB-C 3.2
Sensors:
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| Display |
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| External display | Always on |
| Rear camera | All: Features: LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
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| Front camera |
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| Sound | Dolby Atmos stereo speakers tuned by AKG |
| Connectivity |
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| Water resistance | IP68 water/dust resistance, up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes |
| SAR |
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| Website | |
| References | [1][2][3][4] |
Design
Samsung Galaxy S21's design is similar to the one before, Samsung Galaxy S20. The rear cameras have been made part of the phone body; the S21 Ultra has carbon fiber for special colors.
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S21+ | Galaxy S21 Ultra | Galaxy S21 FE | ||||||||
| Color | Name | Online exclusive | Color | Name | Online exclusive | Color | Name | Online exclusive | Color | Name | Online exclusive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom White | Phantom Silver | Phantom Silver | White | ||||||||
| Phantom Gray | Phantom Black | Phantom Black | Graphite | ||||||||
| Phantom Violet | Phantom Violet | Phantom Titanium | Lavender | ||||||||
| Phantom Pink | Phantom Gold | Phantom Navy | Olive | ||||||||
| Phantom Red | Phantom Brown | ||||||||||
Cameras

S21: 64 + 12 + 12 MP (max 30x zoom)[9]
S21+: 64 + 12 + 12 MP (max 30x zoom)[9]
S21 Ultra: 108 + 12 + 10 + 10 MP (max 100x zoom)[10]
S21 FE: 12 + 12 + 8 MP (max 30x zoom)[9]
Display
S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, and S21 FE have 6.2 inches (15.7 cm),[9] 6.7 inches (17 cm),[9]6.8 inches (17.3 cm),[10] and 6.4 inches (16 cm)[9] screens respectively. All have 120 Hz support.[9][10]
| Model | Display size (in) | Display resolution[11] | Max refresh rate | Variable refresh rate | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S21 | 6.2 | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | 48 Hz to 120 Hz | Flat sides |
| S21 FE | 6.4 | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | 48 Hz to 120 Hz | Flat sides |
| S21+ | 6.7 | 2400x1080 | 120 Hz | 48 Hz to 120 Hz | Flat sides |
| S21 Ultra | 6.8 | 3200x1440 | 120 Hz | 10 Hz to 120 Hz | Curved sides |
Storage
| Models | Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S21+ | Galaxy S21 Ultra[11] | Galaxy S21 FE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | Storage | RAM | Storage | RAM | Storage | RAM | Storage | |
| Variant 1 | 8GB | 128GB | 8GB | 128GB | 12GB | 128GB | 6GB | 128GB |
| Variant 2 | 8GB | 256GB | 8GB | 256GB | 12GB | 256GB | 8GB | 128GB |
| Variant 3 | - | - | - | - | 16GB | 512GB | 8GB | 256GB |
The S21 and S21+ offer 8 GB of RAM with 128 GB and 256 GB options for internal storage. The S21 Ultra has 12 GB of RAM with 128 GB and 256 GB options as well as a 16 GB option with 512 GB of internal storage. The S21 FE offers 6 GB and 8 GB of RAM with 128 GB and 256 GB options for internal storage. All four models lack a microSD card slot, which was present on the S20 series.[12]
Reviews
Techradar wrote about the S21: "The Galaxy S21 isn’t the star of Samsung’s S series in 2021, like we’ve been used to for most of the past decade, but it’s a solid smartphone choice with an impressive camera, powerful internals and great battery life. If you want the best of the best, look to the Galaxy S21 Ultra; but if you want a handset that’s cheaper than the Galaxy S20 was at launch, with a whole load of premium features, the Galaxy S21 is a delight to use, and will do you proud."[13]
References
- "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G". GSMArena. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- "Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G". GSMArena. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- "Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G". GSMArena. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- "Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G". GSMArena. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- "Should you buy the Galaxy S21 series or the Galaxy S20 series?". xda-developers. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- Gartenberg, Chaim (14 January 2021). "SAMSUNG GALAXY S21, S21 PLUS, AND S21 ULTRA FIRST LOOK: POLISHED DESIGN (AND PRICES)". The Verge. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- "Galaxy UNPACKED 2021". The Official Samsung Galaxy Site. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- "The Galaxy S21 FE is Samsung's new affordable phone — here's our CES 2022 hands-on". CNN. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G & S21 Plus 5G". Samsung uk. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- "Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G". Samsung uk. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- "Specs | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs S21+ 5G vs S21 Ultra 5G". The Official Samsung Galaxy Site. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
- Chin, Monica (14 January 2021). "Samsung's Galaxy S21 phones don't include microSD card support". The Verge. Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- March 2021, James Peckham 01. "Samsung Galaxy S21 review". TechRadar. Retrieved 2021-04-03.
