The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a series of high-end Android-based smartphones developed, marketed, and manufactured by Samsung Electronics as part of its flagship Galaxy S series. They collectively serve as the successor to the Galaxy S20 series. The first three smartphones (Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra) were unveiled at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event on January 14, 2021, while the Galaxy S21 FE was unveiled at Samsung's CES on January 4, 2022. The first three phones were released in the United States and Europe on January 29, 2021, while the Fan Edition was released globally on January 7, 2022.
The Galaxy S21 was succeeded by the Galaxy S22, which was announced on February 9, 2022.
Lineup The line-up consists of four devices: Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra, and the Galaxy S21 FE. The devices would be the first time since the Galaxy S6 to remove the microSD card slot. The S21 Ultra is the first phone in the Galaxy S series to support the S Pen, albeit sold separately and with limited functionality. It is the last phone of the Galaxy S series to use the former "SM-G9xx" model number format for the flagship device which had been in use since the Galaxy S5 as Samsung started to use the new "SM-S123X" model number format for future flagships starting with the Galaxy S22.
Performance The S21 line comprises four models with different chipsets used. International and Korean models of the S21 utilize the Exynos 2100 SoC, while the U.S., Canadian, Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Japanese models utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. The U.S., Canadian, Chinese, and international (European) models of the S21 FE use the Snapdragon 888, while Korean, Indian, Brazilian and Australian markets use Exynos 2100.
Design The Galaxy S21 series has a design similar to its predecessor, with an Infinity-O display containing a circular cutout in the top center for the front selfie camera. The S21 and S21 FE's back panel is reinforced poly-carbonate (plastic) similar to the S20 FE and Note 20, while the S21+ and S21 Ultra use Gorilla Glass Victus. The rear camera array has been integrated into the phone body except for the S21 FE which is made out of reinforced poly-carbonate integrated instead on the back cover and has a metallic surround; the S21 Ultra has a carbon fiber camera surround for exclusive colors.
Galaxy S21 FE Galaxy S21 Galaxy S21+ Galaxy S21 Ultra Base colors Online exclusive colors
Specifications Hardware Display
The S21 series features "Dynamic AMOLED 2X" displays with HDR10+ support and "dynamic tone mapping" technology. All models except the S21 FE utilize a second-generation ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor with the latter opting for an optical in-screen system instead. The S21 Ultra is also now able to use 120 Hz at 1440p unlike its predecessor (which was limited to 120 Hz at only 1080p). SpecGalaxy S21 FEGalaxy S21Galaxy S21+Galaxy S21 UltraDisplay sizeResolution2340×10802400×10803200×1440Density~403 ppi~421 ppi~394 ppi~515 ppiAspect ratio19.5:920:9Refresh rate60 Hz / 120 Hz48 Hz to 120 Hz10 Hz to 120 HzPanelDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, HDR10+Cover glassGorilla Glass Victus
Cameras The S21 and S21+ continue to have a similar camera setup to their predecessors but benefit from improved software and image processing. The S21 FE also have a similar camera setup to its predecessor but benefits from improved software and image processing. The S21 Ultra also carries over the primary rear, ultrawide, and front camera sensors from its predecessor, and introduces two different telephoto sensors. The S21 Ultra also introduces support for 12-bit RAW photo capture, and improvements to slow-motion quality. All devices can record HDR10+ video and support HEIF. +Camera comparison on Galaxy S21 SeriesModelsGalaxy S21 & S21+Galaxy S21 UltraGalaxy S21 FEWide12 MP (f/1.8)108 MP (f/1.8)12 MP (f/1.8)Ultrawide12 MP (120° FOV)Telephoto64 MP (3×) (f/2.0)10 MP (3×) (f/2.4)8 MP (3×) (f/2.4)Periscope Telephoto 10 MP (10×) (f/4.9) Front10 MP (f/2.2)40 MP (f/2.2)32 MP (f/2.2)Galaxy S21/S21+/S21 Ultra support 8K video recording at up to 24fpsGalaxy S21 FE support 4K video recording at up to 60fps
Moon photo controversy Users discovered that the Scene Optimizer included with Samsung Galaxy S21 and later phones use artificial intelligence to identify the Moon and add details that the camera is not capable of capturing, based on a library of existing moon photos. However, this was disputed by Samsung, claiming that they have an AI enhancement algorithm that adds detail to the moon photos.
Memory and Storage ModelMemoryStorage optionsStorage typeGalaxy S218 GB128 GB / 256 GBUFS 3.1Galaxy S21+Galaxy S21 Ultra12 GB / 16 GB128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB Galaxy S21 FE6 GB / 8 GB128 GB / 256 GB The S21 and S21+ offer 8 GB of RAM with 128 and 256 GB options for internal storage. The S21 Ultra has 12 GB of RAM with 128 and 256 GB options as well as a 16 GB option with 512 GB of internal storage. The S21 FE offers 6 and 8 GB of RAM with 128 and 256 GB options for internal storage. All four models lack a microSD card slot, which was present in the S20 series.
Batteries The S21, S21 FE, S21+, and S21 Ultra contain non-removable 4000 mAh, 4,500 mAh, 4800 mAh, and 5000 mAh batteries respectively. All four models support wired charging over USB-C at up to 25W (using USB Power Delivery) as well as Qi inductive charging up to 15W. The phones also can charge other Qi-compatible devices from the S21's battery power, which is branded as "Wireless PowerShare," at up to 4.5W. Galaxy S21 FEGalaxy S21Galaxy S21+Galaxy S21 UltraBattery capacity4,500 mAh4,000 mAh4,800 mAh5,000 mAhWired charging speed25 WQi2 wireless charging speed15 WReverse wireless charging speed4.5 W
Connectivity All four phones support 5G SA/NSA networks. The Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 FE support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The S21+ and S21 Ultra models also support Ultra Wideband (UWB) for short-range communications similar to NFC (not to be confused with 5G mmWave, which is marketed as Ultra Wideband by Verizon). Samsung uses this technology for their new "SmartThings Find" feature and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+. ModelWi-FiBluetoothUWBUSBNFCGalaxy S21 FEWi-Fi 65.0 rowspan="2" USB-C 3.2(5Gbps) rowspan="4" Galaxy S21Galaxy S21+ rowspan="2" Galaxy S21 UltraWi-Fi 6E5.2
Software The first three S21 phones were released with Android 11 (One UI 3.1), while the S21 FE was released with Android 12 (One UI 4). They all use Samsung Knox for enhanced device factory reset protection (FRP) security, and a separate version exist for enterprise use. All of the S21 phones are eligible for four Android OS updates and five years of security updates. Pre-installed OSOS Upgrades historyEnd of support1st2nd3rd4thS21S21+S21 UltraAndroid 11(One UI 3.1)Android 12(One UI 4.0)November 2021(One UI 4.1)March 2022Android 13(One UI 5.0)November 2022(One UI 5.1)February 2023Android 14(One UI 6.0)November 2023(One UI 6.1)May 2024Android 15(One UI 7.0)April 2025February 2026S21 FEAndroid 12(One UI 4.0)Android 13(One UI 5.0)November 2022(One UI 5.1)February 2023Android 14(One UI 6.0)December 2023(One UI 6.1)May 2024Android 15(One UI 7.0)May 2025Android 16(One UI 8.0)October 2025Within 2027
Reception The Verge'''s review, by Dieter Bohn, praised the S21 Ultra's punchy display, fast performance, long-lasting battery life and the general improvements to the camera system, likening the latter to that of the iPhone 12 Pro Max's; however, Bohn did note that the phone's glass back is slightly more susceptible to minor scratches. Android Authority'''s review by David Imel noted the Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra "is a powerhouse smartphone" and that "the camera system in Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the best you can get on Android". Matt Sweder at Techradar gave a positive review noting its "mesmerizing design" calling it "Samsung's best-looking phone ever" and how "phenomenally powerful" the camera is, but also went on to criticize the price and lack of microSD card slot, and questioning the stylus support, which is a separate purchase, with nowhere to put the S Pen on the phone itself.
Criticism has been aimed at the lack of a charger and memory card-expandable storage, the latter of which existed on the preceding Galaxy S20. In 2018, Samsung made fun of iPhone's lack of the same features and an audio connector port in a series of commercials for the Galaxy S9 named "Ingenious", where unhappy iPhone customers confront an Apple Store employee over the lack of functionality that the Galaxy S9 was equipped with, a feature which has since been removed from all Galaxy phones.
Following Apple, Samsung decided not to include a wall charger or earphones when selling the Galaxy S21 series of smartphones, the reasoning being that "Samsung believes the removal of earphones and charger plugs from our in-box device packaging can help address the growing e-waste problem and unnecessary duplication of these items". However, reaching the highest charging rate possibly requires a new charger with separate packaging and shipping with a standalone environmental footprint.
See also List of longest smartphone telephoto lenses
References
External links
Galaxy S21 & S21+ – official website Galaxy S21 Ultra – official website Galaxy S21 FE – official website