Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)

Released January 2021

Premium ($600-$800)
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)

Summary

Pros

  • Exposure and colors in most photos and videos under most conditions
  • Zoom functionalities and performance for a device in its price range
  • Stability in videos taken while walking
  • Portrait photos
  • Overall audio playback experience
  • Performance in audio recording particularly in loud environments such as concerts and shows
  • Power efficiency level both in charging and discharging

Cons

  • Visible noise in most photos and in videos shot indoors and in low light
  • Photo autofocus
  • Many artifacts in photos
  • Photos taken in backlit conditions
  • Below-average charging speed
  • No microSD card slot

Scores

Camera
Audio
Battery
117
camera
108th

in Global Ranking

21st

in Premium Ranking ($600-$800)

Overall Camera Score i
117
45
Xiaomi Redmi A3
BEST 163
Top score
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra

Sub-scores

Photo i
118
50
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
BEST 169
Top score
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Bokeh i
70
20
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
BEST 85
Top score
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Preview i
62
34
Fairphone 4
BEST 93
Top score
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Zoom i
118
15
Oppo A77 5G
BEST 164
Top score
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Video i
106
31
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
BEST 159
Top score
Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Use Cases

BEST 154

Friends & Family

Portrait and group photos and videos

BEST 138

Lowlight

Photos and videos in lowlight conditions

Tests

Read the test results

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) camera
118
audio
119th

in Global Ranking

32nd

in Premium Ranking ($600-$800)

Overall Audio Score i
118
86
Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
BEST 161
Top score
Black Shark 5 Pro

Sub-scores & Use Cases

Playback i
115
74
Nokia 7.2
BEST 163
Top score
Black Shark 5 Pro

Use Cases

BEST 172

Listening to music

Through the smartphone's integrated speakers

BEST 161

Watching videos

Through the smartphone's integrated speakers

BEST 156

Gaming

Through the smartphone's integrated speakers

Recording i
123
88
Fairphone 4
BEST 160
Top score
Honor Magic6 Pro

Use Cases

BEST 169

Friends & Family videos

With the smartphone's main camera

BEST 164

Selfie videos

With the smartphone's selfie camera

BEST 158

Concert videos

With the smartphone's main camera

Tests

Read the test results

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) audio
108
battery
132nd

in Global Ranking

23rd

in Premium Ranking ($600-$800)

Overall Battery Score i
108
75
Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
BEST 160
Top score
Oppo Find X7 Ultra

Sub-scores

Autonomy i
100
55
Xiaomi 12 Pro
BEST 195
Top score
Honor X7b
Charging i
107
72
Wiko Power U20
BEST 218
Top score
Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
Efficiency i
135
47
Xiaomi 12 Pro
BEST 154
Top score
Oppo Reno6 5G

Key performances

Battery Life
2 days 2h
Battery Life
0-80% Charge
0h49
0-80% Charge
Full Charge
1h36
Full Charge
after 5-minute charge
2h34 Autonomy
after 5-minute charge
Tests

Read the test results

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) battery

Specifications

151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm

Dimensions

5G
Dual SIM

Network

Water resistant
IP68

Protection

Wireless

Charging

128/256 GB

Storage

Wide, Tele, Ultra-Wide

Main camera
Show more specifications