The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G was released in January 2021 as part of Samsung's flagship S21 series. While it is a more affordable option compared to the S21 Ultra, it still delivers top-tier performance and features. Below is a detailed description of its key aspects:

Design and Build Quality:

• Dimensions: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
• Weight: 169g (5.96 oz)
• Materials:
  • Frame: Plastic back with an aluminum frame.
  • Front: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection.
• Colors: Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink.

The Galaxy S21 5G features a sleek, modern design with a plastic back (referred to as "glasstic") that makes it lighter than its more expensive counterparts, while still maintaining a premium look. It has a flat screen, minimal bezels, and a camera bump integrated into the frame for a seamless appearance.

Display:

• Type: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ certified.
• Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels (~421 ppi density).
• Refresh Rate: Adaptive 120Hz, automatically adjusting between 48Hz to 120Hz depending on the content being viewed, offering a smoother experience for scrolling and gaming.
• Brightness: Peak brightness of 1300 nits.
• Aspect Ratio: 20:9.
• Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
• Features: The display supports HDR10+ for rich colors and deep contrasts, making it great for media consumption, gaming, and general use.

Performance:

• Chipset (Varies by Region):
  • USA/China/India: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm).
  • Global: Exynos 2100 (5nm).
• CPU:
  • Snapdragon 888: Octa-core (1x 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x 2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x 1.80 GHz Cortex-A55).
  • Exynos 2100: Octa-core (1x 2.9 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x 2.80 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A55).
• GPU:
  • Snapdragon 888: Adreno 660.
  • Exynos 2100: Mali-G78 MP14.
• RAM: 8GB LPDDR5.
• Storage: Available in 128GB and 256GB UFS 3.1 (non-expandable).

The combination of the Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 and 8GB RAM delivers a snappy, high-performance experience, allowing the S21 5G to handle multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease.

Battery:

• Capacity: 4,000 mAh, non-removable.
• Charging:
  • Wired Charging: 25W fast charging (USB Power Delivery 3.0).
  • Wireless Charging: 15W wireless charging.
  • Reverse Wireless Charging: 4.5W (Wireless PowerShare) to charge other devices like earbuds or other smartphones.

The 4,000 mAh battery is optimized to offer a full day's worth of usage, depending on how the device is used. Fast charging ensures that the phone can be quickly topped up when needed.

Camera System:

The Galaxy S21 5G has a triple-camera setup designed to deliver impressive photography and video performance:

1. Main Camera:

   • 12MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS.
   • Captures sharp and vibrant images with a wide field of view.

2. Ultra-Wide Camera:

   • 12MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultra-wide), Dual Pixel PDAF.
   • Ideal for wide-angle shots, ensuring minimal distortion and good detail.

3. Telephoto Camera (3x Optical Zoom):

   • 64MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS.
   • The telephoto lens supports 3x hybrid optical zoom, enabling detailed zoomed-in shots.

4. Selfie Camera:

   • 10MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF.
   • Delivers high-quality selfies with bright colors and clear detail.

Key Camera Features:

• 8K Video Recording: Records video at 8K resolution at 24fps.
• 4K Video: Supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 60fps, with HDR10+ and OIS.
• Super Steady Video: Enhanced video stabilization to capture smooth footage, even in motion.
• Single Take: Allows the user to capture multiple photos and videos with a single tap.
• Super Resolution Zoom: Digital zoom up to 30x, although it doesn't perform as well as the more expensive S21 Ultra.

Software:

• Operating System: Samsung One UI 3.1 based on Android 11 at launch, with future updates planned.
• Features:
  • Samsung’s One UI provides a clean and intuitive interface with features like Edge Panel, Dark Mode, Samsung DeX, and improved multitasking.
  • The device is also equipped with Samsung’s ecosystem features, including Samsung Pay and Samsung Knox security.

Connectivity:

• 5G Support: Both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave (USA).
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6), dual-band.
• Bluetooth: 5.0.
• NFC: Yes, for mobile payments and other NFC-related features.
• USB: USB Type-C 3.2.
• Other: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM and eSIM), GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO.

Security:

• Fingerprint Sensor: Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
• Face Recognition: 2D facial recognition via front camera.
• Samsung Knox: Multi-layered security system offering protection for data, apps, and transactions.

Other Features:

• Water and Dust Resistance: IP68 rating (resistant to dust and can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes).
• Stereo Speakers: Tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos for immersive audio.
• No microSD card slot: Unlike older models, the S21 5G does not have expandable storage, which is a notable limitation for some users.

Price and Variants:

The Galaxy S21 5G launched at a more affordable price point than the S21 Ultra:

• 128GB/8GB RAM (base model).
• 256GB/8GB RAM (higher storage option).

At launch, it was priced starting at $799.99 for the base 128GB model in the U.S., depending on region and offers.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point. With its sleek design, stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, robust camera system, and powerful chipset, it provides an excellent experience for everyday use, media consumption, and casual photography. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the S21 Ultra, such as the 108MP camera or 100x zoom, it remains a solid choice for users looking for a high-performance 5G phone.