The Powerful Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Samsung kicked off 2021 by launching its latest flagship smartphone lineup, the Galaxy S21 series. At the more affordable end of the range is the Galaxy S21 5G, offering many of Samsung’s top specs at a slightly lower price point. Let’s take a closer look at what the S21 5G has to offer.

Design and Display

Measuring 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm and weighing 169-171g, the Galaxy S21 5G has a compact footprint that makes it comfortable to hold. It features a glass front and plastic back/frame construction along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Up front is a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that maximizes screen real estate with slim bezels and a tiny punch-hole cut-out for the front camera. With a resolution of 1080×2400, it delivers vivid colors and absolute blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate also provides extra smoothness when scrolling or gaming.

Hardware and Performance

Depending on region, the Galaxy S21 5G is powered by either Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 or Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset. Both are top-of-the-line 5nm chips offering excellent processing power and efficiency. Paired with 8GB of RAM, performance is very snappy thanks to the powerful silicon.

Internal storage comes in at a generous 128GB or 256GB with no microSD card slot for expansion. For multimedia, it has dual speakers and support for 32-bit audio at frequencies up to 384kHz. Connectivity includes 5G, dual-band WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5, and NFC.

Camera

The triple rear camera system provides excellent versatility. It’s headlined by a 12MP main sensor, 64MP telephoto for 3x hybrid zoom, and 12MP ultrawide. This allows smooth zooming as well as capturing sweeping landscape shots.

Selfies are handled by a high-quality 10MP front camera. Both front and back are capable of 8K video recording, though limited to 24fps. 4K/60fps footage should provide buttery smooth clips. Low-light performance is also very good thanks to advanced processing.

Battery & Charging

Keeping the S21 5G powered throughout the day is a 4000mAh battery which is average capacity for its screen size. However, the power-efficiency of the Snapdragon/Exynos chips ensures it lasts from morning till night under regular usage.

When you do need to top up, 25W fast charging is supported which can refill over 50% juice in just 30 minutes. Wireless charging and battery share capabilities are also included for convenience.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G starts from around $800/£750 for the 128GB model, going up slightly for 256GB. For that price you’re getting a true 2021 flagship experience in a more affordable S series variant.

It’s available globally from Samsung’s website as well as major carriers and retailers. Regular security updates are assured through Samsung’s strong software support.

In conclusion, with its compact design, powerful specs, and versatile triple camera system, the Galaxy S21 5G is an excellent smartphone choice. Though lower priced than the S21 Ultra, it misses barely any notable feature for mainstream power users.