Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a compact flagship-class Android phone built around a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 5G connectivity, and a triple rear camera system.
Announced on January 14, 2021 and released on January 29, 2021, it remains notable for pairing a light body with premium features such as IP68 protection, wireless charging, Samsung DeX, and long-term One UI support.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – SM-G991U1 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – SM-G991B | |
| 5G bands: | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – SM-G991U1 |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – SM-G991B | |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
Launch
| Announced: | 2021, January 14 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight: | 169 g (Sub6), 171 g (mmWave) (5.96 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
Display
| Type: | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Size: | 6.2 inches, 94.1 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
Platform
| OS: | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Chipset: | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) – USA/China |
| CPU: | Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – InternationalOcta-core (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) – USA/China |
| GPU: | Mali-G78 MP14 – InternationalAdreno 660 – USA/China |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Triple: | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76″, 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video |
| Features: | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Circle to Search |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Charging: | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors: | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink |
| Models: | SM-G991B, SM-G991B/DS, SM-G991U, SM-G991U1, SM-G991W, SM-G991N, SM-G9910, SM-G991Q, SCG09 |
| SAR: | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | € 204.00 / $ 167.98 / £ 169.00 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 584055 (v8) GeekBench: 3238 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display: | 856 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera: | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker: | -26.4 LUFS (Good) |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 93h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €204, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of September 12, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $237
- Japan: ¥36,396
- United Kingdom: £175
- Australia: A$330
- Canada: C$328
- Taiwan: NT$7,483
- Denmark: kr1.525
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼887
- South Korea: ₩317,936
- Germany: €204
- Brazil: R$1.208
- Vietnam: ₫6.129.644
- Kenya: KSh 30,695
- India: ₹22,609
- Indonesia: Rp 4.159.899
- Nigeria: ₦321,989
- Pakistan: ₨65,741
- Philippines: ₱14,828
- Bangladesh: ৳২৯,১৯৯
Value Position
The Galaxy S21 5G is best understood as a previous-generation flagship rather than a basic mid-range phone. Its source catalog pricing places it in a value-focused bracket, but the feature set still includes a 120Hz AMOLED display, UFS 3.1 storage, stereo speakers, wireless charging, and a high-end camera layout.
Design and Durability
Samsung kept the phone relatively compact at 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm, with weight listed at 169 g for Sub6 models and 171 g for mmWave versions. The front uses Gorilla Glass Victus, the frame is aluminum, and the back is plastic, which helps reduce weight while keeping IP68 dust and water resistance.
Display Experience
The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is one of the phone’s strongest daily-use advantages. A 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, 1080 x 2400 resolution, and a measured brightness result of 856 nits make it suitable for smooth scrolling, video, and outdoor readability, even if newer Ultra models offer larger and sharper screens.
Performance Hardware
Performance depends on region: international units use the Exynos 2100, while USA and China variants use the Snapdragon 888 5G. Both are 5 nm flagship chipsets from the same generation, paired with UFS 3.1 storage and up to 8GB RAM in the listed configurations. The catalog test data shows AnTuTu v8 at 584055 and GeekBench 5.1 at 3238.
Camera System
The rear camera setup combines a 12 MP wide camera with OIS, a 64 MP telephoto camera with OIS and 3x hybrid zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide camera with a 120-degree field of view. It is especially strong for flexible everyday shooting and video, with support listed up to 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps.
Battery and Charging
The 4000 mAh battery is not oversized by current standards, but the listed 93-hour endurance rating suggests solid efficiency for its size. Charging support includes 25W wired PD3.0, 15W Qi wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for small accessories.
Software and Features
The phone launched with Android 11 and is listed with support up to four major Android upgrades and One UI 6.1. Extra features such as Samsung DeX, Wireless DeX, Circle to Search, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint recognition, and a full sensor set help it feel more complete than many newer budget devices.
Connectivity Notes
Connectivity is broad, but buyers should pay attention to model numbers. The SM-G991U1 listing includes Sub6 and mmWave 5G bands, while the SM-G991B listing focuses on Sub6 5G. Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2, GPS-family positioning, and eSIM support are also included.
Who Should Buy It
The Galaxy S21 5G makes the most sense for buyers who want a smaller Samsung flagship with a premium screen, capable cameras, wireless charging, and strong connectivity at a lower used or refurbished price. It is less ideal for users who need expandable storage, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, or the longest battery life possible.
References
- Samsung official Galaxy S21 5G support and specifications
- Samsung Newsroom Galaxy S21 launch specifications
- Source catalog entry
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G remains a practical compact flagship choice, especially for users who value display quality, cameras, water resistance, and Samsung software features. Recommended if the condition and model variant match your network needs.
