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"The Galaxy S21 + 5G is a sleeker, larger version of the S21. While it's great quality, it doesn't improve the S20 + drastically, nor does it match the height of the S21 Ultra."

• Noble metal-glass body

• Breathtaking screen performance

• Capable camera

• A 2021 flagship camera is missing

• S21 Ultra is way better in many ways

If the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the best Android phone you can buy right now, and the Galaxy S21 5G has the right ingredients but can't quite pull them together, then where is the Galaxy S21 + 5G? The price is exactly in between and mixes up the lackluster technical data of the S21 a bit, but still doesn't quite match the S21 Ultra for downright high-tech appeal. Is the Galaxy S21 + the confused middle kid or a little star waiting for its moment to shine?

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Since the Galaxy S21 + is almost identical to the Galaxy S21 in terms of software, performance, and camera capability, I won't go into a lot of details here, as DT's mobile editor, Andrew Martonik, already did so in their Galaxy S21 review . Instead, I'll talk about the design and battery that make the S21 + different, as well as some general opinions about the camera and software.

Design and screen

The Galaxy S21 + basically looks the same as the S21, only a bit bigger and a good deal heavier. It weighs 200 grams and is 7.8 mm thick, with a rather flat 6.7-inch screen that leads into the metal case and, most importantly, a Gorilla Glass Victus back panel. Fortunately, the rear cover made of polycarbonate can only be found on the S21. The matte finish hides fingerprints and smudges, and the attractive Phantom Silver color in our photos subtly changes color in different lighting conditions. It is very nice.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

In keeping with the textured metal of the camera module, which is part of the metal housing like the S21 and S21 Ultra, the S21 + feels expensive, looks classy and, overall, is just the right weight to hold. The S21 series design is Samsung's best yet, and the massive camera module on the back of the S21 Ultra takes off the delicate, stylish look. Not so with the Galaxy S21 +. It's just the right mix in that regard, but the size of the phone can still bother some. It's nowhere near as big as the S21 Ultra or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but it's still a sizable device. My medium-sized hands are struggling to reach over the body of the phone.

The screen is the same Dynamic AMOLED panel as the S21, only bigger. The 6.7-inch screen has a pixel resolution of 2400 x 1080 (FHD +) and a maximum dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz. The software adjusts the refresh rate depending on what you are doing to keep power consumption under control. It's also a mostly flat panel with less curvature than the S21 Ultra. This has advantages when it comes to gaming but disadvantages when it comes to style. A flat screen can cause the phone to age prematurely.

If you're concerned, the FHD + resolution makes the viewing experience less impressive than the S20 + with WQHD + resolution. Do not worry. Comparing the two didn't reveal any noticeable difference when watching videos – whatever you're doing on the phone looks absolutely great. The video looks amazing, with beautiful colors, sharp details, and more brightness than you really need. This version of GFriends Mago demonstrates the screen's excellent ability to handle rapidly changing colors and tones. At 1080p and 60fps on the S21 +, it looks wonderful.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The beautiful graphics are retained throughout the operating system, supported by the breathtaking brightness of the screen and the refresh rate of 120 Hz for super smooth scrolling, as well as useful adjustment with the Video Enhancer for more vivid colors, a white balance adjustment and various screen color modes. The stunning screen combined with the reasonable size of the Galaxy S21 + in the hand is great for video, gaming, and general everyday use.

camera

The S21 + has the same camera system as the S21 and is almost identical to the cameras of the S20. This means a 64-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. There is also a 10 megapixel selfie camera in a central hole in the screen. However, you will still find many of the same features found on the S21 Ultra, including 8K video recording, the interesting single take mode, image stabilization, portrait mode, and Director's View (where you record video with all cameras and switch between them can) real time) and much more.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

When I compared the S21 + directly with the camera of the S20 +, the software improvements from Samsung were clearly visible. The S21 + can handle shadows and difficult lighting outdoors far better than before, isn't over-saturated in the same way, and has a wider dynamic range. The result is very attractive photos with a tone that is still pop but not as fake as some photos from the S20's camera.

While 3x optical zoom is the preferred option for detail as you get closer to the picture, moving it up to 10x digital won't completely pixelate the photo, but you probably won't want to use the photos very often. To get the best zoom camera, you need to buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has both 3x optical and 10x optical zoom – the difference is significant.

Disadvantage? The wide-angle and main cameras can lack consistency in tone and appearance, with the wide-angle camera increasing the saturation more. The wide-angle camera doesn't take great macro shots on the S21 Ultra either, and focusing on close-ups isn't the S21 + 's forte. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that the S21 + 's camera is only "good" and that is not enough for $ 1,000, especially if it is also the $ 800 Galaxy S21 or the iPhone 12 Pro and Google Pixel 5 far more are capable.

Battery and performance

I'm using an S21 + with an Exynos 2100 chip instead of the US model with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 8GB of RAM. On average days with around three hours of screen time, mostly social networking, email, browsing, and messaging, the 4,800 mAh battery drains to around 35% from around 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., which is means that general usage is a little shorter. You could get two days out of the S21 +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, add in some games or heavy photo or video usage and you only get a single day. About 30 minutes of Asphalt 9: Legends, for example, uses 10% of the battery. If you do this twice a day, you will be nervously watching the percent meter around bedtime. Playing Asphalt 9: Legends over long periods of time showed that the S21 + may not be able to handle intense games as intensely as the S21 Ultra, which has the same chip but more RAM. The game suffered from dropped frame rates and slowdowns, and eventually crashed after a very long session when there was a lot going on on the screen, which wasn't at all on the S21 Ultra. Otherwise, the performance was flawless and no other games had such problems.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The S21 + has Android 11 with the Samsung OneUI 3.1. It is identical to the S21 and the S21 Ultra. For more information on the software's strengths and weaknesses, check out the reviews of these two phones. The 25-watt fast charging is also the same for all Galaxy S21 models, along with the wireless 15-watt charging and reverse charging. Fortunately, Samsung used a new fingerprint sensor on the S21 + than on the S20 +, and its performance is excellent.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S21 + is priced at $ 1,000 for the 128GB model or $ 1,049 for the 256GB version. In the UK, the 128GB Galaxy S21 + is £ 950 or £ 999 for the 256GB version. It is now available, either activated via Samsung or Amazon or with a contract with all major network operators.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 + 5G appears to be the middle child of the 2021 S series, and while that's true in terms of size, it's not about technology. The S21 + comes no closer to the incredible capabilities of the S21 Ultra than the S21 and is really only there for those who think the S21 is too small. If you want the true S Series flagship this year, you have to Buy the S21 Ultra 5G.

Does that mean you shouldn't be considering the S21 + at all? No, if you are interested in the S21 or the S21 +, it is the model of the two that you need to buy. The Gorilla Glass Victus back panel gives it the class that the S21 plastic lacks, the larger screen really shows the breathtaking quality, and the battery life – although not exactly long – is better.

The extra cash to spend on the S21 is a little on the high side if the camera is not only the same, but also not as good as the $ 1,000 iPhone 12 Pro or the $ 699 Google Pixel 5 -Dollar S21 + owners interested in camera performance for the $ 1,200 S21 Ultra.

When I tested the Galaxy S20 + in early 2020, I called it the "safe choice," and that's exactly how I see the S21 +. It's pretty and capable, but it doesn't cross borders or lead exciting advances. They know that the quality is excellent and that it will last. The fact that I am saying exactly the same thing about the sequel is both comforting because nothing has changed and depressing because nothing has really changed. The Galaxy S21 + runs as usual.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. Assuming you're not set on an Android phone, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the better buy for $ 1,000. The camera is superb, the size is right, the performance is excellent, and since it has 5G this year, it will last just as long as the S21 +. Obviously, things change a little when Samsung offers deep discounts – at the time of writing. The S21 + was brought down to just $ 800, but that's not a permanent sale.

If Android is essential, the Galaxy S21 + 's main competition has not really arrived in 2021. The OnePlus 8 Pro is still very good, but the OnePlus 9 series is on its way very soon and it may be worthwhile to see what the updated model has to offer if you're not in a hurry. If you're in the UK or don't mind importing, the Xiaomi Mi 11 shares the S21 +’s excellent screen and improves the technology in the camera, but battery life suffers.

How long it will take?

Samsung is committed to providing software and security updates for up to four years. The S21 + has an IP68 rating and a metal case, and it has a ton of power plus 5G to keep it updated. All of this means that a two-year contract with a carrier feels relatively new in the end and lasts for at least another year before you really have to think about an upgrade.

Should you buy it?

Yes, this is definitely the model when you can choose between the S21 and the S21. Don't expect this to be anything more than a slightly updated version of the S20 + from last year, however. If this bothers you, there are better options.

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