Samsung Galaxy S21 can not really inspire in the test

With the Galaxy S21, Samsung focuses on the camera. This is evident not only in the design of the new smartphones, but also in their features. However, users do not expect a revolution in cell phone photography, as the test shows.

Samsung Galaxy S21 in the test: the hardware at a glance

First to the hard facts. As with the Galaxy S10 and S20, there are also three models of Samsung‘s latest smartphone generation. The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 + are largely identical except for size and battery capacity. The largest model of the series, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, stands out with better camera equipment, S-Pen support and rounded display edges. Depending on the model, the costs are between 849 and 1429 euros (as RRP) and are therefore almost 50 euros cheaper than the previous generation.

Design and display

The most noticeable innovation is the design. A stable aluminum frame encloses the smartphones, the camera lenses and sensors are embedded in a solid piece of metal. Only the smallest model in the series has a plastic back, the other two are made of matt glass. This makes the devices look valuable and stable. Fingerprints or streaks are barely visible, and the devices are easy to clean. In addition, all three are protected against water and dust according to IP68.

For the displays, Samsung uses the Dynamic AMOLED technology known from the Galaxy Note 20. They now deliver a refresh rate of up to 120 Hertz for an even smoother display with fast movements. Because you don’t always need such a smooth scrolling, the screens turn up and down as needed, which is particularly energy-saving.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S21 – which of the 3 new models do I need?

New chip from Samsung

Samsung’s latest Exynos 2100 chip powers all three smartphones. It ensures a fast and smooth performance that even gamers with higher demands get their money’s worth. The new chip also consumes less power than previous SoCs (System on Chip). The processor i Galaxy S21 and S21 + is accompanied by 128 or 256 gigabytes (GB) of energy-saving UFS 3.1 memory, a maximum of 512 GB is possible with the S21 Ultra. However, the test of the Galaxy S21 showed that there are no more slots for memory cards. So you have to get by with the selected memory size.

Version 3.1 of the One UI user interface based on Android 11 is clear, even if some functions are not where you would expect them to be. It’s good that Samsung knows this and makes suggestions like “Are you looking for this?” In the menus. We also liked the new functions in the test of the Galaxy S21, such as the choice between Google Discover and Samsung Free as a news aggregator. Samsung has also equipped the blue light filter with new functions for more relaxed display reading, and data synchronization between Samsung devices has also become easier.

Galaxy S21 battery tested

Good photos, extensive camera app

The triple cameras of the Galaxy S21 and S21 + have hardly changed compared to their predecessors with two 12 megapixels and one 64 megapixels. For this, the software has apparently been improved. Photos under normal conditions turn out well, are sharp and attractive. Sometimes the colors appear a bit too clear. The S21 Ultra, on the other hand, has a main sensor with 108 megapixels. It combines several pixels into one and thus creates a better light output in the dark. There are also two telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x magnification – so if you need a lot of zoom, you will find it here.

30x space zoom on the Galaxy S21 and S21 + and even 100x space zoom on the S21 Ultra – that’s what Samsung calls the combination of optical zoom and digital detail enlargement. In practice the result is mixed. Yes, you can see something on the zoom images. No, it’s not good for the family album. In addition, colors and details have to run a lot, especially with the S21 and S21 +.

All S21 models film videos in up to 8K resolution (7680 x 4280 pixels). The image stabilization is quite successful and can also handle very dynamic scenes and wobbles. Thanks to the high resolution and the image stabilization, sharp still images from videos are also possible.

Lots of options in the camera app

If you dig your way into the camera app of the Samsung devices, you will be rewarded with a number of setting options, for which you first have to go to the app store from other manufacturers.

In addition to an expanded Pro mode, we also found the further development of Samsung’s “Single Shot” in the test of the Galaxy S21. A scene can be recorded with all cameras at the same time. Then you get a still image, video and slightly different perspectives – great for capturing a moment in depth. The “Director’s View” allows a simultaneous view through all cameras, the desired lens can be selected at the touch of a finger. If you like, you can also fade in yourself.

Conclusion: The best thing is the new design

Bulky and stable, yet elegant: In terms of construction and design, the Galaxy S21 models are a good further development of their predecessors. The polished aluminum frame and the camera lenses in a traffic light arrangement are really chic. And some weaknesses of the Galaxy S20 were ironed out in the S21.