Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a compact former flagship that now competes on value rather than launch-year hype. It still delivers premium basics that many newer mid-range phones do not combine in one device.
This article uses a buyer-first angle instead of repeating the full spec table: where the S21 5G still performs strongly, where it feels dated, and who should consider it today.
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 March 23, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $236
- Japan: ¥37,521
- United Kingdom: £177
- Australia: A$336
- Canada: C$323
- Taiwan: NT$7,535
- Denmark: kr1.522
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼884
- South Korea: ₩354,314
- Germany: €204
- Brazil: R$1.248
- Vietnam: ₫6.170.651
- Kenya: KSh 30,470
- India: ₹22,084
- Indonesia: Rp 4.000.182
- Nigeria: ₦319,496
- Pakistan: ₨65,729
- Philippines: ₱14,114
- Bangladesh: ৳২৮,৯০৪
Value in 2026: Former Flagship, Mid-Range Budget
The Galaxy S21 5G makes the most sense as a value pick. At current market pricing, it gives you a flagship-grade screen, water resistance, and strong camera flexibility that many budget phones still lack. If your priority is balanced quality over headline-new hardware, it remains competitive.
Design and Build: Compact and Practical
With a 6.2-inch footprint and light weight, the S21 5G is easier to handle than most modern large-screen rivals. The Gorilla Glass Victus front, aluminum frame, and IP68 rating help it feel premium in daily use, even with a plastic rear panel.
Display Quality: Still a Highlight
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support remains one of the phone’s strongest reasons to buy. Sharp FHD+ resolution and strong measured brightness keep it comfortable for media, scrolling, and outdoor readability.
Performance: Fast Enough for Most Users
Both chipset versions were flagship-class in their generation, and paired with UFS 3.1 storage they still deliver smooth app launches and responsive multitasking. Benchmark results such as AnTuTu 584055 and Geekbench 3238 indicate performance that remains solid for everyday use and moderate gaming.
Camera System: Reliable All-Rounder
The triple-camera setup is still versatile, combining a stabilized main camera, a zoom-focused secondary camera, and an ultrawide option. Video support up to 8K and stable 4K capture gives it an edge over many similarly priced devices that rely more on high megapixel counts than consistent output.
Battery and Charging: Adequate, Not Class-Leading
The 4000mAh battery is serviceable for typical daily use, and wireless plus reverse wireless charging adds convenience. Charging speeds are decent rather than fast by today’s standards, so buyers focused on ultra-fast top-ups may prefer newer alternatives.
Software and Features: Mature One UI Experience
Samsung’s software support policy and One UI 6.1 availability keep the phone relevant longer than many peers from its launch period. Useful extras like Samsung DeX, Wireless DeX, and Circle to Search add productivity value that is uncommon at this price level.
Connectivity and Model Selection: Check Region Before Buying
This is a phone where model number matters. Different variants offer different band support, including mmWave on select models, so matching the right model to your carrier is essential. Wi-Fi 6, NFC, eSIM support, and USB-C 3.2 keep connectivity modern for most users.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S21 5G?
Buy it if you want a compact Samsung with a high-quality 120Hz OLED, dependable cameras, and premium extras at a lower cost. Skip it if your top priorities are maximum battery capacity, the newest silicon, or the longest possible future software runway.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is still a smart value buy for users who want a compact, premium-feeling phone with balanced flagship features; just choose the right regional model and prioritize good battery condition.
