Galaxy S21+ review

A Familiar Yet Refined Design — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus sits in the middle of the S21 family, offering a larger screen and battery than its smaller sibling without the premium price or camera hardware of the Ultra. For anyone looking for a big-screen Android phone that gets the basics right, it is a compelling option. However, it also comes with a few notable trade-offs that might give some buyers pause.

At launch, the phone cost $999, placing it between the standard S21 and the Ultra. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens with hybrid zoom. The phone is IP68 water and dust resistant, weighs 200 grams, and packs a 4,800mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Notably, Samsung did not include a charger in the box, and there is no microSD slot for expandable storage.

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Display and performance — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The Galaxy S21 Plus adopts a familiar design language, but with some refinements. The rear camera module blends into the metal frame, giving the phone a more unified look than previous models. The available finishes vary by region and storage capacity, but the overall build feels solid and premium. At 200 grams and just 0.31 inches thick, it is relatively slim for a phone with a 6.7-inch screen, making it comfortable to hold despite its size.

The absence of both a charger and a microSD card slot may be disappointing for some, especially given the price point. The phone also drops the QHD+ resolution of its predecessor in favor of Full HD+, though this is hardly noticeable on a screen of this size. The 10MP front camera is tucked away in a small punch-hole, keeping the display clean. The phone runs Android with Samsung's One UI overlay, which remains one of the most feature-rich and customizable interfaces available.

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A Beautiful Screen That Adjusts to You — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of the standout features of the Galaxy S21 Plus. It offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent brightness, making it great for streaming video, browsing the web, or playing games. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate can scale from 48Hz to 120Hz depending on the content, which helps balance smoothness with battery life. Whether you are scrolling through social media or watching HDR10+ content, the screen looks fantastic.

The camera system is versatile, with the main 12MP sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto that offers 3x hybrid zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. Photos are sharp and well-exposed in daylight, while low-light performance is decent thanks to the wide aperture and software processing. The telephoto lens is particularly useful for getting closer to subjects without losing too much detail.

Battery life is generally strong, with the 4,800mAh cell easily lasting a full day of moderate use. However, charging speeds are capped at 25W, and the lack of an included charger means you will need to supply your own. The wired charging is not the fastest in the class, and wireless charging at 15W is similarly average. Still, for most users, the combination of a beautiful screen and a dependable camera system makes the S21 Plus a strong choice for anyone wanting a larger Android phone without breaking the bank.

Cameras That Capture Your World Clearly — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple camera setup that handles a wide range of shooting scenarios with ease. The main 12MP sensor captures detailed, colorful images in daylight, while the 12MP ultrawide lens lets you fit more into the frame for scenes or group shots. The standout is the 64MP telephoto camera, which offers 3x hybrid optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, allowing you to get closer to your subject without sacrificing too much quality. This is the same camera configuration found on the smaller Galaxy S21, so photographers won't lose anything by opting for the larger model.

In everyday use, photos look vibrant and sharp, with Samsung's processing delivering punchy colors that many users enjoy. The phone also supports 8K video recording, giving you plenty of resolution for future-proof clips. While the camera system is very capable, it's worth noting that at this price point, some competitors offer even better image quality, particularly in low light. Still, for most people, the S21 Plus's cameras will be more than enough to capture special moments clearly and reliably. If you are shopping around for a new phone, you can use our phone finder to compare options.

Battery Life That Lasts All Day (But Not Much More) — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

Inside the Galaxy S21 Plus, you'll find a 4,800mAh battery—a decent capacity unit that generally provides enough power to get through a full day of moderate use. With the adaptive 120Hz display, which can drop to as low as 48Hz to save power, you can expect around nine to ten hours of screen-on time depending on your activities. That's enough for a day of messaging, browsing, streaming, and photography, but heavy users may find themselves reaching for a charger before bedtime. The battery life is an improvement over the smaller Galaxy S21, largely due to the increased cell size.

Charging speeds are a mixed bag. The phone supports 25W wired charging, but Samsung no longer includes a charger in the box, so you'll need to supply your own compatible adapter to achieve those speeds. Wireless charging is available at 15W, which is convenient for topping up. Overall, the battery is sufficient for most people, but it doesn't set any new records. If you want to see how the S21 Plus stacks up against its siblings, check out this side-by-side comparison.

Is the Galaxy S21+ right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus occupies an interesting spot in the S21 lineup, offering a bigger screen and larger battery than the standard model without the full premium experience of the Ultra. For those who value a spacious display—the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate is genuinely beautiful—and don't need the absolute best camera or S Pen support, the S21 Plus is a fantastic choice. It delivers a polished Android experience with solid performance, IP68 water resistance, and a versatile camera system.

However, there are notable trade-offs. There's no microSD slot for expandable storage, and Samsung doesn't include a charger or headphones in the box, which might annoy some buyers. Additionally, the camera, while strong, isn't the best you can get for the money. If you can live without expandable storage and have your own charger, the S21 Plus offers a compelling big-screen experience. It's ideal for people who want the core features of the Galaxy S21 but with a larger canvas and more endurance. Just be aware of the compromises before committing.