SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 PLUS

Launched in January 2021 at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus arrived as the middle child in the company’s flagship S21 series . Positioned between the compact Galaxy S21 and the ultra-premium S21 Ultra, the S21 Plus was designed to offer a compelling blend of premium features, a larger display, and extended battery life without reaching the stratospheric price point of its top-tier sibling . While it marked a departure from some specifications of its predecessor—most notably a shift from a Quad HD display to Full HD —it also introduced refined design language, powerful new processors, and enhanced camera software that solidified its place as a formidable flagship smartphone of 2021 .https://sammertechnology.co.ke/ Design and Build Quality The Galaxy S21 Plus introduced a distinctive design language that set it apart from previous generations. The most notable aesthetic feature is the “Contour Cut” camera housing, where the rear camera module seamlessly blends into the metal frame of the device . This design choice creates a unified, sleek appearance and eliminates the prominent camera bump that characterized earlier models, making the phone feel more integrated and premium . Measuring 161.5 mm in height, 75.6 mm in width, and a slim 7.8 mm in thickness, the S21 Plus strikes a balance between a large-screen device and comfortable handling . The phone weighs 202 grams—slightly heavier than the standard S21 but significantly lighter than many competitors with similar screen sizes . The flat display edges represent a notable shift from Samsung’s previous curved-screen designs, a change that improves usability by reducing accidental touches while maintaining a modern, refined appearance . Samsung utilized Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back panels, offering enhanced drop and scratch resistance compared to previous glass formulations . The back features a matte finish that resists fingerprint smudges and adds a sophisticated texture to the device . The aluminum frame provides structural rigidity while contributing to the phone’s premium feel. The S21 Plus is available in three refined color options: Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black . For those who purchased directly from Samsung, additional colors like Phantom Gold and Phantom Red were offered as exclusives . The phone carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can survive submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes . This certification provides peace of mind for everyday use, though it is worth noting that water damage is not covered under Samsung’s standard warranty . The SIM tray supports dual Nano-SIM cards, though the phone lacks expandable storage via microSD—a departure from previous Galaxy S series models that may disappoint users who rely on removable storage . Display Technology The S21 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels (Full HD ), resulting in a pixel density of approximately 394 ppi . While this represents a resolution downgrade from the S20 Plus’s Quad HD panel, Samsung’s decision to prioritize battery efficiency and consistent 120Hz performance made this trade-off understandable . In practical use, the Full HD resolution remains exceptionally sharp, with text appearing crisp and images displaying fine detail that satisfies even discerning users. The display’s standout feature is its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which dynamically adjusts between 48Hz and 120Hz based on the content being viewed . This intelligent adaptation conserves battery life when high refresh rates are unnecessary while delivering buttery-smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and responsive gaming experiences when they are needed. The panel supports HDR10 technology, enabling vibrant colors and enhanced contrast when viewing compatible content on streaming platforms . With a peak brightness of 1300 nits, the S21 Plus display remains highly readable even under direct sunlight . The Eye Comfort Shield feature reduces blue light emission through AI-based optimization, helping to minimize eye strain during extended use . The centrally positioned hole-punch cutout houses the front-facing camera and is minimally intrusive, contributing to an impressive screen-to-body ratio of approximately 88.8% . Performance and Hardware The Galaxy S21 Plus is powered by different processors depending on the region. Global markets received Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2100 chipset, while the United States and China versions utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 . Both are 5nm processors representing significant advancements over their predecessors. The Exynos 2100, in particular, marked a turning point for Samsung’s chip division, delivering performance that finally rivaled Qualcomm’s offerings after years of criticism regarding Exynos’s comparative shortcomings . The octa-core CPU configuration varies slightly between chipsets, but both deliver exceptional performance across all usage scenarios. The Exynos 2100 features a tri-cluster architecture with one high-performance Cortex-X1 core running at 2.9 GHz, three Cortex-A78 cores at 2.8 GHz, and four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores at 2.2 GHz . This configuration enables the phone to handle demanding applications—from 3D gaming to video editing—without perceptible lag or stuttering . Memory configurations include 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM paired with either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage . The LPDDR5 RAM offers improved bandwidth and power efficiency compared to previous generations, while UFS 3.1 storage ensures rapid app loading and file transfers. However, the absence of expandable storage may be limiting for users who capture大量的 8K video or maintain extensive media libraries . Connectivity features include comprehensive 5G support across both Sub-6GHz and mmWave bands (depending on regional variants), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with MIMO support, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC for contactless payments, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise device tracking and enhanced SmartThings functionality . The USB Type-C port supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds for fast data transfers . Camera System The S21 Plus employs a triple-camera system that, while largely unchanged from the S20 Plus, delivers refined image processing and enhanced software features that extract maximum performance from the hardware . The rear camera array consists of: Primary Wide Camera: 12-megapixel sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, f/1.8 aperture, 1.8μm pixel size, and optical image stabilization (OIS). This camera serves as the workhorse for most photography scenarios, delivering detailed, well-exposed images with accurate color reproduction . Ultra-Wide Camera: 12-megapixel sensor with a 120-degree field of view, f/2.2 aperture, and 1.4μm pixel size. This lens excels at landscape photography, group shots, and creative perspectives, though some edge distortion is typical for ultra-wide lenses . Telephoto Camera: 64-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture, 0.8μm pixel size, and OIS. While marketed as a telephoto lens, it achieves 3x hybrid optical zoom through sensor cropping and computational photography, with support for up to 30x Super Resolution Zoom . The high-resolution sensor also enables 8K video recording with the ability to extract 33-megapixel still frames from footage . The front-facing camera features a 10-megapixel sensor with f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel autofocus, and 4K video recording capability at 30 fps . Camera Software and Features Samsung’s One UI 3.1 introduces several innovative camera features that enhance the photography experience. Director’s View allows users to preview and switch between all rear cameras during video recording, while Vlogger View enables simultaneous front and rear camera recording—ideal for content creators who want to capture reactions alongside their subjects . The Single Take 2.0 feature captures multiple images and videos with a single press, using AI to recommend the best shots, including filtered photos, cropped images, and short video clips . 8K Video Snap enables users to capture 8K video and extract high-resolution still images during playback, effectively combining video and photography capabilities . Night Mode has been refined to produce cleaner low-light images with improved detail and reduced noise, leveraging multi-frame processing to brighten scenes without introducing excessive grain . The AI-powered Zoom Lock feature stabilizes the viewfinder at high zoom levels, making it easier to capture clear distant subjects . Battery and Charging The S21 Plus houses a substantial 4800 mAh battery, a significant upgrade over the standard S21’s 4000 mAh cell . This capacity translates to impressive endurance, with the phone easily lasting through a full day of heavy use and often extending into a second day for moderate users . The adaptive 120Hz display and efficient 5nm processor contribute to optimized power consumption, while the Full HD resolution reduces the graphical processing load compared to higher-resolution displays . Charging capabilities include 25W wired fast charging using USB Power Delivery 3.0 with Programmable Power Supply (PPS) . In practical terms, this enables approximately 50% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in about 60 to 75 minutes when paired with a compatible charger . Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 supports up to 15W charging speeds, while Wireless PowerShare allows the S21 Plus to recharge other Qi-compatible devices—a convenient feature for charging Galaxy Buds or a friend’s phone . It is important to note that Samsung controversially excluded a charger from the S21 series packaging, following a trend initiated by Apple . The retail box contains only the phone, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and documentation, requiring users to purchase a compatible charger separately or repurpose existing USB-PD chargers . Software and User Experience The S21 Plus launched with Android 11 and Samsung’s One UI 3.1 interface . One UI 3.1 represents Samsung’s refined approach to Android customization, offering a clean, intuitive interface with extensive customization options. Key features include Samsung DeX support, which enables desktop-like productivity when connected to external displays, and integration with the wider Samsung ecosystem including Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, and SmartThings devices . Samsung committed to providing three major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for the S21 series, ensuring longevity that rivals Google’s Pixel lineup . The phone received Android 12 and Android 13 updates, with Android 14 expected before support concludes. The ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor received a significant upgrade, featuring a 70% larger scanning area compared to the S20 series . This larger sensor improves both speed and accuracy, though some users report occasional inconsistencies compared to traditional capacitive sensors . Face unlock provides an alternative biometric authentication method, working reliably in good lighting conditions. Audio and Multimedia The S21 Plus features stereo speakers tuned by AKG, delivering balanced sound with Dolby Atmos support for immersive spatial audio . The speaker system provides clear dialogue, respectable bass response for a smartphone, and sufficient volume for casual media consumption. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack means all audio must be routed through the USB-C port or Bluetooth, with support for high-quality Bluetooth codecs including AAC and Samsung Scalable Codec . Pricing and Market Position At launch, the S21 Plus was positioned with aggressive pricing compared to its predecessor. In the United States, the base model started at $999—$100 less than the S20 Plus launch price . In India, pricing began at approximately ₹45,999 for the 128GB variant, though launch prices varied by region and retailer . In China, the 8GB 128GB variant launched at 7199 yuan . Conclusion The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus represents a carefully considered refinement of Samsung’s flagship formula. While it introduced some compromises—most notably the Full HD display resolution and removal of expandable storage—it delivered meaningful improvements in design, processor performance, battery life, and camera software that made it a compelling choice for 2021 . For users upgrading from older devices, the S21 Plus offered a dramatic leap in performance, camera capabilities, and display technology. For S20 Plus owners, however, the evolutionary nature of the upgrades made it a less compelling upgrade path . The phone successfully carved out its position as the “Goldilocks” option in the S21 lineup—more substantial than the standard S21 with its larger battery and display, yet more attainable than the ultra-premium S21 Ultra. With its combination of premium design, powerful performance, versatile cameras, and long software support, the S21 Plus remains a capable device years after its release, exemplifying Samsung’s commitment to creating flagship smartphones that balance features, performance, and value. Category: REFURBISHED PHONES