Create and Construct

Gorilla Glass Victus is used on the front and back of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus, placing it inside an aluminum frame for a stylish and premium effect. At 7.98 x 2.98 x 0.31 inches (202.8 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm) and 7.13 ounces (202g), the size is larger than previous models but makes holding it pleasant. Available in either Phantom Black or Phantom Silver matte colors, the device is stylish and easy to clean from fingerprints. Instead of traditional buttons, the device features an Edge Panel, so people can easily access what they use most.

• Aluminum frame
• Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
• Matte finish for fingerprint resistance
• IP68 rating
• Edge Panel
• USB-C 3.2 port
• No physical SIM slot (eSIM only)

To optimize costs, the Galaxy S21 Plus omits features like a dedicated telephoto lens, relying on sensor cropping for zoom. It supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, with third-party cases enabling MagSafe-like functionality at reduced speeds. The removal of the physical home button aligns it with modern full-screen navigation and face unlock via an under-display camera.

Galaxy S21 Plus Display

Samsung Galaxy S21 plus includes a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 2400 x 1080 resolution (394 PPI) which also supports HDR10+. For outdoor use, it can reach a brightness of 1300 nits. Smooth scrolling is made possible by Samsung’s 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, compared to what budget models often have. Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is available on the device, though it has stuck with the punch-hole design.

• 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
• 2400 x 1080 resolution
• HDR10+ support
• 1300 nits (peak)
• Gorilla Glass Victus
• 120Hz adaptive refresh rate

The display excels for media and gaming, though the lack of an Always-On Display option is a compromise. Reviewers praise its vibrancy but note the punch-hole design feels dated compared to newer under-display solutions.

Software and Processor

Led by the Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100 in other areas), the Galaxy S21 Plus provides top-tier performance from its 8-core CPU and Adreno 660 GPU. The model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and 256GB. One UI 5.1 is paired with Android 13 and the phone can be upgraded to Android 15 within 4 years. The 8-core Neural Processing Unit improves capabilities of Bixby and picture processing.

• Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100
• 8GB RAM
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB
• One UI 5.1 (Android 13)

The Snapdragon 888 ensures excellent efficiency and performance, though some users report occasional thermal throttling during heavy gaming. AI-enhanced features like SmartThings integration boost productivity, but minor software bugs in Bixby persist.

Camera System

On the Galaxy S21 Plus, users can use a triple camera setup: a 12MP main camera, a 64MP telephoto camera and a 12MP ultra-wide. You can take 10MP selfies with the front camera which also supports autofocus and records in 4K. You can capture 8K at 24fps and 1080p at 960fps slow-motion and the phone comes with Director’s View and Single Take as well.

• Main: 12MP, f/1.8, OIS
• Telephoto: 64MP, 3x hybrid zoom
• Ultra-wide: 12MP
• Front: 10MP
• Video: 8K at 24fps, 1080p at 960fps
• Modes: Night, Portrait, Single Take

The camera excels in daylight and low-light conditions, though the ultra-wide lens struggles with edge distortion. Reviewers appreciate the versatility but note the zoom is less effective than premium models.

Battery Specifications

A 4800mAh battery comes with the Galaxy S21 Plus, giving you enough power for up to 25 hours of video playback. Findings from tests conducted in the real world are consistent with 20 hours of mixed use. The phone can be charged with 25W via cable (it gets to 50% in only 30 minutes), 15W using a wireless charger and 4.5W through wireless reverse charging. Snapdragon 888 makes devices more efficient with power.

• 4800mAh battery
• 25 hours video playback
• 25W wired charging
• 15W wireless charging
• 4.5W reverse wireless charging

Connectivity

The Galaxy S21 Plus have a Snapdragon X60 5G modem (which works with everything from low to high-band 5G), Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The phone comes with support for dual eSIM and uses NFC, GPS and GLONASS. UWB has been added to improve precise location tracking of devices.

• 5G (sub-6 GHz, mmWave)
• Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Dual eSIM
• NFC
• UWB
• GPS, GLONASS

Pricing and Availability

Both models of the Galaxy S21 Plus are available for $799 with 128GB or $899 with 256GB of storage. You can get Samsung Galaxy S21 on January 29 at Samsung, Verizon, T-Mobile or from any major US retailer. With trade-in programs, you receive credits for trading your older devices.