The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a compact flagship-style phone that still stands out for buyers who prefer premium features in a manageable size.
Rather than repeating the full spec table, this guide looks at real-world value in 2026, including chipset variants, software stage, and who gets the best fit from this model.
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 20, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $235
- Japan: ¥37,272
- United Kingdom: £176
- Australia: A$334
- Canada: C$323
- Taiwan: NT$7,507
- Denmark: kr1.523
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼883
- South Korea: ₩351,923
- Germany: €204
- Brazil: R$1.236
- Vietnam: ₫6.103.396
- Kenya: KSh 30,420
- India: ₹21,873
- Indonesia: Rp 3.989.159
- Nigeria: ₦318,081
- Pakistan: ₨65,913
- Philippines: ₱14,117
- Bangladesh: ৳২৮,৯৩১
Value Position: Former Flagship, Current Mid-Range Budget
The Galaxy S21 5G now competes on value, not launch-era prestige. Its mix of IP68 protection, wireless charging, stereo speakers, and DeX support gives it a feature set that many newer budget phones still do not match in one package.
Design and Build: Compact and Durable
The 6.2-inch form factor, slim frame, and relatively light weight make it easier to use one-handed than many modern alternatives. Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, an aluminum frame, and IP68 sealing keep durability strong for everyday use.
Display Quality: Still a Major Strength
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh and HDR10+ remains one of the phone’s biggest advantages. Color, contrast, and motion smoothness are still competitive, while measured brightness performance remains solid for outdoor visibility.
Performance: Strong Baseline, Variant Matters
Both 5 nm platforms deliver responsive daily performance, but regional chipset differences can affect gaming thermals and sustained speed. Benchmark results still place the S21 5G comfortably above many entry-level 5G phones for graphics-heavy tasks.
Camera System: Flexible and Video-Friendly
The triple rear setup keeps the experience versatile with wide, ultrawide, and zoom coverage, and OIS helps stability in mixed lighting. Video remains a highlight thanks to options up to 8K, strong 4K modes, and reliable stabilization tools.
Battery and Charging: Practical, Not Class-Leading
The 4000 mAh battery is balanced for a compact flagship profile, and charging support is complete with wired, wireless, and reverse wireless options. Heavy users may still need a top-up by evening, especially with 120Hz and 5G usage patterns.
Software and Features: Mature One UI Experience
One UI 6.1 plus Samsung extras like DeX, Wireless DeX, and Circle to Search add practical long-term utility beyond core hardware. The key buying check is support timeline stage: this is now best for users comfortable with a late-cycle software window.
Connectivity and Model Selection: Buy the Right Variant
5G support is broad, but band coverage differs significantly between SM-G991U1 and SM-G991B families, including mmWave availability. If network compatibility is critical, matching the exact model number to your carrier remains essential before purchase.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S21 5G?
This phone makes the most sense for users wanting a compact Android device with premium display quality, flexible cameras, and flagship extras at a lower entry cost. If your priority is maximum battery endurance or the newest long-term support window, a newer mid-range option may be a better fit.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is still an easy recommendation for buyers who want compact flagship features at a lower price, as long as they choose the correct regional variant and accept its late-cycle software position.
