In the current season, the main flagship smartphone lineup of the Korean company
Samsung features three main models: Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+, and the most technically advanced Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Usually, the middle model in the lineup is the most balanced in terms of price and technical capabilities. But is this true in the case of the Galaxy S21+ 5G?
Main specifications of Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (model SM-G996B)
European version: SoC Exynos 2100, 8 cores (1 × Cortex-X1 @ 2.9 GHz + 3 × Cortex-A78 @ 2.80 GHz + 4 × Cortex-A55 @ 2.2 GHz) GPU Mali-G78 (MP14) US version: SoC Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 GPU Adreno 660 Operating system Android 11, One UI 3.1 Touchscreen Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.7″, 1080×2400, 20:9, 393 ppi, 120 Hz RAM 8 GB, internal storage 128/256 GB UFS 3.1 No microSD support Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.) Networks 2G GSM, 3G WCDMA, 4G LTE FDD, 4G LTE TDD, 5G Sub6 FDD, 5G Sub6 TDD GPS/A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo Wi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4+5 GHz, HE80, MIMO, 1024-QAM) Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE NFC USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG No 3.5mm audio output Cameras 12 MP, 12 MP (ultrawide), 64 MP (3× zoom), video 8K @ 24 fps, 4K @ 30/60 fps Front camera 10 MP Proximity and light sensors, magnetic field, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer Under-display fingerprint scanner (ultrasonic) IP68 protection Battery 4800 mAh, fast charging 25 W, wireless and reverse charging Dimensions 162×76×7.8 mm Weight 202 g
Appearance and usability
About the device's packaging, one can only say this: it is maximally ascetic. The package now does not include a charger or headphones. As for the design of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, it is generally the same as in the two neighboring models of the series. The massive protrusion organized around the camera block smoothly transitions into the metal side frame — this is the most recognizable feature of the latest series of Korean flagship smartphones.
The cameras did not protrude less because of this, so using the device lying on the table is still just as inconvenient.
In terms of dimensions, the middle model of the series, as it should be, is the golden mean, most convenient for most users. That is, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is larger than the small Samsung Galaxy S21 (shown for comparison), but, of course, not as large as the infinitely huge flagship version Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, which is not suitable for everyone.
The back is not glossy but matte and slightly rough — and it is glass, not plastic, as in the younger model. Fingerprints are not very noticeable on it, and due to the wide side edges of the massive metal frame, the smartphone is held firmly in hand.
The large metal side buttons are completely smooth, without tactile differences, located on one side to the right.
The front camera is usually embedded in a round cutout in the screen matrix. There is no additional sensor or LED notification indicator.
The fingerprint scanner is under the glass of the ultrasonic screen. It uses the second generation of Qualcomm 3D Sonic Sensor with an increased element area. The scanner responds quickly and clearly to the touch of dry fingers.
The slot for installing two Nano-SIM cards is dual-sided, but there is no place for a microSD memory card here. Hot swapping of cards is supported.
On the bottom edge, there are a speaker, microphone, USB Type-C port, and card slot. A 3.5mm audio output for headphones is not provided.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G smartphone is available for sale in black, silver, and purple colors. The purple color, of course, looks especially unusual, as it combines with the golden metal frame. Additionally, red and gold (more likely, copper) color models will be exclusively sold from the Samsung website in Russia. The body has protection against water and dust according to the IP68 standard and can withstand immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 m.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G smartphone is equipped with an AMOLED display (Dynamic AMOLED 2X) with a diagonal of 6.7 inches and a resolution of 1080×2400, covered with the toughest almost flat Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
The physical dimensions of the screen are 70x155 mm, the aspect ratio is 20:9, and the pixel density is 393 ppi. The width of the bezel around the screen is 2.5 mm on the sides, about 3 mm on the top, and 3.5 mm on the bottom. The screen supports a refresh rate of 120 Hz.
The front surface of the screen is made of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface, resistant to scratches. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photo where a white surface is reflected on the turned-off screens (left – Nexus 7, right – Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, which can be distinguished by size):
The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is noticeably darker (brightness in the photos 103 vs. 109 in the Nexus 7) and has no pronounced tint. The two reflected objects on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G screen are very faint, indicating that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. Due to the fewer boundaries (glass/air type) with significantly different refractive indices, screens without an air gap look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in case of cracked outer glass is much more expensive, as the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G screen has a special oleophobic (oil-repellent) coating (very effective, much better than in the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much more easily and appear at a slower rate than with regular glass.
When displaying a white field on the entire screen and manually controlling the brightness, its maximum value was about 415 cd/m² under normal conditions, but in very bright light, it increases to 810 cd/m². It should also be noted that in this case, the smaller the area of white on the screen, the brighter it is, meaning the actual maximum brightness of white areas will almost always be higher than the indicated value. As a result, reading the screen during the day in sunlight should be at an excellent level, and the dark theme not only saves battery charge but also contributes to better readability of information on the screen in high lighting conditions. The minimum brightness value is 1.6 cd/m², meaning the reduced brightness level allows the device to be used without problems even in the dark. Automatic brightness adjustment works based on a light sensor (located under the screen near the top edge and to the right of the center). The operation of this function depends on the position of the brightness adjustment slider: the user can try to set the desired brightness level in the current conditions. If everything is left at default, then in complete darkness, the auto-brightness function reduces brightness to 8 cd/m² (a bit dark), in conditions illuminated by artificial office light (about 550 lx) sets it to 120 cd/m² (normal), and under direct sunlight increases it to 810 cd/m² (to the maximum, and needed). The result did not completely satisfy us, so in the dark, we slightly increased the brightness, resulting in the following values for the three conditions mentioned above: 20, 120, and 810 cd/m² (an ideal combination). Thus, the auto-brightness adjustment function works adequately and allows the user to some extent to customize its operation to individual requirements. At any brightness level, there is significant modulation at a frequency of 240 Hz.
