Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | US Version 5G Smartphone | Pro-Grade Camera, 8K Video, 64MP High Res

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Temtem

I love this phone!

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024

I've had this phone since 2021 and it still serves me as well. Doesn't run slow. It's so perfect.

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Critical reviews›

Code Red

You must be close to your wifi to enjoy this phone.

Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021

The phone seems to be a very good phone. I love the look. I love the design. Until I brought it out in the garage. At first, I thought that we're only having problem with our internet service provider because I'm having trouble browsing the internet, but when I went inside the house, all of a sudden I was able to browse the internet. So, I went out in the garage again. To my surprise, I'm having trouble browsing the internet again. That's when I decided to use my Samsung S8+, the phone I was going to replace with this. My S8+ had no trouble browsing the internet or using an app, but the S21, it did. So, I decided to do some tests using the internet speed test. That's when I realized my S8+ was significantly faster than S21 using home wifi. So, I decided to get inside the car in the driveway where I had no problem using the S8+. The S21 could not even finish the internet speed test because it's too slow and had a hard time connecting. The S21 I got has a problem with connection speed. The farther you are from the source of wifi, the harder it is to connect to the internet. My Samsung S8+ and Note 4 did not have this trouble. I bought my wife the S20 FE and I'm so jealoused. I should have bought the S20 FE for myself as well.

11 people found this helpful

942 total ratings, 133 with reviews

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From the United States

Temtem

I love this phone!

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024

Verified Purchase

I've had this phone since 2021 and it still serves me as well. Doesn't run slow. It's so perfect.

Helpful

Awesome speed and battery life

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Compared to my Pixel, Samsung S21 5G exceeded in terms of speed, performance and battery. I'm able to go nearly 2 full days without recharging. Apps open up pretty quick. Outlook used to be extremely slow in pixel but loads and performs well in Samsung. Photo quality is great but pixel was much better in auto-focus particularly in situations where we have significant light gradient such as shade and sunlight.

One aspect I didn't like is lots of unnecessary Samsung apps. Also I wish the phone was slightly wider.

One person found this helpful

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jessie

10/10 Samsung phone

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023

Verified Purchase

I've had this phone since I bought it off of amazon a couple years ago and I would definitely recommend buying it. I have very few scratches on it even though I rarely have a case on it. The updated software lets you customize the wallpapers based off of the mode youre in and you can change that depending on time or automatically. It's perfect for you if you want a lot of storage, good camera quality and a phone that will last even with children around.

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Karen W

Power Features

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2021

Verified Purchase

My device arrived in perfect new condition. Set up was easy, and I found getting everything organized natural. I decided to write a review to give some important things to know from the power users point of view. I have used the device for about 1 week now.

First, some background. I work on consumer electronics professionally. This means I'm absolutely a power user. Other reviewers cover the basics better, so I'm going to focus on those details that power users would really want to know but have a hard time finding before buying.

I'll start with the bad. Samsung completely dropped the ball on two important features: visual voicemail and RCS messaging.

The former only works if you have a carrier app that supports it. The built-in dialer has no support for visual voicemail whatsoever, and if you install the Google dialer, Samsung's modifications prevent it from accessing visual voicemail services on my carrier. If you care about visual voicemail, and your carrier doesn't provide a carrier specific app, then you're out of luck. In my opinion, this is the biggest downside of the phone: Samsung software. If I knew that visual voicemail wasn't officially supported without a carrier application, I wouldn't have bought this phone. I'm on Mint Mobile where no carrier application is available, meaning I just don't have this feature on a premium flagship phone. That's a fail. I expect this feature standard in the premium segment.

For RCS messaging, support in their SMS app is strangely absent for this latest model phone. Even if you install Google Messages and Carrier Services, it activates, but I was never able to successfully send an RCS message.

As a power user, I like running the latest Android software. Samsung is getting better about this, but the updates will lag Pixel phones. Samsung is on the right track offering 3 years of software support followed by an additional fourth year of security updates.

If you like Android tunables, this is the phone for you. You can control everything from high-speed battery charging levels vs cycle count to detailed power savings restrictions applied to each app. You can control the kind of network you connect to using what technology, and you can even view networks in your area from other carriers that aren't yours! I really like having this degree of control over the phone. It almost makes up for the lack of visual voicemail.

Snapdragon 888 performance is the best at any price for Android. Although it doesn't challenge the king of mobile silicon performance, Apple, performance remains excellent with the new X1 prime core. This phone can play anything beautifully and will not leave you wanting more.

Reverse wireless charging and the ability to output to a full size display over HDMI are as niche as they are wonderfully geeky. I love the idea that I could use this phone as my only computer.

The indisplay fingerprint reader is fast and responsive. I have applied a glass display protector, and it still works if you recalibrate your fingerprints and increase display sensitivity. It's just not as responsive. I'm of the opinion that the back of the device is the best place to put a fingerprint reader or on the power button. With that said, the solution works.

Battery life is genuinely all day. It's definitely not two day battery life, but I end the day using my phone actively for much of it with some power to spare. The battery size for this phone is just right.

Camera is spectacular. It's better than my own eyes. I'll leave this one to the photographers. I love the AI powered scene recognition; it's helped me take some unbelievable shots.

Overall: a premium device with strange omissions and cool niche features. I like the phone, but I question the manufacturer's priorities at times. You shouldn't have to compromise at this price. With that said, this is pretty cool phone that will please many users.

5 people found this helpful

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Notoriously Clever

Good upgrade for me

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

I am thoroughly enjoying my first month of using this phone, which is why I did not rate the battery life. I'm a pretty heavy user, although not for games.
-The Bluetooth pairs great with my Echo Buds for workouts at the gym.
-Photos are a breeze, nice and crisp.
-Phone audio volume is good, much better than my previous phone (LG Q7+, 3 yrs. old)
-Size is a little bigger than I might like for my hands, but not when I am trying to read pdfs or watch videos.
-Overall, recommend highly (except for customers who are always disappointed with the world)

I'm very happy with it.

3 people found this helpful

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Blanca

Love my new phone!

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021

Verified Purchase

Got this during Prime Day and holy cannoli what a great deal!!! I have never seen the S21 that cheap ever and you still get the same great phone! The camera is awesome with great pro options. The wide lens is gorgeous and makes my photos look so much more professional. The 120 Hz refresh rate is so... refreshing and just makes scrolling so much smoother. It doesn't drain the battery life as much as I thought it would so I keep it on all the time. I upgraded from my beloved S8 and I'm so glad I did! 😌

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monique alexander

Worth it. Quality phone

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021

Verified Purchase

I really like this phone. I upgraded from an S8+. The camera quality is outstanding. The phone is a beautiful lavender color. I heard the battery life was bad but I have had no problems it lasts all day through numerous phone calls, texts, zooms and tik toks lol. The only downside I have found so far is the finger print and face scanner I does not recognize me about half of the time which is a little annoying.

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Willow

Lots of storage

Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

I use this phone for personal use and it is just great! the battery life is a bit short but I have a few battery backups lying around so it doesn't matter too much, and the color I picked was just so beautiful

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Dave A.

No charging block

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

C'mon Samsung. A high priced phone, and you cheap-out on a simple charging block? This phone is just a slight improvement from its predecessor, but still a decent phone if you're looking for a replacement. This phone ONLY comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable (for wired data transfers and charging), but who has a USB-C charging block handy (at this point in time anyway)? I could almost understand a USB-C to USB-A, since most everything available for charging is USB-A, meaning you can't use your previous phone's charger, unless it too was a USB-C, so you'll need to order up some USB-C to USB-A, for home, vehicles, etc.
Overall, the phone itself has not had any negative issues, and swapping over the SIM card was an easy transfer of the cell service. The wireless data transfer was also pretty good, but it didn't get everything, so carefully check to make sure everything works before discarding your old phone. You'll have to download some APPs again, but contacts and photos moved over very well. I think these phones are way over-priced when they're obsolete after just a few months.

2 people found this helpful

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1flymom

Cheaper than in stores, Great Unlocked phone.

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2021

Verified Purchase

I purchased this because it was about 300.00 less than the stores and the Samsung site. Recieved mine yesterday. I'm think I am having problems with people hearing me on speaker at times but that could be user error. Still trying to figure that out. Plus my calls aren't ringing thru,I just see a pop up. Again could be a user issue. Its truly unlocked, many camera options. Note, no outer jacks to plugged head phones truly bluetooth. Works for me though. I absolutely love the back of the phone, its not slippery or metallic like. It has some friction so it doesn't just slide out your hand. Love the floating home screen and the flashlight is quite bright. As usual Samsung rocks. Fingerprint reader, add at least two, one holding in your hand and one on your lap or desk.. The pressure points are different and could throw it off and it won't work. My experience anyway. I will keep trying my phone out and update my post if needed but so far so good. I have the purple cell and its much prettier than the pics.

2 people found this helpful

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Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | US Version 5G Smartphone | Pro-Grade Camera, 8K Video, 64MP High Res | 128GB, Phantom Violet (SM-G991UZVAXAA)

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Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | US Version 5G Smartphone | Pro-Grade Camera, 8K Video, 64MP High Res | 128GB, Phantom Violet (SM-G991UZVAXAA)

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