Samsung's 2020 Value King Revisited

The Samsung Galaxy A21s carved its niche as a compelling budget option, offering a massive 5000mAh battery, a versatile quad-camera system, and a large display, all wrapped in Samsung's reliable One UI experience.

Introduction: The All-Rounder for the Budget-Conscious

Launched in mid-2020, the Samsung Galaxy A21s was designed to deliver a balanced smartphone experience without breaking the bank. It successfully packaged several premium features typically found in more expensive phones—like a high-resolution main camera and an ultra-wide lens—into an accessible device, making it a popular choice for those prioritizing battery life and multimedia consumption.

Design & Display

The A21s features a modern design with a plastic frame and back, keeping it lightweight at 192g despite its large battery. The 6.5-inch PLS LCD display offers an immersive viewing experience for videos and games, though its 720x1600 pixel resolution (HD+) results in a pixel density of 270 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is a respectable 82.8%, with a small punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera.

Performance & Hardware

At its core, the Galaxy A21s is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process for improved efficiency. It's paired with various RAM configurations (from 2GB to 6GB) and storage options (32GB to 128GB), which is expandable via microSD. The Mali-G52 MP1 GPU handles graphics. This hardware combo is sufficient for everyday tasks, social media, and light gaming, aligning with its target audience's needs.

Camera

The quad-camera array on the back is a standout feature. It is led by a 48MP main sensor that captures detailed photos in good light. It's complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens for capturing more of the scene, a 2MP macro camera for close-ups, and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots with bokeh effects. On the front, a 13MP camera handles selfies and video calls. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30fps on both front and rear cameras.

Battery & Charging

The massive 5000mAh battery is the phone's crown jewel, easily providing a day and a half to two days of use on a single charge for most users. It supports 15W wired fast charging, ensuring you can quickly top up when needed.

Software & Features

The device launched with Android 10 and Samsung's One UI. It is upgradable to Android 12 with One UI 4.1, providing access to many of Samsung's software enhancements, including Dark Mode, Digital Wellbeing, and a streamlined interface. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and a dedicated headphone jack add to the convenience.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Versatile quad-camera system
  • Large, immersive display
  • Expandable storage
  • Includes a headphone jack
• Cons:
  • HD+ resolution on a large screen
  • Plastic build feels less premium
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Performance is adequate but not for heavy gaming

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A21s, Android smartphone, budget phone, camera, battery, specs

A deep dive into the Samsung Galaxy A21s, featuring a massive battery, versatile quad camera, and enduring appeal in the budget segment.