Review: Samsung Galaxy S21

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is an excellent smartphone that balances performance, design, and functionality. As a daily driver, it shines in key areas like display quality, speed, and build. However, there are a few areas where it could align more closely with user-friendly standards set by other manufacturers.

What Works Well:

1.Performance: The Galaxy S21 is powered by a capable processor (Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, depending on the region), ensuring smooth multitasking, gaming, and app usage. It handles everything thrown at it without any lag.

2.Display: Samsung’s AMOLED display technology is unmatched. The S21 features a vivid and responsive 6.2-inch 120Hz display, which makes content consumption and navigation feel buttery smooth.

3.Cameras: The triple-camera setup delivers excellent results in most lighting conditions. Features like Single Take and enhanced AI processing help make capturing moments simple and enjoyable.

4.Battery Life: The battery life, while not exceptional, is reliable enough to last through a day with moderate to heavy use.

5.Design: Compact and lightweight for a modern flagship, the S21 is comfortable to hold and use one-handed.

Room for Improvement:

1.Accessibility Features: While Samsung has its own accessibility suite, the inclusion or option to use Google’s Accessibility Suite would be a welcome change. Google’s tools are often more streamlined, versatile, and familiar to users across platforms, offering a superior experience for those relying on assistive technologies.

2.One UI Launcher: Samsung’s One UI launcher is functional and feature-rich, but it could benefit from emulating the simplicity and cohesiveness of the Pixel Launcher. Features like swipe gestures, an integrated Google Discover feed, and a more consistent interface would elevate the usability for those who prioritize a clean and straightforward user experience.

3.Software Updates: Although Samsung has made strides in its update policy, the speed and consistency of updates still lag slightly behind Google’s Pixel devices.

Final Thoughts:

The Galaxy S21 is a remarkable smartphone that caters to a wide audience. It excels in performance, display quality, and design. However, Samsung’s insistence on sticking to its proprietary accessibility tools and launcher design detracts slightly from an otherwise stellar experience. Adopting more Google-inspired solutions could make the S21 even more universally appealing.

Rating: 4.5/5

If Samsung incorporates user-centric tweaks in future models or updates, the Galaxy S21 could come even closer to perfection.