We are in the year of refinements. We are also in the year when Samsung is getting its mojo back. Recently we reviewed the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, which is the pack-in-all-specs device that has set the benchmark high. Now our hands are on the Galaxy S21+ 5G, which is the middle sibling in the new Galaxy S21 series. Since we have just landed the device, here are our first impression of the phone (review is coming up in a few days).
The South Korean company has found a way to keep prices down but not cringe on the flagship experience. Yes, some of the features found on the Ultra are missing (like S Pen support and 100x space zoom is down to 30x) but those anyway are for people who are focussed on photography and video shoots. Bringing the price down means that the company had to make some hard choices and at a glance, the choices seem to be spot on.
In way of size, it’s tad smaller than the Ultra. It’s 6.7-inch versus 6.8! Instead of going into weight, what is more important is the protection the Dynamic AMOLED Flat FHD+ display (2,400x1,080, 394ppi) is getting — Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which offers a good deal of protection during drops. Equally impressive is the 120Hz (48 to 120Hz) screen refresh rate and 1,300nits of brightness, which is sufficient to beat the sun.
Doing justice to the snappy Exynos 2100 processor (compares with the Snapdragon 888) are features that matter, namely the camera. Though the 108MP camera of the Ultra is missing, Samsung is offering 12MP ultra-wide with a 12MP wide-angle and a 64MP telephoto while the selfie shooter is restricted to 10MP. From the few photos we have taken so far, the camera is promising and there is zero problem with focus. Like with the Ultra, there is no charging brick in the box but the 4,800mAh battery is lasting us the entire day and one wouldn’t need a charger to move around town.
Everything on the phone points to major refinements Samsung has made over last year’s Galaxy S20 series. Going with an efficient top-end processor is a good move for Samsung, which makes the phone lag free while battery drainage is reduced. That’s good enough for most of us. Also, there is 5G. Last week, Bharti Airtel successfully tested live 5G service over its commercial network in Hyderabad, throwing down the gauntlet before Reliance Jio. So it will be a good time to start eyeing 5G phones. Do not upgrade just to get 5G but if you are planning to buy a new phone, it wouldn’t hurt to look at the new flagship series from Samsung.
What we are looking at is a phone from a company that’s getting back in the groove very well. Samsung had a strong 2020 financially and is building up its cash reserves well. The company hasn’t made a major acquisition since 2016-17 — remember the Harman International purchase — so expect more money to be spent on research and development.
While we wait for the momentum to build up, look at the middle sibling in the flagship series. While we work on a full review, our first impression is that Samsung has packed in all that matters and you care about in the Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Insta advantage
Samsung has announced a partnership with Instagram, to introduce a unique initiative called the ‘Hunt for the Next Galaxy Expert’. The company will also be unveiling the ‘Galaxy Creators Lounge’ for the first time in India, giving creators access to the latest Galaxy devices for content creation.
The move will help engage with creators by leveraging branded content to promote its flagship Galaxy S21 Series. The partnership also uniquely involves engagement with Instagram’s ‘Born on Instagram’, which is a programme initiated by the platform since 2019, to create a platform for creators across India to learn and grow.
Over the next few weeks, through a series of workshops and contests, the initiative will provide creators with an opportunity to win the latest Galaxy devices, including the latest flagship Galaxy S21. The winner will win the title of Galaxy Expert and will be a part of a league of creators across the globe, getting access to upcoming Samsung Unpacked events.
