Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ remains a valued flagship: large 120Hz AMOLED display, solid battery life, and steadfast cameras. In 2026 it’s best value as a certified rehabilitate buy is still fast for everyday tasks but not the market leader for advanced imaging.

Why this review what you’ll learn

This article is a full, pragmatic guide to the Samsung Galaxy S21+ in 2026. Read on and you’ll get: a concise specs snapshot, real-world performance and battery behavior, hands-on camera strengths and restrictions, exactly what to inspect on a used unit, and a buy-or-skip recommendation regulated to current value.

At-a-glance specs 

Release date: January 2021

• Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, FHD+ (2400×1080)
• Chipset: Snapdragon 888 (US) / Exynos 2100 (global)
• RAM / Storage: 8GB / 128GB or 256GB (no microSD)
• Rear cameras: 12 MP main (OIS), 12 MP widescreen, 64 MP telephoto (hybrid)
• Battery: 4800 mAh  25W wired, 15W wireless, reverse wireless
• OS: Launched Android 11 (One UI)  multiple updates since
• Water resistance: IP68
• Weight / Materials: Glass back,cannikin frame

Design & build 

Summary: The S21+ looks premium and feels considerable. Samsung’s “Contour Cut” camera module integrates into the frame, giving a modern, tidy aesthetic. The phone is large but well-balanced and comfortable to hold for long sessions.

What you’ll like

• Glass back (unlike the base S21’s plastic on some SKUs), aluminum frame.
• Slim bezels and a disciplined punch-hole selfie camera.
• IP68 water and dust resistance.
• Distinctive camera habitation that flows into the side frame.

What to check on used units

• Back glass for hairline cracks or overhaul glass.
• Frame dents and deformation near buttons (can affect tactile feel and sealing).
• Camera glass lacerate these degrade image quality.
• Screen for burn-in, dead pixels, or uneven brightness. Ask the seller for close-up photos and a short video of the display showing white/black/gray screens.

Display  what to expect every day

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate distributes fluid scrolling and bright, contrast-rich imagery. The FHD+ pixel density is a businesslike choice: text is crisp for everyday use, while FHD saves battery compared to QHD panels. Peak brightness and color accuracy are strong, so outdoor readability and media replication are both excellent.

User notes

• Adaptive 120Hz reduces refresh where practicable to conserve battery. If you prefer absolute smoothness, the adaptive mode keeps it practical.
• QHD vs FHD+: If you want the absolute sharpest possible text, pick an Ultra model with QHD; for most users, the S21+ strikes the right balance.
• Practical tip: Turn on experienced refresh and set display to FHD+ for best battery/clarity balance.

Performance  

Daily apps, social, email, video, browsers all run horizontally with 8GB RAM and modern SoCs. Multitasking is sufficient for most users, with split-screen apps and background tasks handled without continuous reloads.

Gaming

• Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt run well on high settings.
• Thermals: Exynos 2100 units are more likely to run hotter and may strangulate sooner in extended sessions; Snapdragon 888 variants usually maintain better sustained performance.
• Practical tip: If you intend heavy gaming, prefer a register that specifies the Snapdragon 888 or verify region/SKU before buying.

Battery life & charging 

What to expect: The 4800 mAh Battery Ostentatiously covers a full day under heavy use and can push toward 1.5 days with moderate usage and adaptive 120Hz. Battery longevity in used units depends on charge revolution and previous ownership patterns.

Charging

• Wired: 25W (charger often sold separately depending on region)
• Wireless: 15W Qi wireless charging and reverse broadcast power share
  Longevity tips for buyers: Acceptable battery health for a used phone is ≥ 85%. Ask sellers for battery health screenshots or a video showing charging behavior and battery stats.

Practical battery checklist

• Ask for a recent battery health reading or charge cycle count if available.
• Test by running a 30–60 minute video loop at 120Hz to observe temperature and drain.
• If buying recondition, prefer certified programs offering at least 6 months warranty.

Cameras 

Real promise: The S21+ produces reliable, pleasing images with consistent color science. It’s versatile  especially for daytime and everyday low-light  but it’s not the leader in extreme zoom or night photography compared to 2024–25 periscope-equipped flagships.

Daylight

• The main sensor produces sharp images with a strong powerful range.
• Colors are punchy without being over-saturated; skin tones are natural and flattering.
• Ultrawide has good edge correction and a useful field of view for landscapes and group shots.

Low light

• Night mode improves vulnerability and noise control, but newer phones with larger sensors often outperform it. Expect usable low-light shots but with some softness in the smallest details.

Zoom

• The 64MP telephoto functions via hybrid zoom and crops to produce usable 3×–5× shots. Detail drops behind this range; it cannot match Ultra-class periscope lenses.

Video

• Solid stabilization and color processing make it a great everyday video phone. Excellent for social media clips and vlogging; not the absolute best for professional-level video capture but very competent.

Practical camera tests to ask the seller

• Ultrawide vs main vs telephoto comparison of the same subject.
• Low-light internal shot with and without Night mode.
• Walking video to evaluate stabilization and autofocus tracking.

Software, updates & security

What to expect in 2026: S21+ shipped with Android 11 and One UI. Samsung improved its update cadence and policy; many S21 family devices received mutual major OS updates and regular security patches. However, update schedules can differ by carrier and region.

What to check before buying

• Current Android / One UI version and latest security patch date.
• Whether the phone is carrier-locked, locked devices often receive updates slower.
• Firmware build number (ask for a screenshot).

Connectivity and extras

• 5G: Supported (band support varies by region and SKU)
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 accessibility on S21 series for compatible routers
• Bluetooth: Modern profiles, LE support
• NFC: Present (region dependent)
• UWB: Not included on S21+ (found on higher-end or later models)
• Sensors: In-display fingerprint (ultrasonic on some SKUs), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Benchmarks & real-world tests 

Note: laboratory benchmark numbers change with firmware. Use the following as directional guidance.

• CPU/Gaming: Snapdragon 888 models typically outscore Exynos 2100 units by a small but noticeable margin in sustained performance.
• Thermals: Exynos models show higher encourage temperatures during long gaming.
• Display lab numbers: Excellent contrast ratio and color; PWM and adaptive refresh behave as expected.
• Battery runtime: Above average for large-screen phones when balanced with FHD+ and adaptive refresh.

Comparisons: S21 vs S21+ vs S21 Ultra

Feature	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S21+	Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display	6.2″ FHD+, 120Hz	6.7″ FHD+, 120Hz	6.8″ QHD+, 120Hz
Back	Plastic (some SKUs)	Glass	Glass
Battery	4000 mAh	4800 mAh	5000 mAh
Camera	Good	Better	Best (periscope + larger sensors)
S-Pen	No	No	Yes (S-Pen supported)
Best for	Compact users	Balanced buyers	Camera pros & power users

Quick takeaway: The S21+ is the middle-ground choice with a larger screen and battery than the base S21, without Ultra-level camera or S-Pen benefits.

Buying guide new vs refurbished + what to check

Should you buy new?

• Buy new if you want full constructor warranty and untouched accessories. But by 2026 new stock may be scarce and price savings vs newer mid-range devices may be limited.
  

Should you buy refurbished?

• Refurbished is often the best value in 2026. Certified refurbished phones from OEM programs or trusted auditoriums typically include test reports and warranty (6–12 months).
  

Red flags

• Seller refuses IMEI/serial checks.
• Battery health unknown or below 80%.
• No return policy or no warranty on recondition claims.

Who should buy / who should skip

Buy it if:

• You want a large, high-refresh Samsung display without Ultra pricing.
• Battery life is important to you.
• You can source a certified refurbished unit at a good price.
  

Skip it if:

• You need top-level zoom or the absolute best low-light camera (choose the Ultra or newer flagships).
• You Require Cramped storage.
• You want the newest chipset or the very latest connectivity features.

Accessories & upsell suggestions

• Must-have: 25W PD charger (if not included).
• Protect: TPU case and tempered glass screen protector.
• Audio: True wireless earplug with wireless charging.
• Power: 10k–20k mAh PD power bank.
• Photo: Clip-on wide/macro lenses for casual creative shots.

FAQs

Final verdict 

The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is a well-balanced phone that still makes sense  in 2026 for consumers who want a large 120Hz display, dependable battery life, and reliable cameras, especially if you can get a Guarantee Refurbished unit at a good price.