Samsung Galaxy A21s: Surprisingly Good For What It Is
September 6, 2020Performance: Exynos 850, 6GB RAM
Display: 6.5-inch (720p x1600)
Storage: 128GB
Battery: 5,000mAh
Features: 1080 video recording
Rear Camera: 48MP Wide,8MP ultra-wide, 2MP Marco, 2MP Depth
Front Camera: 13MP
Rating: 7/10
Price: RM939.00
The mid-range smartphone space is where you can find a device that offers the most value for money. And to think that just 5 years ago, the market was filled with sub-standard devices. Case in point is the Samsung Galaxy A21s. Built for the budget minded consumer, the phone has a candy bar look not unlike that of the older Galaxy SII.
It’s chunky enough that it can be gripped firmly but not enough to inconvenience users. The vibrant color scheme alludes to the phone being far more expensive than the pricetag suggests. This aesthetically pleasing facade in no way suggests anything other than ‘mid-range’, despite the A21s being positioned as a lower tier device.
The Looks
The only tell-tale sign of its relative ‘budget’ feel, is the presence of a rear mounted fingerprint sensor. But it’s quick to react, which is a lot more than I can say about many in-screen readers. And though it’s on the bleeding edge of tech advancement, it shouldn’t be considered a downgrade grade. But the same can’t be said of the screen.
Yes, It’s an edge to edge 6.5″ display that offers a good amount of contrast and brightness. But the resolution is only 720P, not 1080p. Up close, you can distinguish the individual pixels, but only just. However, once you crank up the brightness, it isn’t noticeable. And at this point, everything looks crisp and clearly legible, which is great for YouTube or readings texts.
The Performance
Samsung’s One UI is quite smooth here too. There isn’t a hint of lag despite the phone having a less powerful chip. Apps open and close almost instantly, and cooperate just as well when asked to do something. Though the Exynos 850, isn’t known for its speed, the chip does a ‘well enough’ job, that moderate to demanding tasks don’t seem too troublesome.
If productivity is a topic of great importance to you, then you can rest easy knowing that the A21s is up for it. Within reason, you can juggle multiple apps at once without causing any to crash or freeze. Indulging in some light gaming should be ‘ok’, but the Mali-G52 isn’t a powerhouse, so don’t get carried away.
Relevant Links:
Samsung Galaxy M31 Review
Samsung Galaxy A31 Review
Samsung Galaxy A51 Review
Samsung Galaxy A71 Review
Streaming videos, especially from YouTube or Netflix is good too. The experience doesn’t feel that diluted despite the playback being limited to just 720p+. But what the phone lacks in pixels, it makes up for with punchy colors and vivid playback. Admittedly, this isn’t a bad way to hide flaws, and is a method that could prove benefit lower end devices.
There’s Bluetooth 5.0 on board, so you can connect multiple devices easily and maintain a reliable connection. Since One UI is pretty standard at this stage, the A21s’ demeanor is comparatively similar to that of the M31 and A51, despite the latter two having the Exynos 9611 and 6GB RAM. The deficit is never truly felt, even when pushed to the limit.
Herein lies the appeal of the A21s. Though it’s namesake’s numerals denote a designation reserved for budget devices, in reality, the pseudo-premium looks and respectable performance, never reflects this. It’s very capable at being someone’s daily phone. Even if that someone likes taking an immense number of pictures, selfies and short video clips.
The Camera
The L shaped, quad camera layout on the rear isn’t that dissimilar from what’s on the higher end A series phones. And at a glance, it can be mistaken for any number of those devices. The camera quality is one of the better points of owning this phone. The hardware may not be cutting edge, but it isn’t underwhelming either.
Mind, it’s got a 48MP main shooter and a 8MP ultra-wide lens. As such, the A21s can take some pretty decent shots. The software is able to focus on what you want. The captured pictures have a neutral albeit slightly under saturated tone. The detail level is decent, but not great when compared to more capable phones like the Galaxy A51 or A71.
Color depth and saturation can be improved if you’re willing to mess about with the ‘Pro’ settings. There are also several different filters that help ‘enhance’ the look. But overall, shots are quite crisp when taken in good lighting conditions. The color contrast is less aggressive than that on the A71, which is a welcomed trait.
But more work is required with the A21s to achieve the same result. The software’s auto focus is decent, it keeps the subject in focus while blurring out the stuff you don’t want. It lets you choose how much of the background remains clearly visible. The AI is pretty clever here, leading you forward, every step of the way.
It’s the same software that’s available across the A series line-up, and is a godsend for devices with less powerful camera hardware. But I’m of the belief that, if you’re interested in phones like the A21s, you’re probably not interested in capturing professional pictures. Instead, you’re a casual user who wants a good amount of detail that will look good on social media platforms.
That’s where the phone’s 13MP selfie camera comes in. It’s extremely good at its job. Selfies appear sharp and in focus, color tones are little on the warmer side. The camera software tends to ‘beautify’ your shots, which smoothens blemishes on on your skin. It isn’t ideal but gets the job done nonetheless.
Video quality is ‘ok’ at best. The footage that’s captured has decent detail but the lack of proper image stabilization reduces the overall quality, somewhat. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll be able to take decent videos with the A21s, it just won’t be super crisp or silky smooth. If, this is something that you can deal with, then you’ll like this phone.
Night time photography is a point against the A21s. The cameras aren’t able to compensate well enough for low lighting conditions, and as such, pictures appear a little grainy and over-saturated. The same is true of video recordings. In poor lighting conditions, the sensors seem to be out of their depth, as they struggle to maintain the details while suppressing noise.
These limitations are expected of a phone in its price bracket. They don’t do well in low light but take decent shots during the day. But what many of these phones don’t have is the A21s’ 5000mAh battery. It’s ‘good’ enough to last as much as a day and a half. Watching videos or taking pictures all day, won’t be a problem either. And there’s a 15W fast charger provided.
Should I Buy One?
If you’re on a budget but still want to look good clutching your phone, the A21s is a decent choice. It doesn’t feel cheap or dated. Usability is also impressive considering the low tier specs. The same can be said of picture quality, but you have to be mindful of the sensors’ limitations in several of the aforementioned areas.
This is a darn good phone for the asking price. But if you’re looking for a better all-rounder, the slightly dated M31 might be a better choice. However, if you can afford to splurge a little extra cash, then the A51 is a option.
