Samsung Galaxy A21s review: specs, battery & used prices

Summary

The Samsung Galaxy A21s is the 2020 entry of the A2x bracket, running the Exynos 850 with a 5000 mAh battery in a 192-gram body and a 6.5-inch 60 Hz IPS panel. Our catalog scores it 19 on everyday use, 85 on compactness and a gaming axis of 0. A 48-megapixel main camera leads the setup, and the 2/32 GB trim was tracked at about $200 new. Two OS upgrades were delivered, so the software window closed years ago. The Galaxy A12 is the next generation, and the Galaxy A02 the cheaper sibling.

Display and design

The 6.5-inch IPS panel runs at 60 Hz and scores 19 on our screen axis, with a 540-nit figure that is respectable for the class. No ingress rating is documented. At 192 grams the body earns the compactness score of 85 — plain plastics and an even balance, with the large cell setting the thickness.

Performance

The Exynos 850 posts an everyday axis of 19 and a gaming axis of 0: entry-tier pace for calls, messaging and light browsing, with the 5000 mAh cell the real upgrade over cheaper A-series trims. Tracked trims run from 2 to 6 GB of RAM. Two OS upgrades were delivered, and the software window closed years ago.

Camera

The camera axis of 18 rests on a 48-megapixel main sensor with supporting companion sensors, and video capture is not documented. Daylight shots from the main sensor are serviceable for the class; the companions are framing-only, and low light is where the bracket shows.

Battery and charging

The 5000 mAh battery scores 40 on our battery axis — two light days at this pace — while 15 W charging scores 0, a slow refill that makes overnight charging the practical habit. Endurance was the honest value of the model; pace was not on the list.

Verdict

At about $200 new for 2/32 GB, the Galaxy A21s sold endurance and Samsung's update discipline at an entry price — and its software window closed years ago, which matters most on the used market where this model now lives. Used market data is sparse. The Galaxy A12 succeeded it directly, and the Galaxy A02 sat below it.