For just over 200 euros, this Samsung Galaxy M21 gives a lot. A screen that borders on excellence, a battery of up to three days and a photographic section that far from being perfect does more than enough. Without a doubt, a very interesting device for the mid-range.
Much to talk about other brands like Xiaomi and its infinite catalog but Samsung is going the same way as the Chinese brand. While its high end with the Galaxy S20 family is more than dominated, its mid and low range is worthy of study. A multitude of terminals and different versions that all they can do is confuse the consumer. Now, we are not going to deny one thing, all these Samsung terminals have barbaric quality so we are not going to complain either.
It is the case of the new Samsung Galaxy M21 that we bring you below. This is an “improved” review of the M30s that we already discussed in Bullfrag. Improved in quotes because although they share the same specifications and the same size, this device has something that works much better than its predecessor. Let’s start.
Samsung Galaxy M21, features and specifications
specs | |
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Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm |
Weight | 188 grams |
screen | 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1080 x 2340 pixels |
Pixel density | 403 ppi |
Processor | Exynos 9611, Mali-G72 |
RAM | 4GB |
Operating system | Android 10.0 Pie, One UI |
Storage | 64 GB expandable via microSD card |
Cameras | Triple rear camera of 48 MP f / 2.0, 8 MP f / 2.2 and 5 MP f / 2.2 and front of 16 MP f / 2.0 |
Battery | 6,000 mAh, fast charge 15W |
Others | Dual SIM, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm jack, fingerprint reader, FM radio, USB Type-C |
Price | 230 euros |
The best of the Samsung Galaxy M21
6,000 mAh, a battery that never runs out
This review of the Samsung Galaxy M21 could end very quickly. Go to Google and search analysis of the Samsung Galaxy M30s Andro4all. Because as we have previously said, this new model presented by Samsung is practically a copy of the device that we already analyzed at the time, with its same strengths and weaknesses. Now, since I have to reach a limit of words and it is not a matter of talking about banal things such as the weather that is going to be this summer or about whether Miguel Bosé is right and 5G is going to kill us all, I am going to do my job.
The first thing that stands out about this model is its spectacular 6,000 mAh battery. 6,000 mAh are written fast but the truth is that it costs a lot to exhaust them. Three days of autonomy is what this device offers although I will be honest, it is so boring to spend the battery of this Samsung that we will end up charging it much sooner. Not only because charging its battery is quite heavy – despite its fast 15W charge – but simply because we will never have a problem with it. It does not matter how we use it, because we have a battery superior to any other model that we have tested in the same price range, and that of the Motorola Moto G8 Power was somewhat superb. The strange thing is that having the same amount of mAh and the same processor as the M30s, the M21 battery lasts much longer. We do not know what the South Korean firm has touched inside, but it works.
As for the other components, this 6,000 mAh battery is accompanied by an Exynos 9611 processor with a Mali G-72 which we will talk about in-depth later, a 4 GB RAM, 64 GB of storage memory expandable through microSD and a few very interesting extras like dual SIM, NFC, headphone jack port or FM radio. The typical of the mid-range and that, unfortunately, we miss so much in the premium devices.
Regarding its outer section, it is a drop of water compared to the M30s. Same design, same measurements and same material used, plastic. As for the design, what we said at the time is beautiful, elegant and despite its large battery, it is not excessively thick. Now, its price requires the use of plastic so when you pick it up you can see that we are dealing with a cheap terminal, but it is what it is.
One of the best displays in this price range
The screen of this Samsung Galaxy M21 is the same as that of the M30s – I know I repeat myself a lot but it is what it is. That is, a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 and which occupies 84.2% of the screen surface. As for the panel itself, it is an absolute wonder. It doesn’t matter if we are watching a series, a movie, a video on YouTube or enjoying a video game; fantastic brightness, fantastic sharpness and fantastic viewing angles.
Without a doubt, it seems unbelievable that a terminal of this price can mount a panel of such quality, but yes, it does and it is highly appreciated. Because it is evident that a user who bets on a terminal of these characteristics – price content and enormous battery – does so because he wants to consume a lot of multimedia content and this Samsung Galaxy M21 with its excellent screen is a great device for it .
A phone that gives a lot for little price
And we end up talking about its price. Obviously, the Samsung Galaxy M21 is an inexpensive terminal whose official price is between 200 and 250 euros, but that does not imply that we are not dealing with a fairly complete smartphone.
This Samsung device offers a lot for very little money. An outstanding screen that seems incredible that it is from a mid-range phone, an excellent autonomy thanks to its 6,000 mAh, a fairly decent camera and a design that is not bad. As a whole, the Samsung Galaxy M21 is a fairly complete device that despite not being perfect, it exceeds in its segment.
Those looking for a terminal that works well and that has a screen of ten and an autonomy of up to three days will succeed with this terminal of just over 200 euros. We assure it.
The least good thing about the Samsung Galaxy M30s
Improved performance but that may be insufficient in the future
One of the weakest points of the Galaxy M30s was its performance. The terminal without going too bad choked on certain occasions. It was not that we were going to have problems when playing or seeing our social networks, but on some occasions, especially when opening and closing applications, we realized that the device could give much more of itself.
The funny thing is that this M21 has the same processor, the Exynos 9611 and the same RAM, but its performance is much better than its “predecessor”. The user experience has improved significantly and despite not being perfect, he approves. We do not know if it has been a change made by Samsung or simply a One UI update, but significant improvement is noted.
Now we must be realistic. Exynos 9611 is not a high-end processor so we cannot expect similar performance. The Galaxy M21 is a terminal that works perfectly on a daily basis but we cannot demand too much of it. You can surf the internet, watch series and movies and enjoy the most popular games without a problem, but let’s not forget that we are dealing with a device from March 2020 with a processor from September 2019.
This means that although today the Galaxy M21 complies well, in the near future it may not, and it is that we will have to see how the South Korean terminal moves after a year or a year and a half. Keep this in mind if you are interested in this device.
Other aspects: photographic section
It’s time to talk about the photographic section, which is a copy (again) of the M30s. Same composition of cameras or what is the same, a triple rear camera with the main sensor of 48 MP f / 2.0, another sensor of 8 MP f / 2.2 ultra-wide-angle and the third sensor of 5 MP f / 2.2. The final result of this photographic section surprises for good and not because it is a marvel, but because we are talking about a terminal of about 200 euros.
As a general rule, the cameras of these terminals are very fair in quality but luckily that of this M21 is not like that. The results in broad daylight are more than correct and although the Samsung camera app is not the fastest or the most efficient, the final results approve on a very good note. At night and as it is usually normal, it is when the weaknesses are most noticeable, however it is nothing to throw your hands over your head for.
As for the front camera, we have a single 20 MP f / 2.0 sensor that takes truly remarkable pictures. In conclusion, we can say that the camera of this M21 is well above the direct competition and although it does not reach the level of the high-end Android, it is honestly a joy to find devices of 200 euros that take similar photos.
Samsung Galaxy M21: Andro4all’s final thoughts and thoughts
In short, we can conclude that the Samsung Galaxy M21 is one of the roundest terminals in the mid-range and the price range of 200 euros. A very complete device with a 6.4-inch screen that looks fabulous, an endless battery and a camera that without being outstanding, gives more than acceptable results.
In contrast, it suffers from the same problems as its “twin” brother, the M30s, and that the Exynos 9611 processor could give a lot of its own. Obviously the performance is more than enough but when talking about a 2019 processor it will be necessary to see how it evolves after a while.
Despite everything, if what you are looking for is a terminal with a very good screen and whose battery lasts up to three days of use, this M21 is your best choice especially if you do not want to bet on Chinese brands such as Realme or Xiaomi.
Price and where to buy the Samsung Galaxy M21
The Samsung Galaxy M21 has an official price of 229 euros and is available on Amazon in various colors.
Should i buy the Samsung Galaxy M21? | |
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Conclusions | Although at first glance this Samsung Galaxy M21 could be a copy of the M30s, the truth is that it is not. Despite being practically a tracing, something has been done by the South Korean brand that the experience of using this device is much more superior. In addition to this, we must bear in mind that for only 229 euros we get a device with a splendid screen, a 6,000 mAh battery and a fairly decent camera. |