Samsung S21: Still Worth Buying 2 Years Later? | Tech Rewind

On this episode of Tech Rewind, we take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S21, a phone that's been out for over 2 years. Is it worth buying here in 2023? Let's find out.

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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:40 Govee Ad
1:37 Scoring
1:58 Category 1: Design
2:37 Category 2: Durability
3:25 Category 3: Design
4:05 Category 4: Speakers
4:28 Category 5: Performance
5:40 Category 6: Software Updates
6:10 Category 7: Cameras
7:29 Category 8: Battery
8:11 Category 9: Charging
9:06 Category 10: Value
9:53 Conclusion

My Gear:

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I’m a tech nerd at heart, but I also love filmmaking. Follow your passion. Fight for what you believe in. Never give up.

Mark

[MarkSpurrell]

*Important note:* I've adjusted the scoring criteria for the Charging category. Some of you pointed out the unfair scoring, and I agree! My rationale was to future-proof it for future phones with fast charging capabilities, but that led to unfair scoring in many of the phones created within the past few years. The new scoring chart for the Charging category is as follows:
*0-100% Charging Test (after the device has fully shut off and is cool to the touch)*
Less than 30 minutes to 100%: 10 pts
Less than 35 minutes to 100%: 9 pts
Less than 45 minutes to 100%: 8 pts
Less than 55 minutes to 100%: 7 pts
Less than 70 minutes to 100%: 6 pts
Less than 85 minutes to 100%: 5 pts
Less than 100 minutes to 100%: 4 pts
Less than 120 minutes to 100%: 3 pts
Less than 140 minutes to 100%: 2 pts
Less than 180 minutes to 100%: 1 pt
More than 3 hours to 100%: 0 pts

*Other modifications:* No wireless charging, - 1 pt, wireless charging + 1 pt.

Under this new scoring criteria, the S21 5G earns a 6 + 1 Point for its wireless charging capability, bringing it to a total of 7 in that category.

[maerjun_riataza]

This kinda content is what we need! Since there are tons of people who rather buy flagship phones from recent years than newly released midrangers, Thank you so much Mark! Keep up the good work!

[nomanCyclewala]

In S21's defense, even a professional mirrorless camera overheats with either 4K or 8K video recording. But if it heats in normal usage then it is a downside.

[igoyph]

Had this phone for 2 years now. I use it everyday for social media browsing, video streaming, light mobile gaming and calls. I have no issues with it so far. Battery holds up for an entire day. I charge it while I sleep at night. Still a very relevant device to this day.

[redjaypatalinghug]

I think you forgot that after those 2 more Android updates, it still has 1 year security updates going for it. So a total of 5 years. 2 more years for OS updates and 1 year more for security updates.

[cecilereyna]

Love your channel, most people don't change phones every year. I have the s21 just because my S6 became a time bomb, and I'm planning to keep it for at least 5 years.

[el_ibacache]

Man, loving the fun "gameshow" aesthetic. Can you review the Galaxy Note10? I wish it sold better than it did, and I feel the extra effort of making a small Note series deserved more recognition. Cheers!

[ridakesserwan]

I bought the S20 a month or 2 earlier fir 260$
an absolute steal, premium materials, speakers, water proofing, screen
and the software experience and updates is phenomenal

[BorIlovar]

Great new format, I love the redesigned style of the tech rewind

[Wrigglevision]

I ended up liking the S21 so much that I wouldn't mind getting a battery replacement done just to hang on to it for another few years. Does everything I need it to with a quickness.

[gerardgrywacheski]

Awesome tech rewind video, Mark!! Would love to see a tech rewind video on the S21 FE, a phone that got a lot of hate for its price as well as it being released at the beginning of 2022, just weeks before the announcement and release of the Galaxy S22 series. Keep up the great work as always

[MarcosReves]

I think it's important to make a distinction: while a glass back cover can make the phone feel thinner and more "premium", the truth is that the material is both more fragile and uneasy to hold, not to mention it's prone to fingeprint marks. So please, I ask reviewers to stop saying that glass is the better backplate material when in reality, it's not. It might look better in video and or photos, but it's far from the best in daily use. Good quality plastic is the way to go.

[_JD]

I agree it's still a great phone. I got the Pixel 8 Pro. Had it for about a week and decided it wasn't worth the $1000, so I'll return it and continue using my S21. I use to upgraded almost every year until I got the S21. Now all I REALLY want is the same One UI experience and a better battery. I'll hold onto this for a bit longer.

[tawsikabdullah]

I think it deserves 10/10 points in the display section

[ctaind]

Best video I've seen in a while your channel is incredibly underrated. Love the pacing, flow, style, and overall presentation.

[spencearoo]

The only problem with buying a phone over 3 years old is .. If your wi-fi company upgrades all the equiptment & Reaches a higher band. I have a very expensive gaming phone that was working just fine.. Then my internet comp. UP-Graded all their stuff.. The best wording I can come up with is the wi-fi outgrew my cell phone. My cell will no longer hook up to wi-fi... It still works on data. Also a lot of apps we all use everyday are saying you will soon need android 13 to keep operating normally...

[cobaltblue]

9:39 where do you recommend buying? I have tried Amazon renewed and I got my pixel 5 for 167 it's in excellent condition love it but I want a s21 or s22

[yahshaunyahu]

I have the note 10+ from 2019, and it still works like day one. So yea the s21 is def worth it

[jejunamja]

One of my favorite series I usually buy the flagship phone a year later

[Jeffrey]

I got a re conditioned s21 5g od 256 g last Thursday and I'm quite content I used to have the s21 fe who sadly got stolen.. at first I thought there wasn't going to be any major difference between both devices, but once I got the s21 on my hand I noticed some differences. The build is different on the s21 as well as the screen. I'm super happy with it !