The Samsung Galaxy S21 packs plenty of power into its small stature and sets the stage for better 5G phone performance in the future.

Hand-friendly form factor; Bright; colorful screen; Better Night photo mode than previous Samsung phones; Supports future 5G network features

5G battery life is just on the edge of acceptable; Future network features don't exist yet

I like small phones and I cannot lie. The best-seller list can deny, but when a phone comes in with an itty-bitty screen and I hold it to my face, I'm in love. Samsung's smallest, most affordable Galaxy S21 ($799.99) sets the stage for 2021 phones with style and without breaking the bank, and it's future-proofed with 5G technology so advanced that the networks to support it don't exist yet. But I know small size and high quality isn't a broadly appealing combo—just look at the poor iPhone 12 mini sales—and until the inevitable discounts kick in and the new 5G networks are launched, its price feels too high for its capabilities. So the less expensive, slightly larger Galaxy S20 FE ($700 list, often heavily discounted) remains our Editors' Choice winner for Android phones right now.Slightly Unsure of Its Place The Galaxy S21's bigger siblings are the $1,000 Galaxy S21+ and the $1,200 Galaxy S21 Ultra. It's the successor to the S20, which originally listed for $1,000, and it lives in...

The Samsung Galaxy S21 packs plenty of power into its small stature and sets the stage for better 5G phone performance in the future.

Hand-friendly form factor; Bright, colorful screen; Better Night photo mode than previous Samsung phones; Supports future 5G network features

5G battery life is just on the edge of acceptable; Future network features don't exist yet

Rather than offer essentially the same top-tier phone at different sizes, Samsung has chosen to get aggressive on price this year. The Galaxy S21 starts at $799.99 for the smaller version with a 6.2-inch screen and $999.99 for the Plus version with a 6.7-inch display.

Fast processor; Nice screen; Good battery life

Samsung bloatware; Competition will undercut price; No microSD storage expansion

Unsurprisingly, the S21 is a good phone. It has a powerful processor, a lovely screen, capable cameras and a long-lasting battery. It even has some useful software and a gorgeous new design in eye-catching colors. At $800, the S21 is more reasonably priced than its stablemates.

I use my smartphones as work tools so I personally focus my attention on the high-end flagships. This year Samsung is making a competitive pitch to also consider the entry level flagship Galaxy S21 5G with a starting price $200 less than last years Galaxy S20.

Small size in a sea of large slabs; Lovely design with matte finish back; 5G support for all bands; Highly capable rear cameras; Competitive pricing; High-end internal specifications

No charger in the box

Aside from a rejuvenated design and the obligatory spec bump, the Galaxy S21 does little to improve upon or surpass its predecessor (and in some areas steps backwards). That said, as ever this year's S21 has everything you'll likely want and need in a high-end 2021 smartphone, without pushing the boat out.

Improved battery life; Superb performance; Decent software; Nice design;

Cameras are relatively unchanged; Some downgrades from S20; No charger may irk some;

There's a lift in design for the Galaxy S21, resulting in a phone that looks fresh and exciting, and a great display, offering adaptive refresh rates. While there's plenty of power - and a flagship performance - the camera doesn't reach the highs that you get from the Galaxy S21 Ultra, leaving this...

Distinctive design; Waterproofing; Great display; Smooth and powerful performance; Decent battery life

No microSD card slot; Camera performance could be better; Easily undercut by the S20 FE

The Galaxy S21 cuts just enough to bring the price down without sacrificing what makes it a great phone.

Beautiful design with a fantastic screen; Great performance and battery life; Subtle UI improvements make an overall better experience

Some users will miss the microSD card slot; The camera is basically the same as the S20

We take a deep dive with the Samsung Galaxy S21

Great look; Fast and snappy performance; Full of features to explore; Good camera quality; Speakers are improved over last gen

Plastic back is a no-no at $800; The plethora of features can be overwhelming; take it slow; The UI looks a bit flat and tacky; Bye; bye; microSD card slot

More durable; lightweight design; improved image processing; tons of premium features; IP68 water resistance; upgraded in-screen fingerprint sensor; variable 120Hz refresh rate; full 5G connectivity

Samsung killed the microSD slot; no headphone jack; power brick doesn't come included; battery life could be a bit better