Samsung marked the year 2021 at the beginning by launching its much-awaited flagship lineup at a virtual event. The latest Galaxy S21 lineup comes with better displays, bigger batteries, sophisticated cameras, and more. They pack a lot of punch that was expected for a flagship series.
If you are impressed by the specs and features of the Galaxy S21 series and are planning to buy one from the lineup, then we have got a bunch of alternatives that you should consider before settling on one.
Top 5 Samsung Galaxy S21 Alternatives
With these alternatives, you will be able to make an informed decision and save yourself from regretting later. We make the comparison easy for you by listing each alternative’s specs and features for the Galaxy S21 series.
1. Apple iPhone 12
If you are looking for a powerful alternative and do not mind shifting to the iOS ecosystem, then the latest iPhone 12 is the perfect choice for you. The iPhone 12 series has got different variants, and you can select one based on your budget and other preferences. The iPhone 12 comes with an OLED screen, 5G connectivity and wireless charging support, and the uber-powerful Apple’s homegrown A14 Bionic chipset.
Starting at $699 for iPhone 12 Mini and going up to $1,099 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, you can make a choice. It’s worth noting that the iPhone 12 Mini costs $100 lesser than the Galaxy S21. If you have no budget constraint and want to go with crème la crème, you must consider the Pro or Pro Max variant that features triple cameras on the rear, massive batteries, and 128GB standard storage.
The iPhone 12 lineup misses out on features like a higher refresh rate for display, fingerprint scanners, and the 8K video recording option that you get on the Galaxy S21. But other than these, there is no other shortcoming that shall keep you from considering the series.
2. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
For a Samsung fan, there is an alternative in the OneUI ecosystem. The Galaxy S20 FE costs $100 lesser than the Galaxy S21. Of course, you get a better processor, higher RAM, and 8K video recording support on the S21, but the Galaxy S20 FE brings you a bigger battery and microSD card support.
Although less powerful than the S21, the processor on the S20 FE is not a serious compromise. The 2020 flagship has an Exynos 990/Snapdragon 865 chipset with an FHD+ OLED screen and a flexible triple camera setup on the rear. These specs still make for a solid device in 2021. The S20 FE will cost you up to $600 online, making it $200 more affordable than the latest Galaxy S21.
3. Google Pixel 5
Google Pixel 5 is another excellent alternative for the Galaxy S21. The stock Android phone is already a hit on the market, and it has received rave reviews for its gaming performance. If you are a gamer looking for a rugged phone to handle your gaming requirements, then go for the Pixel 5.
Although the Pixel 5 misses out on the triple cameras and 120Hz refresh rate for the display, the phone does pack a 90Hz OLED screen and a dual rear camera setup with an ultra-wide sensor. Other specs on the phone include an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, wireless charging support, 5G connectivity, and a decent 4,080mAh battery.
And of course, one should not forget about the stock Android experience and seamless software support that the phone gets from Google.
4. Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi was the first smartphone maker to launch a phone powered by Snapdragon 888 SoC, the Xiaomi Mi 11. The phone debuted towards the end of December 2020 and is currently up for grabs in China. It is not known when the company brings it to other regions, but when it does, then it will undoubtedly be a significant threat to the Galaxy S21.
The Mi 11 comes with an OLED screen with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It packs a 4,600mAh battery with wireless charging support. The phone features a triple camera setup on the rear with a 108MP primary lens, 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP telephoto macro lens.
Additionally, the phone also packs an in-display fingerprint sensor that also supports heart-rate detection.
5. OnePlus 8 Pro
The OnePlus 8 Pro is another good alternative for the Galaxy S21. The phone comes with a premium QHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, just like the one we get on the S21. The OnePlus 8 Pro has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The phone supports wireless charging. It has a Sony’s IMX689 48MP primary sensor on the back along with a 48MP ultra-wide sensor.
The OnePlus 8 Pro costs $799, which is the same price as the standard variant of the Galaxy S21. And while the Galaxy S21 comes with a more powerful chipset and 8K video recording, the OnePlus 8 Pro gets a telephoto lens, a big battery, high-speed wireless charging, and a QHD+ display.
We are now at the end of our list of best alternatives for the Galaxy S21. Did we miss out on any or chose the wrong one to feature on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments.
