The Regular s21 Back Is Plastic

[gendo667]

I haven't handled the S21 yet, but my S20 FE is great and doesn't feel cheap at all. You can tell it's plastic but it's very well built and with a thin case you don't even notice.

 

[bhatech]

Yeah watch some YouTube on it just found it odd they went that way only with smaller version

Not odd at all imo and was expected/rumored even before release. They even showed that trend with Note 20 and experimented with S20 FE. They had to get the cost down to compete with iPhone 12 pricing otherwise Apple would eat Samsung's lunch at higher end (they are anyway). I believe that'll be Samsung's strategy going forward with the entry level models of S and Note series. Try to get the price little lower at entry level model by cutting some features and material cost.

PS: though Note 20 costed $1000 at launch (I think) even with plastic back

 

[mustang7757]

Not odd at all imo and was expected/rumored even before release. They even showed that trend with Note 20 and experimented with S20 FE. They had to get the cost down to compete with iPhone 12 pricing otherwise Apple would eat Samsung's lunch at higher end (they are anyway). I believe that'll be Samsung's strategy going forward with the entry level models of S and Note series. Try to get the price little lower at entry level model by cutting some features and material cost.

PS: though Note 20 costed $1000 at launch (I think) even with plastic back

I don't know about that , doesn't the iPhone 12 have glass back at same price point ? Looks to me maybe Samsung saves money not customer.

 

[TheAngryToaster]

I don't know about that , doesn't the iPhone 12 have glass back at same price point ? Looks to me maybe Samsung saves money not customer.

I have the 12 mini which is $70 cheaper than the s21 and it even has a glass back lol.

From a purely spec stand point the s21 has more ram, more base storage, and 120hz display, and 3 cameras. They also have to pay Qualcomms price for the new chip/modem. I would say that is a pretty even trade off when you break it down.

 

[mustang7757]

I have the 12 mini which is $70 cheaper than the s21 and it even has a glass back lol.

From a purely spec stand point the s21 has more ram, more base storage, and 120hz display, and 3 cameras. They also have to pay Qualcomms price for the new chip/modem. I would say that is a pretty even trade off when you break it down.

How big is the mini ?

 

[bhatech]

How big is the mini ?

Mini is smaller (5.4''), S21 is more in the size of iPhone 12/pro models. But mini is a beautiful phone at that price point and welcome change to have good phone at smaller size. I have that as well and enjoy using it once in a while

Yeah Samsung definitely saving money but not sure how much saving it is compared to glass vs plastic. I guess at the scale they manufacture even small amounts might add up. But personally I don't think it's the right decision from Samsung to have plastic instead of glass on their base models. I think they should keep that design with FE models.

 

[mustang7757]

Mini is smaller (5.4''), S21 is more in the size of iPhone 12/pro models. But mini is a beautiful phone at that price point and welcome change to have good phone at smaller size. I have that as well and enjoy using it once in a while

Yeah Samsung definitely saving money but not sure how much saving it is compared to glass vs plastic. I guess at the scale they manufacture even small amounts might add up. But personally I don't think it's the right decision from Samsung to have plastic instead of glass on their base models. I think they should keep that design with FE models.

I agree , geez it's small lol

 

[bhatech]

I agree , geez it's small lol

Yep it’s tiny ... S21 Ultra next to the mini

 

[mustang7757]

Yep it’s tiny ... S21 Ultra next to the mini

Oh Wow one hand mode shouldn't be a problem lol

 

[TheAngryToaster]

Oh Wow one hand mode shouldn't be a problem lol

One handed on a mini is so so nice, after 4 months of that size it's an adjustment to the regular S21.

In terms of smoothness and over all feel, there isn't really a difference between them.

 

[mustang7757]

One handed on a mini is so so nice, after 4 months of that size it's an adjustment to the regular S21.

In terms of smoothness and over all feel, there isn't really a difference between them.

I guess the 2 smallest phones I own is the iPhone 11 pro and pixel 5

 

[bhatech]

I guess the 2 smallest phones I own is the iPhone 11 pro and pixel 5

My daily driver is the iPhone 12 pro. Pixel 5, iPhone 12/11 pro, regular S21 size are perfect to my usage. S21 Ultra is too big but I'm fine since it's as a secondary device. No way I could use phone that big for all day regular usage. Would have preferred the smaller S21 but the Ultra has too many nicer things over regular S21.

 

[mustang7757]

My daily driver is the iPhone 12 pro. Pixel 5, iPhone 12/11 pro, regular S21 size are perfect to my usage. S21 Ultra is too big but I'm fine since it's as a secondary device. No way I could use phone that big for all day regular usage. Would have preferred the smaller S21 but the Ultra has too many nicer things over regular S21.

Mine is the Note 20U , but also the other 2 I mentioned.

 

[masshuu]

Plastic would be fine by me. I will always put it in a plastic case. So while my glass backed phone looks nice naked, it is never free. So to save on price and weight, yes please plastic.

 

[chamomiami]

Thanks God isnt glass, wont hurt that much when you are watching videos at night and the phone fall at your face .. btw in my personal case i use case since day one, so i never see the difference ..

another issue people crying about it is the sd card slot, same people that complained back in the days of the floppy disk goin to diskettes and then to cd.. the sd card slow the phone. take it or go to iphone.. oh wait iphones doesnt have it either lol.

 

[cpcxgsr]

it's a bummer that the S21+ doesn't come with a screen protector either. The 21 resembles more and more like the 20FE, cutting all sorts of corners when charging a "premium" price tag to the customers

 

[mustang7757]

it's a bummer that the S21+ doesn't come with a screen protector either. The 21 resembles more and more like the 20FE, cutting all sorts of corners when charging a "premium" price tag to the customers

Yeah, I want see their approach after we get out of this pendamic.

 

[mundo472]

After seeing the CNET video of how easily the back and screen crack I would be happy to have a grippier, nice looking plastic back. Or ceramic, like the Essential. And a screen composition like the ip12.
The BlackBerry KeyOne and Key2/le, the Passport and others all had terrific looking backs.

 

[j_grouchy]

It's barely noticeable...it almost feels like a metal.
I use a case anyway, so I have zero issue with it.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

I saw so many complaints about the plastic I thought only the S21 Ultra was glass. Lol

They had to make cuts to drop the price by $200 while retaining profit margins.