Galaxy S21 5G, US Version, 128GB, Phantom Violet - Unlocked (Renewed)

I ordered it on Sept 20th at $339 plus shipping of ~$34 and Morocco VAT of ~$80, so totally I paid $449. Delivery was very good. I saw it was shipped on the 25th. On the 30th, I received an SMS from DHL saying they planned delivery on Oct. 3rd, but on the same day I got an email asking for copy of national ID and content description for clearing customs. I am not a Morocco residents nor citizen, so I sent my foreign passport instead. On the 3rd, Amazon tracking info said clearing custom was delayed as additional documents were needed. So I called DHL, and the rep said it would be delivered on the 4th instead. On the 4th, I saw a newly posted message about delay on Amazon tracking. I called DHL various times but couldn't get to anyone. I then sent an inquiry by email and get a response shortly saying it was being taking care of. Then late afternoon, I got the package. Upon arriving, the seal of the packing had an opening large enough to put in a hand but not for getting the phone out, so I didn't complain. Unpacked, the inner packing of the phone was in excellent condition, very much like the original packing but had no Samsung marking, rather, it had a marking of "amazonrenewed". There was a film covering the screen, like on a new phone. The phone appeared in excellent condition, only had a small scratch at the back when I looked in detail, and a hair of scratch on the screen that is only visible under bright light and in a particular angle. I tried but couldn't turn on the phone - there was no response. The box also included a USB-C cable and a cheap non-Samsung charger made in China. I used my own Samsung Charger to charge the phone. After plugged in, it showed the battery was at 0. So I let it charge to full. After started, it turned out fully unlocked. My Morocco sim card works with 4G. The phone's software looked already reset, but I reset it myself anyhow. Then updated to the latest system with Android 12, and loaded many apps I need. During about the first week, the battery appeared quite poor. With medium usage it lasted about a day. I tried all necessary settings to conserve battery, but it didn't seem to help much. These couple days, it becomes much better, lasting about 45 hours. I read it was likely due to some AI processes either from Android 12 or Samsung doing the learning work at first. But it's pretty bad the phone doesn't show any info. I would say I am very happy with the phone. And this is after having a terrible experience in the past with Samsung. The last Samsung phone I had was S7 Edge bought in Thailand (I am a traveler), new at a Samsung store for perhaps ~$800. I actually wanted the normal S7 (without the "edge"), but it was out of stock then. I never liked the "edge", it was a silly design in my mind. The phone worked well initially, but in the coming couple of years I had a terrible experience. About 5 months later when I was in Vietnam, the screen started to show shaded bands across. As I was wondering how or if I should return to Thailand to get the phone serviced, the bands disappeared after a month. Then about another 7 months later when I was in Azerbaijan, the phone couldn't start after I did a system update. So I couldn't use the phone for a couple weeks until I reached Tbilisi in Georgia when I had someone flashed it. About a year later, it died on me again when I was in Morocco. I had someone re-flashed it, but it was not successful. About 1 month later I reached the city of Fes where there is a Samsung service center. After checking, they said there was something wrong with the motherboard. Very shocking! I've never had such problem in my life with all the phones and computers, cheap or dear, and this was a flagship! So eventually, I sold it to a local repair shop for $200, for which they said they only needed the screen. That was end of 2017. So I never bought a Samsung again, and would definitely not buy one at the full price. I admit the S series is not worthless. At least, I like the camera. But I never had a chance to buy one at a largely reduced price (I won't buy from just any second-hand sellers). So now, the Amazon reviewed phone with some warranty got me interested. Yes, I have some risk, but to me with the past experience, the risk is not much higher than getting a new phone from Samsung, plus, I am putting in a much lower bet now.

I bought this phone over 3 years ago and it still works. It has some wear and tear from use, but I'm very happy with it. The camera is good quality, I still use it, and I've never had any problems with the apps, as Samsung continues to support them. I'm very happy with my purchase. Note: I should have commented earlier, but I just realized I hadn't commented and that it had been 3 years since I last posted.

We had two problems with this purchase. The first is that the (initial) package was likely stolen off our porch on delivery (though all we really know is that we did not get the reportedly delivered phone) and it was required by Amazon that I communicate with the seller multiple times to request a replacement. The seller ultimately refused a replacement! Amazon thankfully stepped up and issued a refund after all these communications and a refusal from the seller, thought it was a hassle. We (foolishly) decided to take a flyer and ordered another of the same phone (renewed S21) from the same seller because my teenage son just wanted that type of phone and they were the only seller. This second phone arrived, looked fine, and we set it up. My son reported terrible battery life after only a couple weeks. I thought it was probably just a teenager playing too much videogame. After 4 months though it was clear that battery life was terrible. Worse than the normal expected of an S21. 3 weeks after that it would barely hold a charge and we had to scramble to get photos off of it. Today, we noticed the battery swelling so much it was forcing the glued on back of the phone off! So the battery was trash to begin with. Now we have the thing in a metal trash can in case it catches on fire until a new phone arrives and we can possibly use this garbage to set up the new phone. So bad service to begin with and a poorly renewed phone after that. I'll avoid this seller for sure and probably not buy a "renewed" phone from Amazon without longer battery warranties.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G stands proud as one of the flagship offerings of the samsung, delivering cutting-edge technology and a sleek design that is sure to turn heads. However, with a price tag that might make even the most devoted tech enthusiasts do a double-take, this smartphone raises the age-old question: is it worth the investment? Here’s my take on this splendid yet pricey marvel. Design and Display: A Visual Feast From the moment you lay eyes on the Galaxy S21, it’s evident that Samsung has crafted a device meant for the high-end market. The sleek contours and premium materials give it an unmistakable aura of luxury. The 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is nothing short of breathtaking, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive brightness levels. Whether you are streaming your favorite series or scrolling through social media, every experience is elevated by this stunning showcase of visual brilliance. Performance: Power Unleashed Underneath the hood, the Galaxy S21 5G is powered by the latest Exynos or Snapdragon chipset (depending on your region), ensuring lightning-fast performance for multitasking and gaming alike. The device handles everything with remarkable ease, and the inclusion of 5G capabilities means you can harness incredibly fast download and upload speeds. With options for up to 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, you won't find yourself wanting for space or speed. Camera: Capture Life’s Moments Samsung’s camera system is one of the standout features of the S21. The triple-lens setup, including a 12MP ultra-wide, a 12MP wide, and a 64MP telephoto lens, allows users to capture stunning images in various conditions. The Night Mode is particularly impressive, ensuring that low-light photos are as crisp as those taken in bright daylight. The addition of advanced video features, including 8K recording, cements the Galaxy S21’s status as a powerhouse for mobile photography enthusiasts. Battery Life: Mixed Results While the battery life is generally sufficient to get through a full day with moderate use, heavy users may find themselves reaching for a charger by late afternoon. The 4000mAh battery powers some serious capabilities, but if you plan on extensively utilizing 5G and the phone's camera, be prepared for a potential drop in endurance. Fast charging and wireless charging options are a plus, but the slightly underwhelming battery performance keeps the S21 from achieving a perfect score. Value for Money: Herein lies the crux of the matter—while the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G dazzles with features, performance, and design, it comes at a steep price. For many, this puts it out of reach, especially considering the current market of other high-quality smartphones that offer comparable features at a lower cost. The premium branding does lend a certain prestige, but that may not be enough to sway budget-conscious consumers. Final Thoughts: A Worthy Investment for Some In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is undeniably a fantastic smartphone that checks nearly all the boxes for performance, photography, and design. It’s perfect for tech enthusiasts who want the best of the best and are willing to pay for it. However, for those looking for value without compromise, exploring other options within the same price range might be a wise choice. With that said, I award the Galaxy S21 a solid 4 stars—it's good, but the expense is certainly something to consider.

This phone was in excellent condition and works well....a huge cost savings. I was not afraid to purchase it as my last refurbished phone lasted 5-6 years. A BIG NOTE: my son could not get the first phone to work with his straight talk plan. The error could have been on his end or a problem with the phone. This seller's customer service was excellent and they sent us a prepaid label to return it right away. The 2nd phone they sent worked perfectly from the get go.

Wow, what a difference from my old Samsung A32. I couldn't wait to get rid of it, but my provider wouldn't provide any deals and wanted big money for the current model Galaxy. I did a lot of side by side comparisons of different models and the S21 came out on top in features and value. The price was right for a renewed model, and as I had luck with Amazon renewed in the past I took a chance. I'm glad I did as the phone I received was new looking, unlocked and so much faster. I used Samsung's copy tool, "Smart Switch" to move my old files and apps to the new phone, transferred the SIM, and I was up and running in no time. The phone had everything I wanted except an external slot for a MicroSD card, but I knew that up front. Happy so far. It's a great phone for a great price.

This is a very good phone.

Could be better. My phone is having weird screen issues where I open an app and it stalls on specific part, and I can press the home button while that part is still stalled on the screen (bottom part).

El teléfono es de EUA, me llegó de operador Verizon pero funciona con AT&T (en México) así que me sirve. En cuanto al dispositivo, vino bien emplatado y protegido, venía en caja genérica y con un cargador genérico tipo C (el cual no sirvió, así que será mejor que adquieras uno original o de buena marca aparte). Sí tuviera que ponerme exigente, solo viene con un muy (MUY) ligero desgaste a los lados y un mini rayón pequeño solo perceptible a contraluz en la pantalla, pero prácticamente estética de 10. El único punto malo es la batería, según la app Ampere está en buen estado pero su capacidad es de 4000mAh, quiero decir, con un uso moderado alcanzará al fin de día pero con un uso más intenso echarás en falta el cargador. El teléfono se calienta un poco pero nada del otro mundo, es normal debido al procesador Exynos, pero solo hay que actualizarlo y esto bajara un poco. La pantalla es excelente, el rendimiento es inmejorable y las cámaras son de otro mundo. Samsung nunca decepciona y este Renewed ha valido la pena totalmente, eso si, sí lo quieres para jugar, te sugiero otro teléfono con una batería más amplia. De todos modos ha sido una compra maravillosa, por menos de 6k, lo recomiendo.

Mal producto, venia bloqueado por T-Movile, imposible de usar en México. Lo regresé.

I received a sim locked device that needs MCK lock and doesn't support any sim card. Very disappointed after long delivery time

Phone arrived in perfect condition no visible defects. Only small non visible scratches in the back.

I was a little worried as when you're reading the reviews it doesn't separate the excellent condition from the acceptable condition... so it's hard to tell what to expect. But... I didn't care, I had to get this one. I really, really liked the white back with the silver outline of the camera. Of all the colours I looked at, this one spoke to me lol. To clarify, I bought the excellent condition and it was indeed excellent. It felt brand new, the only thing I spotted was the tiniest scratching around the charger plug part, which would have happened with me using it anyway, so I don't care. It came with a charger, which I was very pleased about. I had no trouble setting up the phone and there was nothing extra on the phone as some people have complained about. I previously had a S7 and briefly was using my dad's old S10 as an "upgrade" after a very long time using my old phone and I absolutely hated it. I'm so happy it has the non glass back and flat screen again! I love this phone! It's perfect!