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

Reviews

Have a look at what others think!

Review AI Summary

Customers appreciate the phone's quality and build. They find it works well with a great camera and zero physical or functional flaws. Many appreciate its value for money and looks. However, some customers have experienced poor battery life and issues with unlocking the phone. Opinions vary on functionality and screen scratch resistance.

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  X Jia

  

  Oct 13, 2022

  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.

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• 

  Amazon Customer

  

  Jan 4, 2025

  Got an excellent refurbished Galaxy S21 and let me tell you, it's probably the best 200 bucks you will ever spend. If your sick of overpriced new phones, the S21 offers basically the same performance and a really well aged camera. Even though this phone is almost 4 years old at the time of writing this review, it still kicks crazy good. I would definitely recommend to someone who isn't trying to spend $250+ on a phone. When I unboxed the phone I was extremely surprised to find that were close to no scratches on my S21. I also love the sleek design of the phone itself, I really miss when phones looked like this. screen size is perfect. I assume the durability on it is pretty decent but I am not dropping it as a test, because I don't even have a case or screen protector for it yet. Thank you so much to the seller for making an affordable that's in excellent condition and selling a top tier phone.

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