Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, 256GB, Phantom Black - Unlocked (Renewed)

This phone still feels like a top-tier flagship even years later. The display is gorgeous, performance is fast, and the camera system is still one of the best in its class. Battery life holds up well, and getting this level of hardware at a renewed price makes it an incredible deal. The Phantom Black finish also looks clean and premium. For $250, it’s honestly hard to beat. Feels like you’re getting way more than you paid for.

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 ordered two refurbished 'excellent' versions of this phone: both are S21 5g 128GB. They came in good shape, purple one had minor chipping around edges but the grey/black one came with no chips or dings. One phone came with a cord, no block and the other came with different brand of block and cord which doesn't fast charge, cord also is sketchy when plugging in like it's too small, you almost have to force it in and out of the phone, I feel like it will end up breaking the phone so we threw that cord out. None of the cords or blocks I have on hand fast charge these phones, which is weird, so it takes 8 hours to fully charge... I will be purchasing a few chargers to see if I can find one that will fast charge these phones, if not I'll be contacting support. Other than that, the phones works great, screen and camera work perfect. I bought this phone for my daughter and son, they both like to play games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnight and the phones have handled all those games perfectly, no lagging and graphics are nice. Very good storage as well!

Fantastic phone that came looking almost new out of the box. The battery life is great, it lasts for quite a while without needing a charge. The overall look of the phone is elegant and paired with a LifeProof NEXT series case, it practically looks like art. The Samsung S21 replaced my S10+ and the size is very similar. The phone processor is very quick and it is very easy to get setup out of the box. Highly recommended this phone. The only downside is no AUX/ headphone jack or expandable memory option.

Finally pulled the trigger on getting a new phone. I used to use a Galaxy S8 (what I used to take the pictures) and it held together for a good 5 years. However time and wear had taken it's toll. Battery lasting 8-10 hours with light use, a few cracks to the screen, you get the idea. I decided to keep with Samsung as I rarely is ever have issues with them. I had an LG Stylo for less than a week before I went with the S8 after my S6. Found this deal. Advertised as 'Renewed - Excellent', and I knew what quality that would be as that's what my S8 was when I picked it up. So I went a little over budget to pay that premium. It wasn't quite worth it. Pros : Battery seems to be great, lasts about as long as the first ads for the S21 Ultra when it first dropped. It's now day 4 since I decided to test the battery and keep it off the charger. With light use, I'm still at 39%. The fingerprint scanner hasn't given me an issue yet, Audio quality on calls and playing music is better than I was expecting to be honest. The 5G is a lot better than the 4G I was at with my previous phone. The camera is working pretty well, though the 100x is a bit too blurry, but at 50x, for example, it's definitely usable. Screen quality still lives up to the hype, though I still need to tinker with the phone settings as the color seems a bit oversaturated. And, for a user of Boost Mobile, this has been the fastest switchover from phone to phone I've ever had. No calling in, no visiting a physical store, not even punching some numbers into an internet portal, just literally took the SIM from my S8, slid it into the new phone, and in seconds I was active. Even the Boost Mobile site had the updated phone information already registered. Cons: Here's where my praise kind of ends. As I said, it's not in Excellent condition. There are two noticeable scratches on the screen. On mid way up the phone from left to center that I can see at arm's length, and one in the lower right quadrant that I can see when the light hits it just right. At lest you can't see them with the screen on. Man, those two hard to get clear images of. I might not have noticed them if I didn't remove the ill-fitting screen protector with plans to replace it. There's some deformation in the bottom right corner as if that's where they used a metal tool to pry up the old screen. It's not sharp, but you definitely notice if you run your finger over it. The charge port is deformed as well. Slight bend on the rear side towards the front. Not enough to interfere with plugging it in, but it's there. And speaking of ill-fitting protections, the camera were covered with a piece of tape. Even after I removed it, it took more than a little work to clean off the adhesive that was left behind. They seller was 'nice' enough to include a cable and charger. The cable is a sub-standard 4 wire USB-A to USB-C. At least the data lines were connected so I could get SOME use out of it, but no chance of any change plugging it into a USB 3.0 port, as opposed to USB 2.0. The charger itself was a basic 5 volt 2.1 amp mini brick. I'm glad I already had the proper charger and cable so I could get the proper charging speed. So understand that you might not get what's advertised. According to Amazon's own policies, this should have been 'Renewed - Acceptable' at best. That $40 difference, from sellers providing the same, I could have put toward a case, proper screen protector, and maybe even a charge/cable bundle. Definitely not worth the full price I paid.

I am always leery about buying used electronics. You never know if you get the one that was barely used, and the person is just a serial upgrader every time a new model comes out. OR, if the item was traded in because it was malfunctioning, and wasn't spotted before being resold. Not the issue here so far. Tested every feature that I would actually use and it runs smoothly and quickly. From a full charge in the morning before I go to work, and with moderate usage throughout the day, it is generally down to about 80% by the time I go to bed (usually between 1:30 and 2:00am). I am upgrading from a much earlier model Galaxy and the camera (both still and video) quality is spectacular comparatively. Particularly in low light. Verizon SIM card transferred over without issues and that Samsung transfer app was a God send for getting all of my stuff (including pix, wifi passes, etc.....) over to the new phone. The lack of an SD slot makes me a bit nervous, but this one is the 256 gig model so hopefully, I won't have to do much relocating of files, images and videos over to my PC with the space that there is on here. Physically, the phone was in pretty good shape. Though there were a few minor scuffs on the back, the glass for the screen AND the camera lenses were flawless. And, I always use a case/holster anyway, way back since the old flip phone days. So, I will never actually SEE the body of the phone anyway. All in all, up to this point, I feel like the investment was good. There is 90 days worth of warranty so if I stumble across something that is a deal breaker, I can return it. If you are looking for a phone that won't cost as much as a cheap automobile, this "renewed" option may be something you can look in to. I will be trying it again when it is time to make another upgrade.

The phone was in excellent condition with no blemishes. It appeared to be brand new. I was actually shocked when I set the Samsung A52 down beside it and the display showed it was ready to copy to the S21. After checking the boxes, it copied from the old Phone (that had issues with almost everything) to the new phone in 23 minutes (48gB). All the apps and more importantly photos and contacts all copied over. The only work we needed to do was put in passwords for some of the apps to get get connected again. We were extremely pleased with the product and it has been working very well. I would add, there was no charging cord with the phone, but it uses the standard USB-C and we have several of them laying around. It charges on a wireless pad, but if you put a case around it, it did not work, but we prefer to have the protection of the case, rather than wireless charging. Overall, very happy with the product and the price.

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.

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

Works well..👏

Al momento de abrirlo y sacarlo el celular se veía nuevo literal Pero ya viendo de cerca me percate que tiene unos rayones poco profundos en las esquinas del crista solo me di cuenta porque se ve a contra luz y fijándose bien porque si no ni te das cuenta que están ahí de verdad parece nuevo Otra cosa que la tapa trasera como que se está despegando Pero eso siempre me a pasado con los celulares de Samsung después del año les pasa eso de hecho me comentaron una vez que cada año hay que cambiar el pegamento para que no pierda la certificacion contra agua y polvo Otra la batería bien pero tiene un 86% de vida Pero en las especificaciones dice que mínimo debe tener el 80 pues cumple ami en modo de ahorro de energia y bajando la resolución a hd me dura unas 10 horas en pantalla y va muy fluido incluso con los 120 hertz apagados La neta por lo que pague que fueron 8600 fue una ganga gama alta premiun tiene de todo lo mejor de lo mejor actualizaciones hasta 2026 todo el año para cambiarlo en el 2027 excelente cámaras y no le pide nada a los nuevos s23 La neta tener un s23ultra a un s21 ultra no se siente la diferencia en experiencia y en mano sólo creo que le gana en batería pero pagarías 30mil pesos que en 6 meses costaría 20 Siempre he tenido gamas altas de Samsung y ahora vengo de un flip 4 con el procesador g1plus snapdragon y es una chingonada el flip me costo 28mil lo vendí en 15 y me compre este porque quería tener todo al tope pero como me gaste la lana en el flip y se devaluado pues me compre este es mucho mejor que el flip pero la pantalla del flip se ve como una oled no como superamoled el hdr super chingon en el flip pero creo que media pulgada más ancha la pantalla del flip estaría excelente en que esta delgada y tiene esos bordes negros eso no me gusto Pero los bordes del los ultra se ven más elegante Bueno eso es todo 👍

Came with a charger and a cable. Also a pin for sim card. It has scratches at the back and the side edges as expected. However, the screen was clear and all features worked well. The battery is not perfect, but mine lasts about a day so I think it's fine. Compared to the price, it was worth it. It was given with a screen protector attached which was not for this model (the size of it was bigger than the phone). And it was better than nothing, but I suggest to buy a screen protector if you are looking for.

The phone is decent enough. I find the battery life only performing quite well under the battery saver mode, where I can go about a day and a half without needing a charge. Otherwise, it needs to be charged daily. The face recognition only works 1/3 of the time, the fingerprint works about 2/3 of the time, leaving me often opting for pin. Other than that the camera is quite nice; its more saturated compared to other phones including some of the newer apple cameras. I find the saturation pleasing and makes all my photos look like they've already been edited compared to my peers to have better contrast and vibrance. I bought a re-furbished version, while it claimed it would arrive in decent-good quality it was actually in perfect condition. I don't think it was the original box, but every piece was there and the phone had no issues or scratches. Very good deal.