2021 in the world of smartphones was not the most interesting (anyway, the previous one was also not particularly good). There are some attractive offers on the market, but none of them was groundbreaking in any way. Let’s sum up this year and choose the most interesting or the most important 2021 smartphones.
While preparing for this subjective list of smartphones, I had one thought: naked. Unfortunately, the world situation, production downtime or lack of semiconductors are not without fault. Despite everything, I was able to choose devices that somehow stood out from the competition or simply memorable.
You must know right away that in this text I will not write too much about each of the smartphones. There is a link to the review next to each model, so interested people are invited to click further – and I do not extend the lengthy introduction to the others.
In the text, I also link to our partner, i.e. the store Media Expert. The choice of devices, however, is only mine – typically subjective.
And I’ll start with… Samsung
If I were to name the company that made the most hype over its products last year, it would undoubtedly be Samsung. Importantly, however, the devices themselves were worth being loud around them. I have the impression that Samsung (due to greater competition on the market) has finally understood that in order to reach a wider audience, it must play with the price. And he did.
I mean mainly foldable flagships, i.e. Galaxy Z Fold 3 i Galaxy Z Flip 3, but it must be admitted that from 2020 the manufacturer is gradually introducing also mid-range models to the market, which offer an increasingly better price-to-component ratio. I hope he will not give it up in 2022.
After all, my most favorite Samsung smartphone of 2021 is … Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. I don’t like it because of its dimensions (for which I love the Galaxy Z Flip 3), but the photos it takes and how reliable it is definitely reward me for it. It was this model that spent the most time in my hands in 2021 and I do not regret it. However, I regret that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has such a poor battery … If it were not for her, the scales of “best” would probably have tipped in his favor (despite slightly inferior cameras).
Check the offer:
Unexpected rival: Oppo Find N
When mentioning Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, I must immediately refer to its biggest rival – Oppo Find N. Perhaps you will consider my words too exaggerated (because the smartphone has only made its debut and, in addition, only in China), but I feel that this is equipment that can mess up.
It is smaller than Fold, has different (more convenient?) Display proportions and you cannot see the characteristic bend in the center of its folded screen – I feel that this alone is enough to attract potential customers.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
The craziest smartphone design by Xiaomi in 2021 is undoubtedly Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. A large, protruding island on the back (which some have started to call the entire continent) and an additional screen next to the camera modules (which will soon perhaps it will borrow Oppo) are the hallmarks of this model.
I have very fond memories of the testing time of the Mi 11 Ultra. In his review, I wrote that it is a perfect show of Xiaomi’s strength. I am waiting for what the manufacturer will show us in 2022. After the first models presented for this year, that is Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro i Xiaomi 12X, I feel a bit unsatisfied.
If I were to point out something cheaper from the Xiaomi stable, it would be Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G – especially since it has recently dropped by about 400 zlotys.
Check the offer: Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G
Asus Zenfone 8
For many, the best smartphone from Asus’ offer in 2021 was ROG Phone 5which – of course – is worth your attention. Meanwhile, I decided to make a slightly less obvious choice – and a lot cheaper at the same time.
Before the premiere Asusa Zenfone 8 It was said that Asus will present the Zenfone 8 mini – because nobody wanted to believe that a manufacturer would release a small flagship with Android on the market and would not emphasize its small size in the name. Meanwhile, it actually made its debut on the market mini Zenfone 8 – with a 5.92-inch screen and dimensions of 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm.
Michele called this model an uncompromising flagship. Although it has minor imperfections, it is definitely a device worth our attention – it is one of the few small smartphones small on the outside and powerful on the inside. And the only one with Android.
Check the offer: Asus Zenfone 8 / Asus ROG Phone 5
iPhone 13 mini
There was already a small Android smartphone, now it’s time for an even smaller iOS model. Of course, I am talking about Fr. iPhone 13 miniwhich dimensions are 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm. In his review, Tom gave this product an indisputable recommendation, so I had no choice but to include this equipment in today’s summary.
The truth is also that – if not minias – it would be difficult for me to throw another smartphone from the Apple portfolio here. Of course, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro i iPhone 13 Pro Max they are great devices, but compared to their predecessors they have not changed enough to be considered any breakthrough. Sure, that’s a refreshment twelvebut nothing else.
Check the offer: iPhone 13 mini
Poco X3 Pro
The Poco X3 Pro is an example of a cheaper model that grabbed the crowds. IN smartphone summary of 2020 appeared Little X3 NFCmeanwhile, in the next year, I chose another member of this family, for whom the presence on board of the NFC did not need to be emphasized, because it was already obvious.
A better processor or a larger battery are just two of the significant changes that have occurred between the NFC and Pro models. The fact that Poco X3 Pro is an interesting choice from the day of the premiere (and certainly with a great value for money!), it also confirms how well it holds the price – it is difficult to get it for less than PLN 999 (i.e. only PLN 100 cheaper than in March 2021).
Check the offer: Poco X3 Pro
Bullpen
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
It is true that Samsung has already paid a lot of attention at the beginning of this post, but it is still worth coming back for a while. All because of Galaxy S20 FE. Yes, I know, this is a smartphone from 2020, not from 2021. So what does it do in this text?
The matter is simple: it is one of the most popular Samsung smartphones this year, or at least such an impression can be obtained when looking at entries on Facebook groups or comments on technology portals.
And there is nothing strange about it – its price in relation to the premiere (in the 4G version) it decreased from PLN 2,899 to about PLN 2,000 in numerous promotions. And the version with 5G cheaper – from PLN 3399 to PLN 2399. For the price – definitely worth it.
Check the offer: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Motorola Moto G100
You might be surprised by this position on today’s list – I’m actually a bit too. But I was looking for a smartphone in the Moto portfolio that would stand out from the crowd and it was Moto G100.
This is the first smartphone that supports the Ready For platform, the price of which has dropped significantly – from PLN 2499 for up to PLN 1999 (and recently on promotion for PLN 1799 with a nice free). For the price – a nice choice.
As a reminder – this is not the top model in Motorola’s offer for the last year. That was what he was Moto Edge 20 Pro.
Check the offer: Motorola Moto G100 / Moto Edge 20 Pro
realme GT
PLN 2299 at the time of the premiere in the middle of last year, PLN 1649 – now. realme has launched quite a few models this year, including several from the GT series (incl really GT Neo 2 if realme GT Master Edition), but that’s the basic one realme GT deserved to be on the bench for this entry.
Anyway, it also deserves attention really 8, which turned out to be one of the most interesting smartphones for a thousand zlotys in the first half of 2021.
Check the offer: realme GT / really 8
That would be it when it comes to the most interesting or the most important smartphones of 2021 with my eyes. In closing, it is worth recalling that last year brought us an important event – LG’s withdrawal from the smartphone market. It is also worth mentioning that in the same year Xiaomi decided on resignation from the prefix “Mi” in their smartphones.
You already know my subjective list of smartphones of 2021. I am happy to know your types – comments are usually at your disposal.
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