Choosing a smartphone for Android in 2021 has become more difficult than ever: manufacturers have released a record number of models with unique features - from ultra-fast screens with frequency 144 Hz to cameras with optics from Leica i Hasselblad. But how not to get lost in this variety and choose a device that will last at least 3-4 years without brakes? In this guide, we analyzed more than 50 modelsReleased in 2021, and selected the best in each price category - with an emphasis on real performance rather than marketing promises.
It is important to understand: 2021 was a turning point for the Android market - it was then that Qualcomm introduced the first 4-nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and Google finally abandoned pixel smartphones with mediocre processors.. This means that even mid-budget models of that period (for example, Xiaomi 11T or Realme GT Master Edition) are superior in performance to the flagships of 2019-2020. At the same time, prices for used devices in 2021 have dropped by 40-60% today, making them an extremely profitable purchase.
We divided the rating into 5 categories: flagships (for enthusiasts and professionals), smartphones for games (with active cooling and triggers), middle class (optimal price/quality ratio), budget models (up to 20,000 ₽ with good battery life), camera phones (for photographers and video bloggers).
In each section you will find comparative tables, performance tests and real user reviews from the 4PDA and XDA-Developers forums.
1. The best flagships of 2021: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Exynos 2100
The 2021 flagship segment was divided between three models: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Xiaomi 11 Ultra and OnePlus 9 Pro. All of them are equipped with top chipsets - Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (in Xiaomi and OnePlus) and Exynos 2100 (in the European version Galaxy S21 Ultra). But despite the same performance “on paper”, real tests show a difference of up to 25% in favor of Snapdragonversions.
The main advantage Galaxy S21 Ultra is its 108-megapixel camera 100x zoom and stylus support S Pen (optional). However, Xiaomi 11 Ultra is ahead of the Korean competitor in terms of screen brightness (up to 1700 nitsand charging speed (67W vs 45W Samsung). A OnePlus 9 Pro stands out due to its partnership with Hasselblad —its color reproduction is considered the most natural among Android smartphones.
- 📱 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Best zoom and screen, but overheats on Exynos
- 📸 Xiaomi 11 Ultra: Record display brightness and charging speed
- 🎨 OnePlus 9 Pro: Best color rendition of cameras (Hasselblad)
- 🔋 ASUS ROG Phone 5: Flagship for gamers with 144 Hz and active cooling
Please note: all flagships of 2021 suffer from overheating issues under prolonged loads (especially on Snapdragon 8 Gen 1). This is due to the transition to a 4nm process technology and the imperfection of the cooling system. If you plan to play Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at maximum settings, consider ASUS ROG Phone 5 —it has a built-in cooler and additional physical triggers.
⚠️ Attention: In 2021, Samsung released two versions Galaxy S21 Ultra — on Snapdragon 888 (for the USA/China) and on Exynos 2100 (for Europe/Russia). According to Geekbench tests, Exynos-version loses in multi-threaded tasks by 15-20%. If autonomy is critical, look for a model on the secondary market. Model (mAh/charge) Snapdragon-model on the secondary market.
| Model | Chipset | Screen (Hz/resolution) | Battery (mAh/charge) | Resale price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 | 120 Hz, 3200×1440 | 5000 mAh, 45W | 45 000 — 60 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 11 Ultra | Snapdragon 888 | 120 Hz, 3200×1440 | 5000 mAh, 67W | 40 000 — 55 000 ₽ |
| OnePlus 9 Pro | Snapdragon 888 | 120 Hz, 3216×1440 | 4500 mAh, 65W | 38 000 — 50 000 ₽ |
| ASUS ROG Phone 5 | Snapdragon 888 | 144 Hz, 2448×1080 | 6000 mAh, 65W | 50 000 — 65 000 ₽ |
2. Smartphones for games: 144 Hz, triggers and active cooling
If you need a smartphone exclusively for games, then in 2021 the choice is obvious: ASUS ROG Phone 5, RedMagic 6 Pro or Black Shark 4 Pro. All three models are equipped with 144 Hz AMOLED screensphysical triggers (ultrasensitive buttons on the ends) and active cooling systems. But there are nuances:
- 🎮 ASUS ROG Phone 5: Better balance of performance and software (game mode
Armoury Crateallows you to fine-tune FPS and temperature) - ⚡ RedMagic 6 Pro: The most powerful built-in cooler (fan at 20,000 rpm), but a weak front camera
- 🔥 Black Shark 4 Pro: Cheaper than competitors, but it heats up more and has a mediocre display
The main disadvantage of gaming smartphones is their inconvenient for everyday use. For example, RedMagic 6 Pro weighs 220 grams and has an aggressive design with RGB backlighting, which not everyone likes. If you need a universal flagship that “can do everything” (including games), it is better to consider OnePlus 9 Pro or Xiaomi 11T Pro.
Game mode supports your favorite games (for example, Genshin Impact may not run at maximum settings on some models)
Triggers are customizable (in RedMagic they are programmable, in Black Shark they are not)
Is there an additional cooler included? data-i="136">it comes in a box) ASUS ROG Phone 5 it comes in a box)
Autonomy when playing (for example, Black Shark 4 Pro discharges in 2.5 hours at Call of Duty Mobile at maximum)-->
Interesting fact: ASUS ROG Phone 5 still remains relevant for e-sports disciplines thanks to the support of 90 FPS v PUBG Mobile i Free Fire. For comparison, even 2023 flagships (for example Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) do not always consistently maintain this frame rate due to heating limitations.
⚠️ Attention: Gaming smartphones are often deprived of official Android updates earlier than regular flagships. For example, Black Shark 4 Pro received only one major update (to Android 12), after which support was discontinued. If long updates are important to you, choose ASUS ROG Phone 5 (updated to Android 14).
3. Middle class: optimal price/quality ratio
The most competitive category of 2021 is middle class smartphones (price 30,000 - 50,000 rubles at the time of release). The leaders here are Xiaomi 11T Pro, Realme GT Master Edition and POCO F3 GT. All of them are built on a processor Snapdragon 870 —a “lightweight” version of the flagship Snapdragon 888, but with better energy efficiency.
The main advantages of these models:
Xiaomi 11T Pro — 120 Hz AMOLED and 120W charging (full charge in 17 minutes!),
Realme GT Master Edition - design from Naoto Fukasawa and light weight (174 grams),
POCO F3 GT - retractable triggers (like gaming smartphones) and the price is lower than competitors.
But there are pitfalls, for example, Xiaomi 11T Pro does not have official support DeX (desktop mode, like Samsung), and Realme GT Master Edition suffers from mediocre battery life (only 4300 mAhIf you need a smartphone "for everything" with a good camera and long battery life, pay attention to Google Pixel 6 - despite the average processor Tensor, it outperforms competitors in photo and video quality.
Why is Snapdragon 870 better than Snapdragon 888 for the middle class?
Snapdragon 870 is a redesigned Snapdragon 865+ with an increased clock speed (up to 3.2 GHz versus 2.84 GHz for the 865). It does not have the overheating problems that the Snapdragon 888 had, but is only 5-10% inferior in performance. This makes it an ideal choice for mid-class smartphones, where stability is important rather than record-breaking benchmarks.
| Model | Chipset | Screen | Battery | Price secondary (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | Snapdragon 888 | 120 Hz AMOLED, 2400×1080 | 5000 mAh, 120W | 28 000 — 35 000 ₽ |
| Realme GT Master Edition | Snapdragon 778G | 120 Hz AMOLED, 2400×1080 | 4300 mAh, 65W | 22 000 — 28 000 ₽ |
| POCO F3 GT | MediaTek Dimensity 1200 | 120 Hz AMOLED, 2400×1080 | 5065 mAh, 67W | 25 000 — 32 000 ₽ |
| Google Pixel 6 | Google Tensor | 90 Hz AMOLED, 2400×1080 | 4614 mAh, 30W | 30 000 — 40 000 ₽ |
4. Budget smartphones (up to 20,000 ₽): what to choose in 2026?
The budget segment of 2021 is interesting because even cheap smartphones have received 90 Hz screens i 5G. The best models in this category: Redmi Note 10 Pro, Realme 8 Pro i Samsung Galaxy A52. All of them are today 15 000 — 20 000 ₽ on the secondary market, but they differ greatly in their “chips”:
- 💰 Redmi Note 10 Pro: The best screen in the class (
120 Hz AMOLED) and stereo speakers - 📷 Realme 8 Pro: 108-megapixel camera (albeit with mediocre software)
- 🔄 Samsung Galaxy A52: 4 years of Android updates (until 2026) and IP67
The main compromise of budget smartphones is processors. All of the listed models work on Snapdragon 720G/732G or Helio G95, which today are already considered weak for modern games. For example, in Genshin Impact at medium settings, FPS drops to 20-25 frames. But for social networks, YouTube and simple tasks, their performance will last for another 2-3 years.
If you need a budget smartphone for photography, pay attention to Realme 8 Pro with mode Starry Mode for shooting the starry sky. For comparison: even the flagships of 2021 (except Xiaomi 11 Ultra) cannot shoot stars without manual settings.
Important point: Samsung Galaxy A52 is the only budget smartphone of 2021 with official protection against water (IP67). If you need a reliable smartphone for travel or outdoor activities, this is the best choice. However, its screen is only 90 Hz, and the camera loses Redmi Note 10 Pro in detail.
⚠️ Attention: Budget smartphones in 2021 are often sold with “service” batteries (replaced under warranty). Before purchasing, check the charge cycle in the engineering menu (##4636##) or through the app AccuBattery. If the valueHealthis below 85%, the battery will soon require replacement.
5. Camera phones 2021: what is best for photos and videos?
If your priority is shooting quality, then in 2021 the best camera phones were: Xiaomi 11 Ultra (best universal camera), Google Pixel 6 Pro (best photo processing), Sony Xperia 1 III (best video for professionals).
Each of these models has unique features:
- 📸 Xiaomi 11 Ultra: Dual display (main + small screen on the back for selfies with the main camera)
- 🎞️ Sony Xperia 1 III: Support
4K 120 FPSand manual settings like DSLR cameras - 🖼️ Google Pixel 6 Pro: AI processing
Magic Eraser(removing unnecessary objects from photos)
For professional videographers, the best choice is Sony Xperia 1 III. It supports 10-bit video, has 3.5 mm audio input for microphones and allows you to shoot in LOG format for post-processing. However, its weak point is the processor Snapdragon 888which gets very hot during long-term 4K shooting.
If you need selfies and portraitsthen Google Pixel 6 Pro is a win-win option. Its processing algorithms are still considered the best on the market (even in 2026). For example, night shots on Pixel 6 Pro turn out brighter and more detailed than on iPhone 13 Pro the same year.
For shooting video in 4K 60 FPS, it is better to avoid smartphones with processors Exynos (for example, European version Galaxy S21 Ultra). They have hardware limitations on video bitrate, which leads to artifacts during editing.
6. Which 2021 Android smartphone should you buy in 2026?
If you are looking for a 2021 smartphone today, then the choice depends on your tasks:
- 🎮 For games: ASUS ROG Phone 5 or RedMagic 6 Pro (if you need triggers and 144 Hz)
- 📸 For photos: Google Pixel 6 Pro (better processing) or Xiaomi 11 Ultra (better optics)
- 💼 For work: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (DeX, S Pen) or OnePlus 9 Pro (pure Android)
- 💰 Budget option: Redmi Note 10 Pro (120 Hz AMOLED) or Realme 8 Pro (108 MP camera)
Important to consider battery condition i availability of updates. For example, Google Pixel 6 Pro will receive updates until Android 16 (2026), but Xiaomi 11 Ultra is no longer updated (the latest version is Android 13). Also check screen condition —AMOLED panels in 2021 are prone to pixel burn-in (especially if the previous owner played games frequently).
If you need a “do-it-all” smartphone with a good performance reserve, the best choice is OnePlus 9 Pro. It still handles modern games at medium settings, has an excellent camera (thanks to collaboration with Hasselblad) and supports Warp Charge 65W (charging in 30 minutes).
⚠️ Attention: When buying a used smartphone, be sure to checkIMEIon the website imei.info or through the command*#06#. If the device is blacklisted (lost/stolen), it may be blocked by telecom operators.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about smartphones in 2021
❓ Is it worth buying a 2021 flagship in 2026?
Yes, if you needed maximum performance for minimal money. For example, Snapdragon 888 (2021) is comparable in strength to Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (2022), but costs 2-3 times cheaper. The main thing is to check the condition of the battery and screen.
❓ Which smartphone of 2021 is better for PUBG Mobile?
The best choice is ASUS ROG Phone 5 or RedMagic 6 Pro. They support 90 FPS PUBG Mobile without lag and have physical triggers for easy control. Alternative - POCO F3 GT (cheaper, but heats up more).
❓ Which smartphones of 2021 receive Android updates in 2026?
Active support has: Google Pixel 6/6 Pro (up to Android 16, 2026 year), Samsung Galaxy S21 (up to Android 15, 2026), OnePlus 9 Pro (up to Android 15, 2026).
The remaining models (including Xiaomi 11 Ultra) no longer receive major updates.
❓ How to check the condition of the battery before purchasing?
Use code ##4636## → Battery information. The parameter Health must be above 85%. You can also install the application AccuBattery and see the wear graph.
❓ Is it possible to replace the battery in smartphones in 2021?
Yes, but the cost varies: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — ~5,000 ₽ (original), Xiaomi 11T Pro — ~3 500 ₽, Google Pixel 6 Pro — ~6,000 ₽ (due to adhesive fastening).
Important: After replacement, the charge cycle counter may be reset, which will complicate checking the battery condition.