I don't think I'd be too worried about the Exynos 2100 in the S21 series because it seems that this time it'll actually have similar (maybe even better) performance to the Snapdragon 888.

I think it's a solid phone. I bought mine in september 2021. Went with the Ultra with 512gb. Absolutely love it though, and personally I think it looks much better than the design of the S22. And honestly, from what I've seen, that and longer updates are the ONLY reasons to buy a 22 instead of a 21. There's no real performance increase. I will say the bump for the camera is much easier to deal with getting a lifeproof case. Everything is level and it feels much nicer than have it teeter. And I will say, i was nervous (coming from the completely enclosed s9 lifeproof and even then a bunch of tiny scratches on the screen) about the case showing the display freely. Now I don't put it in my keys pocket, but I have put it once in a waterproof bag with someone's keys and combine that and daily wear and there are no scratches on the screen. It's definitely a lot harder glass that the s9.