Samsung is getting ahead in 2021 and is already lifting the veil on its spearhead line of smartphones. As in 2020, the biggest novelties are to be found on the side of the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Samsung has decided to unsheathe its smartphones even earlier than usual in 2021. As one would expect by virtue of all the leaks that have piled up in recent weeks, the Korean firm has formalized its new range of iron smartphones from launches this Thursday, January 14. It retains the same formula as in 2020, with a trio made up of the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 + and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra will of course be the flagship model. The giant smartphone will go so far as to walk on the flower beds of the Note references, offering compatibility with the S-Pen stylus (sold separately). Its five-sensor camera will also be to follow, with the promise of recording videos in 8K and a 10x optical zoom.
Features of Galaxy S21, S21 + and S21 Ultra
Screen and design of the Galaxy S21 range
To bring its S21 to life, Samsung relies on a Dynamic AMOLED screen offering incredible display quality, a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10 + compatibility. The definition will be the same on the S21 and S21 +, with a breakdown as follows:
- 6.2 inches Full HD + on the S21;
- 6.7 inches Full HD + on the S21 +;
- 6.8 inch QHD + on the S21 Ultra.
We note similar sizes compared to the S20, except for the Ultra model which loses 0.1 inch (6.8 against 6.9 inches). In terms of design, we notice that the S21 and S21 + sport a flat panel while it remains slightly curved on the S21 Ultra. All three phones keep this hole in the screen, located in the center to make room for the selfie camera. More financially accessible, the S21 must be satisfied with a plastic back, when the others are entitled to glass. A matt treatment is applied to all devices.
Still on the design, the still very prominent photo module is now an extension of the metal edge. This makes it possible to blend it better and to break, a little, the aesthetic harmony on the back.
Galaxy S21 series photo sensors
In 2020, Samsung had gone all out on the picture, following on from Google and Apple, which had taken the lead with the Pixel 3 and iPhone 11 Pro – respectively. With its quintuple sensor, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is on course to give the competition a few cold sweats, if the software treatment follows.
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S21+ | Galaxy S21 Ultra | |
| Sensor 1 | 12 Mpx, f/1.8 | 108 Mpx, f/1.8 | |
| Sensor 2 | Ultra grand angle 12 Mpx, f/2.2 | ||
| Sensor 3 | 64 Mpx telephoto lens, f / 2.0 | 10 Mpx telephoto lens, f / 2.4 x3 | |
| Sensor 4 | Non | 10 Mpx telephoto lens, f / 4.9 x10 | |
| Cool | Non | Yes | |
| Front sensor | 10 Mpx, f/2.2 | 40 Mpx, f/2.2 | |
Samsung once again highlights this digital zoom x100 on the Ultra model.
Power and autonomy of the Galaxy S21 range
The three S21s share the same processor: the Exynos 2100, supported by 8 GB of RAM on the S21 / S21 + and 12 or 16 GB of RAM on the S21 Ultra. The storage space ranges from 128 to 512 GB.
For the battery capacity, the changes are as follows:
- S21: 4000 mAh (compared to 4000 for the S20);
- S20 +: 4,800 mAh (compared to 4,500 for the S21 +);
- S20 Ultra: 5,000 mAh (compared to 5,000 for the S20 Ultra).
Like Apple, Samsung made the decision to no longer provide a charger in the box, after mocking the decision when announcing the competitor.
Galaxy S21 price and release date
Samsung will launch its S21 range on January 29. Pre-orders open today and will end the day before release. The acquisition of an S21 or an S21 + will entitle you to a pair of Buds Live headphones. That of an S21 Ultra will allow to get Buds Pro. You can also choose to receive SmartTags, which compete with the products marketed by Tile.
Here are the prices :
And the colors :
- Galaxy S21: white, pink, purple and gray;
- Galaxy S21 +: black, purple and silver;
- Galaxy S21 Ultra: black and silver.
