New year, new flagship phone by Samsung. The electronics giant is set to shake things up for their first major smartphone release of 2021. As usual, rumours and leaks are never way away. Coupled with some key reveals from the company itself, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from Samsung’s next big thing. Here, we have compiled a rundown of what we know so far to get you quickly up to speed before the big launch!
1. What Will It Be Called?
Despite the official naming scheme still under wraps, there is a general consensus that the new phones will be called the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. Though you shouldn’t discount that Samsung might go for the Galaxy S30 moniker. After all, they leapt straight to the Galaxy S20 series from the Galaxy S10 line in the previous generation.
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Launch Date
Samsung is set to officially unveil the new Galaxy S21 series on 14 January 2021, the earliest ever in a calendar year. It breaks the long-held tradition of a February/March launch for the Galaxy S series.
3. Three Models
There will be no changes in the product line-up in terms of the number of devices. Expect to see the Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
4. 5G Across The Board
For the first time, all models in a Samsung flagship phone line-up will feature 5G capability. This includes the base model Samsung Galaxy S21. Previously, only the most expensive models were integrated with 5G. However, don’t expect the 5G roll-out in Malaysia to happen anytime soon.
5. Return Of The Plastic
Samsung drew flak when they outfitted the Galaxy Note20 with a predominantly plastic build. It did not go down well with a lot of users who expected only a premium look and feel for such a pricey device. Those eyeing the Galaxy S21 will probably be disappointed again as Samsung is expected to dish out the same treatment to the lesser model. However, it will be glass all the way for the Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
6. Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Colours
Wondering what new eye-catching colours the new phones will come in? Alongside the standard black, white, silver, and grey, there will be a soft purple/violet as well as a pink option. Do note that there will be different colour options for different models.
7. S-Pen Support
In one of the biggest shake-ups in the Samsung phone line-up history, the company will be bringing S-Pen support to non-Galaxy Note phones for the first time ever, starting with the Samsung Galaxy S21 phones. However, the stylus will be sold separately and not included with the phone purchase.
8. Curved Display Lives On
Samsung is not giving up on the curved display trend just yet, despite growing detractors. They will maintain the sleek display that curves to the sides on the highest-billing Galaxy S21 Ultra. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will sport flat screens.
9. Hello Again, Punch-Hole
For those wishing for a completely uninterrupted display, your wait continues. All three models will once again feature the centred punch-hole, which houses the selfie camera. Better luck next year!
10. New Camera Bump Design
The camera bump on the recent Samsung flagship phones isn’t exactly subtle. Who are we kidding? They are MASSIVE! Thankfully, Samsung has corrected that with their latest phones, which will sport a more flushed-looking camera bump. The new design is also an interesting one, and will definitely spark conversations.
11. How Many Cameras?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will have three cameras at the back, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra will offer four—one more than its direct predecessor. In addition, the latter will also feature a laser autofocus sensor.
12. Best Telephoto Camera?
Remember that extra camera on the Galaxy S21 Ultra? It will apparently be a 10MP telephoto lens capable of doing 3x optical zoom. Together with another 10MP periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom, the top-of-the-line model could feature the best telephoto camera system on a smartphone.
13. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
There is no doubt that Samsung’s latest flagship phones will be powered by the latest and most powerful mobile chipset to date in the market that is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. For certain markets not receiving the Snapdragon variant, they will be getting the Exynos 2100 models instead.
14. Guaranteed Three Years Of Update
Samsung has promised three generations of Android updates for new and several old phones back when they launched the Galaxy Note20 series. The Samsung Galaxy S21 phones will most certainly be part of it, which means owners can expect to receive at least three major Android operating system upgrades.
15. Other Specs
Aside from the big, headline-grabbing features, expect all the new phones to come with the usual set of features that are standard issue for Samsung flagship phones now. We are talking about the likes of under-display Ultrasonic Fingerprint scanner, IP68 dust-and-water resistance, reverse wireless charging, and Samsung DeX.
16. Big Batteries
Recent Samsung flagship phones in the past year have all featured generous batteries. That will not change with the new line-up. The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ are expected to be fitted with a 4,500mAh and 4,800mAh unit respectively, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra goes up to 5,000mAh, similar to the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
17. Bye-Bye Charger?
Bad news guys. Samsung could very well ditch the charger alongside the AKG wired earphones from the packaging box if rumours are to be believed. Perhaps their mocking of Apple soon after the iPhone 12 launch will come back to bite them.
18. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro
It is not uncommon for Samsung to launch their brand new audio products alongside new flagship phones. Sharing the stage with the Galaxy S21 series will be the Galaxy Buds Pro, the company’s latest wireless earbuds with an all-new design. Goodbye beans!
19. Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Release Date
Usually, Samsung will put their phones up for pre-order not long after the launch event. Reports are pining 22 January as the day the new devices will go on sale globally. It will likely be the case here too with Malaysia being an important market for Samsung.
20. Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Price
Pricing information is still unknown at the time of writing. However, do not expect a big departure from how their predecessors were priced. The Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20+ came out with RM3,599 and RM3,999 starting price tags respectively. On the other hand, the Galaxy S20 Ultra arrived at a RM4,999 premium. That said, there could be a slight bump in prices for the non-Ultra models due to the addition of 5G.
21. The End For The Note Series?
Speculations were rife that Samsung will be discontinuing the Galaxy Note series this year. The Galaxy 21 series S-Pen support further strengthens the rumours. However, a company official has since denied such a move, according to a news report from South Korea.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Will Once Again Offer Some Of The Best Android Phones
Samsung has been consistently ahead of the game when it comes to producing top Android smartphones to take on the iPhones. Big changes are coming to the line-up this year that will please (read: S-Pen support) as well as frustrate (read: the removal of charger and earphones) Samsung fans alike. However, that shouldn’t take away the fact that the Galaxy S line continues to offer some of the best Android phones, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 series will once again be expected to give Apple and other Android phone manufacturers a run for their money.
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