The Samsung Galaxy S21 could come without a microSD card slot
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Every year in the spring, Samsung presents the new generation of its Galaxy S series. In 2021 we expect at least three new smartphones with the Galaxy S21, S21 + and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The first information and pictures about the devices are already available. TECHNOLOGY BUTTON summarizes all information about the Samsung Galaxy S21.
The Samsung Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21 + and the top model Galaxy S21 Ultra are expected to hit the market as early as January 2021 – one month earlier than the previous S20. Some information about the design and equipment has already leaked in advance. We now know almost all the details about Samsung’s new flagship.
Current information
Now that all the key data and even the launch date on January 14, 2021 have been leaked, a number of unexplained details remain.
Lower screen resolution
Accordingly, it is fairly certain that two of the Galaxy S21 models – S21 and S21 Plus – will have a screen resolution of 2400 x 1800 pixels. That is significantly less than with the S20 from this year, which came with 1440p resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels). Nevertheless, the pixel density of 421 PPI in the S21 with 6.2 inches and 394 PPI in the S21 Plus with 6.7 is still okay.
Smaller camera sensor
A downgrade is also becoming apparent for the camera. Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus come with three sensors that are identical on paper to those of the predecessors S20 and S20 Plus. But according to the leak, the sensor of the zoom camera seems to be even smaller than on the S20. The data sheet shows that the sensor only measures 1 / 1.76 inch, while it was 1 / 1.72 inch before. In addition, the S21 Plus could come without a time-of-flight sensor (ToF), which was still to be found in the predecessor.
No microSD slot?
What is particularly striking about the leaked data sheet, however, is the fact that there is no mention of expandable storage. The memory and RAM configurations are well known. However, we do not know whether the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 have an expansion slot for microSD cards. Samsung has so far been one of the last major manufacturers to offer the option of expanding the memory of its flagship smartphones at a later date. The company already did without a card slot in the Galaxy Note20, only the Note20 Ultra offers this feature. With the Galaxy S21, on the other hand, all models – S20 and S20 Plus included.
Features of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series
Design of the Samsung Galaxy S21
Even if the naming is still a mystery, pictures of the new Galaxy smartphone tell us at least a lot about the design. Steve Hemmerstoffer, also known as Onleaks, provides us with the photos via his Twitter channel. What is particularly noticeable is the new type of optics of the camera.
A leaked video also shows the camera of the Galaxy S21, S21 + and S21 Ultra. At the same time, however, we can also see the color scheme of the new smartphones. Both the Galaxy S21 and the S21 + come in purple, with the camera bezel highlighted. It is bronze-colored and thus stands out from the back. Overall, the cameras of the devices look almost identical. The bezel for the triple cameras of both smartphones sits on the upper left edge and runs slightly around it. In contrast, the display of both models appears perfectly straight.
Optical differences only become apparent with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung presents this model in the video in the black version. The housing and the camera bezel have the same color, but the camera bezel is more glossy and stands out as a detail. In addition, the Ultra – unlike its two siblings – has a slightly curved display and more camera sensors. In addition to the 108 megapixel main sensor, the video also shows a single periscope camera with 10 megapixels and 10x super telephoto zoom. There is also an ultra wide angle with 12 megapixels and a 10 megapixel telephoto lens. At the top of the arrangement is also a laser auto focus system that replaces the TOF sensor on the S20 Ultra.
Displays – from flat to slightly curved
A decision that could prove controversial – if it is correct – is the choice of display for the Galaxy S21. ” Android Police “ reports that both the S21 and the S21 + should get panels with FHD + resolution (1080p). That would be a significant step backwards compared to the predecessors, which both have QHD + displays (1440p). With the same screen diagonal, this would result in a significantly lower pixel density. Both panels should again support 120 Hertz refresh rate.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the other hand, should get a major upgrade. Although the screen shrinks from 6.9 inches to 6.8 inches diagonal, the QHD + resolution remains the same. There are two special features of the new display. First, it is said to be an LTPO display that has an adaptive refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hertz (Hz). This could switch the smartphone to a lower frequency, for example for a still image, and thus save battery. Second, it is reported that the screen can achieve a maximum brightness of 1600 nits (candelas per square meter). That is another 200 nits more than the already extremely bright Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Another feature that Android Police says will come exclusively for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is support for the S Pen. The digital stylus has been a key feature of the Galaxy Note series so far. But now rumors are circulating that there could be no new note in 2021. So a possible compromise would be that the S Pen comes to the Galaxy S21 instead. However, the stylus should be available separately and not stowable in the case. Cases for the S21 Ultra with a holder for the S Pen should be planned.
Technical equipment and system
With the Samsung Galaxy S21, the company is continuing its controversial strategy of installing two different chipsets in flagship smartphones. While so far European buyers always got the worse chip, the equation should change next year. Depending on the market in which the Galaxy S21 is bought, it could either contain the recently introduced Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or an Exynos 2100 from Samsung itself. The Snapdragon chips have always offered more performance and better battery life than the Exynos alternatives in tests.
In unconfirmed benchmarks, however, the Exynos 2100 shows a higher performance than its Snapdragon counterpart for the first time, as reported by ” Notebookcheck “ . The well-known leaker “Ice Universe” also writes on Twitter: “It is almost certain that the Exynos 2100 has more power than the Snapdragon 875 [the chip is now officially called“ Snapdragon 888 ”, editor’s note. Red.]. ”
Nevertheless, the Exynos 2100 is said to be more energy efficient than its predecessor. Both Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 will be 5G compatible. Also, according to Android Police , they will support Wifi 6E, which is up to two times faster than Wifi 6.
Android 11 ex works?
With a presumed presentation date in the coming spring, it seems likely that the Samsung Galaxy S21, the S21 + and the S21 Ultra will already be shipped with Android 11. Google officially presented its latest operating system version in September 2020. However, Samsung puts its own interface called One UI over the system, which includes some adjustments. Typically, Samsung’s own apps such as the health app, Galaxy Wear for Samsung’s Smartwatches and Co. as well as Samsung’s own app shop can be found here.
The manufacturer offers various unlocking methods to protect the system. We also expect this with the Galaxy S21. So the new smartphones probably bring the fingerprint sensor under the display and the option of face unlocking.
Quad camera on the Galaxy S21 Ultra
Already known from the 2020 Galaxy S models is the square camera bezel, which is again positioned on the upper left area of the back. However, it seems to easily run around the edge of the case on the Samsung Galaxy S21. This detail is also evident in the frontal view of the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung seems to have moved the camera module closer to the left and top edge so that it is flush with the housing here.
According to the leaks, the S21 and S21 + have the same setup as their predecessors. Specifically, this means: 12-megapixel main sensor, 12-MP ultra-wide sensor and 64-MP telephoto sensor. Nothing more is known about sensor size, aperture and pixel size.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the other hand, could get a completely new camera arrangement. Allegedly, the smartphone will get the second generation of the 108 MP main sensor, which is located in the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Galaxy Note20 Ultra. It could also have two telephoto cameras, one with three times and one with ten times magnification. The ultra wide angle camera stays at 12 MP. To improve autofocus, Samsung could use laser autofocus in the S21 Ultra.
After all, all three models have software improvements. Accordingly, videos in 4K resolution with 60 frames per second (FPS) should now be possible with all cameras. Before that was only possible with the main camera. 8K resolution should also get an upgrade, from a former maximum of 24 FPS to now 30 FPS.
A new feature is a dual recording mode that allows the cameras to film simultaneously on the front and rear. The videos can be saved separately or displayed as picture-in-picture.
Battery power
The battery capacity remains largely unchanged compared to the previous models. The S21 and S21 Ultra stay at 4000 mAh and 5000 mAh, respectively. The Samsung Galaxy S21 + gets a bonus of 300 mAh, so the battery grows to a total of 4800 mAh. The loading speeds are not yet known, but should be at least on the level of the predecessor. S20 and S20 + charge with 25 watts, the larger S20 Ultra with 45 watts.
Samsung Galaxy S21 pricing and availability
The competition from China is increasingly affecting traditional smartphone manufacturers. Companies such as OnePlus, Xiaomi and Oppo offer smartphones with top features, but most of them are cheaper than the devices from Samsung. For this reason, the South Korean manufacturer could turn the price screw on its Galaxy S21. There are increasing reports that the new models are said to be cheaper than their predecessors. With this, Samsung apparently wants to remain competitive and become more attractive for customers who have cheaper alternatives in the high-end segment.
There are even exact prices that come from the South Korean ” Naver ” forum . Here the members discuss the latest leaks and information about companies and devices. To what extent the prices are really set is unclear – as is always the case with unofficial information. They are in US dollars, so prices in Europe may vary slightly. They also seem to refer to the 5G versions of the smartphones.
- Samsung Galaxy S21: $ 850- $ 899
- Galaxy S21 +: $ 1050-1099
- Galaxy S21 Ultra: $ 1250- $ 1299
The RRPs for the predecessors were 999, 1199 and 1399 euros – an average of 100 to 150 euros more. By lowering prices, Samsung could become a little more attractive for potential buyers in the currently rather bad economic times. However, the new smartphones are probably not cheap. Especially when you consider that Samsung has probably done without accessories that were previously indispensable. A power adapter for charging the battery should not be included in the scope of delivery – Samsung is probably following the step that Apple has already taken with the iPhone 12.
When will the Galaxy S21 be presented?
” SamMobile ” and YouTuber Jon Posser give an exact date for the presentation and market launch of the upcoming Samsung smartphones. According to them, Samsung is planning the unpacked event on January 14, 2021. That would be almost a month earlier than the presentation of the S20 models. It was shown to Samsung on February 11, 2020. Sales of the Galaxy S21, S21 + and S21 Ultra should also start in January. If the reports are correct, Samsung will launch the market on January 29, 2021.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 should be available in the colors gray, pink, purple and white. The Plus model, however, should only be available in black and silver. Buyers who opt for the Galaxy S21 Ultra apparently have the choice between a black, silver and purple variant.
What is the name of the new Samsung flagship?
While some sources on the net talk about the Samsung Galaxy S21, others refer to the upcoming flagship as the Galaxy S30. Both names would be equally possible. If Samsung continues its model numbering in steps of one, this would have the advantage that the smartphones would be named appropriately for the year in which they were launched. The Galaxy S21 in 2021, the Galaxy S22 in 2022, and so on. The jump in increments of ten is also conceivable, as Samsung has already dared to move from the Galaxy S10 to the Galaxy S20 and is also implementing it in other rows such as the A row.