Samsung Galaxy S21 series officially launched with Snapdragon 888, S Pen, One UI 3.1, and less price
Samsung Galaxy S21 series officially launched with Snapdragon 888, S Pen, One UI 3.1, and less price
Samsung is taking a major step in the right direction in 2021, and the new Galaxy S21 will cost $200 less. The original model of the Galaxy S21 series is the Galaxy S21, starting price is $799, down from last year’s $999.
Despite the price reduction, it still provides a very complete product package. It is equipped with Snapdragon 888 processor, three rear cameras, and 5G, this time the smallest phone also includes mmWave.
The Galaxy S21+ has almost the same design, except for the larger display, which starts at $999. However, there is a big difference between these two phones. The S21+ has Samsung’s regular glass back cover, while the normal Galaxy S21 has matte plastic similar to the Galaxy S20 FE.
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Both phones are downgraded to 1080p displays – the S21 is 6.2 inches and the S21 + 6.7 inches, but with Samsung’s adaptive 120Hz display, the refresh rate can be adjusted to better suit the content and save battery. Both phones come with 8GB of RAM and lack microSD expansion. You will also see an IP68 waterproof performance, Qi wireless charging, Android 11 / One UI 3.1, and a larger battery.
In the camera department, Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21+ come with a 12MP sensor for the main wide-angle camera and auxiliary ultra-wide-angle camera, with a 120-degree field of view. However, the telephoto camera uses 64MP to create a 3x hybrid zoom. Samsung also offers 30x space zoom on both devices and has a 10MP selfie shooter in a punch-hole display.
On the other hand, Samsung also has the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is the top flagship of this year. It has the same key specifications, the Snapdragon 888, no microSD slot, adaptive 120Hz, and ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. The S21 Ultra has 12GB of RAM, as well as a top model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 6.8-inch QHD + curved display, which uses the new Eye Comfort Shield like the S21 and S21+. This new technology is designed to reduce harmful blue light at any time (not only at night) without damaging your eyes.
Samsung’s display on the Galaxy S21 Ultra can also reach a peak brightness of 1,500 nits. The center punch-hole display features a 40MP selfie camera upgrade.
Talking about cameras, the main camera of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a 108MP sensor with the same laser autofocus system that we found on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. There is a 12MP camera for ultra-wide-angle shooting and two 10MP sensors for zooming. The first is a 3x optical zoom lens, and the second is a 10x zoom.
In combination, Samsung can use them to achieve 100x “space zoom”, which should be able to see the higher quality this time than last year’s S20 Ultra mid-level display. Samsung reported that users can shoot at 4k/60fps on the Galaxy S21 Ultra for every lens (even a selfie camera). In professional mode, photos also have a new 12-bit RAW option.
Samsung also gave S Pen support to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the first support of the Galaxy S series. However, unlike the Galaxy Note series, the Ultra does not have a dedicated slot to store the S Pen in the phone. Samsung will sell the stylus pen with cases that can store the stylus.
The regular Galaxy S21 will come in Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, and Phantom White, while the Galaxy S 21+ will come in Phantom Violet, Phantom Black, and Phantom Silver. The Galaxy S21 Ultra will use Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series will be launched in the US on 29 January, pre-orders will start on 14 January. The basic model is priced at $799, while the S21+ is priced at $999, and the S21 Ultra is priced at $1,199.
Pre-order offers include Samsung.com’s $100, $150, or $200 credit and free Galaxy Smart tag. Trade discounts can also save up to $700.
Samsung could shift its investment from the EV battery business in the US. The company plans to adjust its investment in ESS from EVs due to a sluggish market. The move comes after low demand for EVs, particularly bikes, and growing demand for ESS.
TheElec reports that Samsung eyeing the growing demand for ESS (energy storage systems) in the US. North America’s largest power company NextEra Energy could be awarding Samsung with a potential 1 trillion won ESS order.
Samsung is investing in converting its EV battery pack production line in Michigan, US. The electric bike battery pack line will be dismantled and converted for ESS use. The investment is expected to begin as early as the fourth quarter.
- The ESS battery pack line will be located in Factory 1, where a battery pack line for Harley-Davidson is currently in operation.
- Factory 2 primarily produces battery packs for Stellantis PHEVs, such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe.
The Korean tech giant is pursuing a 1 trillion won order for ESS batteries from NextEra Energy. The order is estimated to be around 5GWh. The company has started accelerating its penetration into the ESS market since last year with its Battery Box.
Samsung is exploring advanced sensor-shift image stabilization (OIS) camera tech for future Galaxy phones. The company recently filed a patent application related to image stabilization technology for mobile devices in South Korea.
The latest Samsung patent suggests work on the sensor-shift image stabilization (OIS) camera is underway. However, Apple iPhone-like sensor shift camera tech is far from arriving on Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones.
The patent entitled “Actuator for optical image stabilization and camera module including the same” describes how less force is required to stabilize the sensor itself. This allows for a more precise correction of the sensor position.
The patent document shows that Samsung is continuing to develop its ideas and methods for sensor-shift image stabilization. The absence of such cameras is not a sign that the company has abandoned the idea.
Samsung has been working on sensor-shift image stabilization for years. The company aims to upgrade the Galaxy camera capabilities in the future. The sensor-shift stabilization offers a sharper image by moving the camera sensor.
Previously, patents related to sensor-shift telephoto camera surfaced. However, the Korean tech giant hasn’t commercialized the technology. The patent was published recently, but doesn’t mean we will be seeing this upgrade in the Galaxy S25 series.
The development suggests that Samsung won’t include it on Galaxies till an advanced variant evolves. As the exploration continues, sensor-shift OIS feature remains in hope for the future of Galaxy smartphone segment.
Samsung officially confirmed its teaming up with Qualcomm and Google for XR devices. Now, Qualcomm CEO revealed that the company is working with Samsung and Google to develop mixed-reality smart glasses.
According to the info, Samsung is working on portable mixed-reality smart glasses in collaboration with Qualcomm. Not XR headset, the company’s first extended reality product could be smart glasses with AI for new experiences.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon shared new details about Samsung’s upcoming XR product. In an interview to CNBC, Amon confirmed the collab with Samsung will result in “a new product” that offers “new experiences.”
Beyond that, he hinted that this product will likely be a pair of XR smart glasses, not a headset. Just opposite to Apple’s approach, Samsung and Qualcomm aimed to create XR smart glasses that would be portable and easy to carry around.
“I want everyone who has a phone to go buy companion glasses to go along with it,” Amon said. “We need to reach a point where wearing smart glasses feels no different from wearing regular glasses or sunglasses. Only then can we achieve true scale,” he added.
The XR smart glasses could debut later this year, featuring artificial intelligence. Samsung and Qualcomm reportedly aiming to make XR glasses mainstream, while Google could support them with optimized software.
Following the trend, the XR smart glasses could pack on-device AI capabilities. Some AI features will run directly on the device, others on the phone, and certain tasks will require cloud processing – unlocking “a whole new set of experiences.”
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