Samsung has revealed three new flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S21 and S21+ and S21 Ultra.
Just as rumours indicated and similar to last year, the tech giant has also separated the three phones into two categories: its latest flagship and the ultra-premium smartphone experience.
This specific story focuses on Samsung’s ‘latest flagship experience,’ which includes the Galaxy S21 and S21+.
First and foremost, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is available in Canada in ‘Phantom Pink,’ ‘Phantom Violet,’ ‘Phantom White’ and ‘Phantom Grey.’ The 128GB variant of the handset costs $1,129.99, and the 256GB variant is priced at $1,199.99. The 256GB model of the device is only available in Phantom Grey.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+, on the other hand, is available in ‘Phantom Violet,’ ‘Phantom Silver’ and ‘Phantom Black.’ This smartphone costs $1,399.99 for the 128GB version of the device and $1,469.99 for the 256GB variant. The 256GB of the smartphone is only available in Phantom Black.
It’s worth noting the prices because the Samsung Galaxy S21 is $120 cheaper than the S20 when it launched, and the S21+ is $179 cheaper than the S20+. I mention this as the S21 and S21+ are sort of a downgrade from last year’s models in several ways.
Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Display
6.2-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
6.7-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Snapdragon 888
Snapdragon 888
RAM
8GB of RAM
8GB of RAM
Storage
128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm
161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm
Weight
172g
202g
Rear Facing Camera
12-megapixel (f/1.8, wide) + 64-megapixel (f/2.0, 3x zoom) + 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
12-megapixel (f/1.8, wide) + 64-megapixel (f/2.0, 3x zoom) + 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
Front Facing Camera
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
4,000mAh
4,800mAh
Network Connectivity
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Sensors
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
SIM Type
Nano SIM
Nano SIM
Launch Date
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Misc
Colours: Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Pink, Phantom Violet
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, ultra wideband
Display
Samsung Galaxy S21
6.2-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Samsung Galaxy S21+
6.7-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Samsung Galaxy S21
Snapdragon 888
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Snapdragon 888
RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21
8GB of RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21+
8GB of RAM
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S21
128GB, 256GB
Samsung Galaxy S21+
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
Samsung Galaxy S21
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm
Samsung Galaxy S21+
161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S21
172g
Samsung Galaxy S21+
202g
Rear Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S21
12-megapixel (f/1.8, wide) + 64-megapixel (f/2.0, 3x zoom) + 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
Samsung Galaxy S21+
12-megapixel (f/1.8, wide) + 64-megapixel (f/2.0, 3x zoom) + 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
Front Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S21
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
Samsung Galaxy S21+
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Samsung Galaxy S21
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S21
4,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S21+
4,800mAh
Network Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S21
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Samsung Galaxy S21+
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Sensors
Samsung Galaxy S21
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
SIM Type
Samsung Galaxy S21
Nano SIM
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Nano SIM
Launch Date
Samsung Galaxy S21
January 14, 2021
Samsung Galaxy S21+
January 14, 2021
Misc
Samsung Galaxy S21
Colours: Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Pink, Phantom Violet
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, ultra wideband
Alongside the lower screen resolution — the S20 series offered a WQHD+ resolution — the S21 features a polycarbonate (plastic) rear, compared to last year’s model that featured a glass backing. The S21+ sports a similarly lower resolution, but also it offers a slightly larger 4,800mAh battery.
That said, with the lower-res screen and bigger power cell, the phone should have more stamina than last year’s S20+.
Other notable specs both phones feature include a Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
It’s worth noting that this is one of the first times all Samsung Galaxy S series devices colours are available in Canada at launch.
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 and S21+ will be available at Samsung Experience Stores and participating carriers on January 29th. Pre-orders for the smartphones are available on the 14th.
If you pre-order any of these devices, you’ll get a gift with purchase with the Galaxy Buds Live and a Galaxy SmartTag. The Samsung Experience Store also offers custom colours like Phantom Gold and Phantom Red for the Galaxy S21+.
For a rundown of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, follow this link.
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