Samsung unveils the Galaxy S21 and S21+ at Unpacked 2021

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.

Specs

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

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

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.