At Samsung’s Unpacked event on January 14th, the South Korean phone-maker unveiled its three newest flagships, the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra. While there’s a lot to be excited about these new devices, it’s also worth taking a moment to compare them to their predecessors, the Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra.
There are a lot of things different this time around, and the most important is the price. The base Galaxy S21 is $120 cheaper than last year’s S20, the S21+ $179 cheaper than the S20+ and the S21 Ultra is $200 cheaper than the S20 Ultra. Considering many felt the S20 line was too expensive, a drop in price is welcome. However, some might feel the corresponding tradeoffs aren’t worth it.
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S21
Display
6.2-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
6.2-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Snapdragon 865
Snapdragon 888
RAM
12GB of RAM
8GB of RAM
Storage
128GB
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
152 x 68 x 7.9mm
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm
Weight
164g
172g
Rear Facing Camera
12.2-megapixel (wide) + 64-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle)
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
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Android 10
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
4,000mAh
4,000mAh
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
March 6, 2020
January 14, 2021
Misc
Colours: Cosmic Black, Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Colours: Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Pink, Phantom Violet
Display
Samsung Galaxy S20
6.2-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
Samsung Galaxy S21
6.2-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Samsung Galaxy S20
Snapdragon 865
Samsung Galaxy S21
Snapdragon 888
RAM
Samsung Galaxy S20
12GB of RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21
8GB of RAM
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S20
128GB
Samsung Galaxy S21
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
Samsung Galaxy S20
152 x 68 x 7.9mm
Samsung Galaxy S21
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S20
164g
Samsung Galaxy S21
172g
Rear Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S20
12.2-megapixel (wide) + 64-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle)
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 S20
10-megapixel
Samsung Galaxy S21
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Samsung Galaxy S20
Android 10
Samsung Galaxy S21
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S20
4,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S21
4,000mAh
Network Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S20
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Samsung Galaxy S21
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Sensors
Samsung Galaxy S20
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
Samsung Galaxy S21
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
SIM Type
Samsung Galaxy S20
Nano SIM
Samsung Galaxy S21
Nano SIM
Launch Date
Samsung Galaxy S20
March 6, 2020
Samsung Galaxy S21
January 14, 2021
Misc
Samsung Galaxy S20
Colours: Cosmic Black, Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Samsung Galaxy S21
Colours: Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Pink, Phantom Violet
Starting with the S21 and S21+, both devices sport displays with lower 1080 x 2400 pixel resolutions compared to the 3200 x 1440 pixel resolutions on the S20 and S20+. While the resolution downgrade is certainly upsetting, in the long run, I don’t think it’ll be that bad. Last year’s Galaxy phones couldn’t run their higher 120Hz refresh rate at the native resolution, so users had to pick between using a lower res and higher refresh rate.
In MobileSyrup’s testing, we all found the 120Hz refresh more noticeable than the resolution, and for the most part, we all preferred using the phone that way. With that in mind, the lower-res display here likely won’t be an issue for many people.
However, these devices have a few other ‘downgrades,’ such as 8GB of RAM instead of 12GB, and the S21 has a polycarbonate (plastic) rear panel instead of glass.
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Display
6.7-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
6.7-inch Flat Dynamic AMOLED, 1,080 x 2,400 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Snapdragon 865
Snapdragon 888
RAM
12GB of RAM
8GB of RAM
Storage
128GB, 512GB
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
162 x 74 x 7.8mm
161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm
Weight
188g
202g
Rear Facing Camera
12.2-megapixel (wide) + 64-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle)+ TOF depth sensor
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
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Android 10
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
4,500mAh
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
March 6, 2020
January 14, 2021
Misc
Colours: Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, Cloud Blue | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, ultra wideband
Display
Samsung Galaxy S20+
6.7-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
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 S20+
Snapdragon 865
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Snapdragon 888
RAM
Samsung Galaxy S20+
12GB of RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21+
8GB of RAM
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S20+
128GB, 512GB
Samsung Galaxy S21+
128GB, 256GB
Dimensions (in.)
Samsung Galaxy S20+
162 x 74 x 7.8mm
Samsung Galaxy S21+
161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S20+
188g
Samsung Galaxy S21+
202g
Rear Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S20+
12.2-megapixel (wide) + 64-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle)+ TOF depth sensor
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 S20+
10-megapixel
Samsung Galaxy S21+
10-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Android 10
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S20+
4,500mAh
Samsung Galaxy S21+
4,800mAh
Network Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S20+
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Samsung Galaxy S21+
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Sensors
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
SIM Type
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Nano SIM
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Nano SIM
Launch Date
Samsung Galaxy S20+
March 6, 2020
Samsung Galaxy S21+
January 14, 2021
Misc
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Colours: Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, Cloud Blue | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, Phantom Violet, ultra wideband
Not every difference between the 2021 and 2020 Galaxy phones is bad, however. Those who want more storage on the S21 can opt for the 256GB version instead of the 128GB. Unfortunately, the S21+ only offers 128GB or 256GB options, and not 512GB like the S20+.
The S21 and S21+ should also perform better when it comes to battery life, in part thanks to the lower-res screen and in part thanks to the S21+ having a larger 4,800mAh cell (the S20+ had 4,500mAh while the S21 and S20 both have 4,000mAh).
And of course, all three S21 devices sport the new Snapdragon 888 processor, which should bring some significant performance uplift over last year’s devices.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display
6.9-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
6.8-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 1,440 x 3,200 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Snapdragon 865
Snapdragon 888
RAM
12GB of RAM, 16GB of RAM
12GB of RAM, 16GB of RAM
Storage
128GB, 512GB
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Dimensions (in.)
167 x 76 x 8.8mm
165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm
Weight
221g
228g
Rear Facing Camera
108-megapixel (wide) + 48-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle) + TOF depth sensor
108-megapixel (f/1.8, OIS wide) + 10-megapixel (f/4.9, 10x zoom, OIS), 10-megapixel (f/2.4, 3x zoom, OIS)+ 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
Front Facing Camera
40-megapixel
40-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Android 10
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
5,000mAh
5,000mAh
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
March 6, 2020
January 14, 2021
Misc
Colours: Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, 120Hz @ WQHD+, S Pen compatibility, ultra wideband
Display
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
6.9-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
6.8-inch Curved Dynamic AMOLED, 1,440 x 3,200 pixels, 20:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz display, HDR10+
Processor
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Snapdragon 865
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Snapdragon 888
RAM
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
12GB of RAM, 16GB of RAM
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
12GB of RAM, 16GB of RAM
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
128GB, 512GB
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Dimensions (in.)
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
167 x 76 x 8.8mm
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
221g
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
228g
Rear Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
108-megapixel (wide) + 48-megapixel (telephoto) + 12-megapixel (ultra-wide angle) + TOF depth sensor
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
108-megapixel (f/1.8, OIS wide) + 10-megapixel (f/4.9, 10x zoom, OIS), 10-megapixel (f/2.4, 3x zoom, OIS)+ 12-megapixel (f/2.2, 120-degree FOV, ultrawide)
Front Facing Camera
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
40-megapixel
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
40-megapixel (f/2.2)
OS
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Android 10
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Android 11, One UI 3.1
Battery
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
5,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
5,000mAh
Network Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
Sensors
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Fingerprint (in-display), accelerometor, gyro, proximity, compass
SIM Type
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Nano SIM
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Nano SIM
Launch Date
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
March 6, 2020
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
January 14, 2021
Misc
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Colours: Cosmic Grey, Cosmic Black | 120Hz display, 240Hz touch sample rate
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Colours: Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, 120Hz @ WQHD+, S Pen compatibility, ultra wideband
Aside from the Snapdragon 888 processor, the S21 Ultra doesn’t differ much from the S20 Ultra. Perhaps the most significant change is the slightly smaller screen (6.8- versus 6.9-inch on the S20 Ultra), a new 256GB storage option between the 128GB and 512GB options. The S21 Ultra also drops the 48-megapixel telephoto camera in favour of two 10-megapixel ones. And the S21 Ultra offers the ability to run the 120Hz refresh at the higher WQHD+ resolution.
One other interesting note is that all three S21 devices are slightly heavier than their S20 counterparts.
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