Samsung officially unveils Galaxy S21 series

Source: Samsung

With the number of leaks we've seen, it would seem like Samsung hasn't tried to keep the Galaxy S21 series under wraps. A lot of the information about the new Samsung flagship has been released ahead of today's Unpacked event, so let's do a quick roundup of the latest handsets' official specs and prices.

Galaxy S21 Ultra

This is the largest and most premium variant of the Galaxy S21 series, and so all the new specs and features are available here. You can take a glance at its spec sheet below, which shows the configuration/s that will be available here in Canada:

Source: Samsung

DISPLAY: 6.8-inch Edge QHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 10-120Hz adaptive, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 

PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (Canada)

RAM/STORAGE: 12GB/16GB RAM / 128GB/256GB/512GB storage

OS: One UI 3.1 based on Android 11

REAR CAMERAS: Main: 108MP, Phase Detection, OIS, f/1.8; Ultra-wide: 12MP, Dual Pixel, 120° FOV, f/2.2; 3X Telephoto: 10MP, OIS, f/2.4; 10X Telephoto: 10MP, Dual Pixel, OIS, f/4.9; Laser AF

FRONT CAMERAS: Main: 40MP, 80° FOV, f/2.2

CONNECTIVITY: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, UWB

BATTERY: 5,000mAh, 25W fast charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging

COLOURS: Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown

OTHERS: IP68 rated, Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor

PRICE: $1,649.99 (128GB), $1,719.99 (256GB), $1,889 (512GB, only available in Phantom Black)

As you might have heard, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support Samsung's S Pen. That triggered rumours that Samsung was getting rid of the Galaxy Note series. While it does support Samsung's signature stylus, it will not come with the phone. Samsung will sell it separately or use the S Pen from the other Galaxy gadgets you own.

The three devices look similar, with their camera bump flushed into the phone and its frame blending into the phone's frame. That colour varies depending on the device's colour, and people have commented that it makes this phone look like the Phantom from the Phantom of the Opera, which we won't dispute. Perhaps, that's why Samsung called it that way, too.

Source: Samsung

Here in Canada, only the Phantom Black and Phantom Silver options will be available. According to a press release we've seen, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown are Samsung.com exclusive colourways. But we've also seen updates that these custom colours will be available at Samsung Experience Stores.

As usual, these handsets will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 here. In other regions, Samsung will equip the phones with its Exynos 2100 processor. And for the Ultra, it gets Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which Samsung claims is about two times faster than standard Wi-Fi 6.

This premium handset is also the only one to have a WQHD+ display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, which Samsung claims is one of the best smartphone displays out there.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra will also adopt the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note20 Ultra's 108-megapixel primary sensor. And it gets a dual telephoto sensor setup with a 3x optical telephoto and a 10x optical "super" telephoto, which allows the brand to reintroduce its 100x Space Zoom. To avoid the focusing issues of the S20 Ultra, Samsung adds a laser autofocus sensor. Samsung also highlights its Zoom Lock feature that allows you to take clear shots even when it gets extra shaky as you zoom in.

The S21 Ultra is also getting 4K 60 frames per second recording with all its lenses. Samsung has also improved its Super Steady stabilization mode to get better videos even when you move around as well as its Night Mode, which the company says can produce studio-like photos in low light conditions.

Galaxy S21+

Suppose you're looking for a flagship phone but don't want to spend too much; you'll get a decent deal with this "middle child." You can expect high-quality specs here and more colour options.

Source: Samsung

DISPLAY: 6.7-inch Flat FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 48-120Hz adaptive, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (Canada)

RAM/STORAGE: 12GB RAM / 128GB/256GB storage

OS: One UI 3.1 based on Android 11

REAR CAMERAS: Main: 12MP, OIS, Dual Pixel, f/1.8; Ultra-wide: 12MP, FF, 120° FOV, f/2.2; Telephoto: 64MP, 3X, OIS, f/2.0

FRONT CAMERAS: Main: 10MP, 80° FOV, f/2.2

CONNECTIVITY: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, UWB

BATTERY: 4,800mAh, 25W fast charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging

COLOURS: Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Black, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red

OTHERS: IP68 rated, Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor

PRICE: $1,399.99 (128GB), $1,469.99 (256GB, only available in Phantom Black)

As you might have noticed, it doesn't have a 512GB storage option, fewer camera sensors (no two telephoto lenses here), Wi-Fi 6 connectivity instead of Wi-Fi 6E, and a slightly smaller battery at 4,800mAh. But if you want the new signature Phantom Violet variant, it's available in the Galaxy S21+. Samsung Experience Stores will also offer custom colours Phantom Gold and Phantom Red. Like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Galaxy S21+ has a glass back, which the next model we're discussing doesn't have.

Galaxy S21

Now, if you're just in the market for a new phone and want one that's smaller and more affordable, then you might want to take a look at the Galaxy S21. 

Source: Samsung

DISPLAY: 6.2-inch Flat FHD+, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 48-120Hz adaptive, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (Canada)

RAM/STORAGE: 12GB RAM / 128GB/256GB storage

OS: One UI 3.1 based on Android 11

REAR CAMERAS: Main: 12MP, OIS, Dual Pixel, f/1.8; Ultra-wide: 12MP, FF, 120° FOV, f/2.2; Telephoto: 64MP, 3X, OIS, f/2.0

FRONT CAMERAS: Main: 10MP, 80° FOV, f/2.2

CONNECTIVITY: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1

BATTERY: 4,000mAh, 25W fast charging, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging

COLOURS: Phantom Violet, Phantom Grey, Phantom Pink, Phantom White

OTHERS: IP68 rated, Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor

PRICE: $1,129.99 (128GB), $1,199.99 (256GB, only available in Phantom Grey)

This base model is almost identical to the Galaxy S21+ but smaller with a smaller battery capacity. And it has a couple of additional colour options: Phantom Pink and Phantom White. If you don't mind the shortcuts taken to keep its price down, this might be the phone for you.

Source: Samsung

Samsung will be bringing these new devices to Samsung Experience Stores and through participating carriers on January 29. The pre-orders for the Galaxy S21 series starts today. Those who pre-order the S21 Ultra get a free Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy SmartTag, while those who pre-order the Galaxy S21 and S21+ get a free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy SmartTag.