The newest flagship in the Galaxy series is here: the Samsung Galaxy S21. In this phone, Samsung promises cutting-edge cameras and innovative connectivity, but is not without a few cons to match the pros.
So is it really worth your while to upgrade? Let's take a look at the S21's hardware, innovations, and price to find out.
Hardware
The S21, and its premium models the S21+ and S21 Ultra, do make improvements over previous Galaxy phones, especially in terms of the camera. But in other respects, they've stayed even, featuring a lot of the same tech as the Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S21 Cameras and Display
The physical cameras are untouched, with the selfie camera continuing to use a punch-out in the screen. This dashes hopes that Samsung would get in on the exciting new trend of storing the selfie camera under the screen. Also, while Samsung's existing cameras were already fantastic for video and day photos, it's a little disappointing not to see them competing more fiercely with Google, iPhone, and Huawei for night shots.
If the camera is your absolute priority, then you need to be looking at the S21 Ultra. It adds an extra couple of lenses and offers an impressive 10x optical zoom.
The display resolution is reduced to 1080p on the S21 model, though you may not really notice the difference. The AMOLED tech, eye protection, and smooth scrolling are unchanged, and the 120Hz refresh rate is also the same. But 120Hz is already class leading---there wasn't really a need for improvement there.
Processor, Battery, and Design
The processor gets a bump to the latest Snapdragon 888 in the US, and sticks with 8GB of RAM, though it's worth noting that the S20 offered 12GB of RAM on the 5G model. The S21 comes with 128/256GB of storage available across all models. Unlike the S20, however, the S21 series does not support microSD cards, so users with a lot to hang on to should make greater use of cloud technology to make up for the lack of storage.
The battery has 4000mAh, the same as the S20 and many other phones on the market. If you have some extra change, you could supplement the phone's battery with an external battery pack.
The phone's physical design innovates in a subtle way, flattening the edge of the display, smoothing out the iconic camera bump a little, and ditching the wired headphone jack.
It has a metal frame for reinforcement, backed up by the new Gorilla Glass Victus, but the back of the phone, as well as the sides, are plastic, helping the phone stay lightweight while protecting the thin frame against bend damage.
Overall, the S21's hardware works for a lighter, more compact design, streamlining the equipment to focus on what it's already good at. If you like the Galaxy series already, the S21 will be more of what you like without much of a learning curve.
Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra
The premium models offer bigger screens (6.7" and 6.8" respectively) and slightly more battery (800mAh more for the s21+ and 1000mAh more for the Ultra), but while the S21 and S21 Ultra have the same battery capacity as their S20 counterparts, the S21+ actually has a slightly larger one than its predecessor, the S20+. Storage capacity is the same across all models.
The S21+ is essentially just a large version of the S21. The S21 Ultra is a different beast---larger, more powerful, and a much better camera. It's also $400 more expensive than the base model, so is not for everyone.
Galaxy S21 New Features
The S21 series isn't making any big waves, but the innovation we expect from Android phones is still there. The S21's innovations are mostly centered around the camera, clearing up focus problems and adding new shot options, as well as promising a 50 percent improvement over previous Galaxy S models in color contrast.
The new Director's View and Vlogger's View features are the stars of the show, and those who've tried them are impressed. Samsung also added a Highlights Video option and a dynamic slow-mo mode, which aren't available on older Galaxy phones---yet. You'll be able to grab them if you upgrade to OneUI 3.1.
In terms of accessories, the lack of an audio jack also gives you an excuse to try out Samsung's new Galaxy Buds Pro. These earbuds are among the best AirPods alternatives, and the phone promises seamless Bluetooth connectivity without sacrificing sound quality.
As well, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is compatible with Samsung's S Pen, which is exciting for those who enjoyed it on the Note series. The stylus is also a useful feature for touching up photos on your phone---a nice complement to the camera improvements.
The downside is that there's not much in the way of game-changers. The upside is that the improvements are polishing features that already worked great, bringing the camera experience to the next level and letting you use more innovative accessories with a familiar device.
Galaxy S21 Price
Samsung has slashed the prices on this new phone. The S21 model starts at $799 USD, with the S21+ going up to $999 USD. This is roughly $200 cheaper than usual. The Ultra starts at a hefty $1,199.
However, frugal users should take into account that unlike previous Galaxy phones, the S21 does not include headphones or a charger, only the USB-C cable. You can find wireless earbuds for a good price these days, but if your charger is on its last legs, that cost plus a good case and screen protector might set you back despite the phone's low price tag.
Given how streamlined the phone is, it's difficult to say whether the cut price is a nice bonus or just fair.
Should You Upgrade to the S21?
The S21 is a good phone. It's sleek, as fast as pretty much any other phone, and has a fantastic camera. It's improving on the flagship features---powerful cameras and crisp displays---while cutting away frills in the form of the charging block and the wired headphone port.
If a streamlined, lightweight phone with a great camera is a feature for you, then getting it for less money than usual is great, and the S21 will serve you well.
But if you look forward to big changes with a new phone, and love experimenting with cutting-edge tech, you might want to wait and see what the next model brings, or until time reduces the S21's price just a bit more.