A new year and a new series of flagship phones from Samsung are here. The company has officially announced the next-generation Galaxy S21 series which includes the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21.
You would probably saw the phone design and aware of the internals if you’ve been keeping an eye on the leaks and rumours in the news. Nevertheless, these three phone packs some of the powerful hardware along with impressive cameras and even S Pen support to scribble on the screen.
As always we are getting the newly announced Samsung’s own Exynos 2100 processor, instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC in all three phones. The processor built on the most advanced 5-nanometer (nm) extreme ultra-violet (EUV) process node and also integrated an advanced 5G modem.
Samsung Galaxy S21 series price in India
First, we have to get into the pricing before anything else. The cheapest among the three the Samsung Galaxy S21 price in India starts at Rs 69,999 for the base 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. While the 256GB storage option will have a price tag of Rs 73,999.
Next in the line the Samsung Galaxy S21+ (S21 plus), with price in India starting at Rs 81,999 for the base 8GB RAM and 128GB storage option. Wheres, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model of the phone is priced in India at Rs 85,999.
The premium of the there, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price in India starts at Rs 1,05,999 for the base 12GB RAM and 128GB storage model. While the top-end of the phone with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage has a price tag of Rs 1,16,999 in India.
Pre-orders of Samsung Galaxy S21 series in India has already started with perks like free Galaxy SmartTag and Rs 10,000 Samsung Shop voucher. Regular sales for the smartphone starts from January 29th through Amazon India, Samsung India store, Flipkart, and Reliance Digital, amongst other online stores, as well as via offline retail stores across India.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The most-premium of the three, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a 6-8-inch Edge WQHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display that supports super smooth adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate that can go down up to 10 Hz, peak brightness of 1500 nits and HDR10+. It’s also the only one in the series that retains the curved display side and the whole glass part is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by Exynos 2100 processor coupled with up to 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB internal storage. It runs on the newest One UI 3.0 skin over the Android 11.
The highlighted part of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the quad-camera at the rear. What you get is a combination of 108MP main sensor that can capture 12-bit HDR photos with 64 times richer colour data and more than three times wider dynamic range. It also features 12-bit RAW file output, f/1.8 aperture, OIS and PDAF. Then we have the 12MP ultra-wide sensor with 120-degree field of view and also features f/202 and Dual Pixel(2PD) AF. Last two are telephoto sensors, one 10MP telephoto lens with f.2.4 aperture, 3x optical, OIS and DPAF, whereas the other is also a 10MP telephoto lens with f.4.9 aperture, 10x optical zoom, OIS and DPAF.
Using the dual-telephoto lens system, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera’s can offer 100x Space Zoom. There is an improvement in the Bright Night sensor which helps in low-light photography. You also get help from the Night Mode, noise reduction and 12MP Nona-binning technology in these cameras.
Coming to the front, the phone packs a 40MP camera with f/2.2 lens, Phase Detection AF and 80-degree FOV. On the way, you can shoot 4K videos at 60fps with every one of the phone’s sensors, including the front-selfie camera. If you are wondering, what’s the fifth hole in the rear camera module, then it is the laser autofocus module.
The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports USB PD 3.0 and wireless charging 2.0. It can fast charge from 0 to 50 per cent in just 30 minutes.
The S Pen
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also comes with support for S Pen. Just like what you do on the Galaxy Note, you could use the S Pen to draw, take notes, edit documents, edit photos and even sign documents.
But, do note that, S Pen is sold separately and you would also need a phone case to hold the S Pen with your phone.
Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ flaunts a 6.7-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with 394ppi, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Eye Comfort Shield. Wheres, as the Samsung Galaxy S21 flaunts a slightly smaller 6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with 421pp, adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Eye Comfort Shield.
Under the hood, both the phones carry the same Exynos 2100 processor coupled with up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB internal storage. It also runs on the newest One UI 3.0 skin over the Android 11.
Coming to the camera part, both Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ features a triple-camera array at the rear. This includes a combination of 12MP ultra-wide sensor with 120-degree FOV and F/2.2 aperture, 12MP Dual Pixel wide-angle sensor with 79-degree FOV, OIS and f/1.8 aperture. Finally, the phones also pack a 64MP telephoto sensor with Phase Detection AF, 3x hybrid optic zoom and f/2.0 aperture. Nevertheless, the cameras can offer 30x Space Zoom. In the front, both the phones carry a 10MP Dual Pixel AF camera with f/2.2.
These camera modules can support 8K video recording along with 8K Snap (taking a picture out of the video) and comes with Super Steady video at an improved 60fps. When paired with the new Galaxy Buds Pro, the phone supports multiple mic recording allowing to record both ambient sounds and your voice simultaneously.
Finally, coming to the battery the Samsung Galaxy S21+ packs a 4800mAh battery, whereas Samsung Galaxy S21 gets only a 4000mAh battery in its back. They both support USB PD 3.0 fast charging along with Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 at 10W and reverse wireless charging options.
5G Connectivity
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series comes with 5G (Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA)) network connectivity with ultra-wideband Sub6/ mmWave. You also get 4G LTE, VoLTE, VoWiFi, 3G, and 2G network support. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Dual Bluetooth, NFC, MST and USB Type-C port with DisplayPort support. For secure authentication, all the phones pack the all-new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor beneath the front display.
The missing part
Now, some negatives too go with. The new Samsung S21 series lack support for the expandable storage. So, all your previous microSD cards would be of no use in these phones. However, the company is bumping up the minimum storage on all phones and now comes with a default storage option of 128 GB. If you shoot lots of 8K videos, then your best bet for the storage is the cloud.
Another missing part is the charger. Yup, following Apple’s path Samsung has ditched the charger from the retail box and you would only be getting the USB cable. However, the company says these chargers will be available for purchase at a very low price from their stores.
Last not but least, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is built with plastic when compared the glass unibody design on Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra.