14 DAY TRIAL // Now that Apple has officially unveiled the iPhone 12, the next in the queue to take the wraps off a flagship device is none other than Samsung, the South Korean company that remains the world’s number one phone maker despite these difficult times.
After launching the Galaxy Note20 in the summer, Samsung is now projected to release the next member of the Galaxy S lineup in the first months of 2021. Previous rumors have pointed to different naming for this new model, with some referring to the device as Galaxy S21, while others called it Galaxy S30.
People familiar with the matter even suggested that 2021 could be the year when Samsung could merge the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Note series, making the latter just a part of the first. In other words, the Note model would become a version of the Galaxy S, thus coming with an integrated S Pen just like before but using a different name.
Samsung Galaxy S21 design
A leak published by serial leakster @OnLeaks indicates that the Galaxy S21 overall would feature a more rounded design, and the biggest change happens on the back where the camera cluster would extend to touch the metal frame of the phone.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a massive camera bump on the back, which by the looks of things, is really massive. And this is because Samsung will bet big on the camera capabilities of these new models.
The leak indicates that the camera housing of the Galaxy S21 Ultra will be double the size of the one on the regular S21 thanks to an upgrade from three cameras to four.
The dimensions of the new models are the following:
- Galaxy S21: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm/9.0mm (without/with camera bump)
- Galaxy S21 Ultra: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm/10.8mm (without/with camera bump)
Samsung Galaxy S21 technical specifications
Most likely, the Galaxy S21 will be powered by the latest-generation high-end Snapdragon chip from Samsung, but at the same time, the lineup is also expected to include an Exynos version for international markets.
The display will measure 6.2 inches on the Galaxy S21 and will be fully flat with rounded edges, while the S21 Ultra will come with a bigger screen that will measure either 6.7 inches or 6.9 inches.
Just like the current models, the display will integrate an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, while the front-facing camera will be part of the screen thanks to a cutout that now seems to be a bit smaller on the S21.
The S21 Ultra is also likely to come with support for the S Pen, though right now, it doesn’t look like Samsung plans to integrate the stylus in its body, as it happens on the Galaxy Note series.
So theoretically, while the S Pen will indeed work with the new Galaxy S21, you’ll have to buy and carry it separately. That’s not necessarily the most convenient approach, but it’s likely the first step towards the full merger of the two series that we told you about and which would eventually make the Note models part of the Galaxy S lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S21 launch date
As per Samsung’s typical approach, the Galaxy S models are announced in February, with sales then kicking off in February.
The South Korean company might be planning for different timing for the new generation, as the unveiling could happen in January, while sales would go live a few weeks later.
This is likely the result of the Galaxy S20 not selling as well as anticipated, so Samsung wants a new model on the market to counter the potential transition to other brands as soon as possible.
