Samsung Galaxy S21 rumors: new cameras, S Pen stylus, launched on January 14

The Galaxy S21 is on its way because Samsung has sent invitations to the Galaxy S21 Unpacked event 07:00 PT (10:00 ET) on January 14, after months of rumors and speculation. You can even register to pre-order the S21 now. The company released a whole slew of phones in 2020 to fit almost every budget, from the $ 100 Galaxy A01 to the $ 1,999 Galaxy Z Fold 2. But the Galaxy S phones are seen as the company’s flagship devices, by 2020 what the launch of the Galaxy S20 line and the more affordable Galaxy S20 FE. Leaks indicate the S21 has a new design with enhanced camera features including a 10x optical zoom. Other rumors say that the S21 Ultra could even completely replace the Galaxy Note phones, with a new leak that a suitcase for the phone there is room for the S Pen.

Here is everything we know so far about the Galaxy S21 phones.

3 Galaxy S21 phones with the same processor

It will come as no surprise that Samsung is expected to launch three different models of the S21: the 6.2-inch S21, 6.7-inch S21 Plus and 6.8-inch S21 Ultra. But an extensive leak from Max Weinbach of the Android police apparently documents almost the entire specification page, revealing even more about these three phones than just the model names and sizes.

The screens probably all support 120Hz like the previous S20 series, with the S21 Ultra having the WQHD Plus screen with the highest resolution. But the other important revelation is that these phones are likely to use the latest Snapdragon processor in the US. It was previously thought to be called Snapdragon 875, and it was actually called the Snapdragon 888, which was announced during a Qualcomm virtual event in December. Some of the key demands of the new chip are faster with 5G performance and long battery life.

The other main differences between the S21 phones seem to be the design of the camera modules, color options, material finish and of course the battery capacity. The S21 base has a 4000 mAh battery, the S21 Plus battery will have 4,800 mAh and the high-end S21 Ultra will get a giant 5,000 mAh battery, according to the leaked specification sheet. At the moment, it looks like the S21 and S21 Plus will be plastic, with the S21 Ultra a metal finish.

Versions show a sleek new camera and frame design

Earlier versions published by Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) indicate that the Galaxy S21 will not look radically different from the previous S20 phones, but that it will have a redesigned camera module. It appears that there is a fingerprint reader on the screen and a hole selfie camera as before on all three phones, with the screens on the S21 and S21 Plus sitting flat and the S21 Ultra screen bending to the sides. More teasers for Galaxy S21 leaked online in early December a Phantom Violet color with a hole camera and a small ring on the front of the device and a three-camera rear setup.

The three-camera series on the S21 and S21 Plus has been moved to the upper left corner, and it can be assumed that there will be a regular wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto camera. This version is in line with the leaked specification page of Android Police, which says that it will be an ultra-wide and wide camera of 12 megapixels, plus a telephoto camera of 64 megapixels. The LED flash has been moved to the right of the camera body.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a little different, with a much larger camera module with four rear cameras: a 12-megapixel wide and ultra-wide, plus two 10-megapixel telephones with 3x and 10x optical zoom. It also looks like the 100x space zoom on the S20 Ultra will also appear on the S21 Ultra. Space Zoom is Samsung’s term for the 100x hybrid digital and optical zoom.

The S21 Ultra’s main camera has a 108 megapixel sensor called “gen 2 sensor” on the spec sheet. We assume that it will be a similar use pixel binding method of performing 12-megapixel recordings, as the S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra do with their 108-megapixel sensors. The S21 Ultra also wants to retain the laser autofocus system found on the Note 20 Ultra, unlike the phase detection autofocus system on the S20 Ultra.

Evan Blass on Twitter shared the following infographic describing the resolutions and specifications of the cameras in the S21 series that appear to confirm the earlier leaks.

While the @OnLeaks versions also display the S21 series in a gray and black finish, other colors are expected. The S21 looks in a violet, pink, gray or white color; the S21 Plus in silver, black and violet; and the S21 Ultra in black and silver. The version in the video below from the Italian website Pigtou shows what the silver finish might look like.

Twitter user Ice universe posted a picture showing draft versions of the other S21 colors, and then posted an image on Instagram that they say is the front of the S21 Ultra.

YouTube user Sakitech posted the video below, claiming to show a photo of the S21 Ultra and S21 Plus. It gives details about the camera specifications and gives an overview of what pre-production preview might look like. The Dutch site LetsGoDigital has also posted detailed 3D versions of the Galaxy S21 series on which the SIM tray has been moved to the bottom of the phone.

Will the Galaxy S21 have accessories in the holder?

Samsung can follow Apple’s lead according to the earlier report, both the charger and the headphones from the holder of the Galaxy S21. This would not be the first time Samsung has taken the headphones out of the box, as the $ 1,999 Galaxy Z Fold 2 was shipped without headphones in the US (though you can request a pair of AKG headphones from Samsung after purchase).

Goodbye Galaxy Note, hello stylus for the S21?

A Reuters report states that Samsung may discontinue the Galaxy Note line and that the S21 Ultra will take its place as the Samsung phone with a stylus. While the versions do not display a visible place for a stylus, the phone can still support the S Pen with a software update. This would mean that the stylus should be kept separate from the phone when not in use.

In Samsung’s blog post, TM Roh also confirms that there will be a synergy between the Note and other Samsung phones. “We’ve also paid attention to people’s favorite aspects of the Galaxy Note experience and are excited to add some of the most beloved features to other devices in our range.”

Images from WinFuture shows a cover for the S21 Ultra that has a specific slot for the S Pen when not in use, and it seems to confirm the rumors that there will be no place to store the S Pen in the phone itself , as you can do in the Galaxy Note. line.

Older portable materials may not be compatible with the S21

Samsung has released many different fitness trackers and smartwatches over the past few years, but a notice in the Samsung Members app spotted by GalaxyClub indicates that the Galaxy S21 will not support older wearables like the Galaxy Gear. The complete list of affected devices includes the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, Gear S and Gear Fit. This news is not particularly surprising, as some of these trackers were released more than five years ago.

One UI 3.1 can start on the S21

Another video unveiled by Droid Life shows the new Samsung One UI 3.1 apparently launched along with the S21. As an update to the current One UI 3.0 currently being offered on many new Samsung phones on Android 11, the new update looks like features such as call background videos, the Google Discovery feed on the home screen, plus adjustments to the camera interface.

The S21 may be cheaper than the S20

There is also the possibility that Samsung will drop the base price of the Galaxy S21, perhaps due to the decline in sales of mobile phones across the board due to the coronavirus pandemic. The South Korean leak Landsk claims that the S21 will start at $ 899, the S21 Plus at $ 1,099 and the S21 Ultra at $ 1,250. This will mean a price drop of $ 100 compared to the launch price of the regular S20 in March 2020.