After many months waiting for the Galaxy S21, the rumors ended and we were finally able to test them for a few hours before their presentation, which took place a few hours ago.
We have been with the three models for a few hours and we have been able to test them, although there are aspects that we will obviously analyze in depth in the review.
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Features of the Samsung Galaxy S21
S21
- Screen:
- Size: 6.2 inches.
- Technology: Infinity-O-Edge AMOLED.
- Resolution: FHD + (2400 x 1080 pixels)
- 120 Hz maximum refresh rate.
- Processor:
- Exynos 2100 (Europe).
- Snapdragon 888 (United States).
- Memory:
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Storage: 128/256 GB.
- Rear cameras:
- Main sensor: 12 Mpx (f / 1.8, 79 °, 26mm, 1 / 1.76 ″, 1.8 µm, OIS).
- Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx (f / 2.2, 120 °, 13mm, 1 / 2.55 ″, 1.4 µm).
- Telephoto: 64 Mpx (f / 2.0, 76 °, 28mm, 1 / 1.76 ″, 0.8 µm, OIS).
- Others: 3x hybrid optical zoom, autofocus (PDAF, laser AF), flash.
- Frontal camera:
- 10 Mpx (f / 2.2, 80 °, 1 / 3.24 ″, 1.22 µm, 25 mm).
- Video:
- 7680 x 4320 pixels (30 fps, 8K UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixels (30/60 fps, 4K UHD), 1920 x 1080 pixels (30/60/240 fps, FHD), 1280 x 720 pixels (960 fps, HD ),
- Formats: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM.
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB type C, NFC, WiFi AX, GPS, GLONASS …
- Sensors:
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under screen.
- Accelerometer, proximity detection, gyroscope, compass, hall sensor, brightness sensor, UWB.
- Drums:
- 4,000 mAh.
- Fast charge.
- Qi wireless charging.
- Dimensions: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm.
- Weight: 172 grams.
- Others:
- Water resistance up to IP68.
- Wireless PowerShare.
- DeX,
- Facial recognition.
- S Pen support.
- OS:
- Android 11 with One UI 3.1.
S21 Plus
- Screen:
- Size: 6.7 inches.
- Technology: Infinity-O-Edge AMOLED.
- Resolution: FHD + (2400 x 1080 pixels)
- 120 Hz maximum refresh rate.
- Processor:
- Exynos 2100 (Europe).
- Snapdragon 888 (United States).
- Memory:
- RAM: 8 GB.
- Storage: 128/256 GB.
- Rear cameras:
- Main sensor: 12 Mpx (f / 1.8, 79 °, 26mm, 1 / 1.76 ″, 1.8 µm, OIS).
- Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx (f / 2.2, 120 °, 13mm, 1 / 2.55 ″, 1.4 µm).
- Telephoto: 64 Mpx (f / 2.0, 76 °, 28mm, 1 / 1.76 ″, 0.8 µm, OIS).
- Others: 3x hybrid optical zoom, autofocus (PDAF, laser AF), flash.
- Frontal camera:
- 10 Mpx (f / 2.2, 80 °, 1 / 3.24 ″, 1.22 µm, 25 mm).
- Video:
- 7680 x 4320 pixels (30 fps, 8K UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixels (30/60 fps, 4K UHD), 1920 x 1080 pixels (30/60/240 fps, FHD), 1280 x 720 pixels (960 fps, HD ),
- Formats: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM.
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB type C, NFC, WiFi AX, GPS, GLONASS …
- Sensors:
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under screen.
- Accelerometer, proximity detection, gyroscope, compass, hall sensor, brightness sensor, UWB.
- Drums:
- 4,800 mAh.
- Fast charge.
- Qi wireless charging.
- Dimensions: 161.4 x 75.6 x 7.8mm.
- Weight: 202 grams.
- Others:
- Water resistance up to IP68.
- Wireless PowerShare.
- DeX,
- Facial recognition.
- S Pen support.
- OS:
- Android 11 with One UI 3.1.
S21 Ultra
- Screen:
- Size: 6.8 inches.
- Technology: Infinity-O-Edge AMOLED.
- Resolution: WQHD + (3200 x 1440 pixels).
- Maximum refresh rate 120 Hz.
- Processor:
- Exynos 2100 (Europe).
- Snapdragon 888 (United States).
- Memory:
- RAM: 12/16 GB.
- Storage: 128/256/512 GB.
- Rear cameras:
- Main sensor: 108 Mpx (f / 1.8, 79 °, 24 mm, 1 / 1.33 ″, 0.8 µm, OIS).
- Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx (f / 2.2, 120 °, 13 mm, 1 / 2.55 ″, 1.4 µm, AF).
- Telephoto: 10 Mpx (f / 2.4, 35 °, 72mm, 1 / 3.24 ″, 1.22 µm, OIS)
- Telephoto: 10 Mpx (f / 4.9, 10 °, 240 mm, 1 / 3.24 ″, 1.22 µm, OIS).
- Others: 3 and 10 times hybrid optical zoom, autofocus (PDAF, laser AF), flash.
- Frontal camera:
- 40 Mpx (f / 2.2, 80 °, 1 / 2.8 «, 0.7 µm, 25 mm, AF).
- Video:
- 7680 x 4320 pixels (30 fps, 8K UHD), 3840 x 2160 pixels (30/60 fps, 4K UHD), 1920 x 1080 pixels (30/60/240 fps, FHD), 1280 x 720 pixels (960 fps, HD ),
- Formats: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM.
- Connectivity: 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, USB type C, NFC, WiFi AX, GPS, GLONASS …
- Sensors:
- Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under screen.
- Accelerometer, proximity detection, gyroscope, compass, hall sensor, brightness sensor, UWB.
- Drums:
- 5,000 mAh.
- Fast charge.
- Qi wireless charging.
- Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm.
- Weight: 228 grams.
- Others:
- Water resistance up to IP68.
- Wireless PowerShare.
- DeX,
- Facial recognition.
- S Pen support.
- OS:
- Android 11 with One UI 3.1.
Improving the design but keeping the essence
The first thing that catches the attention of the three terminals is that on the front we do not see changes. The screen is still almost 100% of the front area, the perforation of the front camera is very small and the bezels are minimal.
Samsung has once again put aside very curved screens, despite the fact that it was she who made them fashionable with the Edge models.
On the back we see a new matte finish that suits the terminals very well, and that has been made using the same glass as the screen, the Gorilla Glass Victus.
As for the comparison of the three terminals, we have exactly the same feeling as with the S20:
- He Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra it is a huge terminal that offers an incredible screen at the cost of a very high weight.
- He Samsung Galaxy S21 it is almost adorable with a size that is increasingly rare to see in the high end. The camera module is more discreet but the colors are more striking.
- He Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus It is the mixture of both models. It gives the feeling of being closer to the S21 Ultra in weight and size than the S21, something that did not happen in the S20 Plus.
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus are very continuous
Although Samsung has improved the software of all phones, has introduced new camera modes in its app and has learned to better manage the battery, the reality is that on a day-to-day basis it does not seem that we are going to see many changes compared with the S20.
The camera system is the same, although the exact same sensors are not used, the screens continue to bet on FHD and 120 Hz panels, leaving the maximum resolution for the Ultra.
Also I know lose the microSD, something that personally I do not care but that may be criticized by many Samsung users.
5G connectivity, Wifi 6, NFC … but we lose the charger in the box. Samsung has followed in the wake launched by Apple, as has Xiaomi, and this is not going to like it either.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a screen, camera … and stylus
Like last year, Samsung has wanted to save the best for its most powerful and expensive terminal, the Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has improved in three fundamental aspects.
On the one hand, we have a new camera with a double optical zoom of 3 and 10 times, something that until now we had only seen in the Huawei P40 Pro Plus.
We have to test this camera thoroughly but the new stabilization system that is activated when we use a zoom of more than 20 increases is quite striking.
We also have a screen capable of using QHD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate at the same time. Of course, let’s remember that Samsung’s 120 Hz mode is adaptive, that is, it activates it when it sees it necessary, not at all times.
Finally, the S21 Ultra is the first member of the S21 family to have compatibility with SPen. You can use the Note 20, but a new one has been created for this model, which is sold separately, and that we can keep in a case designed to store the pencil and the mobile at the same time.
Regarding the software, one of the things that we liked the most is the inclusion of Discover on desktops, eliminating the section that they had powered by Bixby.
Samsung seems to be pushing the limits
Although we have yet to thoroughly test the three models, the feeling that these S21s have left us is that Samsung is pushing the limits of what current technology can do.
It has improved the little that the S20 had to correct, they have incorporated some of the functions of other families and have once again stood out in key aspects such as the camera or the screen.
In a few days we will tell you in detail what daily use is like with these models, but based on what we have seen in this brief test, we can say that the S21s will not disappoint.
The entry We tested the Samsung Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra: our opinion appears first in The Free Android.