Samsung Electronics, the leading smartphone company in the world, has unveiled its new and cheaper flagship devices, the US$963 (A$1,249) Galaxy S21 and US$1,194 (A$1,549) Galaxy S21+. It also revealed the US$1,426 (A$1,849) Galaxy S21 Ultra, a massive 6.8inch smartphone with five cameras, a 108megapixel sensor and 100x zoom, 8K video recording and is compatible with the new S Pen stylus.
“Galaxy S21 Ultra is another example of how Samsung is driving meaningful innovation forward to give people personalised experiences that enrich their lives and empower them to express who they are,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics in a media release. “Given how indispensable technology has been to our lives during these times, we wanted to take another leap forward and push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do.”
The South Korean multinational company states the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a 5G device built for users who demand top of the line technology to stay connected with the people and things that matter most. It also has a new appearance that will set it apart from other smartphones. It introduces an all new, iconic Contour Cut Camera housing that blends into the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s metal frame for a sleek yet striking aesthetic, and offers improved durability with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the toughest Gorilla Glass yet. The device is coated in a haze finish and is available in Phantom Black and Phantom Silver; however, there are three exclusive Samsung online store colours: Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown.
Samsung claims the Galaxy S21 Ultra features its “most intelligent screen yet”.
“For the first time, users no longer have to decide between the smoothness of a 120Hz refresh rate and a Quad HD+ display – on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you can choose both. The screen’s refresh rate adjusts to the content you’re viewing from 10Hz to 120Hz to ensure you enjoy the best image while staying power efficient to stretch your battery life even further,” Samsung said in the release.
“Compared with the Galaxy S20, S21 Ultra offers a 25% brighter picture at 1,500 nits of peak brightness, the brightest on a Galaxy smartphone. With a 50 per cent improved contrast ratio, it delivers crystal clear, immersive images, even when outside. And like the Galaxy S21 and S21+, Galaxy S21 Ultra has Eye Comfort Shield to help reduce eye fatigue.”
The S21 Ultra will be the first Galaxy S phone to support Samsung’s S Pen, which allows you to draw, take notes, edit photos and sign documents. The stylus is not included in the box and costs an extra US$53 (A$69), or US$76 (A$99) in a bundle that includes a silicon cover with a built in S Pen holder. According to Samsung, the Galaxy S21 Ultra features its most advanced professional grade camera system.
“It has a quad rear camera (ultrawide, wide and dual telelenses) that features a upgraded 108megapixel pro-sensor, from which you can capture 12bit HDR photos with 64 times richer colour data and more than three times wider dynamic range,” Samsung said.
“For the first time on a Galaxy smartphone, you can shoot in 4K at 60fps across all lenses including front andrear four lenses, so you can shift to a different perspective with the same quality. Plus, with a 12bit RAW file option, you won’t miss a single detail when editing photos.“
The Galaxy S21 Ultra features 100x Space Zoom, which is powered by Samsung’s first ever dual telelens system – one optical 3x and one optical 10x, both equipped Dual Pixel (2PD) AF – so you can capture clear shots even when you are away from the action.
“Galaxy S21 Ultra’s improved Bright Night sensor is Samsung’s biggest leap yet in lowlight photography. With improved Night Mode, noise reduction and 12megapixel Nonabinning technology, you can capture challenging shots – like a dimly lit room, or a landscape at night – quickly and with excellent quality.”
The Galaxy S21 Ultra introduces new connectivity capabilities. Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the first smartphones to support wifi 6E, which means more bandwidth and a faster internet connection to allow you to stream and share content quickly. With hyperfast, ultra low latency 5G, it is also built to provide fast video downloading, smooth videoconferencing and streaming. The ultrawideband capabilities embedded in Galaxy S21 Ultra and S21+ allow users to automatically unlock compatible car doors without pulling out their keys. In addition, with SmartThings on Android Auto, you can also use the Galaxy S21 series to control smart devices in your home, from your car. By connecting your phone to your Android Auto compatible car, you can turn on your porch lights before you return home, all from your car.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series is available for preorder and will launch on 29 January.
