The Samsung Galaxy S21 series is now official and while the Ultra variant is a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the standard and the Plus models have taken a step back in some areas. South Korean outlet The Elec speculates this might have something to do with the unpopularity of the Galaxy S20 range.
The S20 phones were released in March last year, just as the coronavirus was taking hold around the world. The handsets were also on the higher side of the price spectrum. Sales never really took off, which is apparently why the range is getting discontinued in key markets.
The starting price of the new models has been reduced by $200 at the expense of the microSD slot, charging brick, and earphones.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 6.8-inch screen with QHD+ (3,200x1,440) resolution and a 515 PPI. It also supports a 120Hz refresh rate at QHD+. The S20 Ultra only supported this refresh rate at FHD.
The S21 and S21 Plus have an FHD+ (2,400x1,080) resolution, which is unusual for premium phones. Even last year's S20 and S20 Plus have a QHD+ (3,200x1,440) resolution.
The S21 and S21 Plus have a PPI of 421 and 394, respectively. In contrast, the predecessors offer a PPI of 563 and 525. Samsung claims that lower PPI isn't exactly a spec downgrade and says the standard and the Plus models have higher peak brightness than their predecessors (an increase from 1,200 nits to 1,300 nits).
Regardless of what the company says, it's evident that it has prioritized cost cuts over specs and features. Whether the strategy will work remains to be seen.
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Launching the new phones earlier than usual might prove to be a bad idea
According to a pre-launch analysis by analytics company Counterpoint Research, although the new phones will likely perform slightly better than the S20, they might not do as well as the Galaxy S10. The forecast was made on the basis of factors such as extended replacement cycles, increased competition, proximity to the iPhone 12 release, and uncertainty around pricing.
The research firm noted that the delay in the launch of the iPhone 12 and the accelerated release of the S21 series puts Samsung's new phones within 12 weeks of iPhone 12's launch, something which "is not ideal from a price comparison standpoint.”
The firm also said that the iPhone 12 is hitting a sweet spot with the $799 base price and that S21's pricing will need to improve from S20 levels "for Samsung to avoid disappointment.”
Well, the phones are out now, and it's clear that Samsung was listening as S21's starting price matches iPhone 12's entry price.
That in no way guarantees that the Galaxy S21 will overtake the iPhone 12 in shipments, which appears to be doing remarkably well. Counterpoint Research’s Director of US Mobile Devices and Carrier Strategies explains why:
Stellar iPhone 12 performance is not only helping Apple have its best iPhone year ever, it is taking the wind out of competitors’ sails by dominating promotions, shelf space, and the online space. In addition, in the North American market, there is a post-holiday lull of flagship sales in January and February, making it a challenging time to make a significant product launch.
The smartphone industry has also become very crowded and Chinese vendors are not only releasing mid-to-low end phones with competitive specs but also more flagship handsets. Per Counterpoint, the S10 was contending with nearly 48 ‘$800-plus’ phones in 2018. The S21 will have to compete with more than 65.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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