Samsung Galaxy S21 leak says Samsung wants MORE Bixby not LESS

We’ve been handed a lot of information about the Samsung Galaxy S21, with leaks detailing the unexpected aesthetic shift and surprising specs of Samsung’s flagship smartphone. 

Now we’ve got an even better view of the final product as we see how the S21 will appear in a case, as well as getting more details about its user interface. The leaks give us a useful glimpse into the upcoming smartphone and help tailor our expectations – especially when it comes to Bixby.

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Courtesy of Twitter leaker Ice Universe (opens in new tab), new renders (opens in new tab) reveal the Galaxy S21 in several cases. While the cases themselves look attractive enough, their back panels are an interesting shape. A large chunk of each panel is cut-out to accommodate the phone’s bulky camera block and another, asymmetrical splodge removed to fit in its flash.

There’s a chance that these renders may not represent the final product, but they do nicely align with the other leaks we’ve seen of the Galaxy S21. The front, punch-hole selfie camera and three-lens back camera block all match the designs we’ve seen before. It’s likely this strange case shape is here to stay for the S21.

Fellow leaker Max Weinbach (opens in new tab)  has also shared mock-ups of the three devices in the S21 series, showing off the sizeable camera bumps and design overhaul:  

More details about the phone’s UI have also come to light. SamMobile (opens in new tab) reports the Galaxy S21 will feature voice unlocking through the Bixby voice assistant. Specifics remain unclear, but Bixby has in the past allowed users to unlock devices and initiate commands through vocal passwords.

The idea is to offer users another hands-free way of unlocking their device, but the actual security of this process might be lacking. If someone can adequately imitate or produce a recreation of your voice, they could enter your phone. Voice biometrics sound futuristic but might be a little redundant next to other unlocking methods.

Besides these new revelations, previous leaks of the S21 are making fans understandably hesitant about the phone. They indicate the S21 will feature a newly patented ‘Blade Bezel’ as Samsung switches from its curved screen to a thin, flat display. It’s also likely the S21 series will be built from glasstic, a plastic, glass-imitating material that wasn’t met with rave reviews when used on the Galaxy Note 20 and is generally taken to be a far cry from a premium material.

And if you’re eager for a huge leap forward from the Galaxy S20 specs-wise, dial back your expectations. Leaks indicate Samsung might be sticking with the Snapdragon 865 processor that’s already used in the S20. This doesn’t mean the S21 will run poorly by any stretch, but may not be much faster than Samsung’s current flagship model.

If you’re keen to get your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S21, you won’t be waiting much longer as the phone is expected to release this January, a good few weeks earlier than the Galaxy model’s usual March release window.

Keep your eyes peeled for more official announcements, and leaked renders, or if can’t wait for an upgrade, you can take a look at take a look at the Galaxy S20 Black Friday deals, or peruse the long list of retailers below who are running their own Black Friday deals.

• Allsaints (opens in new tab) – 30% off everything
• Amazon.co.uk (opens in new tab) – huge sale from Friday 20 to Monday 30 November
• AO.com (opens in new tab) – 1,000 deals on household appliances large and small
• Argos (opens in new tab) – big deals with same-day home delivery
• ASOS (opens in new tab)– savings on over 850 brands from 27 – 30 November
• Boohoo (opens in new tab) – up to 80% off everything
• B&Q (opens in new tab) – massive DIY sale on now
• Bose (opens in new tab) – save up to 45%
• Currys (opens in new tab) – save on 4K TVs, laptops and much more
• Dyson (opens in new tab) – save up to £150 on vacuums, fans and hair care
• eBay.co.uk (opens in new tab)– up to 50% off right now
• Ernest Jones (opens in new tab) – save on luxury watches and jewellery
• Goldsmiths.co.uk (opens in new tab) – up to 50% off watches and jewellery
• John Lewis (opens in new tab) – deals on Dyson, Sonos and more
• Le Creuset (opens in new tab) – save up to 50%
• Lego (opens in new tab) – 30% off sets
• Lovehoney.co.uk (opens in new tab) – up to 50% off sex toys and lingerie
• New Look (opens in new tab) – different offers every daty
• Nike (opens in new tab) – 30% off sale now on
• The North Face (opens in new tab) – big price drops in the outlet
• Topshop (opens in new tab) – 20% off jeans and much more
• Topman (opens in new tab) – buy one get one half price on jeans
• Schuh (opens in new tab) – save big on shoes, boots and trainers
• Simba (opens in new tab) – 35% off mattresses and sleep bundles
• The White Company (opens in new tab) – quality bedding at reduced prices in the White Weekend
• Wiggle (opens in new tab) – huge savings on cycle clothing, running gear and swimwear
• Urban Decay (opens in new tab) – 30% off everything
• Very (opens in new tab) – deals on Nike, Nintendo and other top brands

Source: SamMobile (opens in new tab)