The Samsung Galaxy S21 launch is finally here! Almost. The Samsung Unpacked livestream has given us the lowdown on the Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Smart Tags, and the true wireless Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.
With brand new specs, and lower pricing that last year's Galaxy S21, you don't want to miss the reveal! Here's when and where you can tune into Unpacked to watch the reveal.
To get all of the details on Samsung's new smartphone, check out our breakdown of the all three models with our Samsung Galaxy S21: Everything you need to know roundup.
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Samsung Unpacked: how to watch
Samsung has shared the date of the first Unpacked of 2021, and it's taking place today – the last day of CES 2021.
The event kicks off at 7AM PST/ 10AM EST /3PM GMT and you can tune in on Samsung Newsroom, or Samsung.com. We'll embed the video player as soon as it comes available so you can watch all the news as it drops, right here.
Samsung Galaxy S21: colors
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is available in Phantom White, Gray, Violet, and Pink, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus has three options; Phantom Black, White, and Violet.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is available in Phantom Black, and Silver colorways, but also offers Samsung.com exclusive colors: Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown.
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Samsung Galaxy S21: display
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is the least costly of the three devices, and if you're after a lighter design (or price tag) then the 6.2-inch display is the one for you. If you want something a little larger, but without paying for a massive specs bump, then the Galaxy S21 Plus' 6.7-inch display and larger battery may be the one for you.
The intelligent, edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2x Infinity-O display has an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate, meaning scrolling will be smoother, and the viewing experience will be much improved.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a sizeable 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which also supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. Compared to last year's Galaxy S20, the display is 25% brighter, and has a 50% improved contrast ratio.
All three models sport the Eye Comfort Shield to reduce eye fatigue.
Samsung Galaxy S21: camera specs
As with last year's Galaxy S20 series, Samsung is prioritising its camera tech for the Galaxy S21 to make sure you can take studio quality portraits and fantastic selfies.
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus are both kitted out with 10MP (f/2.2) selfie camera, and a triple rear camera array consisting of 12MP (f/2.2) ultra wide + 12MP (f/1.8) wide + 64MP (f2.0) telephoto lens, and features 30X Space Zoom.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra sports a front-facing 40MP (f/2.2), and a quad camera setup on the rear consisting of 12MP (f/2.2) ultra wide + 108MP (f/1.8) wide + 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto + 10MP (f/4.9) telephoto lens, and 100X Space Zoom.
On the video front, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series supports 4K, 60fps, video, as well as 8K video at 24fps.
Samsung Galaxy S21: price
The Samsung Galaxy S21 starts from $799/ £769, the Galaxy S21 Plus' starts from $999/ £949, and the range-topping Galaxy S21 Ultra starts from $1,199/ £1,249. All three handsets come in at a lower price point than their equivalents in last year's Galaxy S20 lineup.
Samsung Galaxy S21: S-Pen
The rumors were true! The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is compatible with the S-Pen stylus.
The S-Pen is sold separately, and you can pick up cases for your Galaxy S21 Ultra that will house the S-Pen for you.
Galaxy Buds Pro
Samsung is upping its audio game with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, its newest true wireless earbuds that hope to take on Apple AirPods and the Apple AirPods Pro.
Available in Phantom Black, Phantom White, and Phantom Violet, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro feature intelligent ANC (active noise cancellation) that blocks out 'up to 99%' of background noise.
You can tweak the ANC so you can tweak how much of the outside world's sound filter through, and there's also four levels of 'Ambient sound' you can scroll through.
As well as boasting the most secure fit ever, Samsung is offering more improvements; the Intelligent ANC will turn the audio down if it hears you talking, so you can have a conversation without digging your Galaxy Buds Pro out of your ears first.
Pre-orders for the Galxy Buds Pro are open now, with a January 29 launch date to follow.
Galaxy SmartTags
Following months of being rumored, Samsung unveiled its Galaxy SmartTags tracker, pipping Apple to the post.
The Galaxy SmartTags works with Smart Things Find app, and also utilises Bluetooth to ping off nearby Samsung devices, to narrow down the location.
If you want to up your game the next time you lose something, Samsung is also offering the Galaxy SmartTags Plus, that expands its capacity to find things by using UWB (ultra wide-band) and your phone's AR Finder.
The SmartTags use a coin battery which will apparently last for months, and comes in at $19/ £29. It's available in Black, and Oatmeal, but you can jazz up the Galaxy SmartTags with an assortment of cute cases to boot.
Shabana worked at T3.com as News Editor covering tech and gaming, and has been writing about video games for almost a decade (and playing them since forever). She's had bylines at major gaming sites during her freelance career before settling down here at T3, and has podcasts, streaming, and video content under her belt to boot. Outside of work, she also plays video games and should really think about expanding her hobbies. If you have any tech or gaming tips, shoot over an email or DM her on social media.
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