The latest rumor mill appearance of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has it making a stop at the Geekbench benchmark, revealing a number of intricate specs details.
While there are already a number of component leaks available for devices in the S21 series, Geekbench ran its paces on a device with the model number SM-G996U, which is believed to be the Galaxy S21+. The benchmark indicates the smartphone runs a processor with the codename ‘Lahaina’, which is believed to be the rumored Qualcomm Snapdragon 875. Geekbench rates the chip’s proficiency at 1,120 for single-core and 3,319 for multi-core. These results ultimately suggest the Snapdragon 875 may outperform the also rumored Samsung Exynos 2100, which is set to be the chip for international models of the Galaxy S21 devices. Previously leaked benchmarks rate this component at 1,040 for single-core and 3,107 for multi-core processing.
In addition to the Snapdragon 875 chip, the benchmark reveals 8GB of RAM and Android 11 software with a new OneUI overlay. Other rumored features for the Galaxy S21+ include a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a hole punch for the front-facing camera, a 4,800mAh battery, likely with at least 25W charging, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and GPS connectivity, in addition to a USB-C port. The Galaxy S21+ camera set up may include a 12-megapixel main lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens. Color options are expected to include Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, and Phantom Violet.
Samsung Galaxy S21 model in recent CAD leaks
The Galaxy S21 series will include three devices, the standard Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. All three devices will likely be similar design-wise, with some of the biggest differentiators being display size and color options.
Other recent leaks showcase the body design for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, in particular, and shed more light on the super-thin “Samsung Blade” bezels, which are approximately the same width for the sides and the chin. Leakster, Ice universe shared the CAD renders, which also reveal smaller details, such as the USB-C port, speaker grills, and button placement. These renders are being called some of the most accurate leaked so far.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra S-Pen support
The Galaxy S21 Ultra may stand out due to its camera set up, which is expected to include a new 108-megapixel main lens, a 12-megapixel ultrawide angle lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 10-megapixel lens with 10x optical zoom. Other highlight features are its 6.8-inch 2K LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 5,000mAh battery.
The luxury tier smartphone is also rumored to feature S-Pen stylus support, adopted from Samsung’s popular Galaxy Note line. There is word that the Galaxy Note devices may be phased out in exchange for the more recent Galaxy Z Fold line, with the 2020 Galaxy Note 20 series possibly being its last release. However, if true, Samsung may have not fully committed to having a stylus be a primary feature on the Galaxy S series.
What made the Galaxy Note series special was that the S-Pen was housed within its chassis, but the stylus may be a sold-separately accessory for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, rather than a tried and true feature. The rumors is, of course, not yet confirmed, but leaksters do seem a lot more certain that it will come to fruition. Adding support for the stylus would only require adding a digitizer under the Galaxy S21 Ultra display. With this model being only one of several in a series, the manufacturer wouldn’t have to put as much effort as it would into developing and building several models of an entire Galaxy Note series, which could include standard, Plus/Pro, Ultra, and Lite/FE models.
There has also been considerable buzz about Samsung releasing the Galaxy S21 series without a USB-C charger or earbuds in the retail box, so it makes sense that Samsung would potentially want to market the S-Pen as an aftermarket accessory. Perhaps adding even more technologically advanced functions to the stylus may be an option.
Samsung Galaxy S21 rumors zooming in on January release date
Reports have suggested that the Galaxy S21 series could release anywhere between January and February 2021, but more recent details are leaning toward a January 14 launch for the devices, according to leakster, Jon Prosser. The devices may be available for preorder the same day, with their market release date potentially set for January 29. This could put the Galaxy S21 launch more in conjunction with CES rather than Mobile World Congress, in terms of tech conference affiliation. Still, it is likely going to be a standalone event as per Samsung’s most recent launch traditions. It is likely also going to be an online streamed event due to the current pandemic.
While there is word that Samsung is aiming for one of its earliest launches of the Galaxy S line in order to snip market share from Huawei, the brand is likely also looking to maintain a lead against Apple. Strategy Analytics recently reported that Samsung devices accounted for one-third or 33.7 percent of US mobile sales, an increase of 6.7 from the year prior.
Some note Samsung may have benefitted from Apple’s delay of the iPhone 12 series. The devices launched a month later than the brand’s typical September timeframe, due to the pandemic holding up development and production timelines. Meanwhile, Samsung released two flagship lines in 2020, in addition to a number of other notable devices, including the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Note 20 FE.
Many are uncertain Samsung will be able to maintain this sales lead as the brand has not held this accolade since 2017. That doesn’t mean it won’t put as much effort as it can into gaining the interest of new customers and fans in 2021 and beyond.
