The latest feature details for the rumored Galaxy S21 suggest the device may not include a microSD slot, much like the base model Galaxy Note 20.
Tech informant, Roland Quandt recently shared this tidbit, indicating that the back of microSD expansion may apply to all three models of the series, the standard Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21 Plus, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung has tested out this configuration several times, with models including the Galaxy S6 and the Galaxy Note 5.
Many other brands, such as Apple, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, are also known for no including microSD slots on their handsets, for the sake of making devices thinner or to add different technology into newer smartphones. If accurate the standard Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Galaxy S21 Plus may sell with a cap of 256GB of internal storage, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra may max out at 512GB UFS 3.1.
Following up on rumors that suggest the Galaxy S21 series may not ship with charging bricks in their retail packaging, leakster, Ishan Agarwal also recently shared that U.K. models of the devices may also lose their headphones as inbox accessories.
A certification listing from Brazil has also revealed the lack of a charger and headphones for South American models, further suggesting that the change may in fact be more global. Though there is some debate that the packaging details may be regional with some markets still shipping Galaxy S21 models with charger. Notably, this news surfaced shortly after the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 11, which the brand is offering in packaging with and without accessories for the same price.
Still, Samsung has also been spotted backtracking on its quips at rival brand, Apple. When the iPhone 12 series released in October without accessories, the Korean manufacturer took to social media to reiterate that its own most latest devices shipped with chargers, but has since deleted those posts.
Samsung’s latest marketing feature is a teaser video that highlights the progression of the Galaxy S series, from the thinning of the Galaxy S6 with a metal frame to the removal of the capacitive home button on the Galaxy S8 to the hole-punch front camera design on the Galaxy S10 and beyond. Notably, the change from “2020” to “2021” alludes to the name of the “next Galaxy” actually being the Galaxy S21, which has already been popularized. So far, Samsung has not confirmed the launch date for the series; however, many suspect it will be announced on January 14 and released to the market on January 29.
Meanwhile, a recent live leak of the Galaxy S21 Plus has surfaced, showcasing a flat display for the devices. Another recent leak reveals various case designs for the smartphone series.
Amid the latest info dump for the Galaxy S21 series are prospective prices, shared by Ishan Agarwal, suggest an €849 starting tag for the standard 128GB Galaxy S21 model, €1,049 and €1,099 prices for the respective 128GB and 256GB Galaxy S21 Plus models, and a €1,399 price for the 256GB Galaxy S21 Ultra. There has also been word that the Galaxy S21 could sell for between 980,000 and 1.18 million won in South Korea, which equates to between $900 and $1,085.
