Only the Galaxy S21 Ultra showed higher specs than its predecessor Galaxy S21 in Samsung’s Unpacked event on Thursday.
The specs of Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus was downgraded to compared to predecessors.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 6.8-inch screen with QHD+ (3,200x1,440) resolution. The display’s has a 515ppi. The higher the number, clearer the picture.
Figure is sightly higher than Galaxy S20 Ultra’s ppi of 511. S21 Ultra’s screen is 0.1 inch smaller which caused the ppi to increase when the actual screen resolution is the same at 3,200x1,440.
The biggest difference is that S21 Ultra offers 120Hz refresh rate at QHD+ resolution.
The S20 Ultra only supported 120Hz at FHD (1,920x1,080) resolution.
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus has a FHD+ (2,400x1,080) resolution. For the Galaxy S20 series, Samsung has offered QHD+ (3,200x1,440) resolutions for the S20 and S20 Plus, same as the S20 Ultra.
The S20 and S20 Plus had a ppi of 563 and 525, respectively, which is higher than S21 and S21 Plus’ ppi of 421 and 394, respectively.
Most premium smartphones have resolution over QHD (2,560x1,440), and Samsung’s downgrading the resolution of the conventional S21 and plus model is unusual.
Samsung Galaxy S20 series sold less than its predecessors. There was the pandemic as well as criticism that their prices were too high.
Galaxy Note20 also had a resolution of FHD+. Galaxy Note20 Ultra had a resolution of QHD+, same as Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Samsung said the decline in ppi doesn’t necessary means it is a spec decrease. The company said S21 and S21 Plus has higher peak brightness compared to their predecessors __ an increase from 1,200 nit to 1,300 nit. Samsung said the displays also has a new display driver IC has upgrade eye comfort features.
According to Omdia, as of the fourth quarter of 2020, 6.7-inch flexible OLED costs US$26.34 for 3,200x1,440 resolution. For 2,400x1,080, the cost is US$23.37.
