Samsung took the stage to unveil its new Galaxy S21 series. The powerhouse of the line up is the Galaxy S21Ultra! It comes with the Exynos 2100 processor or the Snapdragon 888.
It also comes with a new camera setup for great pictures. This is augmented by software experiences that allow you to capture every moment seamlessly. With Space Zoom with up to 100X magnification, you’ll be able to catch that speck a meter away with no problems.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra will be available for USD$1199 starting 29 January 2021.
Samsung took the stage to unveil its new Galaxy S21 series. The Galaxy S21+ stands in the middle of the line up with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and the powerful new Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888.
It also comes with a new camera setup for great pictures. This is augmented by software experiences that allow you to capture every moment seamlessly. The Galaxy S21 will be available for USD$999 starting in January 2021.
Samsung unveils their new flagship series the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. The smallest of the bunch is the Galaxy S21 which comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 in the U.S. and the Exynos 2100 for the rest of the world.
The new smartphone comes with a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X equipped with 120Hz refresh rate. In fact, it can adapt to the best refresh rate to fit your content. Powered by a 4,000mAh battery, it’s built to last the whole day.
The Galaxy S21 is hitting markets soon with prices starting at USD$799 (MYR3,225.24).
Samsung’s flagships have always been something to look forward to. This year is no different. With the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, Samsung is looking to push the boundaries of their flagships while striking the right balance with their experiences. For 2021, they are doing this with more variations in screen and phone size with features that complete the overall experience.
Left to Right: Galaxy S21 Ultra in Phantom Black, Galaxy S21+ in Phantom White & Galaxy S21 in Phantom Violet.
That said, like years past, the Galaxy S21 series is launching with three smartphones: the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The latter of the three is Samsung’s technological flagship while the S21 and the S21+ remain their “everyday flagships” which will come with top of the line experiences.
Samsung Galaxy S21 & S21+: Pushing the Boundaries for Everyday Flagships
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ are the “Everyday” flagships of Samsung’s new Galaxy S line up. They come with Samsung’s new Exynos 2100 chipset with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage internationally. In the U.S., they will come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Powering the smartphone is a 4,000mAh battery in the Galaxy S21 and a 4,500mAh in the Galaxy S21+.
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ both come with Samsung’s most intelligent display yet: the Dynamic AMOLED 2X which boasts an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. That’s not where the intelligence ends though. Samsung’s new display adapts to the content that you have on-screen. For the S21 and S21+, this feature, known as dynamic refresh, ranges from 48Hz to 120Hz. It also comes equipped with Eye comfort shield which utilises AI to intelligently adapt the amount of blue light emitted to ensure that your circadian rhythm is unaffected. The S21 will come with a smaller 6.2-inch display while the S21+ has a larger 6.7-inch display. Both come with FHD+ resolutions.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Packing the Tech for the Flagship series
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is this year’s big update. It packs the tech for the flagship series and comes with a big update that could indicate the end of the Galaxy Note line up. Of course, like the S21 and the S21+, the Ultra comes with the top of the line Exynos 2100 chipset internationally and the Snapdragon 888 for the U.S. However, it also comes with a whopping 16GB of RAM with 512GB of memory. If that seems a tad too much, it also has a 12GB variant with 256GB of memory.
Galaxy S21 Ultra in Phantom Silver
When it comes to the display, the Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with the largest screen of the bunch – a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X. It comes with the same dynamic refresh feature of its siblings but has a larger refresh range of 4Hz to 128Hz. On paper, the display is a 120Hz display. The screen is also equipped with a Wacom digitizer. Yes, this does mean that it supports the S-pen which comes as an additional add-on. It comes with a case to stowaway the S-Pen.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra comes equipped with a few more tricks than its siblings. It supports Ultrawide Band (UWB) technology which allows it to be used as a digital car key and it also has Android Auto compatibility. It is also one of the few devices which brings the new version of SmartThings which allows you to control your devices from the Android Auto interface. The S21 Ultra is also the only device in the new series to support WiFi 6E. It also has the capability to support Dual Bluetooth. All this is powered by a 5,000mAh battery.
New Features for a Feature-packed Content Experience
Samsung renews its emphasis on content creation with the S21 series. The devices come equipped with a triple camera setup on the S21 and S21+; while the S21 Ultra comes with a flagship quad camera setup. The triple camera setup comes with a 64-megapixel telephoto sensor, a 12-megapixel wide sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. The Ultra’s quad-camera setup comes with a 108-megapixel wide sensor complemented by a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and two 10-megapixel telephoto sensor. On the front, the S21 Ultra comes with a 40-megapixel sensor while the S21 and the S21+ both come with 10-megapixel sensor.
The camera experience isn’t only focused on the hardware this year. Samsung has augmented the experience with new software features including an improved Space Zoom feature. The augmented Space Zoom has a new Zoom Lock feature which provides “tripod like stabilization” when using Space Zoom. Similar to last year, the S21 and the S21+ come with up to 30x Space Zoom while the Ultra goes all the way to 100x.
Aside from Space Zoom, the new camera experience comes with an updated Single Take experience. Single Take 2.0 comes with even more options from the single-shot taken. Also, the video recording experience comes with a new Director’s View feature which allows users to preview shots from multiple lenses and shift lenses on the fly for the best shot. Vlogger view allows users to capture footage on the front and back cameras simultaneously. You also have the capability to shoot 8K footage in higher frame rates than before as well as 8K video snap. This allows users to capture frames when recording their videos.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series will be available on 29 January 2021 in select markets with pre-orders starting on 15 January 2021. The Galaxy S21 and S21+ will be available in Phantom Violet, Phantom Grey, Phantom White and Phantom Pink while the S21 Ultra will be available in Phantom Black and Phantom Silver.
Prices for the S21 start at USD$799 (MYR3,225.24), the S21+ at USD$999 (MYR4,032.46) and the Ultra at USD$1199 (MYR4,839.96).
In Malaysia, pre-orders are happening from 15 January 2021 until 28 January 2021. The official price and pre-order freebies are listed in the table below.
Galaxy S21
8GB + 256GB
MYR3,699
Free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Tag and YouTube Premium Subscription
Galaxy S21+
8GB + 256GB
MYR4,299
Free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Tag and YouTube Premium Subscription
Galaxy S21 Ultra
12GB + 256GB
MYR5,299
Free Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Tag and YouTube Premium Subscription
Galaxy S21 Ultra
16GB + 512GB
MYR5,899
Free Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Tag and YouTube Premium Subscription
Official Specifications
Samsung Galaxy S21
Display
6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (2400×1080), 421ppi, HDR10+ certified Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (48~120Hz) Eye Comfort Shield *Measured diagonally, Galaxy S21 5G’s screen size is 6.2″ in the full rectangle and 6.1″ with accounting for the rounded corners, Galaxy S21+ 5G’s screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole
Dimension & Weight
Dimension: 71.2×151.7×7.9mm Weight: 169g(sub6)
Camera
[Front camera] 10MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 80°, F2.2, 1.22µm [Rear camera] Triple camera Ultra Wide: 12MP FF, FOV 120° F2.2, 1.4µm Wide-angle: 12MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 79°, OIS, F1.8, 1.8µm Telephoto: 64MP Phase Detection AF, Hybrid Optic 3X, FOV 76°, OIS F2.0, 0.8µm 30X Space Zoom
*30X Space Zoom includes 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and goes up to 30x Super Resolution Zoom.Super Resolution Zoom includes digital zoom, which may cause some image deterioration.
8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 256GB internal storage *Storage availability may differ by country, model or carrier. Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by country, model, file size and format.
Battery
4000mAh (typical) *Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3880mAh for Galaxy S21 Base and 4660mAh for Galaxy S21+. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Improved wireless charging speeds with Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 USB PD 3.0 (PPS) certified Fast Charging for wired charging (AFC and QC2.0 compatible) *WPC certified Wireless charging*Wireless PowerShare *Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 currently available with Wireless Charger Stand, Wireless Charger Duo Pad, and other devices that support 10W or more wireless charging. Sold separately. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions, and other factors. Wireless charger requires power connection. Recommend using in-box charging cable and/or travel adapter sold separately for use of third party items may cause damage to the Wireless Charger Stand,Wireless Charger Duo and Wireless Charger Trio or a decrease in charging speed.*Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy S21, 21+, S21 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Z Flip, Note10, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, S10 5G, Fold, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch. If battery power is lower than 30% Wireless PowerShare may not function. May not work with certain accessories, covers, other brand devices, or some Samsung wearables. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
OS
Android 11
Network & Connectivity
[5G]5G Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 [Ultra Wideband] *Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Ultra Wideband supported on Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra.
Payment
NFC, MST *Available in select markets. Payment solutions and available features may vary depending on market, carrier, and service providers.
[Ultra high quality audio playback] UHQ 32-bit &DSD64/128 support PCM: Up to 32 bits, DSD: DSD64/128 *DSD64 and DSD128 playback can be limited depending on the file format. [Audio playback format] MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF [Bluetooth] Dual Audio *The two connected devices may exhibit a slight difference in sound output. Scalable Codec *Available only for certain wearables made by Samsung such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds. [Recording] Recording quality is improved with the High AOP Mic that minimizes distortion in noisy environments. *AOP: Acoustic Overload Point
Video
[Video playback format] MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM [TV connection] Wireless: Smart View (screen mirroring 1080p at 30 fps) Wired: supports DisplayPort over USB type-C. Supports video out when connecting via HDMI Adapter. (DisplayPort 4K UHD at 60 fps)
Water Resistance
IP68 *IP68 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry if wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Display
6.7-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (2400×1080), 394ppi, HDR10+ certified Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (48~120Hz) Eye Comfort Shield *Measured diagonally, Galaxy S21 5G’s screen size is 6.2″ in the full rectangle and 6.1″ with accounting for the rounded corners, Galaxy S21+ 5G’s screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole
Dimension & Weight
Dimension: 75.6×161.5×7.8mm Weight: 200g(sub6)
Camera
[Front camera] 10MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 80°, F2.2, 1.22µm [Rear camera] Triple camera Ultra Wide: 12MP FF, FOV 120° F2.2, 1.4µm Wide-angle: 12MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 79°, OIS, F1.8, 1.8µm Telephoto: 64MP Phase Detection AF, Hybrid Optic 3X, FOV 76°, OIS F2.0, 0.8µm 30X Space Zoom *30X Space Zoom includes 3x Hybrid Optic Zoom and goes up to 30x Super Resolution Zoom. Super Resolution Zoom includes digital zoom, which may cause some image deterioration.
8GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 256GB internal storage *Storage availability may differ by country, model or carrier. Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by country, model, file size and format.
Battery
4800mAh (typical) *Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3880mAh for Galaxy S21 Base and 4660mAh for Galaxy S21+. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Improved wireless charging speeds with Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 USB PD 3.0 (PPS) certified Fast Charging for wired charging (AFC and QC2.0 compatible) *WPC certified Wireless charging*Wireless PowerShare *Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 currently available with Wireless Charger Stand, Wireless Charger Duo Pad, and other devices that support 10W or more wireless charging. Sold separately. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions, and other factors. Wireless charger requires power connection. Recommend using in-box charging cable and/or travel adapter sold separately for use of third party items may cause damage to the Wireless Charger Stand,Wireless Charger Duo and Wireless Charger Trio or a decrease in charging speed.*Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy S21, 21+, S21 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Z Flip, Note10, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, S10 5G, Fold, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch. If battery power is lower than 30% Wireless PowerShare may not function. May not work with certain accessories, covers, other brand devices, or some Samsung wearables. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
OS
Android 11
Network & Connectivity
[5G]5G Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 [Ultra Wideband] *Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Ultra Wideband supported on Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra.
Payment
NFC, MST *Available in select markets. Payment solutions and available features may vary depending on market, carrier, and service providers.
[Ultra high quality audio playback] UHQ 32-bit &DSD64/128 support PCM: Up to 32 bits, DSD: DSD64/128 *DSD64 and DSD128 playback can be limited depending on the file format. [Audio playback format] MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF [Bluetooth] Dual Audio *The two connected devices may exhibit a slight difference in sound output.. Scalable Codec *Available only for certain wearables made by Samsung such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds. [Recording] Recording quality is improved with the High AOP Mic that minimizes distortion in noisy environments. *AOP: Acoustic Overload Point
Video
[Video playback format] MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM [TV connection] Wireless: Smart View (screen mirroring 1080p at 30 fps) Wired: supports DisplayPort over USB type-C. Supports video out when connecting via HDMI Adapter. (DisplayPort 4K UHD at 60 fps)
Water Resistance
IP68 *IP68 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry if wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display
6.8-inch Edge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (3200×1440), 515ppi, HDR10+ certified Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (10~120Hz) Eye Comfort Shield *Measured diagonally, Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G’s screen size is 6.8″ in the full rectangle and 6.6″ with accounting for the rounded corners; actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.
[Rear camera] Quad camera Ultra Wide: 12MP Dual Pixel AF, FOV 120°, F2.2, 1.4µm Wide-angle: 108MP Phase Detection AF, FOV 83°, OIS, F1.8, 0.8µm Telephoto 1: 10MP Dual Pixel AF, Optical 3x, FOV 35°,OIS, F2.4, 1.22µm Telephoto 2: 10MP Dual Pixel AF, Optical 10x, FOV 10°,OIS, F4.9, 1.22µm 100X Space Zoom Laser AF Sensor *100X Space Zoom includes 10x Optic Zoom and goes up to 100x Super Resolution Zoom. Super Resolution Zoom includes digital zoom, which may cause some image deterioration.
AP
5nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor 2.9GHz (Maximum Clock Speed) + 2.8GHz +2.2GHz OR 5nm 64-bit Octa-Core Processor *May differ by market and carrier
Memory
12GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 256GB internal storage 16GB RAM (LPDDR5) with 512GB internal storage *Storage availability may differ by country, model or carrier. Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by country, model, file size and format.
Battery
5000mAh (typical) *Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4855mAh for Galaxy S21 Ultra. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
Charging
Improved wireless charging speeds with Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 USB PD 3.0 (PPS) certified Fast Charging for wired charging (AFC and QC2.0 compatible) *WPC certified Wireless charging *Wireless PowerShare*Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 currently available with Wireless Charger Stand, Wireless Charger Duo Pad, and other devices that support 10W or more wireless charging. Sold separately. Actual charging speed may vary depending on the actual usage, charging conditions, and other factors. Wireless charger requires power connection. Recommend using in-box charging cable and/or travel adapter sold separately for use of third party items may cause damage to the Wireless Charger Stand,Wireless Charger Duo and Wireless Charger Trio or a decrease in charging speed.*Wireless PowerShare is limited to Samsung or other brand smartphones with Qi wireless charging, such as Galaxy S21, 21+, S21 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold2, Galaxy Note20, Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Z Flip, Note10, Note10+, S10e, S10, S10+, S10 5G, Fold, S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active, S6, S6 edge, S6 Active, S6 edge+, Note9, Note8, Note FE, Note5, and wearables such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Watch Active2, Galaxy Watch Active, Gear Sport, Gear S3, Galaxy Watch. If battery power is lower than 30% Wireless PowerShare may not function. May not work with certain accessories, covers, other brand devices, or some Samsung wearables. May affect call reception or data services, depending on your network environment.
OS
Android 11
Network & Connectivity
[5G]5G Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 [Wi-Fi 6E] [Ultra Wideband] *Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Requires optimal 5G connection. Actual speed may vary depending on market, carrier, and user environment.*Ultra Wideband supported on Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra.*Wi-Fi 6E supported on S21 Ultra.
Payment
NFC, MST *Available in select markets. Payment solutions and available features may vary depending on market, carrier, and service providers
[Ultra high quality audio playback] UHQ 32-bit &DSD64/128 support PCM: Up to 32 bits, DSD: DSD64/128 *DSD64 and DSD128 playback can be limited depending on the file format.
[Audio playback format] MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF [Bluetooth] Dual Audio *The two connected devices may exhibit a slight difference in sound output.. Scalable Codec *Available only for certain wearables made by Samsung such as Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds. [Recording] Recording quality is improved with the High AOP Mic that minimizes distortion in noisy environments. *AOP: Acoustic Overload Point
Wired: supports DisplayPort over USB type-C. Supports video out when connecting via HDMI Adapter. (DisplayPort 4K UHD at 60 fps)
Water Resistance
IP68 *IP68 is based on test conditions for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Rinse residue/dry if wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.
*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.
The biggest conundrum when it comes to the Android ecosystem has always been the tablet. Initially, the approach that a lot of Android manufacturers took was to just supersize the mobile experience. However, it has slowly become more evident that the tablet isn’t just a supersized screen. In fact, it has become a required commodity for some to keep productive. That behaviour change is what has led to the tablets becoming what they are now – productivity devices.
Samsung’s latest attempt at this is the Galaxy Tab S7 series which takes a more holistic view in how to empower productivity. It brings a whole bunch of new improvements and brand new features that make working on the go with it that much more enjoyable, accessible and effective. That said, let’s walkthrough some of the first impressions you get from the tablet.
Initial Setup
Like any other Samsung or Android device, the tablet turns on pretty fast. The first thing you’re going to see is the setup interface asking you to sign in to your WiFi or to all the different accounts you want to have on your tablet. If you’ve got a version capable of mobile connectivity, it will ask you to insert and unlock your SIM.
Samsung SmartSwitch
Setup was a breeze and, if you’re coming from another tablet, the Tab S7+ will prompt you to use Samsung’s SmartSwitch to seamlessly transfer your data over to the new tablet. This includes all your settings such as WiFi and your accounts.
However, we chose to set it up as a new device. It took less than 10 minutes to get my essentials like WiFi, Google Account and more setup. Then it was on to setting up our apps which was simple enough. We downloaded apps such as Microsoft Office, Any.Do and more. We tried to make sure we got the apps which Samsung was touting as optimised for the Tab S7+.
Premium Finish with Heft
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ gives a pretty first impression. It’s design is clean with clean, rounded edges and screen that covers nearly the whole face of the tablet. On the back you have a pristine machined aluminium body with a brushed finish. The camera is emblazoned with a black, reflective bar which also acts as an indicator as to where the magnets for the S Pen are.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the one of the most premium feeling tablets I have had the pleasure of using from Samsung. The angular design and rounded edges give the tablet a more premium feel. I was pretty impressed with the initial feel of the device as well, it had a good amount of heft and the build itself felt sturdy and well-built. The Mystic Black colour makes it look even more premium and gives it a sleek, timeless look.
The S Pen Mightier than Before
The S Pen of the Tab S7+ brings along with it a whole array of new features but more importantly, it has been redesigned to feel so much more natural in hand. The smooth, rounded body of the S Pen make it more ergonomic and the positioning of the button this round is in a place that feels a lot more natural – even clicking the button some how feels more satisfying.
The new S Pen features bring a layer of productivity that hasn’t been around in previous entries. However, the biggest improvement that comes to mind is the amount of apps that can now effectively take advantage of it – from apps like Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator to the Microsoft Office suite, the level of integration and compatibility of the S Pen puts it on par with it’s largest competition – the iPad.
First Impressions After 24 Hours
The Galaxy Tab S7+ leaves an impression alright. The first 24 hours of using the tab felt a lot like using and setting up a new laptop. The keyboard, which comes together with the Tab S7 series in Malaysia, allows a sense of freedom to be productive answering emails and even typing out articles. To be very frank, it was hard to not try to do everything on the tablet.
The interface is smooth and feels more optimised than before. There’s sense of refinement in the overall experience – at least in the first 24 hours compared to the tablets before. Things felt cleaner, more organised and built for productivity. The best part of the tab is that every thing is in reach – the tablet, the keyboard and the S Pen; making it easy to seamlessly transition from answering emails to sketching to reading and highlighting.
When it comes to tablets, Android has had the shorter end of the stick – particularly when it comes to optimisation and overall usability. However, Samsung has steadily been imbuing their approach to tablets with more and more features and software enhancements that have steadily made their Tab S one of the best Android tablets out there. This year, with their Galaxy Tab S7+, they’ve created one that gave me one of the best first impressions I’ve had from an Android Tablet.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note series has always been one of the foremost series when it comes to productivity and creativity. With its signature S-Pen and its large display, the series was responsible for revolutionising the smartphone space – the effects of which we still feel until today. This year, the company is looking to do more of the same when it comes to the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note20 series.
The Galaxy Note20 series will consists of only two devices: the Galaxy Note20 Ultra and the regular Galaxy Note; unlike the Galaxy S20 series. However, the gap between the two new flagships is a little more pronounced. The Note 20 Ultra builds on the series’ legacy while the Note20 serves as an entry point for people looking to explore the Note series for the first time.
Swifter Response, More Natural Writing
The new Galaxy Note series comes with a more fortified S Pen. The new S Pen on the Galaxy Note20 comes with a 9ms response time compared to the 42ms in the Galaxy Note10 series. The improved S Pen response time is supposed to provide a more natural writing experience on the smartphone. The higher response time will translate into a more seamless experience and the stroke appearing on the screen as soon as S pen hits the surface. This would also mean that it would be even more natural taking notes and creatives will definitely revel in the feel when their creating on the Note.
That said, the S Pen doesn’t just gain a faster response rate, it also turns into your navigation tool. The new S Pen gains more Air Actions to help with navigation and quick actions. The new Air Actions allows you navigate the Android UI with the S Pen. Gestures like scribbling to cover the screen will trigger a screenshot. It’s hard to describe all of them but it seems like there will be a lot more wizards appearing with Notes in their pockets.
More Features on Samsung Notes and DeX Untethered
Samsung’s Notes app gets a little boost too with the updated Galaxy Note series. It gains the ability to annoted PDFs and even PowerPoint files. Of course, if you’re already a Galaxy Note user, you’d know this functionality is already there with Samsung’s Write on PDF app. However, with the Note20, it comes baked into the Samsung Notes app and users will also be able to export their files to PDF and PowerPoint formats for easy editing.
The productivity features on the Note20 series also get a boost with a new improvement to Samsung’s DeX – it’s now wireless. The untethered DeX experience not only brings the full DeX experience to any capable wireless screen, it also allows your phone to be used as a second screen. This allows you to project and share while keeping items like your messages to yourself. This feature will be compatible with all
The Note20 series also introduces what Samsung is calling Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology. The new tech comes as Android’s – yep, you read that right, ANDROID’s – answer to AirDrop. The new tech is now being used as a means to quickly and seamlessly share files between phones and has been in development for a while now. The technology is pioneered by a partnership between Google and Samsung. That said, the most interesting feature that we got to see was the Point to Share feature which allows you to share files by simply pointing and tapping on the detected phone. Samsung is looking to use this technology as to develop access keys and more in the future.
Augmented Camera features for a better Creator Experience
Last year, Samsung explored the Note series’ prowess when it came to creator experiences. This year, the series take another leap with more creator focused features primarily focused on the camera.
The new Note20 series will be the first Samsung device to have an improved Pro Video mode which gives creators better control of the camera when they are creating. The new pro video mode brings granular sound control; allowing creators to play with volume levels and also choose their sound source. This will allow users to choose between the device mics as well as Bluetooth devices such as the Galaxy Buds Active. The camera also has variable zoom speed just in case you need that extra splash of drama.
The camera also comes with the capability to shoot 8K video with support for lower resolutions. Users can select frame rates of up to 120fps for resolutions below 4K. You can even use DisplayPort over USB-C or USB-C to HDMI for video out.
Powerful Specs that Allow You to Get More Done
As always, the Galaxy Note series comes supped specifications to keep you ever at the ready. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra come with top of the line processors capable of 5G connectivity. They will be coming with either the Exynos 990 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ depending on your region. This will be complemented by either 8GB or 12 GB of RAM and a minimum of 256GB onboard memory. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will have expandable memory via microSD card slot while the Note20 will not.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be coming with a 6.9-inch, curved Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with Quad HD+ resolution of 3088×1440 pixels. The Galaxy Note20, on the other hand, will be coming with a 6.7-inch flat Super AMOLED+ display with Full HD+ resolution of 2400×1080 pixels. They will both come with the signature S Pen with all its bells and whistles as well.
On the camera front, the Note20 Ultra comes with a triple camera setup which has a 108-megapixel main sensor complemented with a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The Note 20 comes with a similar setup replacing the 108-megapixel sensor with a 12-megapixel main sensor and the 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with a 64-megapixel telephoto sensor. The Note series ditches the 100X Space Zoom for a more sensible 50X Space Zoom on the Ultra while the regular Note20 has 30X Space Zoom. The front camera is a 10-megapixel wide sensor. Both smartphones come with Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), however, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra comes with Laser Autofocus.
The Galaxy Note20 series will be 5G capable with 4G connectivity being the standard across all regions. The phones will support both the Sub6 and mmWave bandwidths for 5G – support for actual 5G connectivity will depend on your carrier/telco. The Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra will also support WiFi 6 (802.11 ax). This comes in addition to normal WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. The smartphones will also have Bluetooth 5.0 LE and GPS connectivity.
The Note20 will be powered by a 4,300mAh battery while the Ultra will have a larger 4,500mAh battery. Both will support fast charging. This includes wireless fast charging. They will also be capable of Wireless PowerShare as well.
Pricing & Availability
The Galaxy Note20 will be available for pre-order starting September 6, 2020 for USD$999.99 (MYR4,194.84) internationally. In Malaysia, prices will be starting at MYR3,899 for the Note20 and MYR4,299 for the Note20 5G. It will be available in Mystic Green, Mystic Grey and Mystic Bronze.
The Galaxy Note20 Ultra will be available starting at USD$1,299.99 (MYR5,453.30) internationally. In Malaysia, it will be retailing at MYR5,199. It will be available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White.
Pre-orders for Malaysia kick off on 6 August, 2020. Pre-orders of the Note20 Ultra will be entitled to a free pair of Galaxy Buds Live worth MYR699 while Note20 pre-orders will be entitled to a free of Galaxy Buds+ worth MYR599.
