Everything You Need to Know About Samsung’s Latest Galaxy S21 Trio of Phones

Samsung has just unveiled the Galaxy S21 product family with a refreshed design, updated hardware, and best of all, more reasonable price tags. Available today and starting at $799.99, $999.99, and $1,199.99, the 5G-equipped Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra, respectively, cost $200 less than each of their predecessors.

The updated Galaxy S21 design is headlined by a camera bump that’s seamlessly integrated into the device’s metal frame. It gives the newcomers a distinctive look, which will easily set them apart from other Galaxy models.

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We’re equally excited that compatibility with Samsung’s iconic S Pen—a calling card of the Galaxy Note series since its debut a decade ago—has been added to the S21 family. However, the new feature is only available with the Ultra model.

Whether you're looking for the most feature-packed smartphone out there, a budget-friendly option that can do the basics, or the latest model, here's everything you need to know about the best Samsung phones.

Best Samsung Smartphones

1. The Latest and Greatest Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy S21
2. A Feature-Packed Galaxy for Less: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
3. The Ultimate Big-Screen Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
4. The Most Productive Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
5. Best Budget Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy A51
6. The Folding Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
7. The Flipping Galaxy: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

With the exception of the models with foldable displays, all high-end smartphones from Samsung have a waterproof design on top of other essential features, which include fast wired charging, wireless charging, and built-in stereo speakers.

Note: Before purchasing an unlocked smartphone, check carefully if it's fully compatible with your preferred carrier. Samsung's unlocked Galaxy devices are compatible with all major carriers in the United States.

The prices of most smartphones on this list are for unlocked, contract-free devices. You can opt to purchase any phone on small monthly installments either from Samsung or through the wireless carrier of your choice.

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$799.99

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The all-new Samsung Galaxy S21 is our top pick for most buyers. It is packed with cutting-edge hardware specs, yet it has an elegant and compact design. The phone packs a powerful chip, a powerful camera setup with a high-resolution telephoto sensor and head-spinning zoom capabilities, and a gorgeous AMOLED 2X display.

Compared to the Galaxy S20 it replaces, the Galaxy S21 has a display with a lower FHD+ resolution, but an adaptive refresh rate. The last bit saves battery by automatically adjusting the frame rate depending on the onscreen content.

The video-recording capabilities of the Galaxy S21 smartphone are truly remarkable. The phone can capture 8K footage with four times as many pixels as 4K video, as well as high-quality audio. An AI-powered feature called Single Take, on the other hand, seamlessly captures multiple photos and video clips, ensuring that user can always capture a perfect shot.

The Galaxy S21 has enough RAM and storage to rival a laptop computer, as well as one the best display panels in the business. Of course, like its predecessors, the latest Galaxy also features a fully waterproof build and built-in stereo speakers.

In case you a looking for new top-shelf Galaxy with a bigger screen, consider the Galaxy S21+ instead. For $200 more, it has a larger 6.7-inch FHD+ display and a battery that’s 20% bigger (4,800 mAh). The rest of its hardware specs are the same as the Galaxy S21’s.

The Galaxy S21 is available in Violet, Gray, Pink and White, with each color option sporting a Phantom moniker. The Galaxy S21+ is available with a violet, silver, and black finish.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Display: 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility
Camera: Triple camera with 12MP main, 64MP telephoto, 12MP ultra wide; 10MP selfie camera
Memory: 8GB of RAM, up to 128/256GB of expandable storage
Battery: 4,000 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, built-in stereo speakers, waterproof body

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$599.99

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The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) is packed with top-tier specs at an incredibly agreeable price point. It's available in six captivating colors that begin with a “cloud” moniker: navy, orange, lavender, mint, red, and white.

Compared to the pricier Samsung Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra, the Galaxy S20 FE has a polycarbonate body, less RAM, and a flat Super AMOLED display with a lower resolution. The rest of the device’s specs are similar, making the smartphone not only our pick in the Samsung Galaxy range, but also an instant contender for the best Android phone out there.

I tip my hat to Samsung for equipping a smartphone this affordable with a 120 Hz display. The high refresh rate makes every interaction a memorable one. It also ensures that the phone will be an amazing mobile gaming rig.

Like every Galaxy S20, the FE packs a powerful chipset, a sophisticated camera setup, built-in stereo speakers tuned by AKG, expandable memory, and support for fast wired and wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility
Camera: Triple camera with 12MP main, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultra wide; 32MP selfie camera
Memory: 6/8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of expandable storage
Battery: 4,500 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, built-in stereo speakers, waterproof body

More: The Coolest Android Smartphones on the Market

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$1199.99

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Samsung’ Galaxy S21 Ultra replaces its predecessor as the most feature-packed Galaxy yet. The range-topping smartphone has a bigger and sharper screen, a larger battery, and a more advanced camera setup than the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+. It’s all but guaranteed to be the best big Android phone of 2021.

S Pen compatibility is another feature that sets the S21 Ultra apart from the rest of the Galaxy S21 family. A first for a Galaxy S smartphone, the feature will make the device even more productive. The S Pen will be available as an optional accessory.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a main camera sensor with a high-resolution 108MP sensor, a dual telephoto snapper with 3- and 10-times magnification optical zoom, and 100-times Super Resolution Zoom capabilities (that’s higher than those of a superzoom camera!). The 40MP front-facing camera of the phone, on the other hand, will capture sharper selfies than any other Galaxy. It can also snap 12-bit RAW images with a remarkable level of detail.

Overall, just like the product it replaces, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung’s most advanced smartphone to date, packed with futureproof top-shelf tech. There are two colors to pick from: Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Display: 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility
Camera: Quadruple camera with 108MP main, dual 10MP telephoto with 3- and 10-times magnification optical zoom, 12MP ultra wide, Depth Vision sensor; 40MP selfie camera
Memory: 12/16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage
Battery: 5,000 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, built-in stereo speakers, waterproof body

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$1199.99

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The Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, just like the Galaxy S20 Ultra that launched earlier this year, is worth every bit of its epic name. It is unsurprisingly Samsung’s most productive smartphone to date, and like all Note products that precede it, it is defined by the S Pen stylus, as well as its massive display panel. Combined, they give the big Galaxy entertainment, multitasking, and productivity features that rivals cannot match.

Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in battery, and support for gesture controls, the S Pen stylus of the Galaxy Note20 Ultra is more capable than ever. The accessory can now allow you to take control of your phone without touching it.

Samsung has also partnered with Microsoft to ensure that users can utilize the Note20’s vast capabilities to the fullest via an improved integration with a PC via Link to Windows. Power users can sync and access their notes across multiple devices, and the phones can also connect wirelessly with Samsung smart TVs.

Of course, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra also has superb front- and rear-facing cameras. The video-recording and editing capabilities of the phablet are also exceptional and an instant contender for the best in the business.

In case you find the Galaxy Note20 Ultra a tad overwhelming, consider the Samsung Galaxy Note20 instead. It has the same design, but a smaller 6.7-inch display and a battery with a lower capacity. The Note20 is also more affordable.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Display: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility
Camera: Quadruple camera with 108MP main, 12MP telephoto with 5-times magnification optical zoom, 12MP ultra wide, Depth Vision sensor; 10MP selfie camera
Memory: 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of expandable storage
Battery: 4,500 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, built-in stereo speakers, IP68 waterproof body

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$399.99

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Priced below $400, the Galaxy A51 has a large and vibrant Super AMOLED display with a fingerprint sensor underneath, a powerful chipset, impressive front- and rear-facing cameras, and solid battery life. According to a CNET editor, “the A51 is a convincing effort that proves Samsung can make a good midprice phone that's worth buying.”

I only wish that it had a more powerful chipset, a waterproof build, as well as built-in stereo speakers. A PCMag review editor rightfully concluded that the big phone “has a gorgeous display, good cameras, and a battery that will easily get you through the day, but it can use a boost in the processor department.”

But Samsung has equipped the phone with a fun quadruple camera — an impressive feat for a device in this price range. It includes a 48MP sensor, a 12MP one with an ultra wide lens, a 5MP snapper for capturing closeup shots, and a 5MP unit that’s tasked with gathering data to enhance your photos. The selfie camera packs a sensor with impressively high resolution as well.

I really like that the Galaxy A51 has a standard audio jack, as well as a bundled fast charger. A 5G-capable variant of the device is also available for about $100 more.

Chipset: Exynos 9611
Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display
Camera: 48MP main, 12MP ultra wide, 5MP macro, 5MP depth field sensor, 32MP selfie camera
Memory: 4GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage
Battery: 4.000 mAh with fast wired charging
Other: Standard audio jack

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$1999.99

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 is, like its predecessor, the tech giant’s most futuristic and expensive smartphone. The conversation-worthy tech product can instantly transform from a compact smartphone to an Android tablet. With a 6.2-inch AMOLED display and a foldable 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, the Z Fold2 is as attention-commanding as a smartphone can be today.

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy Z Fold2 with a powerful chipset and plenty of RAM, ensuring that nothing will slow it down. The device’s triple camera is also fantastic — it will consistently capture photos and 4K video with great quality. Its selfie cameras are also impressive. You have one when you open the device, and another one when folded.

Once again and unlike Samsung’s Galaxy S and Galaxy Note products, the Galaxy Z Fold2 is not water-resistant. Considering its unique build, you will always need to be careful with the device.

You can order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 in mystic black or mystic bronze. If you are willing to wait a few extra weeks, you can even customize the color of the gadget’s unique hinge. There are four additional options to choose from in addition to the ones that match the phone: silver, gold, blue, and red.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+
Display: 7.6-inch folding QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 6.2-inch HD+ Super AMOLED
Camera: Triple camera with 12MP main, 12MP telephoto, 12MP wide-angle; two 10MP selfie cameras
Memory: 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of non-expandable storage
Battery: 4,500 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Wi-Fi 6, Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos

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$966.60

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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will join the bigger Galaxy Fold as the company’s second smartphone with a foldable display. The smartphone has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display that’s crafted from flexible glass. When folded up, the smartphone's discreet external panel will display your notifications.

This Samsung phone has a unique user experience, which allows users to multitask and control several built-in apps by using the folding display of the Galaxy Z Flip. When open, the smartphone can split the app’s interface and separate its controls into the bottom half of the display. This feature is handy for streaming all kinds of content, making video calls, and taking selfies, among many other things.

This Samsung smartphone is available in a trio of colors: Mirror Purple, Mirror Black, and Mirror Gold.

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+
Display: 6.7-inch folding Full HD+ Infinity Flex Glass AMOLED, 1.1-inch external Super AMOLED
Camera: Dual camera with 12MP main, 12MP wide-angle; 10MP selfie camera
Memory: 8GB of RAM, 256GB of non-expandable storage
Battery: 3,300 mAh, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Other: Built-in stereo speakers