We've seen a few hints that Samsung wants to go beyond foldables into rollable displays for its smartphones, and now the company's display division has confirmed that it's exploring alternative form factors in an earnings call with investors.
Company executives went on the record saying that both rollable and slidable displays were on the way in the future, as The Elec reports – which are presumably two different approaches to expandable screens, even if the end results would look very similar.
It's worth pointing out that these were comments from Samsung Display, so it's possible that these screens are being produced for televisions or other gadgets besides smartphones. Samsung might also be making panels for other companies to use.
However, given all the other signs we've seen that rollables and other innovations are on the way, we think it's a good bet that Samsung is going to introduce a rollable and perhaps even a slidable smartphone before too long – so watch this space.
Roll with it
Samsung is by no means the only smartphone maker working on rollable handsets. The LG Rollable was teased earlier this month in a brief video clip, though it's not clear exactly when the handset might be out and available for consumers to buy.
We've also seen a phone with a rollable screen demoed by TCL – and TCL has promised to have a handset with some kind of flexible display on the market at some point during 2021, even if details on what that might involve are still thin on the ground.
Now we can look forward to Samsung getting involved too. This doesn't mean that the Samsung foldable phones – the Galaxy Z Fold and the Galaxy Z Flip – are going anywhere though, and upgrades to these handsets are almost definitely on the cards too.
It wasn't so long ago that foldable phones seemed like the stuff of science fiction, but as manufacturing processes and materials improve, these handsets are becoming more commonplace – and getting cheaper over time as well.
Samsung's Galaxy S21 lineup is available right now.
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Samsung's Galaxy S21 lineup is sure to make Android fans happy. From the base model, the Galaxy S21 to the top-of-the-line S21 Ultra, the entire lineup offers a modest upgrade from previous Galaxy phones. (We haven't had a chance to review the S21 Plus quite yet.) All three phones have a new design, with a new metal-framed camera array on the back and new camera tricks. If you pick up the high-end Ultra model, you can even use Samsung's S Pen stylus to write on your screen, just as you can on a Galaxy Note model. (Keep in mind, you'll need to buy the S Pen separately as the Ultra doesn't come with one.)
This year, all three Galaxy S21 models offer full 5G, and now you don't have to pick between a smoother scrolling experience or the display's high resolution -- you can now have both at the same time.
Below I'll walk you through the Galaxy S21's launch, including when preorders will arrive and when you can walk into a store and buy the new phone.
Galaxy S2, S21 Plus, S21 Ultra US pricing
128GB
256GB
512GB
Galaxy S21
$799
$849
N/A
Galaxy S21 Plus
$999
$1,049
N/A
Galaxy S21 Ultra
$1,199
$1,249
$1,399
When will my new Galaxy S21 arrive?
Preorders started to arrive on Jan. 29, the same day as in-store availability.
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10:21
Which colors will the Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra come in?
As is usually the case for Samsung, your color options depend on the model.
Galaxy S21: Phantom violet, phantom gray, phantom pink and phantom white. The 256GB version is only available in phantom gray.
Galaxy S21 Plus: Phantom violet, phantom silver and phantom black. The 256GB version is only available in phantom black.
Galaxy S21 Ultra: Phantom silver or phantom black. The 256GB and 512GB models will only come in phantom black.
How much will the Galaxy S21 cost me?
The cost for each phone will vary based on storage amount. Below are the US prices we currently know for each model.
You can order directly from Samsung either through the site, or by using the Shop Samsung app.
The retail giant is selling all three S21 models, however, you'll need to be a Verizon or AT&T customer (or be willing to switch to either carrier).
You can find almost every configuration of the S21 lineup on Best Buy's site, and in-store.
Carriers
Verizon is selling the phone through its site and in-stores.
AT&T has all three models for sale in its stores or through its website.
T-Mobile customers can buy the Galaxy S21 directly from the carrier, online or in-store.
Orders for Spectrum customers are now open. If you switch to the carrier, you'll get $100 with an eligible trade-in.
Visible is selling the S21 and S21 Plus on launch day, Jan. 29. The prepaid carrier is taking a little bit off the price of both models, with the S21 starting at $792 and the S21 Plus starting at $984.
Check the Altice Mobile website for Galaxy S21 availability.
We will update this section as retailers and carriers announce plans.
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Ah, the Samsung One Connect box. The long-running cabling solution for premium Samsung TVs has been something of an unsung hero for the past few years, offering TV shoppers a way to hide away unsightly wires and connections and keep the periphery of the TV screen clear of clutter.
It’s a relief, then, to see it receive a 2.0 model that continues the One Connect’s legacy – but things seem a little different this time around.
A blog post from Samsung on its 2021 TV range gives a small nod to the “Slim One Connect box”, calling it “an all-new cable management system that can be attached to the TV’s back – allows for an easier install and cleaner aesthetic.”
It’s specifically named in reference to Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K TVs, of which there are three in this year’s range, so we’re assuming (hoping?) it’s available for the whole trio. The mention of attaching the box “to the TV’s back” suggests some more flexible uses for the hardware, too, with the option to hide cabling behind the TV itself, rather than simply below or to the side of the screen.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Same but different
We actually first caught sight of the new One Connect box during the CES 2021 expo, when it appeared in a promo video espousing the features of this year’s new Samsung TV range. While it only appeared for a moment, and details are currently still scarce, there’s a lot we can tell just from the outside of the box.
The new model is definitely slimmer and shorter, with the curved body and smooth sheen of a polished pebble – quite different from the rectangular shape and pointed corners of the previous iteration.
The great benefit of the One Connect box is that it minimizes the impact of cabling multiple devices together, drawing wires and connections away from the screen you have to stare at, and ensuring the mess is both out of sight and out of mind. The existing model makes use of a single, translucent cable that somehow carries power from the mains as well as signals from anything plugged into your HDMI ports and the like.
A more compact shape really doubles down on this, reducing the amount of space needed for the box – no small feat given a whole TV’s worth of connections will be packed in. In a world of massive next-gen gaming consoles too (cough, PS5, cough), being able to save some room in your media cabinet is more urgent than ever.
The screengrabs we managed to source from its brief appearance in Samsung's First Look video even show the box attaching to the back of a TV stand, which is a change from the previous model – and something that's surely only possible because of the slimmer and lighter design. (Check out the box at 30:00 in the video below.)
We’re yet to receive official specifications for the Slim One Connect box, but we very much expect to see HDMI 2.1 ports, given how common they now are in Samsung’s TV range, with support for HDMI eARC (enhanced audio return channel) that allows audio passthrough to a soundbar. It'll likely be prioritized for 8K TVs, too, as well as the new MicroLED series coming this year.
Make your mind up!
Samsung seems to be shaking up its strategy for the box quite often – in 2019, the box was available for every Samsung TV from the Q85R upwards, as well as the Serif and The Frame designer TVs. In 2020, though, you could only get it with the Q95T QLED (a variant of the Q90T) or the flagship Q950TS 8K QLED.
In mid-2020 we even wrote a piece on why so few Samsung TVs were able to ship with the box, with Samsung telling us that the “quite expensive” hardware meant the company was reluctant to manufacture en masse or expect customers to pay the additional cost.
At the time, we wrote the following: “Given it essentially turns a TV into two separate hardware devices – one that inputs, and one that displays – that price markup is pretty unsurprising, and it means that what could have become a standard feature of new Samsung TVs has been relegated to the sidelines.”
We’re hoping this refresh sees the One Connect box become more standardized across the range, though, ideally with the option to add alongside any purchase of any new Samsung TV – for the QLED range, at least – something that still eludes the TV brand’s many customers.
We’ll be sure to let you know when more information on the Slim One Connect box comes through. The true value in an upgraded model, though, will be in how easily TV shoppers can access it, and if it’s limited to just a couple of 2021 televisions, the One Connect box’s chances for glory will be looking pretty slim.
Remember when people went on trips? For fun? Yeah, those were the days. Samsung seems either unaware of the ongoing global pandemic and the measures taken by most Western governments to deal with it by restricting traveling, or wants you to forget about all that and just picture yourself on an epic trip.
That's the theme of the company's latest TV ad for the Galaxy S21 and S21+, which just became available in stores today. The main focus (pardon the easy pun) is on the cameras, with 8K video recording being mentioned among many other things.
Curiously though, at one point the ad says there's plenty of (storage) space for "all of that", so including 8K videos, which... seems a bit iffy as a claim considering the removal of expandable storage. But we digress. Oh, and the battery life on both phones is apparently enough to last you the whole trip, whatever that means.
Commercials have always strived to be as hyperbolic and over the top as possible, so we're not taking any of these claims for granted. We are however wondering if 'normal people' may. Either way, enjoy the ad in its full one minute glory!
And if you are interested in the Galaxy S21, we have a full in-depth review of it waiting for you to go through. As for the Galaxy S21+, that's coming too - stay tuned.
Cases are a subjective matter when it comes to style, and there's a huge selection on the market. One thing that is objective, however, is the level of protection they offer.
With design and function in mind, there are a few key points we take into account when making our picks: We like more neutral cases without too many design elements, and we prefer to keep branding and logos to a minimum. We also like slimmer cases that still offer great protection and help keep the phones manageable in your hands. And finally, cases should not interfere with 5G signals or wireless charging.
I've been covering smartphones and accessories for six years. Based on my expertise in this category and my personal experience with similar models on previous phones, I've researched and selected the best cases for the new S21 lineup. We also aim to test these cases on the phones as they become available.
Here are the best cases for Samsung's Galaxy S21 series:
Samsung Display confirmed that it's working on rollable and slidable screens, similar to what's on the phone LG teased during its CES 2021 event. The conglomerate's display division also had other interesting insights to share.
Samsung Display's senior vice president, Choi Kwon-young spoke after the company published its financial report and said that its first rollable and slidable displays are coming this year. It's a reasonable guess that Samsung's mobile division will be the first to adopt them, but that wasn't explicitly confirmed.
Meanwhile we should see the flip and fold displays adopt new technologies, while the company will rely on features such as variable refresh rate and low power to stay ahead in the increasingly crowded regular OLED market. Unfortunately the technologies that might grace the Z Flip3 and Galaxy Fold3 were named.
The Galaxy S21 series has a lot of features, some of which are hidden.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Samsung's Galaxy 21 is out now. All three models look truly impressive, between full 5G support across the lineup, a new camera array and improved camera features. The S21 Ultra even has a new feature for the S-series, with S-Pen stylus support.
All three phones run Android 11 with Samsung's One UI 3.1 proprietary skin. That means you get the best of Android 11, but you also have access to improvements and tweaks Samsung has made to the operating system. For example, the S21 has two different types of floating notifications and you can now add effects to your video calls.
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Below I'll show you some of the best hidden features I've discovered on the Galaxy S21 Ultra so far.
Yea, that power button doesn't do what you think it does.
Sarah Tew/CNET
How to turn the S21 off
If you long-press the power button expecting to turn the phone off, you're in for a surprise. A Bixby surprise, to be exact. That's right, holding in the power button will launch Bixby, instead of giving you the option to turn the phone off. But don't fret, you have a few different options to power your S21 down or restart it:
Swipe down from the top of the screen to view the quick settings panel, then tap on the power button in the top-right corner.
Long press the side button and volume down button at the same time until the power menu shows up.
Change the side button to function as the power button by going to Settings > Advanced features > Side key and select Power off menu. From now on, long-pressing the power button will bring up the power menu.
The S21 Ultra will work with an S Pen. Cool, right?
Sarah Tew/CNET
S-Pen support on the S21 Ultra
This isn't a hidden feature, so much as it just isn't all that obvious unless you've been explicitly told about it. You see, the S21 Ultra lacks anywhere to store the S Pen, like the Note series does. So if you bought the phone because you wanted the best Samsung has to offer, you wouldn't know any better.
The S21 Ultra will work with any Galaxy Note series or Galaxy Tab S series S-Pen stylus. Or you can opt for the S21 Ultra case that includes an S Pen.
If you have an S Pen, all you need to do to start using it with the Ultra is to touch the tip of it to the screen and it should just work. If you hover the pen just above the screen's surface, you'll see a little icon on the display showing that it recognizes the stylus. Once you touch it to the screen, the Air Command icon will show up on the screen, letting you take quick notes, screenshots and so on.
Video calls can take on a different look with new video call effects.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Add effects to your video calls
Ever see someone use those fancy backgrounds on Zoom? The ones that make it look like you're somewhere else? Well, you can do that on the Galaxy S21 in your video calls. To select your effect, go to Settings > Advanced features > Video call effects. Turn it on, then select whether you want your background just blurred, a color or a specific image from your photos.
Bubbles or not? That is the question.
Jason Cipriani/CNET
Turn on Floating notifications for easy access to alerts
Android 11 brought the launch of Google's new Bubbles notification feature, which looks and works a lot like Facebook Messenger's Chatheads feature. That is, instead of having to swipe down the notification panel to view alerts, a floating circle gives you quick access to your conversations at all times. Bubbles does the same thing, but for more apps, like Google's Messages.
Bubbles joins Samsung's version of the same feature, called Smart pop-up view. But before you can use either one, you'll need to enable it.
Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Floating notifications. Pick the option you want to use, both of which have a quick animation on the screen to show how they work. Experiment with both Bubbles and the Smart pop-up feature to figure out which one you prefer, even if it's neither of them.
Lock Screen widgets are where it's at.
Jason Cipriani/CNET
Lock screen widgets
Samsung's Always On Display feature has long been a favorite of mine. It makes it easy to quickly see information or control audio playback, but with the Galaxy S21, you can do even more with it. If you go to Settings > Lock screen > Widgets you can turn on each widget you'd like to use, along with Show on Always On Display. Then, whenever your phone is locked and the AOD is active, double-tap the clock to view all of your widgets.
Now playing:Watch this: We review the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and its bonkers cameras
9:22
Search for anything on your phone
Having trouble finding an app, contact or file? Swipe down from the top of the screen to review the quick settings shortcut panel, then swipe down again to view the full quick settings panel. Tap the search icon at the top of the screen and type your query.
As we continue to dig through the Galaxy S21 and its features, we'll keep adding more hidden features that we find. If you have a favorite, leave a comment. If you're still on the fence about the S21, be sure to read our review. And then, if you're convinced, you can order one right now.
