Even though I wasn’t initially interested in the S20 FE, in my last post I analysed its potential, its problems and concluded that it – and the S20 – were no longer considerations.
But that doesn’t mean Samsung is off the table altogether. Enter the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung’s effort to recapture its audience with a cheaper lineup of flagships.
The Galaxy S20 – although still available as a one-off purchase from Amazon – is actually still more expensive than the S21, not something I’ve encountered before.
Normally, when a new phone has come out, it’s been more expensive than its predecessor. It’s why, up til now, I’ve always gone for the previous generation.
Even when I got my Galaxy S7, I bought it because it was the outgoing model – with the Galaxy S8 being it’s more expensive replacement.
Therefore, I thought I’d analyse the new Galaxy S21, and compare it to the Galaxy S20.
Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21: How they look.
First of all, they’re the same size. Same screen size, same device size. They look virtually the same, but there are some differences:
- Rear camera bump: upgraded, so it flows into the metal frame around the phone. (On the S20, it is still its own little island.)
- ‘Glasstic’ back panel – Samsung’s new plastic-cum-glass material. Originally featured on the Galaxy S20 FE, and the Galaxy Note 20.
- Flat screen, no waterfall/edge display: the Galaxy S20, as per my Galaxy S9 Plus, has a waterfall display that falls over the edges. The S21 is flat – and I love it!
The camera bump has moved
I’m okay with these changes: first of all, the camera bump on my S9 Plus is centred on the back of the device, with the fingerprint sensor underneath, and the heart rate sensor to the side.
While that’s great design, to house everything together in the dead centre, it has meant that I can’t get a proper grip on the phone to take photos, at least not in the same way that I can grip my DSLR camera – because, in landscape, the fingers on my left hand would get in the way of the camera lenses.
I’ve resorted over the past 2 years to holding the phone lower down, and establishing a firm grip on the flip case as a result.
But with the Galaxy S20 and S21, if I were to hold the phone in landscape – with the selfie lens on my left and the nav bar to my right – it means the rear camera bump is now in the top left corner, meaning I can once again acquire a firm grip on the rear of the phone, without covering the lenses with my fingers. It is something I haven’t been able to do since the days of using my HTC Desire Eye as my primary device.
However, something I’d lose on both devices would be the rear fingerprint sensor, as it’s now under the displays. The first phone I had with a fingerprint sensor was my Galaxy S7, which had it located on the chin bezel below the display. In this aspect, it would be a return to form, as I had gotten so used to it being on the front, and never really liked the fingerprint sensor being placed on the rear of my S9 Plus. Over time, it was just something that I got used to – but, I’m glad it’s back on the front.
That said, it’s different between both devices. On the newer S21, the sensor is bigger, meaning that fingerprint recognition would be easier and faster – with less likely errors.
Given that I can already use my face (via the selfie camera & laser) to unlock my S9 Plus, it makes sense for all methods of unlocking the phone to be on the front of both the Galaxy S20 and S21.
On the new phones, I’d also lose the health sensor. But to be fair, I’ve never really used it that much. I’ve always thought of it as a bit of a gimmick: interesting for a few minutes, but with little to no personal significance.
Glasstic back?
This is something new, but is something I’d soon get used to. I’ve never been a fan of glossy, glass backs – they’re absolute magnets for smudges and fingerprints, and makes the back of the phone look horrible.
I prefer the frosted glass approach, purely because it decreases the likelihood of smudges – and, also, it kind of makes it look like metal, especially like my iPhone 6S. Even though the ‘glasstic’ is essentially plastic, it feels like glass, but with the aesthetics (in my opinion) of both frosted glass, and metal. A not-so premium material, with a premium feel & aesthetic.
TechRadar’s article on glasstic suggests that public opinion is split: glasstic is great, but not on premium phones.
Partially, I agree: if you’re paying for a premium phone, then it should be made from more premium materials. The iPhone 12 series is a great example here: metal frame, glass back. Premium.
Personally, glasstic wouldn’t be too much of an issue, although I do like the look & feel of the iPhone 12. I think the only downside to this approach, is how authentic it is.
Remember the fiasco about the Pixel 5 being made of metal? As JerryRigEverything proved in his durability test & teardown video, it’s actually thick resin, with metal recessed down below it.
That’s how the Pixel 5 still manages to be capable of wireless charging – because it’s a ‘plastic’ phone. Therefore, all the marketing for the phone that suggests that it’s a metal phone, is a lie.
That’s what worries me about the Galaxy S21. It may have the feel and look of frosted glass, but how authentic is this glasstic going to be?
On the other hand, I know from my own personal experience that although glass feels more premium than plastic, I still prefer metal – like on my iPhone 6S. Metal feels even more premium than glass, although I’m aware that wireless charging is not possible through a metal back, so that’s why it’s glass or plastic.
The last ‘primary‘ phone I had that was plastic, was my HTC Desire Eye. It was the plastic feel of it that made me yearn for a more premium flagship phone, hence why I got a Galaxy S7.
Thing is, after 4 years of using glass-backed phones – Galaxy S7 and S9 Plus – I wouldn’t mind a return to plastic, or even glasstic. As long as the phone itself can offer some sort of premium experience, having a plastic or glasstic back isn’t something that would really bother me that much – although, as I said in my previous blog about the iPhone 12 series, I do love and prefer the chamfered metal edges & premium glass backs of the new iPhones.
Flat screen, or waterfall?
I’ve never had a problem on my S9 Plus with accidental touches, as per reviews of all devices with waterfall/edge displays, but recently I’ve become annoyed at the screen on my S9 Plus.
Especially in games, where buttons are placed near the top or bottom of the screen: it means pressing these is difficult, if damn near impossible.
This wasn’t a problem I encountered when I first got the phone, so maybe it’s something I initially liked but have come to dislike.
Also, I did prefer the flatter edges of my Galaxy S7, and I really love the way my iPhone 6S just sits in my hand. The screen is there when I need it, and there’s no awkward finger movements to get the phone to acknowledge my touches.
This could be a software issue on my S9 Plus, or a toggle for sensitivity which I haven’t enabled. But, I think generally it’s just the feel of the phone in my hands.
The ‘edge panel’ design is useful, but I’ve found that it makes the phone feel a lot wider and bigger than it actually is – and with the waterfall display, the sides of the phone are thinner, making it impossible to achieve that firm grip I’ve talked so much about.
Conclusion – of sorts
Because I’ve got so much to discuss about the Galaxy S21, I’ve decided to split this into multiple blog posts – so it’s not too much to read.
I’ll see you, in the next blog!
– Chris JK.
KPH tech blog 
Leave a comment