Apple is not a company famous for its 'low priced products'. The iPhone X was the first smartphone worth over $1,000, and last month launched an AirPods for $549. Even the charger sells for $129, which isn't cheap.
But the direction of the phone is a little different. The highest price of the iPhone 12 is $1,399, but you can purchase a product with a 5G and OLED display at a more economical price. Compared to 2020's flagship product line, the iPhone 12 is below the average price of a premium Android smartphone.
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However, with the release of the Galaxy S21, Samsung seems to have realized this part. In the past few years, to make the gap with the iPhone, all the features and the best specifications were put into the flagship smartphone, but the price was matched to the level of the iPhone 12 and the S21 was transformed into the center of the mid-to low-end product line.
Last year's Galaxy S20's lowest-priced model started at $1,000, offering a variety of high-end features that the iPhone 11 couldn't get. 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 120Hz Quad HD+ display, triple camera, microSD storage, and more.
It's not to say that the Galaxy S21 is not a high-end Android smartphone, but like the iPhone 12, it has a 'commercial point' that can add value without sacrificing experience. There's a reason Apple doesn't list specifications for RAM, battery capacity, clock speed, etc. Because it is unnecessary. Apple has no reason to "surprise" users with specs. Instead, it strives to provide the best experience with the fewest parts.
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Galaxy S21
- Display: 6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Infinity-O display (2400 × 1080), 421ppi, 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 4,000mAh
Galaxy S20
- Display: 6.2-inch Edge Quad HD+ Infinity-O display (3200x1440), 563ppi, 120Hz
- Processor: Snapdragon 865
- RAM: 12 GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Battery: 4,000mAh
Aside from the storage and battery, the S21 looks like a 'downgrade' to the S20. It has less RAM and has a lower resolution. And instead of the glass material of the S20, it used plastic material.
However, S21 should not be judged as a specification. Samsung finally realized that the spec race was meaningless. They made cell phones that would provide 'value' rather than 'shame'. Some people will complain that they don't have the highest specs, but most probably don't know if the resolution is down or the RAM is down.
To be really honest, you may not even know that plastic materials were used. What people pay attention to is that it's $200 cheaper than last year's model, and for the first time it's cheaper than last year. It will also be noted that the S21 looks the same as the S21+ and S21 Ultra, has the same processor or software, and allows you to take equally great pictures.
There is one more thing Samsung is following Apple: the camera. Instead of increasing the number of camera pixels or adding a lens, we kept the same triple camera as the S20 and improved the two most important areas: portrait and low-light photography.
The $800 Galaxy S21 is Android's answer to the iPhone 12. Compared to the Pixel 5, OnePlus 8T, and Galaxy S20 FE, the Galaxy S21 offers a premium Galaxy experience at a surprisingly affordable price. The image of 'high-tech' was discarded, but little was sacrificed for what people needed.
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And, like the iPhone 12 Pro Max, there is the Galaxy S21 Ultra for consumers who want the 'best' product. It features a quad HD+ 6.8-inch display, 12GB or 16GB RAM, and S Pen support. But for the public, especially considering the price of less than $700, the S21 will suffice.
Existing Samsung Galaxy S phones have always been the 'best' products of the year, but there were questions about whether they were worth it. Perhaps the S21 will change this situation in a good way. By imitating the strategy Apple showed in the iPhone 12, Samsung will provide 'value' that provides a premium look and performance at an affordable price.
Everyone knows that Samsung has been trying to imitate Apple's success over the years. And 11 years later this year, it seems that Samsung has finally found something that works.
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