Galaxy S21 prices make this Samsung’s most inclusive line-up in years

Opinion from

Robert Triggs

$ 200. That’s how much cheaper the new $ 799 Samsung Galaxy S21 is than the 2020 $ 999 Galaxy S20. In fact, the swanky new flagship costs just $ 50 more than the 2019 Galaxy S10e value proposition and just $ 100 -Dollars more than last year’s affordable flagship – – the Galaxy S20 FE. It’s an amazing announcement from a company that has pushed phone prices well above the $ 1,000 mark in the past few years, making them out of reach for most consumers. Finally, Samsung’s flagships are included again.

Of course, $ 799 is still far from an affordable mainstream price tag, but Samsung is eventually selling a premium product. It is important that the entry-level model is a full-fledged Galaxy S flagship. It is not a cutdown variant “e” or “FE”. Customers will continue to get the full triple camera, 120 Hz display, 5G, and wireless charging that previously cost $ 1,000. In reality, we’re talking about a return to Samsung’s 2018 pricing strategy for a 2021 flagship smartphone. That is a very appealing prospect.

With prices ranging from $ 799 to $ 1,379, the Samsung Galaxy S21 has something for almost everyone.

Of course, Samsung made some compromises because of the lower price. The basic model opts for a “glass table” cover instead of full glass. The phone doesn’t offer much in terms of new cameras or other feature improvements compared to the Galaxy S20 series either. Still, these are compromises for a much lower price. Samsung hasn’t left its premium customers either. The $ 1,199 Galaxy S21 Ultra, which includes the latest and greatest technology from Samsung, remains the go-to choice for the smaller enthusiast market.

A closer look: How the price of the Samsung Galaxy S series has changed

And that’s the bottom line: $ 1,000 ultra flagships are a niche market. They are a technological showcase for enthusiasts and journalists. However, it is the cheaper models like the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus that always appeal to consumers in the mass market and ship in large quantities. Breaking away from the high-end obsession isn’t easy, but it’s definitely the right call for Samsung’s latest product launch. Eagle-eyed market watchers may have seen the signs that this trend started last year.

The Galaxy S21’s $ 799 receipt is a reasonable return after two years of 5G inflation.

The reader interest, critical acclaim, and commercial success of some of the cheaper smartphones of 2020 have highlighted the growing niche in the market for affordable mainstream products. Just look at the reception of the Apple iPhone SE, the Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE compared to the premium models Max and Ultra. It was unlikely that business models based on flagships valued at over $ 1,000 would be successful in the long term. As a result, Samsung’s sales have plummeted, especially as the must-have 5G experiences weren’t implemented in the first few years. In a way, the Galaxy S21’s $ 799 receipt is a reasonable return after two years of 5G inflation.

More comments: Samsung Galaxy S sales are low and that could be okay

As we’ve seen with other brands, there’s a delicate balancing act between pricing and cutting the right corners. Samsung never really managed to do this with its flagship S or Note portfolios, which gave the “flagship killers” room to flourish. The Galaxy S10e and S20 FE showed increasing proficiency in these areas, but the Galaxy S21 finally found a broad approach to pricing that was missing.

There will be some to blame the Galaxy S21 range for being too safe, too boring, and not enough of an upgrade from last year. However, we’ve previously heard complaints that the Galaxy S range offers no value compared to the OnePlus and Xiaomi, so you can’t please everyone. Technology changes in phases of rapid development. We have seen this in the last 5G and multi-camera arms race, followed by a quieter period where value re-emerges.

With the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung has found the ideal prices for its flagship smartphones. The $ 799 Galaxy S21 strikes the right balance between specs and affordability. The $ 999 S21 Plus offers a little more for the high-end audience, and the $ 1,199 S21 Ultra is the extremely expensive showcase model. There is something for everybody. Whether Samsung is finally listening to feedback or just a passing response to the current global economy, the Galaxy S range has never been more accessible. As a result, I suspect that this year’s start will be quite well received.

Next: Samsung Galaxy S21 Series First Impressions: Cheaper and Better?