The Samsung Galaxy S21 is arguably one of the best phones of 2021, and a large part of that can be attributed to the $ 800 cheaper price tag. That makes it $ 200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20 when it launched.
Now the lesser-known smartphone brand Sirin Labs has launched the Sirin V3, which is literally the Galaxy S21 with security-focused additions and tweaks. The kicker, however, is that Sirin is charging $ 2,650 for the device. That’s enough for three standard Galaxy S21 or two Galaxy S21 Ultra. So what is the difference between the Sirin-optimized Galaxy S21 and the official model?
Sirin states in a press release that the renamed Galaxy S21 offers a personal and a work mode. The personal mode supposedly offers “complete user autonomy and strong basic security”. In the meantime, the Work Space mode offers “encrypted calling and messaging functions at military level, improved security on popular business communication platforms and end-to-end encrypted business applications and data”.
If all of this sounds very familiar to you, it’s because Sirin Labs has confirmed that the Sirin V3 security suite is based on Samsung Knox. Samsung’s own solution also offers home and work modes without a high price. But a representative from Sirin said Android authority that the price covers a three-year license fee for Knox, encrypted communications and an anonymous phone number.
Sirin does offer a few other software changes, however. Switch to Work Space mode and you can only use the pre-installed apps, while screenshots, voice recordings and some other features are also disabled. Personal mode is also subject to numerous restrictions, as users cannot switch to another keyboard app, enable developer options, or enable USB debugging.
That said, it’s worth noting that your standard Samsung phone (or any other reputable brand of phone) will be good enough for the majority of users out there. And those who really want a bit more peace and quiet but don’t want to spend a lot of money can opt for a variety of custom ROMs and / or purchase various security-focused apps and services.
