Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S Smartphones: A Comprehensive Review

The Samsung Galaxy S series has been a powerhouse in the smartphone market for years, with each new model bringing significant upgrades and improvements.

The first Galaxy S model was released in 2010, featuring a 4-inch Super AMOLED display and a 5MP camera.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy S series is its camera capabilities, which have consistently improved with each new release.

The Galaxy S III, released in 2012, boasted an 8MP camera and a 4.8-inch display, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor.

You might enjoy: Samsung Galaxy S5 Cell Phone New

The Samsung Galaxy S series is known for its impressive lineup of smartphones, each with its own unique features and specifications. One of the most notable differences between the models is their display size, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra boasting a massive 6.8-inch screen.

The Galaxy S21 series is powered by either the Exynos 2100 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, depending on the region. The Exynos variant features an 8-core CPU with a 2.9 GHz clock speed, while the Snapdragon variant has an 8-core CPU with a 2.84 GHz clock speed.

Readers also liked: Galaxy S21 Phone

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 108MP main sensor, which is a significant upgrade from the 12MP sensor found in the Galaxy S21. The Ultra also features two telephoto zoom sensors, one with a 3x zoom and the other with a 10x zoom, making it ideal for capturing high-quality images at longer ranges.

The Galaxy S21 series has a range of storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models. However, it's worth noting that none of the new phones from Samsung feature a microSD card slot, a feature that was previously available in the Galaxy S6 series.

Here's a comparison of the display sizes of the different Galaxy S models:

The Galaxy S21 series also features advanced camera capabilities, including 4320p video recording and a range of camera modes. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, in particular, is a great option for those who want to capture high-quality images and videos.

Unless you have deep pockets, upgrading from the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE to a new Galaxy S21 might not be the best idea, especially since the FE model was released in September 2020.

The Galaxy S20 FE keeps its price down with a glasstic black chassis and Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which are worthwhile trade-offs for the lower price tag. The FE model also has a 4G-only version, but it's not worth selling the device to move to 5G just yet.

The low $799 price tag of the Galaxy S21 has eaten into the Galaxy S20 FE's $699 value proposition, but the FE model is still an excellent handset that owners shouldn't be in a hurry to replace. It was our 2020 Editor's Choice award winner for a reason.

Intriguing read: Samsung Galaxy S20

Upgrading to a new Samsung Galaxy phone can be a daunting task, especially if you're not sure if it's worth it. Unless you have deep pockets, upgrading from the Galaxy S20 FE to a Galaxy S21 might not be the best idea, as the S20 FE was released just last year.

Recommended read: S22 Fe

The Galaxy S20 FE keeps its price down with a glasstic black chassis, which is the same as the Galaxy S21. You'll need to spend more for a full glass back, and the FE model has Gorilla Glass 3 protection rather than Gorilla Glass Victus.

There's also a 4G-only version of the FE, but it's not worth selling your device to move to 5G. The 8MP telephoto lens on the FE is a slight difference from the 64MP lens on the Galaxy S21, but it's not worth buying a whole new phone for.

If you're considering upgrading from the Galaxy S20 to a Galaxy S21, you might not need to. The formula hasn't changed much from the previous generation, and both ranges offer a 120Hz display, 5G support, and similar extras.

If you're an Exynos Galaxy S20 owner, you might see improved performance and battery life with the Galaxy S21, but more research is needed before making a decision.

If you're a Galaxy S20 Ultra owner, you'll incur some downgrades moving to a Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus, including less impressive cameras and charging speeds.

Here's a quick comparison of the Galaxy S series:

In general, it's not worth upgrading to a new Samsung Galaxy phone unless you're looking for the absolute latest and greatest tech.

User reviews can give you a good idea of how a phone performs in real life. Many users have shared their experiences with Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S III and Galaxy S II.

Jan Badertscher, for example, reported using a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in Europe, suggesting that you set the name to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (SM-N910F) for the device.

Some users have also commented on the overall quality of Samsung phones. Franco, for instance, gave the Samsung Galaxy S II a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "great".

Here are some user reviews and comments to consider:

If you're considering upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S21, it's essential to weigh the benefits against your current device's capabilities.

Upgrading from a 2017 flagship model is a no-brainer, as the Galaxy S21 offers significantly faster performance and charging capabilities.

However, if you're still using a 2018 Samsung Galaxy S9, you might not need to upgrade just yet, as it remains a functional handset despite its slightly older software.

The Galaxy S21's new design and faster performance might not be enough to convince Galaxy S10 customers to upgrade, especially if they're happy with their current device.

For power users, the introduction of S Pen support and the revamped camera capabilities of the Galaxy S21 Ultra are compelling reasons to consider an upgrade.

The Galaxy S smartphones have come a long way in terms of software and features. The first Galaxy S launched with Android 2.1 Eclair, featuring Samsung's TouchWiz UI, which offered basic smartphone functionalities.

The Galaxy S II took a significant leap forward, shipping with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and introducing features like NFC support and improved multitasking. This made it easier to use multiple apps at the same time.

The Galaxy S III debuted with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, incorporating innovative features like Smart Stay, Direct Call, and S Voice, which enhanced user interaction.

Suggestion: Black Shark 4

The display on Samsung's Galaxy series has undergone significant improvements over the years.

The first Galaxy S had a 4.0-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 480×800 pixels.

This was a great starting point, but the Galaxy S II took it up a notch with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus display.

The Galaxy S III then boasted a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD display at 720×1280 pixels.

This larger display delivered sharper images and a more immersive viewing experience.

If this caught your attention, see: Fairphone 4

The Galaxy S series has come a long way in terms of performance and hardware.

Powered by a 1 GHz Cortex-A8 processor and 512 MB of RAM, the original Galaxy S is suitable for basic tasks and early Android applications.

The Galaxy S II introduced a significant boost with its dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and 1 GB of RAM, making multitasking and overall performance much better.

A quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 processor and 1 GB of RAM in the Galaxy S III allowed for handling demanding applications and multitasking with ease.

These upgrades demonstrate the series' focus on improving performance and hardware capabilities with each new model.

Suggestion: Fairphone 1

The camera capabilities of the Galaxy series have come a long way. The original Galaxy S was equipped with a 5 MP rear camera capable of 720p video recording and a VGA front camera for basic selfies.

As the series progressed, the Galaxy S II was upgraded to an 8 MP rear camera with 1080p video recording, a significant improvement over the previous model. This allowed for higher quality photos and videos.

The Galaxy S III maintained the 8 MP rear camera but introduced features like burst shot and best photo selection, making it easier to capture the perfect shot. The 1.9 MP front camera also supported HD video calls, making video chatting a breeze.

The battery life of a device is a crucial aspect to consider, especially if you're someone who's always on the go. The Galaxy S series has seen improvements in this area over the years.

The original Galaxy S came with a 1,500 mAh battery, which offered moderate usage time. This was decent for its time, but it's not surprising that it didn't last as long as we'd like.

The Galaxy S II had a slightly increased battery capacity of 1,650 mAh, providing better endurance due to hardware optimizations. This was a welcome improvement, but it still wasn't enough for heavy users.

The Galaxy S III took a significant leap forward with a 2,100 mAh battery, which was substantial enough to accommodate the larger display and more powerful processor. This resulted in improved battery life, making it a great option for those who need a device that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

Related reading: Samsung S25 Ultra Battery Mah

The Galaxy S series has come a long way in terms of software and features.

Launched with Android 2.1 Eclair, the original Galaxy S offered basic smartphone functionalities.

The Galaxy S II shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, which introduced features like NFC support and improved multitasking.

This meant users could make payments and transfer data with just a tap of their phone.

The Galaxy S III debuted with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, incorporating innovative features like Smart Stay, Direct Call, and S Voice.

These features enhanced user interaction, making it easier to stay connected and get things done.

Related reading: Is the Samsung Galaxy Phone an Android