Samsung will unveil its new Galaxy S smartphones in two months. The official introduction is expected to take place on 18 February 2020. Just like this year, it concerns 3 models. The S11e becomes the cheapest and also the smallest model (6.3-inch screen). In addition, the Samsung Galaxy S11 is expected (6.7-inch) and as a top model, there is also a Plus variant (6.9-inch) in development. The screen sizes are considerably larger than before, for comparison the S10 has a 6.1-inch display.
The top segment is covered with the S11 models. It is already known that a 5G version of all three models will be released. 5G is the future and will also be rolled out in the Netherlands in 2020, so the first 5G phones are also expected in our country next year.
It will also be the first device in this telephone series that do not have a 3.5 mm connection. The headphone jack was also omitted from the Note 10, which was released in the second half of 2019.
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Updated screen with a smaller punch-hole camera
Just like with the Galaxy Note 10, the S11 will be equipped with a punch-hole camera that is placed in the middle. The Galaxy S10 has the selfie camera placed on the top right. The hole is slightly smaller, with the current models, there is a fairly wide black border visible around the camera system, making the punch-hole camera still very striking.
It is an Infinity-O screen. The new mobile phones get a Dynamic AMOLED screen with a Quad HD (QHD) resolution. This type of screen provides a rich color reproduction with good contrast. Naturally, Corning Gorilla Glass is used to make the display extra scratch-resistant.
The refresh rate is increased to 90Hz or 120Hz. For comparison, the current S10 models are equipped with a 60Hz screen. A high frame rate ensures that the screen is refreshed faster, which among other things makes a positive contribution to mobile gaming. Especially when playing first-person shooters, where every second can make the difference between winning or losing.
The new Galaxy smartphones will be equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor. It is an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that is placed behind the glass. By placing your finger on the display, the device will be unlocked in no time.
In addition, the new models are equipped with Face Unlock, so you can also unlock the smartphone by simply looking at it. Face detection is a less secure authentication method than the fingerprint scanner. Moreover, Face Unlock is less accurate, so you often have to enter a pattern or password.
Apart from the screen dimensions, the phones will also vary from one another when it comes to camera performance, RAM memory, and storage memory.
Better cameras with 5x optical zoom
Again a lot of attention is paid to the camera system. The cheapest model is probably equipped with a triple camera, consisting of a 64-megapixel main camera with 2x optical zoom, a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens.
The Galaxy S11 and the Plus model will probably have a five-fold camera (Penta camera). The main camera will probably be equipped with a 108-megapixel image sensor – which can also be found in the Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha.
Possibly this high-resolution sensor is only integrated into the top model of Samsung. In addition, both devices will be equipped with a 5x optical zoom lens – similar to the Oppo Reno 2. This zoom lens will also bring extra functionality, including a Space Zoom function.
A Bright Night camera sensor will also be integrated for the improved evening and night shots. It is expected that these two smartphone models also have a ToF (Time of Flight) camera. The distance to a specific object is determined using infrared.
This also makes it possible to take 3D photos. The ToF sensor will also come in handy with Augmented Reality applications. Finally, Samsung will add several new video functions, including a Single Take and Video Spin function.
Galaxy S11 Plus gets the largest battery ever in S-series smartphone
The use of a larger display and the addition of 5G support will also require a larger battery to guarantee the same battery life. The S11 Plus is equipped with the largest battery ever used in a Galaxy S-series smartphone, presumably, it is a 5,000 mAh battery. The standard model will probably receive a 4,500 mAh battery and the cheapest model will receive a 4,000 mAh battery.
Such battery capacities are already being used by Samsung in the M series. Earlier this year, the Galaxy M20 was released with a 5,000 mAh battery. The M30s even has a 6,000 mAh battery. Of course, fast charging will also be possible, although it is unclear how fast (number of Watts) charging will take place.
Wireless charging will also be possible, just like wireless charging in reverse. This last function makes it possible to charge other devices via your smartphone. This can be useful if you do not have a power outlet at hand and still want to charge your tablet or smartwatch.
Faster processor with more memory
In Europe and Korea, the new models will be powered by the Exynos 990 chipset. This 7nm processor with dual-core Gen 2 NPU was announced in October during the Samsung Tech Day 2019 event in Silicon Valley. In America the Snapdragon 865 will be used, this chipset will be used by more devices in 2020. Oppo, for example, recently announced the launch of the Find X2 in early 2020, which will also be equipped with this powerful chipset.
A lot is already known about the smartphone design. Such as the location of the punch hole camera, the screen size, and the camera system at the rear. Based on the available information, Jermaine Smit, better known online as Concept Creator, has made the following impressive video.
Samsung Galaxy S11 price & release
It is still unclear in which colors the new devices will appear. It is probably about the colors white, black, pink and blue. Over time, Samsung will make extra colors available, this strategy is being used more often by the Korean manufacturer.
We are still in the dark about the price, but there is a good chance that it will be somewhat comparable to the selling prices of the S10 series. The S10e received a starting price of € 750 at the start of this year, the suggested retail price for the S10 was € 900 and an additional € 100 was charged for the S10+. With a choice of 128 GB and 512 GB memory. The new models may also be made available as a 256 GB version.
The prices quoted are for a single device without a telephone subscription.
The Samsung Galaxy S11 series will be exhibited during the Mobile World Congress. MWC 2020 takes place from Monday 24 February to Thursday 27 February in Barcelona, Spain. The official introduction will take place a week earlier, on February 18.
It is quite possible that a new foldable smartphone from Samsung will be released at the same time as the new S-series models. The Galaxy Fold 2 is expected around the same period. This device receives a different form factor than the previous generation. It becomes a folding phone with an elongated screen. Another type of display is also used that is significantly more scratch-resistant; Ultra-Thin Glass instead of a plastic screen.
Optional accessories
Regarding the accessories, Samsung may also release new Galaxy Buds earbuds at the same time. With the S10 and S10 +, these earbuds were supplied free of charge during the pre-order period. With the cheap model, the S10e, the Galaxy Buds were not included. It is certainly not inconceivable that Samsung will set up a similar campaign for the two top models next year.
There will also be various optional accessories available for charging, such as the Wireless Charger Duo Pad and the Wireless Battery Pack, which can also be used for the S10.
Simultaneously with the S10, two new smartwatches were introduced, the Galaxy Watch Active and the Galaxy Fit. Halfway this year, the Watch Active 2 was unveiled with a rotating touch screen. The Fit 2 Pro was also released around the same period. Whether Samsung will present new smartwatches simultaneously with the S11 in the form of a Watch Active 3 and a Fit 3 (Pro) is as yet unknown, but certainly not unthinkable. Two more months of patience, then Samsung will reveal all the details itself.
