The next Samsung Unpacked event, where we assume the Galaxy S21 will be revealed, is set for 10 a.m. ET on January 14.
The company's tag line for the event is "Welcome to the Everyday Epic." It comes about a month earlier than the usual Galaxy announcement. Traditionally, new Galaxy phones appear around the time of Mobile World Congress in late February. But this year, MWC isn't happening in February, and overall slow sales for the S20 series (except the low-cost S20 FE) may have caused Samsung to move on more quickly than usual.
Our S21 rumor roundup has most of the details on the new phones. We anticipate there will be three models—the S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra—just like with the S20. In the US, they'll use the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. They'll eschew last year's troubled 108-megapixel cameras for more reliable 64-megapixel shooters.
The S21 series will be the first S-phones to support Samsung's S Pen, according to rumors, although they won't have a special S Pen slot like the Note series does.
In our COVID-stressed time, though, the thing I'll most be looking at is the price. The S20 series came in way too high for 2020: at prices up to $1,500, they had to immediately be discounted, and even so did not sell all that well. Our rumor report says the new models will range from $849 to $1,249, a drop of $150-$250 over last year's phones.
The 'Everyday Epic'
So what the heck does the "Everyday Epic" mean?
Samsung, like other manufacturers, likes to play games by teasing features of its new devices through event titles and invites. My first thought is that the S21 event will focus on filmmaking capabilities—turning your locked-down life into an "everyday epic."
But the phrase isn't fresh or related to Samsung. Search for it on Google, and you'll find a lot of inspirational glurge and even a 1966 review of a Simone de Beauvoir book. So "everyday epic" may not be something specific here—it may be a generic phrase that Samsung marketers thought sounded good. In any case, we'll find out very soon.
On the 14th, you will be able to watch the live stream on Samsung's website.