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## Introduction The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been hailed as one of the most successful Android-powered smartphone lineups in the market. Since its inception in 2010, the Galaxy S series has seen remarkable evolution and innovation, solidifying Samsung's position as a leading smartphone manufacturer. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history of the Samsung Galaxy S series, exploring each iteration and highlighting the key features and advancements that have made these devices so popular among consumers.
Galaxy S (2010)
The very first Samsung Galaxy S, released in June 2010, marked the beginning of a new era for Samsung in the smartphone industry. With its large 4-inch Super AMOLED display, 1GHz Hummingbird chipset, and sleek design, the Galaxy S quickly became a best-seller, selling over 20 million units worldwide. Despite some minor issues, the Galaxy S was widely regarded as one of the best Android phones of its time.
Galaxy S II (2011)
Building on the success of its predecessor, the Galaxy S II was released in April 2011 and surpassed all expectations. It took Samsung just 55 days to sell over 3 million units worldwide, cementing its position as a dominant player in the smartphone market. The Galaxy S II introduced significant improvements, including a slimmer profile, a speedier processor, and an enhanced Super AMOLED display. While its design received some criticism, the Galaxy S II was recognized as the "Smartphone of the Year" at MWC 2012.
Galaxy S III (2012)
With high expectations from consumers and industry experts, the Galaxy S III was released in May 2012. Although its "nature-inspired" plastic design fell short of some expectations, the Galaxy S III made up for it with its powerful hardware and exceptional user experience. Featuring a gorgeous display, super-fluid performance, and a refined TouchWiz UI, the Galaxy S III solidified Samsung's position as a leader in the Android market.
Galaxy S4 (2013)
In April 2013, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S4, a phone that improved upon its predecessor in almost every aspect. The Galaxy S4 featured a larger display, a faster processor, an improved camera, and a more feature-rich TouchWiz UI. While the upgrade from the Galaxy S III may not have been compelling for existing owners, the Galaxy S4 was regarded as one of the best phones of its time, particularly for new users jumping on the Galaxy bandwagon.
Galaxy S5 (2014)
March 2014 saw the release of the Galaxy S5, which introduced notable advancements in both hardware and software. The Galaxy S5 was the first Samsung flagship to be water- and dust-resistant, borrowing these features from the S4 Active. Despite criticisms of its design, the Galaxy S5 impressed with its useful hardware and software features. Samsung also made improvements to its TouchWiz UI, toning down gimmicky functionalities.
Galaxy S6 & S6 edge (2015)
Samsung raised the bar once again with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, released in April 2015. These devices marked a significant shift in design, featuring a combination of glass and metal that gave them a premium and eye-catching look. The Galaxy S6 introduced a Quad HD display, a powerful processor, and a refined TouchWiz UI. The S6 edge, in particular, stood out with its dual curved display, a first for Samsung and the industry as a whole.
Galaxy S7 & S7 edge (2016)
In March 2016, Samsung released the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, building upon the success of the S6 series. These devices retained the popular design elements of their predecessors while introducing improvements in the camera department. The S7 series was the first to adopt Dual Pixel autofocus technology, which greatly enhanced the camera's speed and low-light performance. Samsung also brought back water resistance and expandable storage, addressing criticisms from the S6 series.
Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus (2017)
The Galaxy S8 series, released in April 2017, marked a significant design shift for Samsung. These devices featured slim bezels and a larger display, thanks to the removal of the physical home button. Samsung also introduced its virtual assistant, Bixby, although it did not gain widespread popularity. The S8 series was powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and impressed with its sleek design and top-notch user experience.
Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus (2018)
Released in March 2018, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus brought improvements to the camera system with a dual aperture that promised better low-light photography. These devices were powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor (Exynos 9810 in international versions) and offered ample RAM and storage options. Samsung also addressed the fingerprint sensor placement issue from the S8 series, making it more accessible. The S9 series maintained the sleek design of its predecessors while delivering enhanced performance.
Galaxy S10e, S10, and S10 Plus (2019)
For the first time in the Galaxy S series, Samsung introduced three flagship phones in March 2019: the compact Galaxy S10, the large Galaxy S10 Plus, and the super compact Galaxy S10e. These devices featured a punch-hole design that significantly reduced bezels. The S10 series shared the powerful Snapdragon 855 processor, offered ample storage and RAM options, and retained features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot.
Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, and S20 Ultra (2020)
The Galaxy S20 series, released in March 2020, focused on improved cameras and 5G connectivity. The S20 Ultra stood out with its impressive camera system, including a massive 108-megapixel main sensor and a periscope lens allowing for up to 100X zoom. All three devices featured large batteries and were powered by the Snapdragon 865 processor (Exynos 990 in most regions). Samsung removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the S20 series, aligning with industry trends.
Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra (2021)
In January 2021, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S21 series, consisting of the compact S21, the larger S21 Plus, and the feature-packed S21 Ultra. These devices shared the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor (Exynos 2100 outside the US) and supported 120Hz refresh rates. The S21 Ultra boasted an advanced camera setup, including a 108-megapixel main sensor and multiple telephoto lenses for impressive zoom capabilities. Samsung made the decision to remove the charger from the box, following industry trends.
Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra (2022)
In February 2022, Samsung released the Galaxy S22 series, featuring a change in aspect ratio and the inclusion of an S Pen in the S22 Ultra. The S22 Ultra retained the quad-camera setup with improved features, while the S22 and S22 Plus offered a refined user experience. Despite a smaller size and battery capacity compared to its predecessor, the S22 impressed with its camera enhancements and longer software updates.
Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra (2023)
Released in February 2023, the Galaxy S23 series marked a significant change for Samsung, as it switched to Qualcomm Snapdragon chips for the international versions. The S23 series introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, delivering faster speeds, improved battery life, and camera enhancements. While some international customers experienced a price hike, the S23 series garnered positive reviews and solidified Samsung's reputation for producing refined flagship devices.
Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra (Expected 2024)
Expected to be released in early 2024, the Galaxy S24 series is highly anticipated. While specific details are not yet available, it is expected to feature a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, further improvements in battery life, and advancements in camera technology. Samsung continues to push the boundaries of smartphone innovation, and the Galaxy S24 series is poised to deliver another exceptional flagship experience.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S series has come a long way since its inception in 2010. With each iteration, Samsung has consistently delivered devices that push the boundaries of what is possible in a smartphone. From the early successes of the Galaxy S and S II to the groundbreaking innovations of the S21 Ultra, the Galaxy S series has solidified Samsung's position as a leader in the Android market. As we eagerly await the release of the Galaxy S24 series, it is clear that Samsung's commitment to innovation and user experience remains as strong as ever.