South Korean technology company Samsung unveiled its latest 5G-enabled smartphones under the new Galaxy S21 series.
The S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra models come with bigger batteries, advanced computing, greater energy efficiency, improved cameras and enhanced privacy features.
The S21 Ultra will start from Dh4,899. The S21+ and S21 will start from Dh3,999 and Dh3,199, respectively.
The S21 series is the most “powerful and versatile” line-up so far, T M Roh, president and head of Samsung’s mobile communications business, said on Thursday.
“2020 was a year of change ... but through it all, technology kept us connected. In 2021, our top priority is to bring the benefit of technology to more people,” he said.
“From the ultimate experience of super-intelligent, industry-leading pro-grade camera and video capabilities ... to a core flagship experience ... we look forward to offering amazing experiences at a greater value to our consumers.”
With a 17.2-centimetre curved display, the S21 Ultra has four rear cameras: a wide-angle camera with a 108-megapixel lens, an ultra-wide 12-megapixel camera and two telephoto cameras with 10-megapixel lenses each. The front camera has a massive 40-megapixel lens.
Weighing 229 grams, the S21 Ultra is powered by a 5,000 milliampere-hour battery that promises enough power to last for more than a day. It can reach a 50 per cent charge in just 30 minutes, the company said.
Samsung is adding a stylus to the S21 Ultra – a first in the series. Users can either use an existing S Pen from a Note device or buy one separately.
The S21+ weighs 202 grams and has a 17-centimetre flat screen while the S21 weighs 171 grams and has a 15.7-centimetre display.
Both have three cameras on the back – a telephoto camera with a 64-megapixels lens, ultra-wide and wide-angle cameras with 12-megapixel lenses each and a front camera with a 10-megapixel lens.
The S21+ and S21 phones come with 4,800-milliampere-hour and 4,000-milliampere-hour batteries, respectively.
The models also offer larger memory and storage variants – 8 gigabytes of RAM and 128 gigabytes or 256 gigabytes of storage for the S21 and S21+ models.
The S21 Ultra has a RAM that is between 12 gigabytes and 16 gigabytes and storage options of 128 gigabytes, 256 gigabytes and 512 gigabytes.
Samsung expects to boost its first-quarter sales through an early distribution of the latest S21 series.
The company is already taking orders through its website. Those who place their orders will also receive complimentary Galaxy Buds, Samsung said.
As with American rival Apple, Samsung is also not shipping wired headphones and in-box chargers with the S21 series phones, citing sustainability reasons.
“We discovered that more and more Galaxy users are reusing accessories they already have ... making sustainable choices in their daily lives to promote better recycling habits,” said Patrick Chomet, Samsung’s executive vice president and head of customer experience.
The new phones also contain 5-nanometer processor technology that delivers a central processing unit that is 20 per cent faster, a graphics processing unit that is 35 per cent faster and an artificial intelligence framework that is twice as fast.
Ultra-wideband capabilities in the S21 Ultra and S21+ phones can also be used to unlock compatible car doors without the use of keys, the company said.
Samsung is in a battle for dominance in the global smartphone market with Apple and Chinese brand Huawei.
It led the industry with a market share of about 21 per cent market last year and produced 263 million handsets during the period, according to Taipei-based market intelligence company TrendForce.
It was followed by Apple, which produced 199 million handsets and had a market share of 16 per cent, and Huawei, with 170 million handsets and a market share of 14 per cent.
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
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Mobile phone packages comparison
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
