Samsung held its first Galaxy Unpacked event of the year, on January 22 in San Jose, California. 

The occasion offered a perfect opportunity to reflect on how the Galaxy S Series has evolved over the past five years, setting new standards in the mobile industry and transforming the way we interact with technology.

2020: Galaxy S20, the Leap to 5G

The Galaxy S20 marked the start of a new decade with groundbreaking innovations. It was the first series to feature 5G across all models, ushering in a new era of connectivity. The series introduced a stunning 108MP camera in the Ultra model, along with the revolutionary 100x Space Zoom, enabling users to capture details at unprecedented distances. 

The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate transformed the visual experience, offering unparalleled smoothness in every interaction. This advancement not only enhanced gaming experiences but also set a new standard for smartphone displays.  

2021: Galaxy S21, Refining Excellence

The Galaxy S21 arrived with a distinctive design, seamlessly integrating the camera module into the device’s frame to create the “Contour Cut Camera.” This series featured a powerful 5nm processor, significantly improving performance and energy efficiency.  

One standout innovation was Director’s View, which revolutionized video recording by allowing users to switch between different lenses while filming. Additionally, the S21 Ultra became the first Galaxy S model to support the S Pen, merging the best features of the Note and S series.  

2022: Galaxy S22, The Night is Yours 

The Galaxy S22 stood out for its groundbreaking Nightography technology, which redefined smartphone nighttime photography. The series included larger sensors and advanced AI processing to capture sharp images even in low-light conditions.  

The S22 Ultra solidified its fusion with the Note series by incorporating the S Pen directly into the device. Durability also advanced with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and an Armor Aluminum frame, while the 4nm processor set new benchmarks for performance. 

2023: Galaxy S23, Power and Sustainability 

The Galaxy S23 series debuted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor customized for Galaxy, delivering exceptional performance and improved energy efficiency. Enhancements in nighttime photography continued, with a new image-processing algorithm and upgraded video capabilities.  

Samsung also reinforced its commitment to sustainability by incorporating more recycled materials into the devices, including recycled glass and plastics, as well as components recovered from discarded fishing nets.  

2024: Galaxy S24, The Era of Mobile AI 

The Galaxy S24 marked the beginning of a new era with Galaxy AI, seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence into the user experience. Revolutionary features such as live translation for calls and messages, along with AI-enhanced image processing, transformed how we interact with our devices.  

The series set new standards for performance and energy efficiency, while its camera capabilities reached new heights thanks to generative AI and advanced computational processing.  

The Future: Galaxy Unpacked 2025

At the  Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, Samsung took the mobile innovation to the next level. Here it showcased significant advancements in mobile AI, enhanced computational photography, and new ways to interact with devices.

The evolution of the Galaxy S Series over the past five years underscores Samsung’s unwavering commitment to innovation and its vision for a future where mobile technology is not only more powerful but also more intuitive and user-centric. The next chapter in this story promises to be even more exciting as Samsung continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile technology.