Samsung Galaxy S21 has begun production, report claims

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE only just launched
(Image credit: Samsung)

Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphones only launched earlier this year, the Galaxy S20 FE 'fan edition' smartphone (main photo) is barely a month old, and there's the matter of a global pandemic to contend with, a new report suggests that the production lines are rolling for the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones. 

The report, from German tech portal WinFuture, claims Samsung has kicked off mass production of the Galaxy S21 and that third-party manufacturers have been working on the smaller components since last week. These are apparently being sent on to Vietnam and South Korea to help production, according to the report. 

Production of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has also begun according to the exclusive from the Berlin-based news site, with the high-end variant "rolling off the assembly line in Vietnam since Wednesday". What of the Galaxy S21 Plus model? That's also underway, having "started a little later" in the week. 

The report follows a leak two weeks ago from @OnLeaks (aka reliable tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer), who posted CAD renders of what the device will look like, thus whetting our appetites and suggesting that the wheels are very much in motion regarding Samsung's newest flagship phone. 

Hemmerstoffer has since posted another render, this time of the "latest and updated Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera setup" – a quad camera configuration, which you can see below. 

As noted by CNet, the new WinFuture report – along with further updated images from our noted tipster – adds momentum to the idea that the Samsung Galaxy S21 phones could be with us as early as January. Watch this space... 

MORE: 

Read our advice on iPhone 11 vs Samsung Galaxy S20: which is better?

Peruse our Samsung Galaxy reviews

See our pick of the best smartphones

Becky has been a full-time staff writer at What Hi-Fi? since March 2019. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, she freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 20-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance is of course tethered to a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo, This is Cabaret and The Stage. When not writing, she dances, spins in the air, drinks coffee, watches football or surfs in Cornwall with her other half – a football writer whose talent knows no bounds. 

Read more
The Samsung Galaxy S25 range of smartphones standing in portrait on a display table.
Samsung Galaxy S25: price, launch date, screen specs and more
Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, S25 and S25 Ultra side by side
Samsung announces the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 Ultra featuring one of the best innovations from its 8K TVs
A crowd surrounding a table with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge display unit
Samsung announces a mysterious fourth version of the Galaxy S25 at Unpacked 2025
Galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs S24: what's new, and should you upgrade?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in hand
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs S24 Ultra: what’s new?
The Samsung Galaxy S25 held in front of a phone displaying other handsets in the S25 range. On screen is the home screen.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs iPhone 16: how do they compare?
Latest in Smartphones
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
iPhone 16 Plus smartphone
Got an old iPhone? We'll help you decide on how to upgrade
iPhone 16e in black and white on a white background
iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 10 VI: what are the differences?
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background
Apple officially unveils the affordable iPhone 16e complete with an OLED display and Dolby Atmos support
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position