Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra

[Dave245]

Apple really needs to step up their game.

The thing with Apple is the ecosystem, for example having the iPhone and Apple Watch. Together they are killer and there is no other smart watch on the market that is as good (at the moment). Also simple things like iMessage, for example I was downstairs yesterday cooking dinner, i received an iMessage and it came up on both my iPad Pro and my Apple Watch, from there I was able to respond. Apple is killer at the ecosystem.

however the iPhone on its own is stale and boring now, I tried the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (sadly I had to return it due to bad battery life) and I loved it. Apple really need to step up with the iPhone.

 

[maka344]

The thing with Apple is the ecosystem, for example having the iPhone and Apple Watch. Together they are killer and there is no other smart watch on the market that is as good (at the moment). Also simple things like iMessage, for example I was downstairs yesterday cooking dinner, i received an iMessage and it came up on both my iPad Pro and my Apple Watch, from there I was able to respond. Apple is killer at the ecosystem.

however the iPhone on its own is stale and boring now, I tried the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (sadly I had to return it due to bad battery life) and I loved it. Apple really need to step up with the iPhone.

100% agree. I have to admit that I rely heavily on iMessage, especially when communicating with friends in the US as they simply don’t use WhatsApp.

Looking at my iPhone 12 Pro Max Home Screen vs my S21 Ultra, the iPhone just looks dated and dull. The S21U is a thing of beauty.

 

[Tulani]

This new One UI looks really clean also spot the S21 devices

This is just nice.

 

[The Game 161]

The thing with Apple is the ecosystem, for example having the iPhone and Apple Watch. Together they are killer and there is no other smart watch on the market that is as good (at the moment). Also simple things like iMessage, for example I was downstairs yesterday cooking dinner, i received an iMessage and it came up on both my iPad Pro and my Apple Watch, from there I was able to respond. Apple is killer at the ecosystem.

however the iPhone on its own is stale and boring now, I tried the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (sadly I had to return it due to bad battery life) and I loved it. Apple really need to step up with the iPhone.

I wouldn’t say it’s boring all phones pretty much do similar stuff. My android Home Screen is similar to my iphone Home Screen. A few apps but filled with widgets for most part.

theres certainly features which the iphone needs like 120hz for one to match android as its a joy for me on my iPad and android phone. I wouldn’t say iphone needs a lot of stuff just a few features here and there.

widgets I’m sure I’ll be updated on iOS 15 to allow to interact with widgets but not sure why that wasn’t a thing in iOS 14. I imagine though will still need developers to update it again so it’s a never ending cycle

I try and stay away from that awful app library as much as possible and just swipe down search for the app I need. That really was not thought out at all

I like how one ui 3.0 seems to have refined the s21 ultra so much better than past samsung phones

 

[Dave245]

This is interesting and it’s got me thinking

 

[Dave245]

I wouldn’t say it’s boring all phones pretty much do similar stuff. My android Home Screen is similar to my iphone Home Screen. A few apps but filled with widgets for most part.

theres certainly features which the iphone needs like 120hz for one to match android as its a joy for me on my iPad and android phone. I wouldn’t say iphone needs a lot of stuff just a few features here and there.

widgets I’m sure I’ll be updated on iOS 15 to allow to interact with widgets but not sure why that wasn’t a thing in iOS 14. I imagine though will still need developers to update it again so it’s a never ending cycle

I try and stay away from that awful app library as much as possible and just swipe down search for the app I need. That really was not thought out at all

I like how one ui 3.0 seems to have refined the s21 ultra so much better than past samsung phones

This is true. it may sound over exaggerated to say boring, but with Samsung there is a new look compared to my iPhone (that may be because i’m use to IOS) I was looking forward to iOS 14, then I found that I couldn’t resize the widgets, interact with them much or pretty much do anything. I would love for Apple to make a smaller Apple Pencil for the iPhone, however I fear they won’t because of taking the attention away from the iPad Pro.

I often find myself at a crossroads, because I own so much Apple stuff (seriously I have a lot of Apple products) if I change from my iPhone it feels like taking a chunk out of the jigsaw puzzle. I really liked the Note, but with my iPhone I have my Apple Watch, but if I buy a Galaxy Watch 3 or the possible upcoming 4, will it be as accurate for my exercise like running which I do everyday and track on my iPhone. Accuracy is important.

 

[drinkingtea]

This new One UI looks really clean also spot the S21 devices?

That's really nice. Too bad about the damn ads.

 

[SteveJUAE]

Also simple things like iMessage, for example I was downstairs yesterday cooking dinner, i received an iMessage and it came up on both my iPad Pro and my Apple Watch, from there I was able to respond. Apple is killer at the ecosystem.

In this respect Apple iPhone and watch is behind compared to functionality offered in Samsung - W10 and others combos in answering and receiving/sending message etc to photos to integration with your phone from your laptop and running apps remotely in a window

Even Apple are only just catching up with unlock your phone from your watch where Samsung have had this functionality much longer along with proximity settings or other BT triggers that lets your phone know it's in a safe zone

 

[Tulani]

This is true. it may sound over exaggerated to say boring, but with Samsung there is a new look compared to my iPhone (that may be because i’m use to IOS) I was looking forward to iOS 14, then I found that I couldn’t resize the widgets, interact with them much or pretty much do anything. I would love for Apple to make a smaller Apple Pencil for the iPhone, however I fear they won’t because of taking the attention away from the iPad Pro.

I often find myself at a crossroads, because I own so much Apple stuff (seriously I have a lot of Apple products) if I change from my iPhone it feels like taking a chunk out of the jigsaw puzzle. I really liked the Note, but with my iPhone I have my Apple Watch, but if I buy a Galaxy Watch 3 or the possible upcoming 4, will it be as accurate for my exercise like running which I do everyday and track on my iPhone. Accuracy is important.

there is a song by Queen called "i want to break free"
hint hint

 

[Zito Abroad]

That's really nice. Too bad about the damn ads.

The only place I see ads is on Samsung Pay. Which is totally fine, I'm buying something. I'm not navigating Samsung Pay where the ad is in the way of anything. I don't have ads anywhere else. The actually UI has no ads as well. So what ads are you referring to.

 

[drinkingtea]

The only place I see ads is on Samsung Pay. Which is totally fine, I'm buying something. I'm not navigating Samsung Pay where the ad is in the way of anything. I don't have ads anywhere else. The actually UI has no ads as well. So what ads are you referring to.

https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/ky2np7
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/l14e7c
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/krbwev

 

[mjschabow]

Ads suck but not one have I really noticed them nor have they taken away from my use experience.

 

[jamezr]

Ads suck but not one have I really noticed them nor have they taken away from my use experience.

Same here they kinda just blend into the background...kinda like the notch does after a while

 

[Dave245]

Ads I get on my Samsung QLED TV but I don’t really notice them.

 

[Tulani]

https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/ky2np7
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/l14e7c
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/krbwev

Reading the posts there seem to be a real case there then.
But some are saying they don’t have adverts.
Perhaps some feedback here also would give more clarity.
Carrier specific?
Region specific?
Only on Samsung apps?

 

[drinkingtea]

Reading the posts there seem to be a real case there then.
But some are saying they don’t have adverts.
Perhaps some feedback here also would give more clarity.
Carrier specific?
Region specific?
Only on Samsung apps?

I have no idea. But there's quite a few posts at r/Samsung about ads. Also, a notch and ads aren't the same thing--a notch isn't begging you to buy something. It's appalling that there is even one ad on a device that's that expensive.

 

[mjschabow]

I have no idea. But there's quite a few posts at r/Samsung about ads. Also, a notch and ads aren't the same thing--a notch isn't begging you to buy something. It's appalling that there is even one ad on a device that's that expensive.

I get it. I don't like the ads either. But for me, it wouldn't be the reason for not buying the phone.

 

[drinkingtea]

I get it. I don't like the ads either. But for me, it wouldn't be the reason for not buying the phone.

That’s fair. Even with the ads, the S21 is tempting.

 

[The Game 161]

This is true. it may sound over exaggerated to say boring, but with Samsung there is a new look compared to my iPhone (that may be because i’m use to IOS) I was looking forward to iOS 14, then I found that I couldn’t resize the widgets, interact with them much or pretty much do anything. I would love for Apple to make a smaller Apple Pencil for the iPhone, however I fear they won’t because of taking the attention away from the iPad Pro.

I often find myself at a crossroads, because I own so much Apple stuff (seriously I have a lot of Apple products) if I change from my iPhone it feels like taking a chunk out of the jigsaw puzzle. I really liked the Note, but with my iPhone I have my Apple Watch, but if I buy a Galaxy Watch 3 or the possible upcoming 4, will it be as accurate for my exercise like running which I do everyday and track on my iPhone. Accuracy is important.

It’s understandable though sometimes when you use the same OS all the time things can get boring even if dependable. When I got the note ultra it was because I was bored of the iPhone and wanted to try something different but as I had it I missed certain stuff which made me realise having a super exciting phone is great until you miss the stuff that works the best

So I think it’s good for people to try different phones to see what works best for that user.

Android has always had more features and specs so it’s worth trying but also there’s a reason why people are ok waiting for those features to come to IOS as those users know IOS simply works well even if it slow adding features

The galaxy watch 3 was solid but for me is just not a comparison for the Apple Watch and that’s a big reason for me returning to iPhone last year. Fitness accuracy for me wasn’t great on the galaxy watch. Apple Watch seemed more dependable and as stupid as it sounds the apple closing rings does work and is great

I think the ideal world is get both iPhone and an android phone but for most that’s not realistic but it’s the best way to enjoy both and see the view from both sides

 

[The Game 161]

That's really nice. Too bad about the damn ads.

Is this a US thing? Never noticed ads on my android devices

 

[mjschabow]

I think the ideal world is get both iPhone and an android phone but for most that’s not realistic but it’s the best way to enjoy both and see the view from both sides

This is a great point. I have an iPhone 11 for work, and I decided that when I get the iOS itch, I'll just put my S21 Ultra on the charger and use the iPhone for social media, web browsing, etc.

 

[Zito Abroad]

https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/ky2np7
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/l14e7c
https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/krbwev

I don't have these ads except for samsung health, which are ads for Samsung's product and services. Again, not even close to being a deal breaker, even if they were ads for other things. And these aren't apps you need to be using as well. The actual Ui is clean, smooth, and ad free.

 

[The Game 161]

This is a great point. I have an iPhone 11 for work, and I decided that when I get the iOS itch, I'll just put my S21 Ultra on the charger and use the iPhone for social media, web browsing, etc.

Yeah works well I say

Guessing you will keep the ultra? Seems like Samsung finally got it right with this device

 

[mjschabow]

Yeah works well I say

Guessing you will keep the ultra? Seems like Samsung finally got it right with this device

Yeah most likely will. Apple did really tempt me with the whole "Unlock with Apple Watch" yesterday and I definitely miss certain things about the Apple ecosystem, so there will definitely be an internal struggle for a while. But I'm doing my best. Helps that this device is flawless.

 

[mtenuta]

Yeah most likely will. Apple did really tempt me with the whole "Unlock with Apple Watch" yesterday and I definitely miss certain things about the Apple ecosystem, so there will definitely be an internal struggle for a while. But I'm doing my best. Helps that this device is flawless.

I'm in the same boat as you I have the 21 ultra buds pro and tab s7. 12 pro max aw and air pods pro. And Im having a hard time deciding.