Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra

[Zito Abroad]

I’m interested to see what people have done with their home screens - specifically where you’re coming from an iPhone.

I go full minimal. I get rid of the status bar, the navigation bar, and I get rid of all the folder and icon labels. It just looks so much cleaner. I also like having my front page with my most used apps in folders, and I place them low on the display. This serves functionality much better for me, as the bottom of the display is the most accessible with one hand. And I also have the folders set up to open right where the folders are, instead of opening full screen. I can never go back to anything I can't customize to my use case.

 

[Ludatyk]

I go full minimal.

Nice set up. I like to remove as much from the status bar as well, but yeah.. you right, you went full minimal. So, no custom Launcher?

 

[Zito Abroad]

Nice set up. I like to remove as much from the status bar as well, but yeah.. you right, you went full minimal. So, no custom Launcher?

That's all done through One UI and Samsung's Good Lock. No third party Launcher. Honestly, it truly is amazing how much control Samsung gives the user with Good Lock. I've now even switched over to Samsung's keyboard because of the Keys Cafe module in Good Lock. I can't look at a homescreen with labels now. Give it a try, and after a week, turn the labels back on. You'll see how cluttered your homescreen looks with icon labels.

Edit: Also forgot to mention the lockscreen. Same minimal layout. Changed the clock/date format and moved it to the upper left with notifications just below it. Then got rid of shortcuts.

 

[Mellofello808]

I’m interested to see what people have done with their home screens - specifically where you’re coming from an iPhone.

It is nice to be free of ios constraints

You can also do motion wallpaper as well. //cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6025f264c195c/Screen_Recording_20210211-171226_Nova Launcher.mp4

 

[jamezr]

Battery life has been spectacular!
Loving the S21 Ultra. Love the rounded edges and corners. Ergonomically one of my favorite phones to hold and use.

 

[Healer Flame]

Loving the S21 Ultra.

Increasingly drifting towards s21U from N20U 😻

 

[Mellofello808]

Digging this case I got on amazon.

Probably not my final daily driver, but it is a good feeling to have the camera protected.

Wish it was slightly more raised in the front tho.

 

[yui4]

It is nice to be free of ios constraints

You can also do motion wallpaper as well. //cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6025f264c195c/Screen_Recording_20210211-171226_Nova Launcher.mp4

Guaranteed if that was my set up, it would take several goes to hit the correct app!

 

[Mellofello808]

Guaranteed if that was my set up, it would take several goes to hit the correct app!

Not really. I don't have any issues.

The touch response is very accurate.

 

[Boham_CY]

New update out for Exynos users

 

[yui4]

New update out for Exynos users

Just got it now. 2nd update in february

 

[jamezr]

Increasingly drifting towards s21U from N20U 😻

I came from the Note 20 Ultra...gotta say this has been a great transition for me.
I have the S21 Ultra S-Pen coming today.Not a big S-Pen user but it will be nice to have.
The FPS has to be the fastest I've ever used on a smartphone.

 

[mjschabow]

I came from the Note 20 Ultra...gotta say this has been a great transition for me.
I have the S21 Ultra S-Pen coming today.Not a big S-Pen user but it will be nice to have.
The FPS has to be the fastest I've ever used on a smartphone.

Agreed. I even had to comment on Flossy's review that he was wrong when he said "don't upgrade from the Note 20 Ultra. Between the FPS and noticeable camera improvements, this was worth the $400 after trade in.

 

[LukinLedbetter]

I'm taking advantage of Best Buy's $200 off on the Ultra and picking one up today. Not looking to replace my 12PM, just want to have an Android phone again. It's been a year or so

 

[kkh786]

New update out for Exynos users

This release has sorted my Bluetooth range issues with the Galaxy Watch3!

I believe this is the 5th update for the Exynos Ultra since official launch!

Well done to Samsung for the quick fixes.

 

[Boham_CY]

This release has sorted my Bluetooth range issues with the Galaxy Watch3!

I believe this is the 5th update for the Exynos Ultra since official launch!

Well done to Samsung for the quick fixes.

I thought that was just me!
I noticed over the last few days my watch would drop connection just by going into the next room

 

[noobinator]

is anyone using 3rd party screen protectors? Curious how your FP sensor is doing? Mine is junk and I'm still debating removing it. I'm mainly at home on smart lock so it's not a huge issue but annoying for sure.

and a side question for @GrumpyMom , is the ultra better than your pro max so far on your eyes? And did you try a 12 pro (non max) at all this year? That one really messed me up but wondering if the max might be different.

 

[5105973]

is anyone using 3rd party screen protectors? Curious how your FP sensor is doing? Mine is junk and I'm still debating removing it. I'm mainly at home on smart lock so it's not a huge issue but annoying for sure.

and a side question for @GrumpyMom , is the ultra better than your pro max so far on your eyes? And did you try a 12 pro (non max) at all this year? That one really messed me up but wondering if the max might be different.

First off I just installed a Spigen Neoflex film protector. I had to do it fast and with a bunch of kittens running around me so there are a couple of bubbles. I had to get my kid to an appointment and I didn't want to stick the phone in my purse without a screen protector on. I'll have to wait for a day to see if the solution dries out but for now it makes my display look kind of glittery. And the accuracy of the fps is reduced. I'll give it two days and see how it goes. Long term, if screen protector doesn't work out I'll get a sleeve to protect it from the inside of my purse. Or I will just snap it into the s pen folio case I've got coming in. I am resigned to going without a screen protector at this point. Without one, the fps is amazing.

As far as pwm experiences I tried every single model Apple sold last year. The iPhone 12 and 12 pro displays made my eyes water nonstop. The 12 mini display causes me physical pain (feel eye ache like I got punched) but I can use it quickly when I'm out and need a small phone: sledding, scooter riding, biking, etc. 12 Pro Max and 11 Pro are comfortable. 11 pro was more so, however the time I owned it I had a lot of vertigo. I also had the iPhone SE 2020. That was LCD but actually the second worst with the Mini being the worst. It caused the periphery of my vision to flicker like a white gauzy curtain flickering. My Nintendo Switch display did that, too. My Switch Lite display seems better.

When I first got the S21 Ultra it bothered me a little, but I seem to have adjusted. Any time I change the display setting I need a little while to adjust and then I can read comfortably again. I've not really ever been able to adjust to an iPhone display. I've tried. Goodness knows I've tried but the phones always go back to Apple. Except the 12 mini and that's because it fills a very niche use no other phone can fill.

 

[nospleen]

Well, I lasted longer than I thought I would. Just jumped on the 300 off Verizon deal at Best Buy. Just waiting for the text to say my pickup is ready.

Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves.

 

[mjschabow]

Well, I lasted longer than I thought I would. Just jumped on the 300 off Verizon deal at Best Buy. Just waiting for the text to say my pickup is ready.

Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Boom! I was wondering when you'd join the fun!

 

[Dominican]

Well, I lasted longer than I thought I would. Just jumped on the 300 off Verizon deal at Best Buy. Just waiting for the text to say my pickup is ready.

Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves.

300 OFF RIGHT NOW ON BEST BUY SOME COLOR 256 GB SOLD OUT

 

[5105973]

is anyone using 3rd party screen protectors? Curious how your FP sensor is doing? Mine is junk and I'm still debating removing it. I'm mainly at home on smart lock so it's not a huge issue but annoying for sure.

and a side question for @GrumpyMom , is the ultra better than your pro max so far on your eyes? And did you try a 12 pro (non max) at all this year? That one really messed me up but wondering if the max might be different.

As the fluid from the application process dries the weird glittery look goes away. I still have a couple of bubbles but that is definitely because I was rushing.

I'll try to do a better job on my husband’s phone and see how that turns out. I am not sure how it's going to work with an S Pen because it does feel a little grippy.

FPS is now working much better on it. Because the application uses a spray on liquid it's not as challenging as regular films to apply. You can definitely pick it up and reposition it without worries.

I got my purple Buds Pro. I personally can't hear much difference from my Airpods Pro. I am just sitting here. I'm not trying to exercise while wearing them, so I can't say how well they will stay in. I also won't let them make phone calls. I don't like giving that much power to ear buds because they're so small and fidgety and I don't want to be accidentally making or taking calls on them when I'm just trying to keep them from popping out of my ears.

I'm overall pleased with them. I like the looks very much. I am still fond of the red ones I got last year so I will be using those, too.

 

[5105973]

Digging this case I got on amazon.

Probably not my final daily driver, but it is a good feeling to have the camera protected.

Wish it was slightly more raised in the front tho.

I looked at those cases. It looks nice. Keep us posted on how it holds up.

I ended up ordering some D Brand skins for the camera bump to protect the black finish from scratches. My current cases from Samsung cover the camera bump. But I've got a clear case from Casekoo that doesn't cover the camera bump.

It's exciting seeing old friends and new ordering. Right now this is the favorite phone I own. I can't do imessage on it and that's a bummer, but during the pandemic that's not the usual hardship it normally would be. I'm not running around an amusement park with 4 other families all trying to keep track of each other and our kids and constantly sending photos to each other via imessage. Or tracking each other's locations in iOS.

 

[yui4]

is anyone using 3rd party screen protectors? Curious how your FP sensor is doing? Mine is junk and I'm still debating removing it. I'm mainly at home on smart lock so it's not a huge issue but annoying for sure.

The LK brand from amazon aren't too bad

 

[5105973]

Now that the Spigen Neoflex has gotten to settle in even more since installation about 7 hours ago, I can barely tell it is on there. FPS works normally and that's without the touch sensitivity turned up! Lol yeah I forgot to turn it back on. Because I thought it was already on. So it's working even on a normal setting. I still have a couple of small stubborn bubbles that should settle out in a day or two. I guess this is as close as I'm going to get to factory installed. I'm still mad Samsung decided not to give the USA a pre-installed screen protector. I blame Apple. They encourage everyone to think American customers will put up with skimping on extras. 🤣

So anyway I'm using Samsung's rugged black case and the Spigen Neo Flex film protector. Im mainly using this case for the kickstand which also helps me hold the phone more comfortably.