Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra

[kkh786]

I never had a lot of apps on my Apple watch so the Tizen app 'shortage' isn't a big deal to me. I do feel like the Samsung watch and phone (Active2, S21 Ultra)tend to disconnect a lot more frequently than the Apple watch and phones, though maybe that's becasue the Galaxy watch lets you know when it disconnects. The Galaxy watch seems to struggle a bit connecting to WiFi.My

The Outlook app on the Galaxy watch doesn't show the calendar whereas it does on the Apple watch. My work stuff can only be accessed via Outlook so that was nice to have when needed. I know that's a Microsoft thing but it;s something I've noticed.

Other than that I'm pretty happy with the Samsung combo.

I believe the Bluetooth disconnecting is a S21 series bug that hopefully will be fixed via software.

I have never had a disconnect on my earlier S20+ with my Galaxy Watch3 but it is very frequent with my current S21 Ultra.

I have read somewhere Samsung has acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix.

 

[cuzo]

I never had a lot of apps on my Apple watch so the Tizen app 'shortage' isn't a big deal to me. I do feel like the Samsung watch and phone (Active2, S21 Ultra)tend to disconnect a lot more frequently than the Apple watch and phones, though maybe that's becasue the Galaxy watch lets you know when it disconnects. The Galaxy watch seems to struggle a bit connecting to WiFi.My

The Outlook app on the Galaxy watch doesn't show the calendar whereas it does on the Apple watch. My work stuff can only be accessed via Outlook so that was nice to have when needed. I know that's a Microsoft thing but it;s something I've noticed.

Other than that I'm pretty happy with the Samsung combo.

I had the galaxy watch paired to my iphone and I had multiple disconnects throughout the day. The only thing about the samsung stuff is it just looks so much better, phone and watch but the IOS is just better overall.

I guess it's a matter of how important feature is to you. I do miss my droids alot.

 

[Klyster]

I haven't experienced any connection issues with my watch.

 

[t1328]

I never had a lot of apps on my Apple watch so the Tizen app 'shortage' isn't a big deal to me. I do feel like the Samsung watch and phone (Active2, S21 Ultra)tend to disconnect a lot more frequently than the Apple watch and phones, though maybe that's becasue the Galaxy watch lets you know when it disconnects. The Galaxy watch seems to struggle a bit connecting to WiFi.My

The Outlook app on the Galaxy watch doesn't show the calendar whereas it does on the Apple watch. My work stuff can only be accessed via Outlook so that was nice to have when needed. I know that's a Microsoft thing but it;s something I've noticed.

Other than that I'm pretty happy with the Samsung combo.

So there is actually a way for the calendar and other notifications to show up in full but its hidden in settings - this is assuming your employer is using Microsoft's Mobile Device Management suite. I'm using iPhone now, so this is from my notes in one of our Slack channels. Go to Settings and search for "Work Profile". Then select "Notifications and Data" then "App Notifications", and then enable Outlook and any other work apps. They should then show up with full notification capabilities in the Samsung Gear app and you should then see your work Outlook stuff including calendar reminders on the Galaxy watch.

 

[t1328]

Wrt the multiple disconnect, I didn't have that with the Galaxy Watch 3 and either the Note 20 Ultra, or the Fold 2 when I tried that combo. They were connected very well. I had the LTE version, but it was using WiFi and bluetooth for the connection, so I suspect as kkh776 said, this is a temporary issue with the S21s and will be resolved soon.

 

[ColdShadow]

PS Think you will find its the same Chipset only US and Korea I believe have SD and maybe HK ?

US,Canada,HK and China got SD.
the rest regions including Korea got Exynos this time.

 

[ColdShadow]

My new history with Samsung phones:

"Got my moon pic in, now back to iPhone!"

Well iPhone wins in software but loses in hardware features,basic ass camera on flagship “Pro” range with no macro not enough optical zoom are some examples.
maybe you think S21 Camera capabilities are just for moon pictures but if you have even slightest interest in photography,iPhone simply disappoints.unless you think photography means selfies and portraits.
I own an iPhone myself btw.

 

[ColdShadow]

Was shooting a video today. 4K 60 fps. Showed up a warning about overheating after 17 minutes of shooting. Then the camera app shut down. And this is in a flagship phone. I've never had such issue in any phone I've ever owned. Can't return it and can only sell it for less than I paid for it. Or can keep it and hope for future updates. Really don't know what to do...

Is yours Snapdragon or Exynos?

 

[Mellofello808]

I have noticed the bluetooth rAnge isn't quite as good as my Gear S3 Frontier/Note 10+ combo.

Not bad per se, but my phone could be in the car 3 rooms away and still be connected with the S3. The watch 3 Only seems to have standard 50 foot range with the S21 Ultra.

I don't forsee it being an issue, I know it isn't the s21 since the bluetooth on my buds live has been phenomenal, and better than the note 10+.

 

[Healer Flame]

Getting my s21 ultra this week hopefully. Had to drop Note 20 Ultra cause it looks and feels exactly like Note10 +. After a long thinking i think i will be better off with s21 Ultra in many ways. Congrats Healer , at last .

 

[Triband]

Is yours Snapdragon or Exynos?

Exynos. Some of the top reviewers on YouTube told me that the heating is due to the size of sensor. I tested my old Nokia 808 yesterday recording full HD video for more than 30 min. Max temperature was at 36. Guess that guy's theory was wrong. My guess is that the processor acts up while using the camera. Because sometimes it heats up to the point of shut down and then there times when it heats up but doesn't shut down. Maybe it's possible this issue gets solved by future updates.

 

[Triband]

Yup

256 GB phantom black. Absolutely in love with it. Coming from a note 10+.

Something that doesn't seem to come up is the shape of S vs Note series. The curved edges of the S make it so much easier to pocket, and it feels like a smaller phone.

I doubt I will go note again. Next phone, and probably all future phones for me will be folding, but the S21 Ultra is the candybar phone refined, and a great phone to end an era.

Galaxy watch 3 came in, to keep the ultra company.

Same here. Switched to S21 Ultra from Note 10 Plus. I loved the design on Note 10 Plus. But had lots of accidental touches due to its curved screen. Had none so far on Ultra. And I agree that curved edged design of the phone makes it easier and more comfortable to hold in hand. Especially without any case.

 

[Triband]

I believe the Bluetooth disconnecting is a S21 series bug that hopefully will be fixed via software.

I have never had a disconnect on my earlier S20+ with my Galaxy Watch3 but it is very frequent with my current S21 Ultra.

I have read somewhere Samsung has acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix.

No disconnect issues with my Ultra and Galaxy Active watch 2 LTE. But what I realized is that Ultra has a shorter Bluetooth range. More limited range than Note 10 Plus and iPhone 11 that I have.

 

[kkh786]

No disconnect issues with my Ultra and Galaxy Active watch 2 LTE. But what I realized is that Ultra has a shorter Bluetooth range. More limited range than Note 10 Plus and iPhone 11 that I have.

Apologies that's what I meant.. the stable Bluetooth connection distance has reduced with my S21 Ultra compared to my previous S20+ and Samsung is working on a fix for this I believe.

 

[Tulani]

Five Android 11 features you should be using on your Galaxy S21

Or any other Galaxy device running Android 11

www.androidpolice.com

 

[ColdShadow]

Exynos. Some of the top reviewers on YouTube told me that the heating is due to the size of sensor. I tested my old Nokia 808 yesterday recording full HD video for more than 30 min. Max temperature was at 36. Guess that guy's theory was wrong. My guess is that the processor acts up while using the camera. Because sometimes it heats up to the point of shut down and then there times when it heats up but doesn't shut down. Maybe it's possible this issue gets solved by future updates.

I've ordered a S21 Ultra (it was a really good deal with trade-in value for my iPhone Xs Max) but now I'm reading about all these overheating issues while recording video/even on video calls,not sure what to do,main reason for me to choose S21 Ultra is the camera (zoom & macro).I'm thinking maybe I wait to see what One Plus 9 Pro brings? I never considered a One Plus phone but they are hyping it's camera so much.I was originally going for iPhone 12 Pro Max,even ordered one but I cancelled it when I learned about S21 camera features and how basic 12 Pro Max camera really is.just 2.5x zoom and no macro on a Pro range is just ridiculous.I will never buy an iPhone again unless they offer at least 10x zoom & macro.I don't care about breaking their ecosystem and iPhone is the weakest link.

 

[mi7chy]

I've ordered a S21 Ultra (it was a really good deal with trade-in value for my iPhone Xs Max) but now I'm reading about all these overheating issues while recording video/even on video calls,not sure what to do,main reason for me to choose S21 Ultra is the camera (zoom & macro).I'm thinking maybe I wait to see what One Plus 9 Pro brings? I never considered a One Plus phone but they are hyping it's camera so much.I was originally going for iPhone 12 Pro Max,even ordered one but I cancelled it when I learned about S21 camera features and how basic 12 Pro Max camera really is.just 2.5x zoom and no macro on a Pro range is just ridiculous.I will never buy an iPhone again unless they offer at least 10x zoom & macro.I don't care about breaking their ecosystem and iPhone is the weakest link.

4K extended recording overheating is currently a universal issue so not just Samsung but also iPhone and prosumer cameras. My Sony stand-alone even has a setting to extend temperature auto shutoff to high. Most people don't take long enough 4K videos to be affected and if you do you probably want a prosumer camera with active fan like the new Sony FX3.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/12-pro-max-overheating-shooting-hdr-4k-60fps-video.2269252/

 

[ColdShadow]

4K extended recording overheating is currently a universal issue so not just Samsung but also iPhone and prosumer cameras. My Sony stand-alone even has a setting to extend temperature auto shutoff to high. Most people don't take long enough 4K videos to be affected and if you do you probably want a prosumer camera with active fan like the new Sony FX3.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/12-pro-max-overheating-shooting-hdr-4k-60fps-video.2269252/

the problems is there are MANY complains about overheating (to the point that app shuts down)during video calls too.which are not in 4k.some even say this happens after 20 minutes of playing around with photo settings and taking pictures

 

[mi7chy]

the problems is there are MANY complains about overheating (to the point that app shuts down)during video calls too.which are not in 4k.some even say this happens after 20 minutes of playing around with photo settings and taking pictures

Just recorded 33 mins with front camera in auto (FHD) fine on Snapdragon S21 Ultra. Will do the same with back camera and update but real test will be 4K60.

Update: After realizing my mistake of laying the phone flat on the screen side while testing back camera I repeated the test with it propped up. Recorded for 1 hr @ 4k60 which exceed my expectations and it would've kept on going if I hadn't stopped it.

Lessons learned to avoid overheating is don't record video with it lying flat on the front or back side since it traps heat but instead hand held or propped up. Cases also play a role so the thicker the case the more insulation which is a bad thing. Fortunately, I had gotten the relatively thin Spigen Thin Fit case before realizing that. So, don't worry and record on.

 

[Awesomesince86]

the problems is there are MANY complains about overheating (to the point that app shuts down)during video calls too.which are not in 4k.some even say this happens after 20 minutes of playing around with photo settings and taking pictures

Like others have said, this is universal. I have had the camera app stop on the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Pixel 5 in the past year from overheating. Its one of the more intensive CPU processes and phones have no advanced cooling like fans or water cooling so they overheat. You'll find it for any phone if you look for it. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[ColdShadow]

Like others have said, this is universal. I have had the camera app stop on the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Pixel 5 in the past year from overheating. Its one of the more intensive CPU processes and phones have no advanced cooling like fans or water cooling so they overheat. You'll find it for any phone if you look for it. I wouldn't sweat it.

I’ve Never heard of any phone overheating and closing down in the middle of a video call.
What a few others said here was about recording very long 4k videos,not just after 15 minutes and definitely not in the middle of a video call.

 

[t1328]

Like others have said, this is universal. I have had the camera app stop on the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Pixel 5 in the past year from overheating. Its one of the more intensive CPU processes and phones have no advanced cooling like fans or water cooling so they overheat. You'll find it for any phone if you look for it. I wouldn't sweat it.

I use an iPhone 12 Pro Max as my daily driver. I often use it for video calls whether zoom or Teams, it WhatsApp at the highest resolution each app supports. It has never overheated, and rarely used enough battery in a 45 min call to require me to charge it any more for the rest of the day. I believe this is something Samsung will fix, but it isn’t normal.

 

[mi7chy]

I’ve Never heard of any phone overheating and closing down in the middle of a video call.
What a few others said here was about recording very long 4k videos,not just after 15 minutes and definitely not in the middle of a video call.

Which app? Might be a specific app issue. Buy it, try it and if you don't like it then return.

 

[ColdShadow]

Which app? Might be a specific app issue. Buy it, try it and if you don't like it then return.

Camera app.
I’ve ordered the phone because I wanted it’s camera features and it was a great trade-in deal but then founds literally hundreds of complains about this every where I look,including some here.

 

[Awesomesince86]

Camera app.
I’ve ordered the phone because I wanted it’s camera features and it was a great trade-in deal but then founds literally hundreds of complains about this every where I look,including some here.

If you believe it's actually an issue than don't get it. Your choice. You seem to have you mind made up despite what some are telling you about it being a common issue.

As for closing during video calls, I would bet thats a pretty uncommon occurance. I use my s21 ultra for Duo calls all the time and it's never even gotten warm.