Samsung Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra

[The Game 161]

Interested how you think it feels in hand. I have it as well, dont use it all the time as I have the regular Samsung silicone case as well. But IMO it looks a lot bulkier than it feels.

So far it’s been fine used it past few hours adding stuff onto the phone and it’s been fine to use. Think I will leave this one and use the phone without it when at hole for example

Nice to have the option with the s pen

 

[Ludatyk]

Bulky but think will go with this case

I see you going full speed ahead. How’s the transition so far coming from the Fold?

 

[The Game 161]

I see you going full speed ahead. How’s the transition so far coming from the Fold?

So far so good,not had chance to really go through alot as took a while to get set up.

Took a few photos with night mode and quite surprised how good they are.

 

[mi7chy]

Interested how you think it feels in hand. I have it as well, dont use it all the time as I have the regular Samsung silicone case as well. But IMO it looks a lot bulkier than it feels.

Here's another case option (minus pen) that's supposedly better than the Samsung one. Spigen should make one without the crosshatch lines though.

https://www.spigen.com/collections/galaxy-s21-ultra/products/galaxy-s21-ultra-5g-case-liquid-air-pro

 

[The Game 161]

Not done much testing but here is the close out difference and where close up shots are a lot better on the ultra

 

[mjschabow]

Not done much testing but here is the close out difference and where close up shots are a lot better on the ultra

I missed the macro so much that I ordered a Moment case and macro lens. lol. Haven’t missed the crazy zoom at all though. Guess I just didn’t really have a need for it.

 

[Marylens654]

I bought Samsung S21 Ultra 2 weeks ago, before I had IPhone XS, omg Im in love with new Samsung, I really dont have words to describe this new phone...

 

[SteveJUAE]

Not done much testing but here is the close out difference and where close up shots are a lot better on the ultra

I assume the blurry photo is your iPhone

Your ex Fold 2 also could take good close ups as your S21U on watch faces ??

 

[The Game 161]

I assume the blurry photo is your iPhone

Your ex Fold 2 also could take good close ups as your S21U on watch faces

Yeah for whatever reason the 12 Pro max seems rather bad at close up shots.

 

[The Game 161]

I missed the macro so much that I ordered a Moment case and macro lens. lol. Haven’t missed the crazy zoom at all though. Guess I just didn’t really have a need for it.

Still yet to try the zoom will likely go for a walk and test it out. Micro shots are impressive. It's an area the next iPhone needs to improve on

 

[Awesomesince86]

Still yet to try the zoom will likely go for a walk and test it out. Micro shots are impressive. It's an area the next iPhone needs to improve on

IMO what makes the Samsung camera so great is the versatility. You have the tools to get a good shot wherever. Its still not as good as Apple or Google when it comes to standard 1x zoom point and click pictures, but its close enough that I'll take the trade-off for the added versatility.

 

[mjschabow]

Still yet to try the zoom will likely go for a walk and test it out. Micro shots are impressive. It's an area the next iPhone needs to improve on

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple sneaks something in there with either the software or hardware on their next iPhone to help with Macro shots. Otherwise, my Moment Macro Lens is fantastic. What's funny is that the zoom would have come in handy at my son's soccer practice last week, but after zooming in on the iPhone, I still got a really good shot at about 5.6x. So I guess if they're able to improve on that, fine, but in the 3 months since I've switched back to iPhone, that was literally the only time I said to myself "oh would have been nice to have that 10x lens".

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple sneaks something in there with either the software or hardware on their next iPhone to help with Macro shots. Otherwise, my Moment Macro Lens is fantastic. What's funny is that the zoom would have come in handy at my son's soccer practice last week, but after zooming in on the iPhone, I still got a really good shot at about 5.6x. So I guess if they're able to improve on that, fine, but in the 3 months since I've switched back to iPhone, that was literally the only time I said to myself "oh would have been nice to have that 10x lens".

Yeah I think 5x and 10x is very useful. Much past 30x becomes more fun than useful I would say

Still rather have it than not

 

[kkh786]

May update for the S21 Ultra with camera improvements is out! 1.4GB file size!

 

[Oohara]

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple sneaks something in there with either the software or hardware on their next iPhone to help with Macro shots. Otherwise, my Moment Macro Lens is fantastic. What's funny is that the zoom would have come in handy at my son's soccer practice last week, but after zooming in on the iPhone, I still got a really good shot at about 5.6x. So I guess if they're able to improve on that, fine, but in the 3 months since I've switched back to iPhone, that was literally the only time I said to myself "oh would have been nice to have that 10x lens".

I have no idea why Apple haven't made more of an effort with macro shots yet. Utterly mind boggling, since their hardware can handle it just fine. I have the 12 Pro Max and I use the Camera+ legacy app alongside the normal camera app, and it takes beautiful macro shots. I paid for that app back when I had my iPhone 4S and have used it ever since, astonishingly it still works great today. Now there's a Camera+ 2 which I assume is even better, but honestly so far I haven't found a reason to buy it as I'm not that into photography.

It's just absurd to me that Apple while making so much hoo-ha about their cameras in every other respect don't have even a decent macro mode to offer. Camera+ is an acceptable solution for me though, I keep the two apps side by side and just tap the other one when I need macro.

 

[The Game 161]

I have no idea why Apple haven't made more of an effort with macro shots yet. Utterly mind boggling, since their hardware can handle it just fine. I have the 12 Pro Max and I use the Camera+ legacy app alongside the normal camera app, and it takes beautiful macro shots. I paid for that app back when I had my iPhone 4S and have used it ever since, astonishingly it still works great today. Now there's a Camera+ 2 which I assume is even better, but honestly so far I haven't found a reason to buy it as I'm not that into photography.

It's just absurd to me that Apple while making so much hoo-ha about their cameras in every other respect don't have even a decent macro mode to offer. Camera+ is an acceptable solution for me though, I keep the two apps side by side and just tap the other one when I need macro.

True given how good point and shoot is I would have thought they would look to nail this next. Seeing as periscope lens are a few years away micro should be looked at for this years model

 

[The Game 161]

Ok first full working day with the s21 ultra and battery life is certainly a good improvement from note 20 ultra. Exynos 2100 certainly is better this year. Phone can get hot but I put that down to using the phone outside in the heat more than a phone issue

Overheating doesn’t seem to be an issue camera wise. I updated the phone when I got it with latest update so maybe this has helped

The 1500 nits of brightness is impressive in the sun certainly a gorgeous display with QHD and 120hz is so great. Easy to forget how great that is to have on a daily basics. Luckily iPhone finally gets this as it’s needed in 2021 for all mid range and up phones

Overall first day and running the 12 pro max and s21 ultra side by side has gone well.

I will say though going from the ultra to iPhone the ultra design is superior. Notch isn’t a big deal to me in usage but the overall thin bezels is nicer to use and look at

 

[slitherjef]

I've been thinking about this one for an upgrade. The ultra. Actually been bouncing between this, the iPhone pro max and pixel 4 5g. I'm honestly a bit pixeled out, last couple have not really been used, so redundant. iPhone? Meh though I like it's clean pixel-esq design but ugh, another platform? Apple stuff just very backwards for me (for no other reason other than to "think different")

I'm almost to the point I just don't want to mess around with root, it's a bear to maintain and keep up on updates.

Also learned the unlocked model should work on fi.

Still a lot of cash to lay down. But, my s7e still working (kind of, I barely use it). I don't know ?

 

[5105973]

May update for the S21 Ultra with camera improvements is out! 1.4GB file size!

MORE camera improvements?!! Wow I thought it was already pretty good at release. But I can’t complain that they’ve released a steady flow of upgrades. I wish Apple would do that.

The S21 Ultra is a great vacation phone. Not that we’ve vacationed since Covid, but we go for long drives to see places in our own state that we never paid attention to, before. That evil zoom lets us read signs without having to get out of the car or pulling up close.

I just got a purple iPhone 12 mini, because...purple. It focuses well close up but my 12 Pro Max can’t. I guess the LIDAR causes some issues? I can’t believe Apple hasn’t fixed that yet.

Also, I just found out my new mini has a good display. My old close to launch day green mini and my 12 Pro Max can not at all render pure black in a darkened room. The display glows greenish white instead. Worse even than LCD.

But apparently Apple got its act together and fixed the displays now. Between that and the fact they released purple mid year, I don’t think I will be participating in preorders for Apple anymore.

I’ve got my two Sims in my minis and am using the two larger phones as tablets and cameras on WiFi at home. My S21 Ultra is my most favorite Samsung phone I’ve owned. Finally beating my S9+.

 

[kkh786]

MORE camera improvements?!! Wow I thought it was already pretty good at release. But I can’t complain that they’ve released a steady flow of upgrades. I wish Apple would do that.

The S21 Ultra is a great vacation phone. Not that we’ve vacationed since Covid, but we go for long drives to see places in our own state that we never paid attention to, before. That evil zoom lets us read signs without having to get out of the car or pulling up close.

I just got a purple iPhone 12 mini, because...purple. It focuses well close up but my 12 Pro Max can’t. I guess the LIDAR causes some issues? I can’t believe Apple hasn’t fixed that yet.

Also, I just found out my new mini has a good display. My old close to launch day green mini and my 12 Pro Max can not at all render pure black in a darkened room. The display glows greenish white instead. Worse even than LCD.

But apparently Apple got its act together and fixed the displays now. Between that and the fact they released purple mid year, I don’t think I will be participating in preorders for Apple anymore.

I’ve got my two Sims in my minis and am using the two larger phones as tablets and cameras on WiFi at home. My S21 Ultra is my most favorite Samsung phone I’ve owned. Finally beating my S9+.

I have to agree, the S21 Ultra is my favourite Samsung yet as well.

As you may be aware.. I have done the whole rigmarole of S21 to S21 Ultra to S21+ and now back to the S21 Ultra! My pinky finger will need to learn to adjust! Hehe.

The wife happily took the first S21 Ultra.. so I bought the second one last week.

First time in a while where we both have the exact same phone.. mind you she has the 512GB with 16GB RAM whereas I now have the base 128GB model with 12GB RAM (not complaining).

 

[The Game 161]

I have to agree, the S21 Ultra is my favourite Samsung yet as well.

As you may be aware.. I have done the whole rigmarole of S21 to S21 Ultra to S21+ and now back to the S21 Ultra! My pinky finger will need to learn to adjust! Hehe.

The wife happily took the first S21 Ultra.. so I bought the second one last week.

First time in a while where we both have the exact same phone.. mind you she has the 512GB with 16GB RAM whereas I now have the base 128GB model with 12GB RAM (not complaining).

Went with 128GB as well. Think it's enough as only using 37GB

 

[5105973]

Went with 128GB as well. Think it's enough as only using 37GB

I have to agree, the S21 Ultra is my favourite Samsung yet as well.

As you may be aware.. I have done the whole rigmarole of S21 to S21 Ultra to S21+ and now back to the S21 Ultra! My pinky finger will need to learn to adjust! Hehe.

The wife happily took the first S21 Ultra.. so I bought the second one last week.

First time in a while where we both have the exact same phone.. mind you she has the 512GB with 16GB RAM whereas I now have the base 128GB model with 12GB RAM (not complaining).

My husband went with 128 GB. I went with the 512 GB but I’ve got no regrets on going big on storage as I’ve got 174 GB used. I don’t know how that happened, but apparently all these years I had stored a lot on my SD card. The SD card gave me a skewed idea of how much storage I was using.

This time I feel confident I will be holding on to this phone for two years. Ok, those of you who know me well, stop laughing! No really! It’s got all the lens ranges I could ask for and they work shockingly well. I’ve been happy with the displays on these phones for several generations now so it’s not as if I’ve been upgrading for the displays.

I’ve ditched previous Samsungs for camera improvements or to be free of a feature that wasn’t working well, like the proximity sensor in my S10+ and the fingerprint sensors in my last two phones.

I’ve had zero complaints about this phone. Zero. That’s just astonishing!

Aesthetically it’s my favorite design of any of my smart phones and given that my iPhones are all pastels, I really enjoy the stealth black on my Ultra. It’s the best looking black I’ve had on a phone. And I love the cases I’ve got for it and am not ready to part with them in less than a year.

That’s been a heartbreak of mine the last couple of years where I was switching between S phones and Notes and keeping them for just a few months; all the great cases I’d get during preorder deals had to go with almost no wear on them.

No, I’m really happy with this phone and I want it to stay around!

I have similar contentment with my purple 12 mini, which has a permanent home. When it no longer works I’m putting it on a stand as an art piece so I can just stare at the purple. 🤣

 

[Tulani]

10 hidden One UI features you should be using on your Galaxy S21

Or any other device with One UI 3.1

www.androidpolice.com

 

[Ludatyk]

10 hidden One UI features you should be using on your Galaxy S21

Or any other device with One UI 3.1

www.androidpolice.com

Standard list… I use pretty much all of them except for Bixby Routines and Link to Windows. I’m aware that I can replace Google Assistant with Bixby using Bixby Routines, but I’m alright with swiping bottom up or left .

I don’t have a PC to take advantage of Link to Windows, however when i used it before when I had a Surface. It worked extremely well.

 

[The Game 161]

My husband went with 128 GB. I went with the 512 GB but I’ve got no regrets on going big on storage as I’ve got 174 GB used. I don’t know how that happened, but apparently all these years I had stored a lot on my SD card. The SD card gave me a skewed idea of how much storage I was using.

This time I feel confident I will be holding on to this phone for two years. Ok, those of you who know me well, stop laughing! No really! It’s got all the lens ranges I could ask for and they work shockingly well. I’ve been happy with the displays on these phones for several generations now so it’s not as if I’ve been upgrading for the displays.

I’ve ditched previous Samsungs for camera improvements or to be free of a feature that wasn’t working well, like the proximity sensor in my S10+ and the fingerprint sensors in my last two phones.

I’ve had zero complaints about this phone. Zero. That’s just astonishing!

Aesthetically it’s my favorite design of any of my smart phones and given that my iPhones are all pastels, I really enjoy the stealth black on my Ultra. It’s the best looking black I’ve had on a phone. And I love the cases I’ve got for it and am not ready to part with them in less than a year.

That’s been a heartbreak of mine the last couple of years where I was switching between S phones and Notes and keeping them for just a few months; all the great cases I’d get during preorder deals had to go with almost no wear on them.

No, I’m really happy with this phone and I want it to stay around!

I have similar contentment with my purple 12 mini, which has a permanent home. When it no longer works I’m putting it on a stand as an art piece so I can just stare at the purple.

Yeah so far I'm surprised how good it is. My main issues on previous Samsung phones battery life has been an issue to the point where I had to switch things off to get through the day. Now I can enjoy all the features without worrying

Certain areas iPhone still is better and why its still my main sim but I see both as my daily now just with different sims

I totally get why those who say the ultra is the best phone out after using it.

Really enjoy using the s pen again I must admit