Samsung Galaxy S21
Discussion
QuartzDad said:
snuffy said:
Thanks. I keep checking using the normal Software Update option on the phone, and I will just wait for that to appear. They seem to do it about once a month, and my phone says the last time mine updated was the 23rd of October, so maybe it will update around that date this month - but who knows !?
My S21 Ultra from Three upgraded itself this morning. Apart from a new Messages icon and slightly smaller text for icon labels I can't see any difference so far.In Software Information, it still says Android 12 and 4.1 One UI.
I'm also on Three and mine is also an Ultra.
TameRacingDriver said:
Seeing as this thread has popped up again, I'm still happy using my s21 ultra, a long time for me to have a phone really, coming up to 2 years.
Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
I agree. The S21 Ultra is lightning fast and does everything you need. The only time I'd consider changing is if the memory filled up or the battery decided it'd had enough. Although saying that I'd probably just get a new batt put in it.Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
TameRacingDriver said:
Seeing as this thread has popped up again, I'm still happy using my s21 ultra, a long time for me to have a phone really, coming up to 2 years.
Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
Yes, I'm still very happy with mine. and it's not far off 2 years old since my contract is due for renewal in February. Every time since I've had a contract phone (which is since the dawn of time in phone terms !) I've upgraded. I'm tempted by a Z Fold 4, but I love the 100x zoom camera of the U21 that I'm almost certain I will just swap to SIM only (but I have said that before !!).Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
This is the first Samsung I have had and happy to keep it until there is a significant change to make it worthwhile. The S22 is not that different in looks to the 21 and the 23 isn't much different either, so at first glance the 21 still looks as fresh as the newer ones. The camera hardware changes from 21 to 22 were negligible too I believe. With 4 years of updates (5 security) there may be no reason for me to change until the 5 years are up.
Just received my update this morning. As others have said not a huge change - it perhaps looks a little nicer in places (notifications) and the animations seem a little smoother and nicer (once the phone has calmed down after the update, it was a stuttery mess for about half an hour after). A few extra options scattered around here and there, such as being able to apply filters to wallpapers, a few new stock wallpapers (all crap), gallery let's you hide folders now etc. Not a night and day difference but nice enough I guess.
TameRacingDriver said:
Seeing as this thread has popped up again, I'm still happy using my s21 ultra, a long time for me to have a phone really, coming up to 2 years.
Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
I changed my s21U to fold 4 because i needed bigger screen. S21U is a great phone tho. It should last like 5 years.Unlike many a phone I've had, this one is extremely reliable and dependable. Very rarely ever crashes or has any kind of issue.
Despite the superb pictures taken in the posts above this one, I have to say I think the camera still lags behind the Google Pixel at least in terms of point and shoot ability, the pixels ability to take a good photo with the bare minimum of effort is like witchcraft, and it's just not quite so easy here.
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
LasseV said:
I changed my s21U to fold 4 because i needed bigger screen. S21U is a great phone tho. It should last like 5 years.
Yeah the phone is still blazing fast and actually having used it some more since my post, I quite like some of the admittedly subtle changes in android 13, phone actually seems snappier in use and the interface a bit more refined overall. Little things like the keyboard and other interface elements changing colour depending on your theme settings.I can honestly see me keeping it at least 2 more years, as there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. I do sometimes fancy trying a pixel again but then I remember all the hassle I had with mine and when I read about them now I still read about people having poor connections, drop outs, bugs with the at a glance functionality remaining unfixed for months and so on, and think, nah, this phone is super dependable. Stick with the devil you know and all that...
S600BSB said:
I'm wondering whether to upgrade my S20 for a S22 - or wait for the S23. Thoughts?
I think I'd hold out for the s23 as I'm reading for the first time all markets are getting the Snapdragon SOC, ditching the Exynos in the process. I've not had too much bother with the Exynos personally but I think the Snapdragon is ultimately better.TameRacingDriver said:
I could upgrade next year but seriously, is there any point? It's still very fast and the screen is still top drawer. Why get rid of something that's so reliable? The new pixel 7 pro is the only phone that's calling me and I'd be wary after Google past efforts with phones with bugs and issues, many of which I experienced myself.
The S21U was a fab phone, best one I had owned.....till the Fold 4. Yes the camera on the Fold 4 isn't the absolute best but the scree+software makes turns it into a proper laptop replacement at times. The battery life is also like some kind of voodoo, 85% max charge start of the a study day taking notes all day, throw in a Teams call at lunchtime, than some activity tracking, and still have over 25% battery.
Connect up a controller and when work time is up, its play time
.The change from how I use my old S21U to the Fold 4 I would say is almost as big as the step my old Treo -> iPhone 3G. Very occasionally inbetween stepwise improvements in tech, you get a big jump. The folding phone concept is the way to go, I'll be 100% upgrading to the Fold 5 etc, absolutely zero chance of me buying a none folding phone in the future.
Gangzoom - my mate has got a Fold, it's an impressive device for sure, and I can definitely see myself considering it when the time comes. For now the main disadvantages for me are the visible fold in the centre of the screen and the cost, but I can certainly see the potential, particularly as I've been leaving tablets behind somewhat lately, as laptops are simply more powerful and flexible, and the s21u almost fits into the mini tablet category. The Fold is pretty much the size of an iPad Mini once unfolded so I can certainly see the appeal.
Mr-B said:
Anyone getting delayed or no gmail notifications on a 21 Ultra? Been getting delayed notifications 10 minutes plus for a few weeks and the last few days none at all. It's done it before but it corrected itself after a while, dunno whats going on.
Usual advice is to clear the cache and data of the app, basically a reset.However to answer your question, no my Gmail seems fine, to me anyway.
On another note, having looked at the new s23 ultra, and seeing the trade in price and whatnot, I'll be hanging on for this one for at least another year.
TameRacingDriver said:
Usual advice is to clear the cache and data of the app, basically a reset.
However to answer your question, no my Gmail seems fine, to me anyway.
On another note, having looked at the new s23 ultra, and seeing the trade in price and whatnot, I'll be hanging on for this one for at least another year.
Already tried clearing the cache and no joy. Didn't try clearing data though. I think I have fixed it though by going into manage accounts and sync account and then "sync now" which didn't work at first as "tasks in calendar" and some of the others seemed to get stuck syncing, so cancelled it and tried again until they were all showing as synced, seems to be ok for now.However to answer your question, no my Gmail seems fine, to me anyway.
On another note, having looked at the new s23 ultra, and seeing the trade in price and whatnot, I'll be hanging on for this one for at least another year.
Came to the same conclusion as you on the 23 keeping the 21 for another year maybe even 2 as it has full support until 25 (and 26 for security)
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