Samsung S21 series announcement & owners' thread

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#2635781 15-Jan-2021 09:12

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Ditching the SD card slot and maxxing storage out at 512 is a real backwards step IMHO and means the only current reason I could be persuaded back from iPhone to Samsung is now gone.

If I can't take my lossless music library on the go, then I might as well stick with the Apple ecosystem for my needs.

I am someone who really needs an expansion slot as I take a lot of photos and videos. If I bought the S21 Ultra I would need to spend $2450 for the 512GB version. Ouch.

The S21 Ultra a disappointment for how I use my phone.

gehenna

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#2635871 15-Jan-2021 10:41

I've had the Note 9, 10+, and 20 Ultra. Of those three I reckon the 10+ was the pinnacle of balance between performance/features/battery. After less than a year I have serious burn in on my Note 20 Ultra that I'm getting resolved under warranty. I've never been a huge S-Pen user, mostly just had the Note for the size and specs. The S21 Ultra looks like a good balance again, like the 10+. Slightly smaller and less curved display is fine since I'm annoyed with the curved large Note 20 Ultra display - I get multiple spurious inputs every day when using it one handed. I don't like cases so I'll likely get a skin and then figure out if I want an S-Pen later. I do like the Note 20 Ultra camera though, so I'm glad to see a similar approach on the S21 Ultra.

Who knows, it's always a gamble when getting a new phone but on paper it looks great. I have my 11 Pro Max too so that covers my bases too.

If anyone wants a Note 20 Ultra I'll be selling this one when the display is replaced :)

mrgsm021

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#2635872 15-Jan-2021 10:44

So they removed micro SD expansion across the range after all... early rumor suggested only the S21U is retaining memory expansion.

Guess will hang on to the S20U for a bit longer.

Android flagship with memory expansion is diminishing by the year.

This feature are now appearing more on mid-rangers.

dafman

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#2635878 15-Jan-2021 10:52

I don't like the new camera housing - especially the silver colour variants, they just look cheap compared to the S20.

I do like the idea of a polycarbonate back - 50% less glass to break and a lighter phone.

gehenna

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#2635879 15-Jan-2021 10:54

Cheap? Looks premium to me, especially how it curves into the frame. Looks way better than the camera chonk on the back of my Note 20 Ultra IMO

GV27

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#2635882 15-Jan-2021 11:01

heavenlywild:

I am someone who really needs an expansion slot as I take a lot of photos and videos. If I bought the S21 Ultra I would need to spend $2450 for the 512GB version. Ouch.

The S21 Ultra a disappointment for how I use my phone.

I suspect this is driven heavily by the recent tie-in with One Drive, or least derived from it.

scoobydoo

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#2635964 15-Jan-2021 11:57

Finally!

The S-Pen is available to the S range of phones. But currently only available to be used by the S21 Ultra?

Hopefully it's not a hardware issue, and just a software update available to the S21 / S21+ range down the line.

That's what will make me do the switch from my Note back to the S range

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

freitasm

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#2635971 15-Jan-2021 12:04

scoobydoo:

The S-Pen is available to the S range of phones. But currently only available to be used by the S21 Ultra?

Correct, only on the Ultra.

soggychups

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#2635991 15-Jan-2021 12:48

Any good bundles out there?

gehenna

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#2636001 15-Jan-2021 13:04

Not yet. Spark is selling with the Buds Pro but that's it so far. It was only announced this morning.

heavenlywild

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#2636016 15-Jan-2021 13:34

Interesting that Samsung has a significant discount on their partner store on the S21 series. Let's say it's significantly more than for any other series. Makes me think all the cut backs on cost (charger, lower res screen, etc) is helping them out with margins.

pom532

149 posts

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#2636044 15-Jan-2021 14:01

30% off on the Samsung education store. You just don't get any bundled accessories.

heavenlywild

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#2636047 15-Jan-2021 14:03

Yep I would take the discount over the "free" bundles any day!

Update:

Especially if you are going for the most expensive Ultra.

bunker

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#2636313 15-Jan-2021 22:59

Interesting that New Zealand is not being offered 128GB base storage option on the S21/S21+ that the US is getting. I'm nowhere close to using up the storage on my 128GB S10e.

Also, the trade in offers the US are getting is insane. The s10e would net me $550USD vs the measly $310NZD I'd get for trade in here. Plus they get the tracker tile and $100 of credit to go towards accessories. I'd definitely go for the trade in if we were getting an equal offer here.

IronH

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#2636361 16-Jan-2021 09:11

Jbhifi, noels, harveynorman all doing phone + buds + $200-$300 gift card.

phtech doing phone + buds + either: sony xm4 headphones or hyperboom bt speaker or robot vacuum

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