I wanted to give this phone some full usage before I wrote my review and I can finally get into full detail. Before I jump into my pros vs cons let's just mention my personal final thoughts.
Get it! Thought over.
Whether you are transitioning from Apple to Android or just upgrading, this is without question the correct choice. With the latest chipset, processors, camera array, and intelligent software there are so many possibilities.
Pros:
1) The battery life is absolutely insane. Now at first I wasn't sure how I felt about the battery. It seemed average after the first day or two of use. But something clicked half way through the third day of use. I had read from articles and watched YouTube reviews from TechTubers about this intelligent software. I expected them to be referencing the Ai. But it is so much deeper in that. This phone continues to monitor your usage and learn the way you operate with it. Pair it with a smart watch to perfectly shift usage and workload. At no point since purchase has this device seemed to struggle. I can comfortably say this is a 2 day phone easily. 2 days of continuous normal usage before needing a recharge.
2) The finger print reader is vastly improved from previous devices and can now be compared to the likes of devices like One Plus. Yes you will have to spend a good minute or so letting every point of your finger be thoroughly mapped out but it has proven to be lightning fast in response.
3) This camera...phew. if there was ever a single reason to choose the Ultra variant over the other two it is absolutely due to the camera. Laser focus, combined with smart lenses, and a true melody of beautiful spec options results in a user paradise. One could literally place a fruit, a leaf, and some random option side by side for a shot and notice visible suggestion. The fruit will display a food shot mode. The leaf will suggest aspect ratio options or even the ultrawide/ Auto-Focus macro shot mode. Truly mastering this camera will not only take time but also lot of practice, something I personally look forward to.
4) This may seem like something that at first should be obvious. But use of this device just truly feels so effortless and fluid. Everything works how I would want it to, and at just a speed that truly leaves you with a sense of relief.
Cons:
1) Inevitably as with all Samsung products of course there is some bloatware. But from what I've seen it at least is not overwhelming. A few apps I know I'll never used sprinkled around. But those have just been compiled into a folder and forgotten about.
2) To some this may be a nuisance so it's worth mentioning. Although this device has an Android OS, it is noticeable the amount of strictly Samsung branded apps/Widgets available. It will take some navigating to better arrange your set up to one's preference. Especially when it comes to something such as utilizing the Google Play Store vs Samsung Store.
3) Third but maybe most importantly, given the circumstances everyone is facing due to Covid-19 the price is certainly a factor. Even with sales yes this is a price handset. Yes there was a price drop from last year, but that doesn't really soften the blow.
4) No charging brick. No matter how it is explained or reasoned, the absence of the brick is felt! On first charge I did use a prior usb-C to usb-a charger and wow.....talked about watching paint dry. There was absolutely no way that is truly the best option across the board for all the relevant phone companies. (Ended up buying a usb-c IQ charger from Anker. I think that was like $14 approximately. Definitely an immediate and noticeable remedy, thanks Anker for that save.)
If one were to say is this phone worth the 999$-1200$ price tag. Honest answer, absolutely, depending on how one plans to use it. If you want the BEST experience out of the three variants (S21, S21+,S21 ultra) there is only one choice. However if that price point just isn't within your budget or path of purchase, I can still say the other two options will suffice also.
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This Item  SAMSUNG Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone 128GB US Version Smartphone Pro-Grade Camera 8K Video 108MP High Res, Phantom Black |  |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $586.95 | -5% $419.73 Typical price: $440.52 | $911.18 | -75% $224.99 New Price: $911.18 | $423.45 | -9% $429.95 List Price: $474.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 9 | Get it Jul 10 - 12 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Jul 9 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 8 | Get it Jul 5 - 8 | Get it as soon as Monday, Jul 8 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Battery life | ||||||
| Fingerprint reader | ||||||
| Face recognition | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon Resale | CELLULAR GALLERY INC | Amazon.com | Chubbiestech | Cell Surfers | Edge Cellular |
| display size | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches | 6.8 inches | 6.8 inches |
| memory capacity | 128 GB | 512 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| model name | Galaxy S21 Ultra | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | T2 | Galaxy S21 Plus | Galaxy S21 Ultra | Galaxy S21 Ultra |
| operating system | Android | Android | Android | Android | Android | Android |
| connectivity tech | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, USB | Bluetooth, Wireless | Bluetooth, Wireless | Bluetooth, Wireless | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| display type | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| battery average life | — | — | — | 6 hours | 10 hours | 22 hours |
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Reviews with images
Most amazing phone ever
This is the most amazing phone I've ever owned.. Up until this point there have been minor improvements on various functionality and speed and so on. This phone has all of that and the most amazing camera you can imagine. As you can see from the photos I posted the night vision is amazing. The picture of my pool area is at night with no moon. If you hold the camera steady enough it will take Photos as if it was daytime. But you can see from the lights on the building that we're in the middle of the night. There's a photo of A naval ship coming in to Naval Station Mayport over the horizon. It's miles away. But as you can see you can zoom in and almost see which ship it is. I also was able to put the camera phone on a tripod, and take that photo of an airplane flying a 30000' or higher. Just holding the phone, I snapped a photo of the moon where you can make out mountains clearly. Amazing! Samsung has really set the bar high on this one.
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Top reviews from other countries
Cliente de Amazon
El mejor smartphone de 2021
Reviewed in Mexico on November 9, 2021Color: Phantom SilverSize: 128GBVerified Purchase
Guadalupe H.
Buena compra
Reviewed in Mexico on June 23, 2021Color: Phantom BlackSize: 256GBVerified Purchase
Hussein
Mobile phone is bad
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on January 5, 2024Color: Phantom BlackSize: 256GBVerified Purchase
SALMAN AL FAHAD
Good
Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on October 21, 2023Color: Phantom BlackSize: 128GBVerified Purchase
Vishnu
I purchased product with snapdragon 888, they delivered exynos 2100 processor
Reviewed in India on January 18, 2022Color: Phantom BlackSize: 128GBVerified Purchase
Vishnu
Reviewed in India on January 18, 2022
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