Galaxy S21 Ultra review: third time’s a charm
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- čas přidán 20. 01. 2021
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a huge, powerful Android phone with no fewer than five cameras. The main 108-megapixel sensor is the best Samsung has ever shipped - promises were made and, for once, kept. Dieter Bohn reviews the newest flagship phone from Samsung featuring the new Snapdragon 888, 120hZ refresh rate screen, and all its much-improved cameras.
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"Sometimes I'll switch the screen to 'vivid' to feel more alive" - 21st century human experience
😅
No Samsung MST is a deal-breaker for me.
@@thebootielover were in 2021 mst is not going to be needed with people upgrading there registers
Hsurrhxjkdej Bahhahahhh WHYYYY NOttt me phoneee bahhhhhhhhhhh
😂😂😂
Me: I don't take pictures, I don't play games, I watch CZcams and netflix on my tablet.
Also me: I need the S21 ultra
Same 😂
Absolutely same 🤣
I don't need it... i don't need it... I- I-... I NEEED IIIIT (jk already preordered weeks ago and my wallet is malnourished)
@@0siiris mine too. It's coming Wednesday.
@@gunzforarmz Nice so is mine!
He forgot to mention that the Ultra Wide camera has autofocus, so it's capable on doing macro shots.
Yeah I was waiting for that but it seems like they missed it
They all have autofocus, just that the main camera has a minimum focusing distance which permits it's macro capabilities.
Yeah that Macro shot is wild and changes how you can get those close shots
@@wildechap its a big deal because even the iphone 12 pro max doesnt have auto focus on the UW lens
@@CraigDIGz every camera has had autofocus for years ;) maybe you mean OIS? But does it? Jerryrig did a teardown and it doesn't have OIS apparently, so it doesn't have anything more than the iPhone? I don't own an iPhone btw, typing this one the s20fe :p but I don't think the s21 ultra's UW has anything really better than the iPhones' one? Or am I missing something?
I've had the Ultra for just over a week. I am head over heels in love with this thing, and I've experienced zero problems.
Ha same here.
_Sometimes I switch the color mode to vivid just to _*_feel more alive._* ☆☆☆☆
That's a four star comment. 🌟
IGN: this phone will make you FEEL more alive.
9/10
10:29 That 10x is so sharp!
How can you look 30 and 60 at the same time?
Two stories on the s21 ultra I was missing: 1. Experience of the macro function, 2. Experience of Samsung DeX.
Dex is amazing!
Um, there is Dex....
Bruh the phone does have a macro lens function and Dex. Look it up
@@redbluestar1272 I think he's aware of that but I also think he's trying to say that he was looking forward to hearing the review for the macro lens and Dex. I don't believe he was saying that Samsung omitted them from the S21 Ultra. I could be wrong.
@@TroyHatton ah ok, that makes sense
The only thing i want to mention is the fact that Galaxy phones have always had a Pro camera mode and RAW pictures, but you talk about wanting to look at it now because Apple has it now?
And i think single take is a great mode, idk why these reviewers keep calling it a gimmick.
Agreed. Single take mode was probably my favorite camera addition to the S20 Ultra actually. Looking forward to testing out the other camera improvements on the S21 Ultra though... especially improved auto focus & macro shots.
Agree with you
3:07 ... 👀
Was someone reflecting light off the back of their iPhone onto the Samsung?? 👀
lol, totally didn't see the apple logo reflection the first time.
Becca you are the best ❤️🙌🏻
LMBO😂
@becca your review got me buds pro. Your review. Not others
Do you think other phone companies will release early this year, too?
Don't think so
Sony shall announce but release 2023
I'm waiting to see what LG's "project rainbow" will be like
Apple will not. Sony and LG are irrelevant even when they make a good phone now and then. Xiaomi has so many models its tough to keep track. You review makes me think if i should change my pre order to silver instead of Black.
Pixel 5 still takes a better photo and more consistent for half the price imo. You really got to like zoom if you want the S21 Ultra
I'd love to see reviewers more consistently take a moment to talk about pocketability, it's one thing to say a phone is "big" but are we talking so big that it is uncomfortable or impossible to sit while it rests in your pocket?
It's a big phone, u know the deal already. There are many small phones for peoples looking for pocketability. Not everyone have same needs.
@@obidean3964 nonsense.
Small phones are a rare breed.
Even the 12 mini is larger than the original se.
I would love something I could one hand in a rugged case.
I have an s20 ultra..and its fine in my front pocket..
@@darrin173 can you one hand it in a rugged case while hiking or doing 20kph downhill over rough terrain?
@@Ag3nt0fCha0s A Z Flip might be up your alley. That, or the Iphone 13 mini.
My Note 3 has served me well for over 7 years, but I'm definitely excited to finally be upgrading to this incredible machine.
Wow that's crazy. How has the battery held up on that? Notice the battery life being much shorter than when you first got it?
@Eric Bremer Oh yeah. God I miss those.
How has it been my guy?
Ordered mine, 256g in blk, pending delivery at the end of the month.. Going from the S7..
Saaaame mine is getting shipped by the 27 supposedly I'm actually hyped
That is a HUGE upgrade. You're going to be blown away 😂 I know I was going from a budget Samsung J7 (2015 model) to an S10+.
Same but I'm going from the S8+
Me too
Upgrading from s9+
Can't wait!!!
I also have a s7 edge and thinking of preordering this phone with 256g. I assume that will be enough storage.
Drinking game: take a shot everytime Dieter says AND...
oh and no -- Dieter
Just slap an apple logo on that phone and "DIETER" wouldn't stop praising it.
@@bobinpune ...
@@TheVerge Your S21 ultra Review wallpaper link Please, please sir,
IMO, if it came that close in this pre-release software, then any camera-oriented update will definitely make it the same or even exceed at times as compared to 12 Pro Max. And that's the bottom line I have got from almost all the camera comparisons videos dropped today, with most of them saying it takes better photos than 12 Pro, but the latter beats S21U in the video game.. Good job Samsung..!! You're finally back..!!
Looks way better then the iPhone
Maybe if you were blind
Nah, it just looks better @@AnonN-sr6uu
I’m a simple man, I see Dieter, I click.
@@manojshrestha5698 hahahaahhahaa same
this is Dieter
@Lemarkus Mywords maybe he meant he clicks like button /s
It's nice to watch all the spec-heavy reviews of a particular phone, but it's also refreshing coming to Dieter's opinion editorial-style video for something different.
All reviews I seen so far for this phone are great.everybody is loving this phone with the screens,battery,camera's!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
You're supposed to keep moving around the subject with Single Take.. not just stand there. :)
My biggest issue with the S20+ was the status bar. The text couldn't be made larger, and it was all very tiny.
Guys, do you think it's better to take advantage of the current deal with the galaxy buds or wait some more months with the depreciation of the phone (if it will depreciate)? Thankss
What wallpaper you use?
iPhone user, just picked up a 256GB Phantom Black S21 Ultra. I gotta say so far very impressed 👍🏻
It still can't get a clear picture of one of us bigfoots
The new Apple iPhone 21 Ultra...I mean Samsung S21. This is the year to switch for me since they are identical in features now, might as well try the other side now...no headphone no charger no SD card...wow lol
The sd card wasnt needed
And i wouldnt make a big deal about the charger but yeah headphone gone
Is it finally able to record 4K 60 fps video in HDR?
Cause with the S20 series you had to choose between 60 fps and HDR when recording 4K resolution video.
So excited with what Samsung has done with this phone. i made the right decision to not get an iphone.
I pre-ordered the ultra and got a ton of freebees with it!
cant wait to get it in hand!
What freebies you get? You get 250? And how much for the phone?
I preordered too. I’m coming from iPhone XR.
@@asianstud7 You get $200 of free accessories and Samsung air tag when you preorder.
@@Mdogbrown nice. You got tired of apple or you felt like this was a too good of a deal to pass up? Are you normally a samsung fan?
@@asianstud7 My iPhone has worked almost flawlessly the 2 years I’ve had it. It’s been a reliable phone. Also battery life is great even though it’s on a 2 year aged battery. I owned Samsung phones like 8 years ago and they were good phones. My kids still play games on an old Samsung s3 with nova launcher!
I use both android and Apple and love both for different reasons. I just wanted to try Samsung again. I’m tired of Apples restrictions on their OS. For example; I can’t have google calendar widget, settings are buried in menus, can’t drag apps to bottom of screen etc. it’s just boring. My wife has a pixel and loves it. I had a pixel 2 and loved it. Pixel phones/oneplus phones were probably the most reliable android phone I ever had.
I have a love/hate relationship for both Apple and android lol. Android is so much more fun and enjoyable. Apple is so much more reliable and Some apps run better on iPhone. Like I’ve said I’ve had absolutely no issues with my iPhone but it’s getting stale. I’m going to give Samsung another try and see how it’s changed since I last had one.
Samsung doesn't get enough credit for its ultrawide lenses. Consistency, plus details comparable to main lens.
Noice!
Generally iPhones and pixels are better cameras
@@porsche00fan Pixels and Iphones have more refined cameras, but no innovation. Google too is lacking behind the pack now.
hi.
i'm wondering, does the back of your s21 ultra feel like plastic ?
i've had tho s21 ultra units last week and when tapping on the back with my nail it felt and sounded like VERY weak and cheap plastic.
i've seen there are a lot of people who have the same issue so now i'm wondering if this is the case with all of them
I just got my preordered S21 Ultra 512G from Verizon, and love it. It looks so cool, and is the same price as my 2 year old Note 9 512G when I got it, and is a smidgen narrower than my Note 9. A newer S Pen will be coming out later. I believe it is BT capable. I like the looks of the iPhone 12 Pro Max 512G, but like this one better. But like all my previous phones, I use the Otterbox Defender Pro case, Invisible Shield top screen protector, and my NiteIze XXL Hardshell belt clip holster. I will be getting the Galaxy Pro Buds next week when my local Honolulu Best Buy will have it in stock. Also, the S21 Ultra has the huge 5000 mAh battery, and 10G more RAM than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. I previously had all the top Motorola Droid Phones until they went to the modular format, because it was better that the top iPhones of that time in many ways, then got my Pixel XL, and my Note 9 512G, which is still a great phone, but the battery may be going soon. All my previous phone batteries practically died after two years of use.
an ad in bloatware kills the whole quality of a phone
Long story short I cracked the screen on my s20 plus(silver,128gb), called Verizon/Warranty they did not have my variation of s20 plus so I got to upgrade to the s21 ultra for the $200 deductible(I had to pay either way). A solid win!! 👌
How does battery saving mode affect the adaptive refresh feature?
Would you recommend upgrading from a Pixel 3XL to the Galaxy S21 plus?
It's not a Verge video without mentioning/bringing up the iPhone.
Any review that doesn't do that comparison isn't doing their job right. They are direct competitors and comparisons are there and inevitable. It's fine, it's necessary and it's no big deal. I want the camera comparisons even if most people have chosen their side and aren't cross-shopping these phones. I have a toe in both waters so I enjoy the contrasts.
@@magicman322 check out Unbox Therapy for a blind camera test. It's fascinating. My issue with the Verge is that they always have been an iPhone fan club. Comparisons are warranted, but in comparison videos, not in review videos. I have been following them for years now and they used to be worse. There was this joke that they can't make a video without mentioning the iPhone.
I ordered this last week. Mainly for the camera as I do photography. Looking forward to getting it. Coming from the huawei I loved this phone also. Camera is great.
Me too. Coming from a Huawei P30 Pro and mostly love it. Still not sure about letting it go lol
Man how you put the google feed on one ui 3.0?
Dieter, thx for the review. Only wish you had mentioned something, anything, about the sound quality. Well balanced or not between the earpiece and bottom-firing speaker? Deep, rich, or simply loud and tinny? Something, anything...
I'm getting 5 hours screen on time on my s21 ultra with 19 hours battery life. Exynos version. I think it's less than expected.
A video from the Verge that isn't laughably biased towards Apple, what a pleasant surprise!
I have a Galaxy S9 plus and I am thinking of upgrading to this. I wonder how good the sound is though one thing I wish was better on my phone is sound. I have a tablet that has dual speakers in does amazing sound and I would love to get that in a phone
Is there a way to disable ads?
Ads in the built in weather app?! Everything looked so good until that point. For a phone this expensive, that’s shocking.
They have ads in all of their default apps, even the music player. It's ridiculous
Even though most will use a form of protection on there phones be it skins, or cases. I wish Samsung would really give us more choices for colors on the ultra phones. I am tired of Black in whatever form, limiting your choice from a few to only one if you want a the most the phone can offer is just sad in this day and age. I do love watching your reviews!
Mine comes on Tuesday! Cannot wait!!
It's amazing how it all of these compression videos between Apple 12pro and Samsung, S21 Ultra the results are different, here it's the iphone that keeps the shadows, there it was the s21 ultra... seriously amazing.
MKBHD, Mrwhosetheboss, and Verge upload video on same topic at the same time. I appreciate this synchronization!👌👍
Welcome to embargo time. It's set by Samsung, not the channels.
That's how embargo works. Have your review ready by the exact time it's up and release. 🤔
Someone doesn't understand how embargo works.
Great camera review. Surprised they attached a phone to it though 😁
LOL! I guess that's a pretty accurate statement these days. Most reviews talk about the camera for half the video.
@@anthonyt425 What else should they talk about? Every phone is practically the same these days. For me thought, they should talk more about haptics. Although at this point, if it's not mentioned in a flagship phone review I just assume it is great.
@@aldelmontealdm just making an observation, nothing deep. Personally, I believe most Flagship phones at least can be summed up in less than 10 minutes.
The RCS carries over if you have it active on your previous phone
Hello,I LOVE THAT,BUT I WANT to know if I can get the Dual SIM .English and Portuguese.Please LET me KNOW.THANK YOU. XXXX
Thank god the fingerprint scanner works with a mask on. Was worried about that for a second.
It was a knock at face unlock.
@@bennybolick1360 I'm aware 👍
@@john_hunter me too bro. I would've been SOO mad if I didn't work with a mask.
Love how your review actually includes the software. So many channels just do a hardware review
How's the haptic vibration?
i'm thinking about getting the unlocked version from best buy and will be on verizon. How common is the overheating issue? I'm afraid to buy
It's only an issue when using the camera too long. Doing anything else on the phone from my experience will give you fairly normal temps for prolonged amount of times.
holy hell the lens flares on that iphone, what is going on?!
It’s a feature 😅
Don't you know that people purposefully install filters on their phone to get that vintage look?! 🤣
lol nah it's not a feature..couple of reviewers complained about it.
The photo has much more details though, see the cloud and the buildings far right on the pictures.
@@anismistry1 I agree the detail is on point for iphone except for macros, but it doesn't make up for a photo shot ruining orb (for me at least).
I’m thinking about switching from my iPhone 11 Pro Max. It’s something new 😬
Good idea
You won't be sorry. I switched from an iPhone 6s plus to a Galaxy S10 plus and I am so glad I did! I just ordered my S21 Ultra 5g last night and I can't wait to get it! ✌🏻😊
How long can you play Ranked Multiplayer Matches on *COD:Mobile* at Max Settings?
RCS - Samsung messages can now do RCS with Google Messages. They only thing it can't do at the moment is secure messages.
when it's reviewed by Dieter, it's absolutely good.
I just saw a samsung ultra ad before the video started and i was like didn’t i just skip this
Me too.
@@CarlosMartinez-ig6nl i see s21 ultra ads everywhere.
Biggest question: are all the non super duper 108mega pixels the same in the ultra vs non ultra. And when tested for night vision, portrait and video do they perform the same
What about the curved edges of the display?? Is it still a pain to use?
Never knew Jurgen Klopp does phone reviews
Lmao 🤣🤣🤣
"If you know, it's great."
What exactly stops one from learning? These aren't hidden knowledge pools only shared with the worthy.
These are basic usage tips found everywhere.
A lot of people are lazy
Does the font get has large, like in IOS?
Why do you say ex instead of times when referring to zoom? It’s a multiplication. For eg if you see 3 x 2 do you say 3 ex 2 or do you say 3 times 2?
Everytime I come across verge videos I'm consistently reminded how this guy is the only person worth listening to at the verge
Check out Becca, she's also good
I'm finally happy with the selfie cam quality in samsungs
Does anyone know what watch he is rocking?
Is the standard S21 the new FE?
What, Dieter praising Samsung? Is he high? Has he been kidnapped? Apple will not be pleased, bro. But this is the right thing to do. Hopefully not the last from you.
the difficulty in admitting the phone is the best (either apple or android) makes this video awkward ... i can almost hear the frustration in his breath hahahaha
@@omarseidu6182 At 16:04 he suddenly calls them 'equivalent' after going through all the extra camera options. Confusing but kind of typical for these reviews.
@@luc7976 been on iOS and macs ever since I started using any device, truth is android is matured now and most functionalities/features have plasteaued but Samsung is expecially pushing the barriers of form factor and actual innovation. I don't know why the reviewers keep hanging on apples nuts n not calling them out for putting out the same device with minimal improvement for years.
Verge uploaded 3mins ago, 273 views.
MKBHD uploaded 2mins ago, 2.7K views.
So from what you're saying, Samsung finally stopped softening all pictures? Or is it just when it detects a face?
So what about the camera of the huawei mate 40 pro?
What do you mean you like the "new" square design from iphone? That is the same design as the 5/5s
They are Apple fanboys, no matter what phone comes they will make iPhone superior
Even though it comes with 5 years old design, screen, 60 hertz, slow charging, huge notch, and alll
@@santoshpal8835 How? He literally praised every aspect of the Galaxy S21 Ultra
I'll never understand how can anyone find Samsung's interface complicated. It was dumbed down over the years and so many great features were removed just to make idiots understand it better :'-(.
The same here, I agree with you. You know what if you ask them what's complicated they can't pick one. It is the most simpler and customizable phone for every one. He said quote "too many options" what's wrong with having too many options?
They’ve definitely dumbed it down but there’s still a bunch of nonsense. Like actually compare to ios or oxygenos, lol. One UI is getting there though
@@ericmagana12 that's the problem, something you call non-sense purely because you don't use it could be someone's everyday feature. Anyway, let samsung figure that out because they have the usage statistics but stop crying your phone can do something that you don't need (that's directed towards people who actually do it).
@@ericmagana12 y is it nonsense tho? If u hide the extra features way too far then the ppl who regularly use them (basically those who have been using samsung devices for a while surely use a good lot of them) will get mad at all the extra steps u need to take. I don't understand y u guys get to mad when the extra stuff is there for the ppl who want it... Just let it stay there dude
@@ericmagana12 When Samsung done every new innovation they call them gimmick until Apple done it to get an approval that's how much they're biased but when Apple do something like a mag save they're talking about it all week and months coming as they created something out of this world.
Stupid question but does this have MST Samsung Pay support?
I heard that the S21 and S21 Plus don't have it. I use MST all the time so I need it.
It doesn't I used it all the time too so I'm not upgrading.
With no micro SD card on the new Galaxy S21, how do you recommend managing your Samsung galaxy phone memory
I wonder how many times he's going to say Apple and iPhone in this Samsung review...
Well that’s the phone to beat lol
those phones are the eternal rival who lead the market in this past 10years
I feel like the S21 and S21 plus are downgrades this year. Does the new price justify this?
They definitely are
You can't have it both ways. Last year we complained the price was too damn high, this year every phone is 200 bucks cheaper and we're complaining the non ultra models lost easy to lose stuff.
the night shot comparison between s21 ultra and 12 pro max seem weird. or is it the name swap?
What about the speakers and sound with headphones. Excellent camera etc.
Yay embargo's up!
Love Dieter reviews, but also missing Becca.
Yes I'm glad to see Dieter is doing the review
I wish I knew if it has the Samsung Translation bugs that happen with Speech to text like my S7 does (I say Comma, it either spells out comma or prints "oh," Or if I say he, it'll print she, him or some random identifier). Or have they taught the S21 Ultra proper English grammar?
I love when reviewers have an Apple Watch when reviewing android phones 😍
I really hate that
For the S21 review, do you miss the extra camera features of the ultra?
Oh, I didn't know there were other versions of messaging apps. I like the stock one actually
just got mine yesterday its taking a bit to adjust but im enjoying every bit of it
I don't agree on the fact that Dieter you are old.. you're a young and energetic happy go man..😁 Great review❤️
Dieter is the reason I even follow the verge.
Disappointed there is no 360 camera, does anyone know of a good camera app for 360 that supports the ultra, I had 1 in the s10 plus but its not supported on the ultra ?
Worth mentioning, Samsung for portrait mode uses the main wide lens and iPhone uses the telephoto. Makes them look very different
I said many times and am saying it now: it is sad that Dieter is biased against Samsung. I am writing this from a 12 Pro Max.
Dieter has to be one of the best reviewer in the market, cheers! Finally Samsung flagship is back and 2021 is gonna be a challenging years for remaining smartphone makers but competition always benefits end consumers like us and more than happy to see that happening!
U can use ssd or USB flash drive to back up your stuff
8 months later it is still the best android phone in the market and the best screen on any phone.