Planning on upgrading from S8 to S21. Anything I should know before I do?

[cbfan123]

I had initially wanted to upgrade to an S10 but it isn't practical to do so since it is already a 2 year old phone. I just purchased an 128gb SD card for the S8 but since the S21 does have a slot for it, I suppose I will find some other use for it.

I plan on going through the trade in program, and Samsung is offering $440. After receiving the new phone, I had thought about selling it and then going with the Pixel 5, but there isn't a 256gb version.

I'm on Verizon. Is there a way to turn off 5G on the S21? Anything else I should know before upgrading?

 

[Roadijeff]

I'm on Verizon. Is there a way to turn off 5G on the S21? Anything else I should know before upgrading?

Why would you want to turn off the 5G? The S21 is downward compatible with lowers speeds if the 5G signal isn't available.

 

[cbfan123]

Why would you want to turn off the 5G? The S21 is downward compatible with lowers speeds if the 5G signal isn't available.

Admitedly, I haven't read too much on it, but I am assuming that 5G whether with good or bad signal will eat up more battery. Many moons ago, I had a BlackBerry that can toggle Edge and 3G, and the battery life was better on Edge, so I'm applying the same logic.

 

[Steven Frost2]

You logic is correct 5G will drain your battery fast as it will be hunting around for the next tower

 

[trucksmoveamerica#AC]

I had initially wanted to upgrade to an S10 but it isn't practical to do so since it is already a 2 year old phone. I just purchased an 128gb SD card for the S8 but since the S21 does have a slot for it, I suppose I will find some other use for it.

I plan on going through the trade in program, and Samsung is offering $440. After receiving the new phone, I had thought about selling it and then going with the Pixel 5, but there isn't a 256gb version.

I'm on Verizon. Is there a way to turn off 5G on the S21? Anything else I should know before upgrading?

You can turn 5G off on the note 20, not sure about the S21. I would imagine you would be able to until 5G is really a thing, right now it's just advertising BS, 5G isn't anything to get excited about. When 5G is actually nationwide and good then expect verizon to take the ability to turn 5G off away, but that's probably a few years away.

 

[fuzzylumpkin]

Apparently, Verizon actually RECOMMEND you turn off 5G lol.

I've left it on, but I've got an Ultra so my battery is bigger, and I'm usually on wi-fi anyway.

You likely won't miss 5G, it's over-hyped at this stage.