What were the reviews not objective about? They gave high praise for the Ultra in all departments and criticized for the camera issues because they expect more from the camera given the focus from Samsung was entirely on that. And they have been plenty critical with Apple for dropping the headphone jack or when the photo quality was not up to par with pixel/Huawei etc until this year.
Also, it’s not just verge and Engadget, AC editors and pretty much every Android specific site had similar views on camera issues like Dieter had. If you tell me they have to wait for update, yeah right let’s wait for poor Samsung to push an update. They can only review what they have in hand and Samsung knew that before they handed the devices and didn’t put any embargo date.
And I do own multiple Android phones and iPhone and other platform devices. My Ultra is getting delivered today and I’ll make up my own mind on the device. But personally I felt the reviews were fair and they were similar conclusion made from many reviewers. I’m sure it’s going to be a great device and the camera not being best doesn’t matter that much to me personally anyway.
Sure there is always that one or two reviews that are haters of a particular brand, but that applies to Apple, Google or Samsung or any company.