S20+ to S21+ - Can you even tell you have a new phone?

[Snareman]

S21+ arrived today and I put in my Nova Backup so the screens are set up the same. I still have to get some of the sounds and a few widgets set up, but otherwise if I didn't know that I had a new phone I'm not sure I'd know that I had a new phone. I have the same Spigen cases on them. The S20+ weighs 7.8oz and the S21+ 8.4oz. Maybe the fingerprint reader is a little faster but the S20's wasn't slow. We'll see if the battery life is any better.

 

[Zorrak]

Lack of an SD card seems to give it away quick like

 

[Snareman]

Lack of an SD card seems to give it away quick like

I mean just in normal use. Holding it, using apps, looking at the screen, etc. They seem essentially the same.

 

[Zorrak]

The screen is Flat

 

[Guyinbox]

I think most people fall into the habit of upgrading every year while doing the same things on the new phone they did on the old one. Upgrades from one year to the next are pretty incremental these days. If you had the s20+, you could absolutely hold off on upgrading this year knowing you're not really missing out on anything.

If i keep the ultra, i wouldn't change phones again unless i upgrade to a foldable or back to pixel line next year for the software experience.

 

[Snareman]

I think most people fall into the habit of upgrading every year while doing the same things on the new phone they did on the old one. Upgrades from one year to the next are pretty incremental these days. If you had the s20+, you could absolutely hold off on upgrading this year knowing you're not really missing out on anything.

If i keep the ultra, i wouldn't change phones again unless i upgrade to a foldable or back to pixel line next year for the software experience.

Yes, definitely very incremental upgrades. I get tempted by new shiny stuff so I always upgrade. Not a ton to gain with the 21 over the 20, and even some things to lose, but I still do it. My overall point though is that yea, there are some subtle differences, flat screen etc, but if someone had swapped my phones without telling me I'm not sure I would have noticed.

 

[thecaringkind]

I went from the Note 20 Ultra to the S21+ and of course big differences. I definitely appreciate the flat screen, no more phantom presses...the phone is also MUCH more comfortable in the hand, no sharp corners. I think the speakers are a little better too. Still have allot to go over but so far so good!

 

[The_Woo]

To be honest, coming from a Note 10+, it's pretty "Samsung-ess" which isn't a bad thing. My S21 is definitely faster and I do appreciate the flat screen and few camera upgrades. But it's not a substantial update. IMO...

I just love phones and will probably be buying the next one. Minimal upgrades and all....lol....Woo!!

 

[BrwnSuga3]

I upgrade every year and I love the S21 Ultra, I came from the Note 20 Ultra. I'm still testing everything out but so far, I'm very happy.

 

[Peter Scooze]

I can def tell the difference from s20 ultra to the 21 ultra. Awesome so far

 

[Nex2knotN]

I use my camera a lot, so coming from an S20U to S21U was worth the upgrade for the improvements there. Everything else was more subtle in comparison. Only biggest disappointment that has been heard over was no MST. No SDCard wasn't too much of an issue, but the loss of MST will bite a little for those merchants out there that has yet to switch to NFC or when NFC fail to work sometime.

 

[TheAngryToaster]

Having an identical user experience on a new set of hardware and a new software is arguably a really good thing. Sure it may be incremental in hardware bump. It shows the maturity of android and Samsung as a whole.

 

[Gayle Lynn]

Can uninstall FB and other ore-installed apps - might just be One UI 3.1

More space between volume button and power, easier to take screenshot

Slightly taller and wider S21 over s20

First day and hitting battery hard over first 6 hours

THE SIM TRAY us great!! Finally. One of my pet peeves. Huge improvement

Under the hood goodies

 

[TheAngryToaster]

Can uninstall FB and other ore-installed apps - might just be One UI 3.1

More space between volume button and power, easier to take screenshot

Slightly taller and wider S21 over s20

First day and hitting battery hard over first 6 hours

THE SIM TRAY us great!! Finally. One of my pet peeves. Huge improvement ??????

Under the hood goodies

You can actually uninstall useless bloat, instead of just hiding it?

 

[Mike Dee]

I mean just in normal use. Holding it, using apps, looking at the screen, etc. They seem essentially the same.

Did you expect different?

 

[Snareman]

Did you expect different?

Well, I guess I expect a new $1000 phone to feel at least a little different than its predecessor. I'm not saying it's all bad, just interesting that it's so similar

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

I can't speak for the others, but the s21 Ultra has to be in the top 3 smartphones Samsung has ever made, top to bottom.

 

[resn80101]

I've been asking myself the same question. I came from S20+ to S21 Ultra w/Nova Launcher. The user experience is about the same for me. I really notice the extra heft (weight & thickness) of the Ultra though. I prefer the thinness of the S20+ personally but I knew dimensions prior to Ultra purchase.

I'm still on the fence whether to keep Ultra. I will snap some pics over the weekend. Perhaps that could influence my decision.

Haven't noticed much difference with faster storage access (UFS 3.1 vs 3.0).

 

[mundo472]

Similar to how the shape of sedans has merged over the past 30 years. there are subtle changes as designers try tweaking ergonomics just a bit and some of those stick. the other area is the interface. android shells have gotten closer to each other and even android and apple share so much more every year.
form (eventually) follows function.

 

[Snareman]

I've been asking myself the same question. I came from S20+ to S21 Ultra w/Nova Launcher. The user experience is about the same for me. I really notice the extra heft (weight & thickness) of the Ultra though. I prefer the thinness of the S20+ personally but I knew dimensions prior to Ultra purchase.

I'm still on the fence whether to keep Ultra. I will snap some pics over the weekend. Perhaps that could influence my decision.

Haven't noticed much difference with faster storage access (UFS 3.1 vs 3.0).

Right. I never thought SD card access was slow on my previous phones so I notice no different on the S21.