Upgrade to 21 Ultra from Note 10 +

[fanisk]

Note 10 + user since October 2019 I upgraded to S21 Ultra European version, 8 days ago.
I want to share my impressions particularly for the users of Note 10+ that might be interested for similar upgrade.

The device is considerable thicker than the Note and to my taste if you put side by side the 2 phones, the Note looks more slick and nicer.

It is heavier, that makes it inconvenient to use it at bed, otherwise you get used with it after a couple of days.

Cameras are great, absolutely better!

Scrolling is very fast thanks to 120 ghz refresh rate but other than that, screen quality, speed and performance has no visible difference from the Note.

Despite the bigger battery I see that doesn't last more than the Note.

The bigger S pen is really nice and can write much more comfortable.
Definitely a plus for the hard core s pen users.
I bought the original silicon case from Samsung with the S pen slot, which in real life is nicer than on the pictures and videos.
Just a bit loose in the bottom around the charging port and that it collects easily hand grease on the back side from where you hold the device.

As a conclusion, to my experience after 8 days, upgrade is only worth if you need a better camera or the latest and greatest phone.
Otherwise in the day to day use does not really offer something more.

 

[Walter Wagenleithner]

It's right, generally the evolution in smartphones within 1 or 2 years is not that big nowadays. I went fron the smaller Note 10 to the S21 Ultra. And yes, You get the typical Samsung experience You are used to from this smartphone which is not a bad thing I would say. But as You said, the cameras made the biggest progression, especially the telephoto lenses. And if You use them quite often the upgrade might be worth it. I personally am very happy with the Ultra.

 

[burwil]

I got headaches moving from the 10+ to the 21 Ultra so I returned it. One of the few I guess bothered with the PWM frequency of the Ultra though from what I've researched the Note 10+ is similar. So I'm mystified. It's the same for all new phones for me, even the iPhones. Anyway though I liked the Ultra, I noticed the screen was smaller and saw no tangible benefit moving to the Ultra. That's the state of high end smartphones these days. Hopefully I'll be able to use the next iteration though I'm not optimistic. Probably end up switching out the battery on this.