When certain minimums are reached, it is difficult to make an evolutionary leap, especially if these minimums already start from a considerable height. Samsung tends to build its flagships to the teeth and sometimes on paper there doesn’t seem to be much leap from one to another, hence in the analysis of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra we wanted to see if the experience changes a lot or not with respect to its predecessor , the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Comparing them from you to you we see that there are aspects that have remained almost unchanged, such as the screen or the dimensions. But the S21 Ultra has a new processor, (something of) design and incorporates two telephoto lenses, among other novelties with respect to the above, so there is cloth to cut.
We sensed that there was going to be a change in the design of the rear module of the S21 due to the multiple leaks around it, and indeed the huge bulge that encompasses the cameras now has its root in the metal edge of the mobile itself. A solution of continuity for the gloss finish of the same that is cut with the upper part of the module, which preserves the matte of the back.
It is a way to differentiate itself from the previous thing and from much of the competition, since this module is usually an independent rectangular, square or strip shaped island. In this case it is similar to the rectangle that we saw in the S20 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with large diameter lenses stacked in strips, although as we will see in the cameras section there is one more (a telephoto lens).
Dirty the back of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is an almost impossible challenge to overcome
For the rest, the back is quite simple and minimalist, giving the mobile an elegant, sober and discreet finish (at least in the black tonality). Although beyond the appearance what must be noted is that it does not get dirty, not even trying. Two thumbs up here, Samsung, because it doesn’t slip excessively either, especially because of the good grip provided by the edges.
This is important because it is a large and heavy mobile. With little variation with respect to the S20 Ultra in terms of volume (it is, in fact, a little less tall), it is a thick mobile that is part of the heaviest of the current high-end range, tying with the iPhone 12 Pro Max with its 228 grams.
It is not, therefore, the most voluminous (although those of gaming win and few more of this selection). Hence, the feeling in hand is not so much of a large mobile (taking into account the current trend), but we do notice that weight. This will depend on what we are used to, so that we will have more sensitivity to its weight if we normally use lighter phones, but it still does not get tired.
Continuing with the design lines, the metal edge integrates on which side the physical buttons (the usual ones, without a Bixby key), the main speaker, the USB Type-C port and the SIM tray. A tray that this year cannot accommodate any SD, without seeing a minijack next to it but with all the elements on the lower side aligned horizontally to the center of it.
The metal edge is narrower on the sides, so that it accommodates the greater curvature that the rear part draws. Much larger than the screen, which maintains comfort in the grip without compromising interaction with the screen or facilitating accidental touches of it (although we will talk more about this later).
The front is another clearing of Samsung to the competition and another notch in its history of use by the screen: beyond the attractiveness of the mobile as a whole, the 6.8 inches of the panel are at ease on a front with almost entirely symmetrical frames (the lower one is wider) and a subjective camera of contained diameter without skimping on resolution (being the same size as that of the Huawei P40 Pro and even larger than that of the iPhone Pro 12 Max). Oh, and the secondary earpiece / speaker is priceless – you hear it, but you don’t see it.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 02 Screen 02
That said: in its entirety (and in the black tone) it is an elegant and beautiful mobile, especially considering the rear, more differential. The module is not discreet and causes some rocking if we use it on a surface (and we tap on the opposite side to the cameras), but the matte finish, which also gives it the super power of not slipping or getting dirty, is the key touch so we really like to look at that rear part.
Camera app
The One UI camera app maintains the minimums to which we were used to before One UI, but in each version (and depending on the mobile) we see small adaptations. In the S21 we have seen that it had only the tabs of the essential modes configured as standard, with the advantage of being able to customize which modes we want (as was already possible).
This makes it more convenient to browse the “More” tab first. Here we will see part of the novelties, such as the director’s perspective mode or other more common and probably used such as slow and fast cameras, night mode and portrait mode. Adding or removing them from the interface tabs is as easy as clicking and dragging.
Less fast is the activation or deactivation of the HDR, which will be automatic yes or yes. We will have to go to settings depending on whether or not there is the possibility of this multiple shot occurring, which is cumbersome and in this case quite slow, since the app continues to show some lag.
In the photography interface we will see that the shortcuts are maintained, both for functions and lens changes, and that the focus optimizer is added, which we can deactivate if we think we are not interested. With nona binning activated as standard, automatic shooting is done at 12 megapixels, so if we want to do it at 108 megapixels we will have to go to the ratio button and choose 4: 3 at 108 megapixels.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 06 Focus 01
When we talk about the results we will see what happens when we activate or not this icon (focus optimization).
Of course: there is no way to shoot at 108 megapixels with the Pro mode, which is one of the most complete, allowing you to choose even degrees of adjustment. Perhaps it will be a function that will come later, and in that case it would be necessary to see if the saving in RAW that can be enabled for that format is kept. By the way, at 108 megapixels the HDR (always automatic) can act, but not the focus assist.
The night mode preserves the interface and its beautiful animation of the button when executing it, adding the possibility that (being equally automatic) we can choose the maximum that the system considers possible, in theory being able to reach up to 30 seconds of exposure (although we have only achieved up to 9 seconds in a near complete darkness environment). A mode that acts on the different lenses including the front, by the way, which is not usual.
The portrait mode also remains in terms of options except for the new lighting modes. Very similar to the approach of Apple and other manufacturers, it is about being able to choose between different artificial lighting to obtain portraits with effects (black and white, studio, etc.), something available whatever the subject (there is no discrimination by species) and also on the front camera (they can be added in the later edition). We will see the results in the next section.
The addition of the second telephoto lens doesn’t change the zoom interface, but this time the jump to 10x has its own lens. It is still quite intuitive and it is comfortable to have zoom presets to choose from, although we can always pull the gradual.
