Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

Galaxy S21

Top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20 and S10

Top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20 and S10After updating your Galaxy S21, S20, or S10 to Android 12, you will encounter many new features in Android 12 update (both One UI 4.0 and One UI 4.1).

This Galaxy S21 guide explains the top 12 new features in Android 12 update (One UI 4.1/4.0) for Galaxy S21, S20,  and S10 to help you use these new features effectively on your Galaxy S21, S20, or S10.

As discussed in this guide, there are two Android 12 updates for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10.  Some new features were added in the One UI 4.0 update and some in the One UI 4.1 update. The top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 discussed in this guide include:

  1. Camera and microphone indicators (One UI 4.0).
  2. More transfer options in Smart Switch (One UI 4.1).
  3. Voice memo on the lock screen (One UI 4.0).
  4. Extra dim screen (One UI 4.0).
  5. Writing Assistant (Grammarly integration) on Samsung Keyboard (One UI 4.0).
  6. Customisable virtual memory (RAM Plus) (One UI 4.1)
  7. Skip an alarm just once (One UI 4.0).
  8. Portraits for pets (One UI 4.0).
  9. Extra time for single-take mode (One UI 4.0).
  10. Telephoto lens in Pro and
… Read the rest

Android 12 update vs One UI 4.0 vs One UI 4.1: update Galaxy S21, S20 and S10 to Android 12

Android 12 update vs One UI 4.0 vs One UI 4.1: update Galaxy S21, S20 and S10 to Android 12In almost all regions, the Android 12 update has been available for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 since December 2021.

But there is still some confusion about the Android 12 update, One UI 4.0 update, and One UI 4.1 update.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains the difference between the Android 12 update, One UI 4.0 update, and one UI 4.1 update for Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, and S10, then shows you how to update Galaxy S21 to Android 12.  Finally, some questions you may have on updating Galaxy S21, S20, and S10 to Android 12, are answered

As the Android 12 update is almost identical for Galaxy S21, S20, and S10, this guide applies to all these three phones.

For Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, and S10 5G, Android 12 is the last update. They will not receive the Android 13 (One UI 5) update. Update: Samsung stopped security updates for Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e in April 2023. Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, and Galaxy S22 all received Android 13 (One UI 5.0 and One UI 5.1) updates. You may check the new features in the Android 13 update for Galaxy S21 and S22 here. … Read the rest

How to use Galaxy S21 camera quick launch?

How to use Galaxy S21 camera quick launch?You can use Galaxy S21 camera quick launch to open the camera app instantly without looking at the phone, even without unlocking the phone.

This Galaxy S21 camera guide explains what Galaxy S21 camera quick launch is, how to use it, and how to disable or enable it on Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra.

Galaxy S21 camera quick launch is a standard feature of Galaxy S21. So it works identically on all three models of Galaxy S21 (S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra).

If you have updated your Galaxy S21 to Android 14 (One UI 6), you can now use the camera widget to launch the camera app quickly with any specific camera mode from the Home screen.

What is Galaxy S21 camera quick launch and how to use it?

Sometimes, you may need to take a photo or record a video as soon as possible because the perfect moment may go on forever if you miss it.

But opening the camera app on Galaxy S21 by locating and tapping the camera app icon on the Galaxy S21 Home screen or Lock screen can take considerable time, and therefore, you may miss some precious moments.

Voice … Read the rest

How to charge Galaxy S21 battery properly?

How to charge Galaxy S21 battery properly?You need to charge Galaxy S21 battery properly to slow down the degradation of battery performance over time.

This Galaxy S21 how-to guide explains everything you need to know on how to charge Galaxy S21 battery properly. The two charging modes (USB cable, wireless charging) are explained and illustrated with detailed steps. Questions related to charging Galaxy S21 battery, including the first time charging, disabling fast charging, overnight charging, topping up the battery, draining up the battery,   are answered.

All three Galaxy S21 models (Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra) use identical battery and charging technology. So, this guide applies to all these 3 models.

Update: in the Android 14 (One UI 6) update for Galaxy S23, S22, and S21, the battery settings are separated from the Device Care.

Two charging modes to charge Galaxy S21 battery

You can charge Galaxy S21 battery in two different modes:

  1. USB  cable charging.
  2. Wireless charging.

These two modes are based on different technologies. And there are different standards for these two charging methods.

USB cable charging

USB cable charging is common among smartphones. Almost all smartphones support USB cable charging.

But charging speed differs dramatically due to various … Read the rest

Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+ vs Galaxy S21 Ultra

Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+ vs Galaxy S21 UltraLike Galaxy S20, Samsung released 3 models of Galaxy S21: Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra. Many potential buyers are not sure which one to get when considering Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+ vs Galaxy S21 Ultra.

This Galaxy S21 guide explains the major differences of Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+ vs Galaxy S21 Ultra and explains which model is the right one for you.

Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21+: the difference is on the size and material of the back cover.

Among the 3 models, Galaxy S21 and S21+ share almost identical components except for the size of the screen and the material used for the back cover.

Galaxy S21+ has a 6.7″ flat OLED screen. The screen of Galaxy S21 is noticeable smaller at 6.2″.

Except for the size, the displays on Galaxy S21 and S21+ are identical. The resolution is FHD+ (1080 x 2400, 20:9). The same Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with brightness up to 1300nits is used. Both support a 120Hz refresh rate (adaptive refreshing 48-120Hz). HDR 10+ is also supported.

The biggest difference between the Galaxy S21 and S21+ is about the material of the back cover.  Galaxy S21 has a plastic back cover and … Read the rest

Top 6 disappointments of Galaxy S21 Ultra

Top 6 disappointments of Galaxy S21 UltraGalaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung’s only hope to reverse the declining sales of Galaxy S phones since Galaxy S10. But it seems Samsung lost the opportunity due to the numerous disappointments of Galaxy S21 Ultra.

This post summarizes the top 6 disappointments of Galaxy S21 Ultra: curved screen, no micro SD card support, lack of essential accessories, no 45W superfast charging,  with S Pen support but without an S Pen, inferior under-display fingerprint sensor.

Curved screen: the No.1 disappointment of Galaxy S21 Ultra

Since Galaxy S6 Edge (or even Galaxy Note Edge), Samsung tried hard to sell the curved screen.  It is unique.

But most Galaxy phone owners don’t like it.  Very few Galaxy phone owners bought the phone because of the curved screen.

Initially, Samsung told us they would add some new and innovative features like Edge screen. Now, it is purely cosmetic (infinity display).

If Samsung had listened to customers, they should have stopped using the curved screen on any mainstream phones 3 or 4 years ago.

Unfortunately, Samsung is too stubborn and try luck on the most important flagship phones.

On the three Galaxy S21 models, Galaxy S21 … Read the rest