Questions about S21 Ultra

[Specialist]

Hello

So I am eligible for an upgrade, and I am thinking of upgrading to the S21 Ultra 16/512 model.

I got a few questions about the model sold by Vodafone.

1) can anyone (either Vodafone staff or those who have purchased this device) confirm the model number?

2) there are Dual-Nano sim and eSIM version as well as a Single-Nano and eSIM version. (which is the one sold by Vodafone?)

3) can I get a eSIM as part of my upgrade, so that I can use the nano-sim slot for another sim card? 

4) will the nano-sim slots be locked to Vodafone? If so when can I get them unlocked and would it cost me? (I want to be able to have my work sim on the same phone so I don't have to carry two phones with me) 

The whole point of having dual-sim phones is to be able to use dual-Sims and usually that means not the same operator. I couldn't find any information about this, and I keep getting contradicting information from vodafone. 

EE has confirmed that their phones come locked for 6 months.  I want to find out what the policy is here at Vodafone.. 

Finally a general question, those who purchased the ultra, are you happy with your purchase? 

Thank you. 

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Specialist 

I can answer a couple of questions for you.

3, Yes. esim 

4, Yes phone's at this time supplied by Vodafone are locked. From December 2021 Ofcom say phone's have to be unlocked out of the box.

You can get it unlocked. Some further information is in  Unlocking-your-phone-NUC. 

If the phone is a dual hybrid sim phone then both slots will need to be unlocked as they'll use two different imei numbers.

I've used the Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra phone and it's an awesome phone filled with lots of good features, well balanced in the hand and in the version I used in experienced no warming up of the phone with the battery easily lasting one to two days.

Some maybe put off by the lack of sd card support, and no earphones or charging brick.

[Specialist]

@BandOfBrothers thank you for your reply.

From the page you linked, my understanding is that 30 days after use I can simply request a network unlock code, and this code should be sent to me within 30 days free of charge.

In other words I can have the Vodafone contract sim as an eSIM and have an unlocked nano-sim slot after roughly 2 months of having the new phone.. That sounds fantastic. 

[BandOfBrothers]

Hi @Specialist 

There used to be a criteria of x3 bills paid on time with Pay Monthly customers but that appears to have been now removed. They are probably gearing up for the Ofcom changes that come into effect in December 2021.

The Nuc is free and typically comes through pretty fast. Although some Samsung phone's also need a MCK also known as an unfreeze code as well as the Nuc. This is also supplied by Vodafone if needed. You'll know if you actually need one if the Nuc does not work at the time.

On a side note the Phantom black looks awesome.

I'm awaiting a hopeful release of the Note 21 Ultra with the Snapdragon soc.

edit … I don't belive the 30 days usage of the sim in the phone is required anymore either before being able to request a Nuc.

[Specialist]

@BandOfBrothers 

Exynos seems to be catching up to Snapdragon, it's not as bad as it was the past few years (at least  from all the YouTube benchmarks and reviews).

I thought of waiting for the note 21 myself, but I have a feeling that Samsung is slowly killing the note series or at least that might be their long term plan, considering the fact that they added s-pen support to the S series and now the Z series. 

Also the sd card slot is gone from the S series so I would say it will be the same with the Note series.

I Always preferred the note series due to the larger devices. In fact I still have and use my note3 lte (n9005) with a heavily customised android  9 rom.

And yes the Black phantom is amazing. Sadly I couldnt make use of the preorder as my Vodafone account wasn't eligible for an upgrade.. 

[BandOfBrothers]

I tend not to take too much notice of Geekbench stats personally and take more interest in how the phone optimises and performs in day to day use @Specialist 

The new Exynos soc has caught up a little to the Snapdragon in regards to benchmark tests however in my personal experience with the Note 20 5G Exynos model it underperformed so I sent that back to Samsung UK and imported the Snapdragon version and it's night and day to be honest.

Yes rumours are rife that Samsung want to push their flip and fold versions but they'll need to be more affordable in my opinion.

The s21 Ultra does support s pen as long as you buy one separately and are willing to carry it around or use a bulkier case to house the s pen.

The housing silo in the Note is just more convenient.

Samsung have supposedly refuted the rumours that the Note line is to be shelved but time will tell.

Interesting times ahead indeed.

[garetc]

I ordered and returned the S21U from Vodafone wlhich clame unlocked. Did a non like for like swap for a Google Pixel 5 which also came unlocked.

Could be that the've prepared for the changes early and havent adverised the fact.

iPhone's seem to still be network locked.

The S21U from Vodafone has dual physical SIM or Physical & eSIM.

[Specialist]

@garetbe

Why did you return the S21U if you don't mind me asking?

So there are two models being sold? Or do you mean there's 2 physical Sim slots but if the embedded sim is activated only 1 slot can be used? (which is the intended behaviour) 

[garetc]

I just felt it was a little over priced and as a second line/handset the Pixel 5 met my needs and was £60 - £70 cheaper a month. 

I have a few phones, a Note 20 Ultra being one of them and in comparison there is only 3 noticeable improvements, camera, screen, and processor, all of which were minor for me a taking into account my usage.

You could argue that day to day you don’t really notice them at all. I’m not running intensive games and the improvement in picture was barely noticeable. The only thing I kiss is the higher refresh rate at QHD but that definitely isn’t worth the extra money.

The latter, There’s only one model available from Vodafone, all are capable of having eSIM and two physical SIMs but if you have the eSIM activated SIM2 is automatically deactivated and vice versa.