Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra Owners, Are You Upgrading to S24 Ultra

syswong on 20/01/2024 - 09:00
Last edited 20/01/2024 - 09:22

Just want to drop a quick chat and see what S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra owners are doing.

My wife using S22 Ultra and considering upgrade. I feel the significant difference will be the zoom range of camera and the flat screen design. 80% of the software I expect will come with future updates. With all the code and discounts applied, comes to just over 1K to upgrade, which I feel its not worth it for the price tag.

What are your thoughts?

EDIT: One HUGE disappointment is missing Satellite communication. I will press the buy button in a heartbeat if they included that.

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Android

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/01/2024 - 09:04

    S22 to s24 for 1k, if I was in the market I’d say yeah

    • HeWhoKnows on 21/01/2024 - 08:35

      $1,000 for a few more bells and whistles?

      How can you say thats worth it?

      Whats the point if they are not an important REQUIREMENT????

      Whats the point if they wont be used. Just to say you have the latest????

      If your wife's phone is working perfectly then dont replace it

  • boomramada on 20/01/2024 - 09:06
    +1

    If i have enough budget and if reserve bank approve my decision, then yes.

  • skid on 20/01/2024 - 09:13
    +1

    The S22 Ultra has a 10x optical zoom vs the S24 Ultra which has a 5x optical zoom (the rest is done using software).

    So, it'll be 1K to upgrade to a flat screen which the S6 used to have for free.

    btw, the AI features will be behind a paywall in 2026.

    • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 09:18
      +1

      The telephoto is 5X Optical in S24 Ultra but with 50mp and the 10X will be crop the centre part of that sensor so technically the 10X is the same but improved zoom in the mid range.

      The AI looks not so mature from the early reports, another reason I don't think it is worth the money now…..

      • skid on 20/01/2024 - 09:25

        There will be a lot of noise in the 50mp so zooming in the noise is going to look crap.

        I think the S24 Ultra is an absolute rip. Worst Samsung flagship phone release since the S20 series.

        If you have an old phone (the S22 is not old) and must upgrade, the S24 Plus is better value.

        • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 10:28

          The noise issue will be a complex one…
          Pixel size S24U is smaller 0.08 vs S22U 1.12, but the sensor is better with S22U using 754 and S24U using 854.

          Then there is the tech behind the software which most will agree is an important part of modern phone camera.

          I honestly think there is very little between the two at 10x

          • Bargain-er on 21/01/2024 - 08:48

            @syswong: Yeah, i watched the comparison videos between s23 ultra n s24 ultra 10+ x zoom. Definitely it is a minor difference as you mentioned. What surprised me is the image stability in s23 seems to be slightly better.

        • CodeXD on 20/01/2024 - 11:04

          Unfortunately S24 plus comes with exynos which is not on the same level as snapdragon 8 gen 3.

          Samsung knows this and that's why they only put the snapdragon in S24 ultra for their most flagship phone.

        • Dejaar on 21/01/2024 - 08:58

          Skid: What's wrong with S20? I am not chasing tech and have an s9 works - does everything I need but might be failing so was going to upgrade to a cheap S20Ultra which still has expandable memory.
          Not a good idea?

          • skid on 21/01/2024 - 11:50

            @Dejaar: Nah, nothing wrong with the S20. Was just saying that as a way of saying there haven't been any decent improvements in the last 4-5 years.

            • syswong on 21/01/2024 - 17:13

              @skid: What improvement do you expecting?

              Anything before s22u when compare to S24U is way behind, CPU, screen, camera, software…

          • syswong on 21/01/2024 - 17:07

            @Dejaar:

            expandable memory….

            It's 2024 internal memory tech is miles ahead of SD cards. Time to move on.

  • elgrande on 20/01/2024 - 09:18
    +4

    How many more rate increases are factored into this scenario?

    S21 ultra owner.. and no.

    If it was wife, then yes - do I really have a choice?

    • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 09:27
      +1

      If it was wife, then yes - do I really have a choice?

      Haha, lucky me its wife paying for her upgrade so she has a choice.

      Interest rate I felt its peaked and we are getting offset soon so there is budget for it.

      Our opinion is whether that 1K is better spend on something else. For example an InReach which we have been thinking for a long time…..

      • skid on 20/01/2024 - 09:31

        The InReach sounds good. You know that as soon as you get it, the S25 will come with sat comms.

  • payless69 on 20/01/2024 - 09:30
    -1

    Iphones getting damp feet. But the video crown has not been toppled.
    Still shortcomings can be fixed on ya Macbook.

    So in conclusion: The S24u extends my best part by 1". The IP15pm by 2".

  • EightImmortals on 20/01/2024 - 09:35
    +4

    Nope, my current phone works just fine.

  • burningrage on 20/01/2024 - 10:12
    +1

    On a fence at the moment. Biggest plus is Camera but biggest negatives are Optical Zoom reduction and no Satellite comms.

  • pharkurnell on 20/01/2024 - 10:50
    +7

    Why bother upgrading if ya phone works?

    • EightImmortals on 20/01/2024 - 10:52
      +5

      Marketing.

      • pharkurnell on 20/01/2024 - 11:00
        +1

        Come in sucker….
        keep up with the jones'…. etc etc lol

  • CodeXD on 20/01/2024 - 11:08

    You should be able to get it for cheaper by cancelling the accessories.

    I had a play around with the trade in and accessories and I can upgrade from S23 ultra 512gb/12gb to S24 ultra 256gb/12gb on gov portal for ~$306.

    S23U 512gb trade in value is $795.

    • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 13:45

      Assuming GOV is same as EDU price, I think trading in S23U 512 can get to Sub $500, are you saying removing accessories some of the eVoucher credit will go towards the phone?

      • CodeXD on 20/01/2024 - 14:20

        Then you should be about to get it to around ~$600

        You need to add exact or as close to $350 worth of accessories (in my test I got it to $351.2 or something) and make the purchase. As soon as you purchase you go to order page and cancel all accessories and you'll end up with just the phone in the order.

        I'm not home atm but I can check for the exact accessories I added to get that price.

      • CodeXD on 20/01/2024 - 16:23

        SmartTag2 – 4 Pack (2 x White and 2 x Black) 135.2
        10,000 battery pack 47.2
        S24U Shield Case 47.2
        SmartTag2 – 1 Pack (Black) 44
        25W Power Adapter 31.2
        Case Insert S24U 23.2
        Case Insert S24U 23.2

        351.2

  • Seraphin7 on 20/01/2024 - 11:20
    +2

    I'm an S21+ owner. I won't be going to S24. I went to the S21 from the S7 as a result of (1) the S7 starting to die and (2) the step up to 5G.

    The features provided in new phones (other than the step up from 4G to 5G) just don't hold any value for me. As a result, I hold phones effectively until they are dying.

    My planned upgrade path will (ideally) be to go to the S25/S26 or thereabouts, then wait for 6G handsets to emerge, probably around the S29/S30 mark (obviously just sticking with the Samsung for the illustration).

    • itzSTARSCREAM on 03/02/2024 - 12:56

      I'm in a similar boat:
      S7 > S21
      I would like the ultra but its just too big. If Samsung had the ultra specs in a smaller form factor i would get it.

  • AdosHouse on 20/01/2024 - 11:48

    I pre-ordered the S24 Ultra. With S22 ultra trade in plus my Galaxy watch 5 pro trade in, I got the S24 Ultra 512Gb, plus Buds 2 Pro, plus Buds FE, for $780. I'll sell the Buds 2 Pro to reclaim some money. So not bad.

    • burningrage on 20/01/2024 - 15:13

      Hey thats very good. Did you do it retail or via EPP? You can trade in 2 devices too?

      • AdosHouse on 20/01/2024 - 15:24

        EPP, and yes you can.

  • Axelstrife on 20/01/2024 - 13:55
    +1

    The biggest upgrade is the battery life and performance, these are more so the difference between the S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra, the S24 should just be faster.
    The S22 Ultra was the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 so it has it's issues being the first gen that were worked out in the Snapdragon 8 Gen1+ and subsequently Gen 2 that is in the S23 Ultra and and so anything after the S22 Ultra will be a huge upgrade.

  • Nillionaire on 20/01/2024 - 14:47

    Imo the S21 Ultra's design still looks better than S22/23/24 Ultra

    • Godric on 20/01/2024 - 15:51

      Agree

    • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 16:10

      I actually think the S23 standard was best looking. Many feel like its the Android version of iPhone.

  • syswong on 20/01/2024 - 16:09

    Girls and Boys (Political….)

    Thanks for the input and unexpectedly Mrs decided to pull the trigger. Trading in S22U 512, $1169 with Bud 2 Pro and Screen Protector.

    BTW anyone feel like the case is so 💩💩. They cancelled the strap case and now you have to buy that case from a third party manufacturer….

    • ihfree on 20/01/2024 - 18:40

      Samsung cases are junk in my experience.

      I had the clear view which felt like a cheap generic case. I sent it back because I thought there was the possibility it was a fake. The LED view case looks ratty after 8 months.

  • Drakesy on 20/01/2024 - 17:16
    +2

    haha,

    No, don't tend to enjoy throwing money away for the same phone that's been churned out for the past 3 years.

  • jimbobaus on 20/01/2024 - 22:28
    +1

    Just a heads up.
    It’s being widely advertised that the “AI FEATURES” are only included free until 2025.
    Samsung haven’t said what fee they plan to charge but it’s in the fine print of the devices that they plan to charge for some features from next year.

  • IIGnomeII on 20/01/2024 - 22:59

    Won't be upgrading.
    While I am seeing slowness start to creep in more especially with the camera launch the phone overall still works fine to continue for a few more years hopefully.
    My wife has been telling me to get an iPhone for ages and I told her I would consider it more if they released it with USBC… so my next upgrade could go a few ways.

  • Easyteas85 on 21/01/2024 - 08:24

    s21 ultra owner
    I broke 2 pixel 6 pros in the last yr costing me a huge sum of money. Wife said no more so I bought a used s21 ultra.. love the thing blazing fast. Really don't see the need to upgrade for a good while. No issues battery still great.

  • Tomcruise on 21/01/2024 - 10:45
    +2

    This thread shows how SCREWED we have become.

    Imagine, not long ago you would buy a Toaster etc and not think geez in 5 years ill uograde. You had it for 20+ years.

    • syswong on 21/01/2024 - 17:21

      I think it really depends on your perspective….

      I myself was a good example. I see my wife's S22U is still quite good and worth another year wait to see if Samsung can incorporate satellite in the S25. My wife however thinks that satellite in smartphone will not be the way she wants for at least another two generation but the improvement and new feature is something she can use everyday. So she decided to cease the two year window (arguably the best) to upgrade.

  • Gravediggaz on 21/01/2024 - 17:11

    I have s22 ultra, im trading it in for s24 ultra

    • blue_bug on 21/01/2024 - 22:25

      Same here.

  • valuer on 23/01/2024 - 16:18

    Same size 'box' and same size battery.

    Obviously a challenge for these companies is battery weight.

    Nothing compelling to draw me from my S21 Ultra.

  • urahara on 10/02/2024 - 12:33

    Just for Samsung users here.
    Every android phone supports power saving mode , in which you can turn off everything other than limit CPU speed(basically means that when you turn on power saving mode it will just enable limit cpu speed).
    Just this setting by itself can increase your standby battery life by almost half a day.

    • syswong on 14/02/2024 - 16:01

      problem is that feature also switch off 5G

      • urahara on 04/03/2024 - 17:56

        You can tap and hold and choose if you wanna switch it off or keep it on

  • syswong on 14/02/2024 - 16:06

    Ok wife got her hands on the phone. From a S22U, her opinion is it is absolutely worth it.

    In short she is saying all the new feature does become useful in certain times. Yes they are not perfect yet, phone software are never perfect these days but she said its good enough.

    I am waiting for my S23 to get the update to verify her opinion……

  • hamwhisperer on 26/02/2024 - 21:42
    +1

    No bargains on this thing right now. Great ones at launch time but now it's$500 more expensive than launch..

  • snappy1234 on 28/02/2024 - 17:29

    Yep waiting for S25 Ultra to get a good deal..

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