Get $500 off RRP plus trade in value to purchase Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra 5G
$500 off RRP plus trade in value for Galaxy S21 5G
+
$50 Email Subscription Voucher
+$100 Loyalty Voucher.
Eg s21 128gb - 1249-500-50-100=600
Get $500 off RRP plus trade in value to purchase Galaxy S21+ and S21 Ultra 5G
$500 off RRP plus trade in value for Galaxy S21 5G
+
$50 Email Subscription Voucher
+$100 Loyalty Voucher.
Eg s21 128gb - 1249-500-50-100=600
Comparing the S21 Ultra with the Pixel 6 Pro, I presume the pixel would be a better choice? What does everyone else think?
Pixel 6 for the pure android experience.
That hasn't been the case for a few years now. They're quite good at support.
You won't get Android 12 immediately, but if supported, it'll come not long after
The S series devices like the S21 qualify for Android for Enterprise, Samsung have to provide security updates within 90 days of updates being released.
You might not get OS upgrades straight away though, the S10 for example started life on Android 9 and will get Android 12, it might not get OS upgrades past that though. It has also been getting regular security updates since launch, monthly in most cases but the longest I've gone is about 2 months without an update.
Samsung is better with updates than almost all the other manufacturers, except Google themselves.
I've got a google pixel 3 as a work phone it's 3 years old and it already has Android 12… I've also got an S21 brand new as a personal phone it's still on Android 11.
I won't be buying samsung as my next phone it'll be a pixel.
@4foxache: i have a pixel 3 and it just on life support now. barely lasted less than 3 years for me, suffering random shut downs out of nowhere and before had random boot looping. And before that I had a nexus 6p, also didn't last 3 years and had their battery and cpu issues. I don't know how I could continue trusting google to buy a pixel 6 after these incidents. I need a new phone to buy now. I want reliability, camera and battery.
@RQNinja: Interesting - I have an OG Pixel and while I don't use it as a daily driver any more it hasn't skipped a beat
@Tater: I am thinking if is settings or one of the apps causing the issues. Luckily I was able to backup from settings (which does not include the files from my phone, why what the hell), factory restore it which still have that your phone is corrupt message, upgraded install to Android 12, and restored all settings apps which still have caused it, and restored it one more time without those apps. The resets and heat seems to have stopped, but I regret somehow not restoring the files I have on my phone. I thought backup using the settings would upload all my files to google drive or somewhere?
Pure or clean (such a cringe way to express it) is super boring. Each to their own.
who doesn't love vanilla?
I personally would prefer pure, as you always have the option to overlay it with Nova or other similar launchers that are much better and less resource hungry compared to Samsung UI.
@OZBsince2018: I wouldn't buy a pixel insofar it would even let you move the search bar at the bottom. That really really irks me. Its supposed to be android where you can do or move stuff to where ever you want!
@Exec-Matrix: After 9 years of Samsung I was pumped for the Pixel 6 for AI driven features, but pretty disappointed with what I'm reading on features and performance. Also S22 now appears to have the same primary cameras as S21 despite Olympus partnership rumours. A discounted S21 now may be the smarter choice.
Venting on my unreasonable expectation, off-topic… I make a crapload of work calls while caring for a toddler, and expected Pixel 6 would allow auto-transcribing of voice/web calls and give an AI background noise filter with similar performance to RTX voice. It doesn't support either AFAIK.
I've tested other transcribe apps but they are very inaccurate and limited. Noise filter apps and mic array headsets like QC45 all still suck as they nerf voice quality. As soon as a handset supports high-quality AI background noise filtering and call transcription they can take my money!
Fingers crossed NVIDIA/ARM launch something to compete with Samsung/AMD Exynos with these features, or it comes with Tensor GS201 Cloudripper. Soz for the off topic rant.
@Exec-Matrix: Uh.. just change the launcher to whatever you want. It's not like iOS where you're forced to have everything look their way.
Only thing S21 Ultra is a clear winner over P6P is brighter screen and better zoom. Otherwise P6P better pick.
Better finger print scanner and it has face unlock.
Pixel doesn't have face unlock and the finger print scanner feels annoyingly slow
Fair enough. I've always found Samsung fingerprint readers slow and annoying, but I guess the one in the S21 series has improved a lot.
Personally, I am not too annoyed with the fingerprint reader in P6P.
@aveeno bb: Better battery on the Samsung as well. The battery based on my brother's usage and other reviewers out thee is below average. My other brother has the S21 Ultra and the battery is much better.
I personal don't like Samsung and I think the pixel would be a better buy but just putting out there the battery situation. (that's if you have it on variable refresh rate with 1440 resolution).
@itsmoe: I've hears 4-5 sot on the pixel, is it that bad?
I can squeeze out about 8-9 hours with 20% left surfing and YouTube on the s21 ultra. Good thing you can put it on powersaving mode with 1440p/120hz on.
@krisspy: Yeh based on other phone reviews, it's not that great at all. I have the MI 11 and I get easily around 6 hours with 1440p and 120hz. But I have it on FHD to get more juice out of it.
Face unlock on samsung cannot be used for biometric authentication. I would not count it as a feature
Finger print scanners never seem to work for me. Even at the airports.
Samsung Knox also provides a better isolated secure folder use and it isolates the work profiles better too.
It's hard to compare features which is exclusive to each other. But I take your point if Samsung Knox is a thing for someone.
People's point that samsung has slow update is somewhat less of an issue, considering samsung usually comes out with the newer features (chat bubbles, multi window, screen recorder, scrolling screenshot, samsung smart switch), some of these are only now rolling out with Android 12 with the pixel 6 while galaxy's are on 11.
Though personally, if you have access to the Samsung education store, I'd get the ultra.
Just saw the search history. The fold 3 (256gb) was 1600, ultra 1266 and pixel was 1500.
I mean that's nuts.
S21 ultra is the better phone. Pixel 6 is too simplistic.
You cant beat Samsung software nowadays, specially if customization is your thing.
Samsungs software is trash, atleast for the exynos phones we have here in Australia.
Nothing is properly optimised including the camera which ruins the whole user experience.
And yes you can beat Samsung software if it’s stock android in my opinion..
The fingerprint reader being as slow as it is on the Pixel would annoy me way too much given that I have fingerprint unlock enabled on basically all my apps on my S21+.
Looks like Samsung is really struggling to sell their flagships.
Because there are so many alternatives these days and for half the costs…
$600 after discounts is pretty cheap compared to competition though?
Not the best deal, since its $600 off full price. Wait until they discount the device on top of that like previous deals.
Not to mention they removed the micro SD card slot..
Yes S21 line had struggled a lot. Although I own it but the design is very controversial asthetically
Disagree - I love the design. Its much more sleek to me as well as thinner/lighter than other flagships. The comparable iPhones and Pixels are heavier and a little thicker
Design preference is always subjective. In my opinion it is super refined. Samsung flagships are among the most refined hardware along with Apple and Huawei
Yes, even their latest figures seems to show this. Their low and mid range are doing well,as are their foldables.
Personally, I'd never buy their flagships because they're so much cheaper through their education store (which I don't have access to). Why would I pay for whatever the rrp or even with 20% off?
You mean you won't buy it rrp….
I've got corporate employee store access which is often same as education store prices (could be always same, don't know). Samsung direct S21 deals with trade and code stacks (like this one) nearly always beat the corporate store deals.
How do you get a 100 loyalty voucher
Also like to know this
Just get in touch with the Samsung customer support using the chat. It worked for me when I said "a friend mentioned to me that I could get a $100 discount code if I were looking to buy a new phone". They might ask you what phone you currently have. Just mention an old model or an iPhone. They either email the code to you or just give it to you via the chat.
Btw, the $50 Email Subscription Voucher is a hit or miss. If you've subscribed before, you won't receive it. Even some new customers haven't received it (a friend signed up and didn't receive it) or it can take a day or two.
I bought a S20 FE recently from the Samsung store and was waiting for that $50 email voucher to arrive for days, it never arrived…
Do not say that u have an iphone. Rep refused to give me the voucher until i said i also had an s10
I used the ozbargain thread where people share their codes (sorry couldn't find it again maybe others will have better luck).
Just pay it forward when you finally get your code after a few weeks and post your code there
You ask for it via chat with Samsung customer service. Provide the an excuse like you would like to take advantage of this trade in deal but you have an older Samsung or Apple device that's older than those on the qualified trade in list.
And then just hope they don't ask for proof!
I just tried this and this was my response:
"Just to let you know these loyalty vouchers are currently being offered as an alternative option to customers who have physically damaged or out of warranty units and are liable to pay for the repair at their own cost.
In this regard, we would be unable to issue a loyalty voucher at this time."
How do you get a 100 loyalty voucher
See many answers in previous deals. I said I had an S7 with cracked screen, not worth fixing.
It was $200 voucher though. Is this the same thing?
You can't get it anymore. I emailed all my photos and got this back:
We have received your email but we would like to inform you that our voucher code are currently being offered as an alternative option to customers who have phone with physical damaged or out of warranty units and are liable to pay for the repair at their own cost. If you have a phone that has physical damage we would like to request for you to chat or call first our representative, there should be a chat transaction first or a call transaction, and they will tell you the steps on how you can get a voucher code. And please ask for a reference number from our representative. Please reply to this thread once you have the reference number including a photo of the front,back and photo of the IMEI number of the phone that have a physical damage or out of warranty.
Bugger - slight damage to the screen of my sons S9+ means that the trade in value is $0.00
that's fine, the $500 is a bonus on top of what you trade in. If you don't trade in your phone they won't charge you anything back
I believe $0 devices aren't eligible for trade-in, which means the $500 is not available.
Quote: "Your existing device must be listed here [https://www.samsung.com/au/tradeup/] and have a value of more than $0 after assessment."
Source: https://www.samsung.com/au/smartphones/galaxy-s21-5g/buy/ > scroll to the #2 footnote.
Please correct me if I have misinterpreted the footnote.
There is no obligation to return the device. Just choose the right options to have some value registered, then decide whether to send the device in or not.
If the device is found to be ineligible, they will send the devices back as long as you pay the trade-in value (which is done automatically).
Has anyone really got charged at a later date for not sending the traded device?
Yes you do get charged the trade-in value, not the $500 bonus.
Yeah I sent mine back and it didn't meet the criteria so I got charged $55 which was the trade I value for the phone. I then told my wife to not send hers back and she got charged $55 for no return
Yep just don't send it in for me I only had a tradein value of $35 I didn't send it back got charged $35 kept all the other bonuses. Then sold it for $100 privately to someone I knew… could've sold it for even more. Tradein value is a massive rip
is there a chance you will also get charged $500? for not meeting trade-in rule
This would be an example though where you might be able to get the $100 loyalty credit
You would be lucky to even sell the S9 at this point on the 2nd hand market. So $500 trade in value is worth it. Or keep it and wait for the trade in deals for new S22
s21 ultra camera getting blurry pics if object moves slightly.. even indoor the pics quality not upto mark.
Yeah that's what I'm finding. Like it doesn't know how to adjust shutter speed on its own
even 4 yr old pixel 2xl take better pics
I wouldn't go that far, I had a pixel 3 and it's no way better. When the s21U gets the shot right, it gets it RIGHT. But it's not consistent and I find the default camera too zoomed in, forces me to go wide angle alot which just isn't good indoors.
Really missing Huawei cameras right now, if only they didn't get slapped with google services ban hammer.
@Mikeyy888: Previous phone was a mate 20x,unfortu ately was getting old on the security updates.
Waiting for Huawei to release their flagships under Honor brand so they can bypass the Google play ban.
@Mikeyy888: +1. I'm so happy with mine too. I am genuinely surprised how it's held up over time. 2,5 years and the battery is still strong too.
Bought a Pixel 2XL for my daughter and was pleasantly surprised at the camera bang for buck there too. It isn't an s20 or P30 though.
@Mikeyy888: I had the P30 pro before S21 Ultra. Ultra camera is marginally better. However there was a difference in operating speed and load times with games with Ultra. P30 Pro struggled with playing Genshin
@krisspy: I found Huawei camera's so overrated. The colour science was so off the mark the pictures were horrific.
Yeah, I have one and it's decent. I think once Pixel 6 Pro comes down in price I'll grab one.
Pixel 100% better photos and I have both
cant find any solution so far.
Can we add on $200 bonus voucher on this deal?
snapdragon?
No
was cheaper last week S21 at $999 - $350 -$100 - $50 = $499 & been cheaper in the past
Yes. Also S22 series coming in just over two months from now.
I got mine for $450
S22 ULTRA is just 3 months away.
I love that the first 'feature' stated for each of these phones is "charger sold separately".. Are they that tight ass about it..?
Every dollar counts when you sell and ship millions of these phones.
Whatever Apple does, everyone else can follow.
Other manufacturers including Apple are the same now. Everybody has a drawer full of chargers and cables, so less waste.
It is "green", along with reduced packaging.
They did drop the price of both handset and OEM charger when this happened.
I came to the conclusion that this is all to either save money, or get the customer to spend more money.
S21 Ultra, for example, comes with USB-C to USB-C cable, not the traditional USB-A to USB-C cable.
I don't know how many older people actually have a charger with USB-C port lying around at home, means that they will either be upselled with a charger, or open the package to find out none of their charges at home wouldn't work with them, having to fork out extra.
The C-C cable was handy for transferring data from my old phone.
Surely this is not your first phone with a USB-C port? (unless coming from Apple)
You can use your old charger and cable, until your new USB-PD or wireless charger arrives from the next OzB deal.
I assumed it was EU rules being carried to AU stock
Lost all interest in Samsung phones. Too expensive and too many features taken away. I prefer my S9+ to these newer models, but it is time to move to iPhone.
Yep. Memory card, 3.5mm port all the way. Unfortunately you miss out on the camera (which, if i didn't have kids to take photos of, would not be an issue)
iPhone? They have always had fewer features, both hardware and software. Simplicity is their ideology. And as for "too expensive" ??? Talk about "out of the frying pan" :-)
If you want dual-physical SIM, SD card, 3.5mm audio - these days you need to look at the newer Chinese brands.
Cool story bro , especially the part where you want to solve your made up problem by buying a more expensive phone with even less features.
Complains about;
- lack of features
- expensive prices
*buys an iphone
Logic
Do the old vouchers still work?