S21 Ultra Battery life really bad compared to all the youtube video review

[daribeiro]

So I bought the new S21 Ultra on the pre order the day it was announced. I was one of the lucky ones to get early so I could leave a review. 

Coming from a Note 10+ that I had for a year and a half, I was really excited for the S21 Ultra, but was really disappointed with the battery life. I've had the phone for 5 days now and since the very beginning I've not been able to use the phone for the whole day on a single charge. It's been giving me screen on times comparable to my Note 10+ (4/5 hours) which is a much older device, but I thought maybe this was the way all S21 ultra's were behaving, just not very good battery life.

BUT, yesterday all the youtubers started to publish they're videos comparing batteries with older S devices and Iphones and their S21s were doing amazing, giving them screen on times of up to 13 hours! 

I contacted support but they said this would be normal as my phone was still learning user patterns... but I'm not sure if that would affect it as bad as it is at the moment. 

What do you guys think? Should I send the phone back? I'm really concerned that I just spent all this money on a new phone for it to be so bad with battery. 

[SaiChaotic]

Mine heats up with camera use before the update, haven't tested lately 

[SaiChaotic]

Mine with 5g on doesn't make a difference on the battery.

This is my consumption after my last full charge. Not much of a difference yesterday. Still can't reach 6 hours of screen on time. 

But I noticed that battery drain is much faster when you interact with the screen compared to just watching Netflix or YouTube. 

I think if you have adaptive screen on it sticks to 120hz everytime you touch the screen. But when you just watch videos it will adjust according to what is needed. 

 

[SaiChaotic]

Contacted Samsung and they did tell me that the phone would have to learn usage pattern 7-14 days.

I can't return the phone now as it has passed the 7day return to store policy. I'm waiting on Samsung to speak and say that they have released some faulty phones with sh*t battery life. 

[Entra80]

Ok my phone connected Bluetooth with Huawei watch gt2and my 5G give 200-400mbps and 4g from 20-60mbps next charge i will turn off 5G and test the phone. I will update next day 

[SaiChaotic]

If everyone just complains to Samsung they should, or hopefully they should do something about this disappointing battery life. 

[Ajs3]

This is me now. Technically my first full charge after I switched it on the first time. Will go ask for replacement device today.

Not sure how bad mine really is? I might squeeze out another hour of screentime perhaps. And it is only my 1st charge.

Also have that dilemma that, if I let the phone "learn" for a few more days, I will run out of the 7 day return window I have...

 

[SaiChaotic]

I actually had similar results during my first day with the device, having 3 hours of SoT on my 7th day I was able to push 5 hours 55mins. I think it's getting better. 

But I really think that interacting with the screen eats up more battery than just watching on the device.

[Mohnish Waikar]

Another thing i realized after i got my replacement unit was that in the previous one there was a big delay in the charging animation to show up after plugging in the charger. Not the case with the new one which seems to be performing well for now. it shows up immediately. 

Might just be a hardware issue.

[TheKingColey]

Hey, I've noticed people speaking of this 7 day return window. I spoke with Samsung and they clearly stated I have a 28day period in which to return the phone if need be.. Did you buy direct from Samsung or through a network provider?

[Ajs3]

I got it through a network provider....