Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra setup: step by step
Verdict in brief
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is quickly set up. Face recognition and the larger fingerprint sensor work very fast, and Jen finds the S Pen support very comfortable. From now on she uses the device as her daily driver.
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The video is in German.
Pros
- Very fast face recognition
- Larger fingerprint sensor that unlocks instantly
- S Pen support for tapping, writing and taking notes
- Dual SIM capable, also with eSIM
Cons
- The S Pen cannot be used as a remote, no gestures and no self-timer
- The factory-applied screen protector does not last long
Today I am setting up the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra in Phantom Black together with you. It is not long until the Samsung Unpacked event, and until then I am passing the time with the current flagship. We will go through the complete setup process.
Inserting the SIM card
You open the SIM card slot with the pin. Be careful not to poke the microphone by accident, which has happened to me before. The device is dual SIM capable: you can insert two physical SIM cards or, like me, use one physical SIM card and an eSIM on top.
A screen protector is applied at the factory. In my experience it does not last very long, but it does its job for the start. I would still order a new screen protector.
Setup in steps
- Enter the SIM PIN. Language and country (German, Germany) are already preset.
- Confirm the legal points: you have to accept the privacy policy and the end user license agreement. Sending diagnostic data to Samsung is optional.
- Choose a Wi-Fi network; it does not continue without Wi-Fi.
- Decide whether you want to copy apps and data from an old Samsung device. I skip that and set the device up completely from scratch.
- Sign in with your Google account and accept the terms of use. Under the Google services you can deselect preselected services, for example the backup to Google Drive including device settings, Wi-Fi passwords and SMS. I leave everything selected, including location and automatic updates.
- Choose the search provider. This is required by law; the choices include Microsoft Bing, Google and Yahoo. I pick Google.
- Set up the screen lock (see below).
- More apps from your Google account and Samsung standard apps can be installed. I do not want that right now.
- Optionally sign in to your Samsung account to use Samsung services such as the Galaxy Store. I skip that. New is a note about what you miss out on then, such as Samsung Cloud and Bixby.
Face recognition and fingerprint
The choices are face recognition, fingerprint, pattern, PIN and password. I set up face recognition first. It is considered a less secure lock method, so you also have to set a PIN. It does not work with a mask, which is why the PIN or, additionally, the fingerprint sensor makes sense.
You can set the device to stay on the lock screen after recognition until you swipe. I mostly use that when I only want to see notifications or missed calls. For the test, I switched it off. You can also briefly brighten the screen so the face is recognized better, and require detection only when your eyes are open.
In the test, face recognition really does unlock very fast. After that I set up the fingerprint under Biometrics and security. Enrolling it took a few passes. The Pixel is a bit quicker there, but maybe I was just clumsy. On the other hand, the sensor is bigger this time, and it unlocks the device instantly, even when my face is not recognized. They have really improved that, and I am thrilled about it.
S Pen support
On the S21 Ultra I mostly use the S Pen from my tablet. The device supports it, and that is super comfortable because the display is big enough for it. You can tap or write with it. As with the Galaxy Note series, there is a small menu with the S Pen functions, such as Create note, Smart select, Screen write and Live messages. The smaller pens of the old Note devices work too. I think the S Pen in matte black looks very sleek and fits the phone well.
There is one limitation: the pen does not work as a remote. Gesture control is missing, and the self-timer for photos, which I found handy on the Note, is not available here. Everything else runs wonderfully. You create a note by touching the pen and holding it down. The device even makes the natural sound of a pen while you do.
Customizing
The device can be configured completely: colors, themes, fonts and the look of the icons. I switched off the navigation bar at the bottom and only use gestures, because that gives me more display. You have to get used to it a little. When I bring the pen close to the display, the S Pen quick launch bar appears, so it is not in the way all the time.
Verdict
After the quick setup, I have a smartphone that I will use as my daily driver from now on.
Questions and answers
- How do I set up the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
- Insert the SIM card and enter the PIN, confirm language and region, accept the license agreement, choose Wi-Fi and sign in with your Google account. Then you set up the screen lock; the Samsung account can be skipped.
- Does the Galaxy S21 Ultra support the S Pen?
- Yes, the device supports the S Pen. You can tap, write and create notes with it. It does not work as a remote, not even as a self-timer for photos.
- Can the Galaxy S21 Ultra use two SIM cards?
- Yes, it is dual SIM capable. You can insert two physical SIM cards or combine one physical SIM card with an eSIM.
- How fast are face recognition and the fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
- In Jen's experience, both are very fast. The fingerprint sensor is larger than before and unlocks the device instantly.
