Tech

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs older Galaxy S phones: Should you upgrade? – Android Authority

Published

4 years ago

January 17, 2021

6 hours ago

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus 3

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy S21 has finally arrived, bringing with it Samsung’s latest and greatest mobile technology. This time at a price point that’s more palatable than the Galaxy S20 series. With a strong value proposition this generation, it feels like there’s never been a better time to upgrade. But is that a good idea?

As usual, Samsung’s lineup consists of three models — the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. So, should you splash the cash on the latest model if you’re already a happy Samsung customer? Here’s a rundown of how Samsung’s latest premium-tier models stack up against their predecessors, to see if they’re worth the upgrade.

Our thoughts: Samsung Galaxy S21 impressions: Cheaper, but are they better?

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S8 and older

We’ll start our list with 2017’s Samsung Galaxy S8 range. If you’re still holding onto a five-year-old Galaxy S7 or older, it’s almost certainly time to upgrade. If for no other reason than recent Android upgrades and security updates. You don’t really want to be stuck on Android Oreo or older these days.

The same can be said for the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, which saw their last update to Android 9.0 Pie all the way back in 2019. We’re now on Android 11, with Android 12 set to appear later in 2021. The importance of keeping your phone secure and up to date can’t be understated.

Blast from the past: Samsung Galaxy S series — the complete history of the biggest name in Android

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus still pack in some reasonable hardware, but it’s starting to feel a little dated. The phones’ Exynos 8895/Snapdragon 835 processors still run better than many of today’s mid-range phones, but it is far from today’s bleeding-edge gaming performance on flagship devices. The handsets do still appear competitive in terms of features, boasting 4K video recording, an IP68 rating, and a headphone jack too. Fans of the phone can probably justify holding out a little longer if they really want.

Even so, performance, cameras, fast charging, and other bits and pieces are all much improved these days. You’ll definitely notice an upgrade moving to any phones in the more modern Samsung Galaxy S21 series.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S9

2018’s Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus don’t feel quite so long in the tooth. While they’ve likely had their last update to Android 10, this included Samsung’s One UI 2.1 update which doesn’t feel too out of date yet. Of course, the Galaxy S21 range runs Android 11 and One UI 3.1, which we would recommend from a security standpoint. However, being just one major update behind isn’t necessarily a compelling reason to upgrade immediately.

The Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21 are definitely faster than the Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 in the S9, but not noticeably so on the day-to-day. Instead, it’s gamers who will feel the biggest performance upgrade from Samsung’s latest phones. Especially running on the newer 120Hz display while the S9 remains capped at 60Hz.

Samsung’s Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus still offer 4K 60fps video recording, IP68 ratings, solid QHD+ AMOLED displays, headphone jacks, Dex support, and wireless charging. That’s a very compelling list of features. However, the Galaxy S21 is definitely worth considering if you plan to make the move to a 5G tariff. It’s also a great proposition if you are in need of bigger batteries for more screen-on time, are sick of the rear fingerprint scanner placement, or want to move to fancier in-display tech.

Our updated verdict: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Redux: Aged gracefully

Finally, photography enthusiasts will certainly get a lot out of an upgrade to any of the Galaxy S21 handsets. Even the base Galaxy S21 model features a triple camera setup with main, wide, and telephoto lenses that offer greater flexibility than the single-camera on the Galaxy S9 and dual setup on the S9 Plus. That’s without mentioning newer sensors and lenses that improve the look of low light photography, and enhanced software features like Director’s Mode to view three cameras at once.

In many regards, the Galaxy S9 still holds its own. However, there are definitely compelling reasons to upgrade to the Galaxy S21 series. Especially for power users and mobile photographers, who will still benefit from even the $799 standard Galaxy S21.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S10

Credit: Adam Molina / Android Authority

We’re getting into trickier territory with the Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10 Plus. Being just two years old, these phones are running Samsung’s One UI 3.0 interface and Android 11. They also provide performance that’s still snappy enough for most users, and all but the S10e have pretty competitive triple-camera setups too.

So in what circumstances is an upgrade to the Galaxy S21 series worthwhile?

Galaxy S10e customers will benefit from the newer camera features tucked into the Galaxy S21 series. The added telephoto lens will help out at longer ranges. In fact, Galaxy S10 owners eager to get their hands on cutting edge camera technology will want to look at the Galaxy S21 Ultra specifically. The Ultra variant features an improved 108MP main sensor and two telephoto zoom sensors at 3x and 10x, for improved quality and mid and longer ranges. That’s all technology you won’t find in the S10 series.

High-end gamers will also benefit from the faster graphics performance in the newer S21 models, and the move to a 120Hz will make everything feel that bit more responsive. The newer phones also charge a little faster, thanks to 25W USB PD 3.0 support, up from 15W USD PD 2.0. Again, 5G is another reason to contemplate the newer models, although this probably isn’t a high priority for most.

This collection of small improvements do add up, not forgetting the all-new design looks pretty swanky too. However, the Galaxy S21 doesn’t completely revamp Samsung’s flagship formula. We therefore can’t fault happy customers who want to keep their Galaxy S10s for another generation. That’s especially true if you’re a fan of expandable storage. Every single one of the new phones from Samsung ditches the microSD card slot for the first time since the Galaxy S6 series. Ouch.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S20

There’s seldom a good reason to upgrade your smartphone every year unless you’re compelled to have the very best tech in your pocket at all times. That’s still true this year. From our time spent with the Samsung Galaxy S21 series so far, the formula really hasn’t changed much from the previous generation. Except for the faster processors, both ranges offer a 120Hz display, 5G support, and a host of virtually identical extras.

Those unhappy with their Exynos Galaxy S20 may see a much-improved performance and battery life moving to the Galaxy S21. However, we’re waiting on more in-depth research before recommending a move based solely on the chipset.

Furthermore, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra owners will incur some downgrades moving to a Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus. These phones don’t share the same quad-camera features, can’t match the S20 Ultra’s 45W fast charging, and don’t come in a 512GB storage option. You’ll also have to decide if you prefer the return to flat glass over Samsung’s previous curved panels.

The exception to the above is the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which is definitely the newest feeling phone in the S21 range. The phone boasts an improved five-camera setup, a large 6.8-inch curved WQHD+ display, and the introduction of S Pen support for the first time in the Galaxy S series. However, you have to buy the S Pen separately.

Power users have a fun new toy in the Galaxy S21 Ultra that may just temp an upgrade. But otherwise, there’s too much overlap between the Galaxy S20 and S21 portfolios to recommend an upgrade quite so soon.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S20 FE

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

Unless you have exceedingly deep pockets, upgrading from the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE to a new Galaxy S21 would be unwise in all but a few instances. The phone only came out in September 2020, after all.

You can essentially copy and paste the previous section here, with a few small addendums. The Galaxy S20 FE keeps its price down with a glasstic black which is the same chassis used for the regular Galaxy S21. For a full glass back you’ll need either the Galaxy S21 Plus or S21 Ultra. Additionally, the FE model has Gorilla Glass 3 protection rather than Gorilla Glass Victus. Nevertheless, these are all worthwhile trade-offs for the lower price tag and not worth another purchase to get hold of.

Take a closer look: Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S20 FE: Which one should you buy?

There’s also a 4G-only version of the FE, but we’d hardly recommend selling the device so soon just to move to 5G either. Likewise, the 8MP rather than 64MP 3x telephoto lens only makes a small difference to zoom quality. It definitely isn’t worth buying a whole new handset for.

While the low $799 price tag of the Galaxy S21 has already eaten into the Galaxy S20 FE’s $699 value proposition, the Fan Edition is still a very good handset that owners shouldn’t be in a hurry to replace. It was our 2020 Editor’s Choice award winner for a reason.

Should you upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S21?

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

It’s not been this affordable to pick up the latest Samsung Galaxy S range for a long time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should jump in right away. While upgrading is a no-brainer if you’re coming from a 2017 flagship model, the picture isn’t so clear for some of Samsung’s not-so-old flagships.

Even 2018’s Samsung Galaxy S9 remains a functional handset, as long as you can overlook the slightly older software. The Galaxy S21 indeed offers faster performance, faster charging, and a swanky new design, but even that might not be enough to tempt content Galaxy S10 customers quite yet. However, for power users, the introduction of S Pen support and the revamped camera capabilities of the Galaxy S21 Ultra are perhaps much more compelling.

Will you be upgrading from an older Samsung Galaxy smartphone to an entry in the new Galaxy S21 range? Let us know in the comments!

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The Internet is Littered in ‘Educated Guesses’ Without the ‘Education’

Published

2 weeks ago

October 8, 2024

Nick Kossovan

Although no one likes a know-it-all, they dominate the Internet.

The Internet began as a vast repository of information. It quickly became a breeding ground for self-proclaimed experts seeking what most people desire: recognition and money.

Today, anyone with an Internet connection and some typing skills can position themselves, regardless of their education or experience, as a subject matter expert (SME). From relationship advice, career coaching, and health and nutrition tips to citizen journalists practicing pseudo-journalism, the Internet is awash with individuals—Internet talking heads—sharing their “insights,” which are, in large part, essentially educated guesses without the education or experience.

The Internet has become a 24/7/365 sitcom where armchair experts think they’re the star.

Not long ago, years, sometimes decades, of dedicated work and acquiring education in one’s field was once required to be recognized as an expert. The knowledge and opinions of doctors, scientists, historians, et al. were respected due to their education and experience. Today, a social media account and a knack for hyperbole are all it takes to present oneself as an “expert” to achieve Internet fame that can be monetized.

On the Internet, nearly every piece of content is self-serving in some way.

The line between actual expertise and self-professed knowledge has become blurry as an out-of-focus selfie. Inadvertently, social media platforms have created an informal degree program where likes and shares are equivalent to degrees. After reading selective articles, they’ve found via and watching some TikTok videos, a person can post a video claiming they’re an herbal medicine expert. Their new “knowledge,” which their followers will absorb, claims that Panda dung tea—one of the most expensive teas in the world and isn’t what its name implies—cures everything from hypertension to existential crisis. Meanwhile, registered dietitians are shaking their heads, wondering how to compete against all the misinformation their clients are exposed to.

More disturbing are individuals obsessed with evangelizing their beliefs or conspiracy theories. These people write in-depth blog posts, such as Elvis Is Alive and the Moon Landings Were Staged, with links to obscure YouTube videos, websites, social media accounts, and blogs. Regardless of your beliefs, someone or a group on the Internet shares them, thus confirming your beliefs.

Misinformation is the Internet’s currency used to get likes, shares, and engagement; thus, it often spreads like a cosmic joke. Consider the prevalence of clickbait headlines:

You Won’t Believe What Taylor Swift Says About Climate Change!
This Bedtime Drink Melts Belly Fat While You Sleep!
In One Week, I Turned $10 Into $1 Million!

Titles that make outrageous claims are how the content creator gets reads and views, which generates revenue via affiliate marketing, product placement, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Clickbait headlines are how you end up watching a TikTok video by a purported nutrition expert adamantly asserting you can lose belly fat while you sleep by drinking, for 14 consecutive days, a concoction of raw eggs, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before going to bed.

Our constant search for answers that’ll explain our convoluted world and our desire for shortcuts to success is how Internet talking heads achieve influencer status. Because we tend to seek low-hanging fruits, we listen to those with little experience or knowledge of the topics they discuss yet are astute enough to know what most people want to hear.

There’s a trend, more disturbing than spreading misinformation, that needs to be called out: individuals who’ve never achieved significant wealth or traded stocks giving how-to-make-easy-money advice, the appeal of which is undeniable. Several people I know have lost substantial money by following the “advice” of Internet talking heads.

Anyone on social media claiming to have a foolproof money-making strategy is lying. They wouldn’t be peddling their money-making strategy if they could make easy money.

Successful people tend to be secretive.

Social media companies design their respective algorithms to serve their advertisers—their source of revenue—interest; hence, content from Internet talking heads appears most prominent in your feeds. When a video of a self-professed expert goes viral, likely because it pressed an emotional button, the more people see it, the more engagement it receives, such as likes, shares and comments, creating a cycle akin to a tornado.

Imagine scrolling through your TikTok feed and stumbling upon a “scientist” who claims they can predict the weather using only aluminum foil, copper wire, sea salt and baking soda. You chuckle, but you notice his video got over 7,000 likes, has been shared over 600 times and received over 400 comments. You think to yourself, “Maybe this guy is onto something.” What started as a quest to achieve Internet fame evolved into an Internet-wide belief that weather forecasting can be as easy as DIY crafts.

Since anyone can call themselves “an expert,” you must cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish genuine expertise from self-professed experts’ self-promoting nonsense. While the absurdity of the Internet can be entertaining, misinformation has serious consequences. The next time you read a headline that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably an Internet talking head making an educated guess; without the education seeking Internet fame, they can monetize.

______________________________________________________________

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s

on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

Tech

Tight deadlines on software projects can put safety at risk: survey

Published

2 weeks ago

October 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – A new survey says a majority of software engineers and developers feel tight project deadlines can put safety at risk.

Seventy-five per cent of the 1,000 global workers who responded to the survey released Tuesday say pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget could be compromising critical aspects like safety.

The concern is even higher among engineers and developers in North America, with 77 per cent of those surveyed on the continent reporting the urgency of projects could be straining safety.

The study was conducted between July and September by research agency Coleman Parkes and commissioned by BlackBerry Ltd.’s QNX division, which builds connected-car technology.

The results reflect a timeless tug of war engineers and developers grapple with as they balance the need to meet project deadlines with regulations and safety checks that can slow down the process.

Finding that balance is an issue that developers of even the simplest appliances face because of advancements in technology, said John Wall, a senior vice-president at BlackBerry and head of QNX.

“The software is getting more complicated and there is more software whether it’s in a vehicle, robotics, a toaster, you name it… so being able to patch vulnerabilities, to prevent bad actors from doing malicious acts is becoming more and more important,” he said.

The medical, industrial and automotive industries have standardized safety measures and anything they produce undergoes rigorous testing, but that work doesn’t happen overnight. It has to be carried out from the start and then at every step of the development process.

“What makes safety and security difficult is it’s an ongoing thing,” Wall said. “It’s not something where you’ve done it, and you are finished.”

The Waterloo, Ont.-based business found 90 per cent of its survey respondents reported that organizations are prioritizing safety.

However, when asked about why safety may not be a priority for their organization, 46 per cent of those surveyed answered cost pressures and 35 per cent said a lack of resources.

That doesn’t surprise Wall. Delays have become rampant in the development of tech, and in some cases, stand to push back the launch of vehicle lines by two years, he said.

“We have to make sure that people don’t compromise on safety and security to be able to get products out quicker,” he said.

“What we don’t want to see is people cutting corners and creating unsafe situations.”

The survey also took a peek at security breaches, which have hit major companies like London Drugs, Indigo Books & Music, Giant Tiger and Ticketmaster in recent years.

About 40 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they have encountered a security breach in their employer’s operating system. Those breaches resulted in major impacts for 27 per cent of respondents, moderate impacts for 42 per cent and minor impacts for 27 per cent.

“There are vulnerabilities all the time and this is what makes the job very difficult because when you ship the software, presumably the software has no security vulnerabilities, but things get discovered after the fact,” Wall said.

Security issues, he added, have really come to the forefront of the problems developers face, so “really without security, you have no safety.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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Tech

Beware of scams during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event: cybersecurity firm

Published

2 weeks ago

October 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.

In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.

The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers. One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

“They’re almost indiscernible from the real Amazon domain,” said Robert Falzon, head of engineering at Check Point in Canada.

“With all these domains registered that look so similar, it’s tricking a lot of people. And that’s the whole intent here.”

Falzon said Check Point Research sees an uptick in attempted scams around big online shopping days throughout the year, including Prime Days.

Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.

In this case, he said scammers posing as Amazon commonly offer “outrageous” deals that appear to be associated with Prime Days, in order to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link.

The cybersecurity firm said it has identified and blocked 100 unique Amazon Prime-themed scam emails targeting organizations and consumers over the past two weeks.

Scammers also target Prime members with unsolicited calls, claiming urgent account issues and requesting payment information.

“It’s like Christmas for them,” said Falzon.

“People expect there to be significant savings on Prime Day, so they’re not shocked that they see something of significant value. Usually, the old adage applies: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Amazon’s website lists a number of red flags that it recommends customers watch for to identify a potential impersonation scam.

Those include false urgency, requests for personal information, or indications that the sender prefers to complete the purchase outside of the Amazon website or mobile app.

Scammers may also request that customers exclusively pay with gift cards, a claim code or PIN. Any notifications about an order or delivery for an unexpected item should also raise alarm bells, the company says.

“During busy shopping moments, we tend to see a rise in impersonation scams reported by customers,” said Amazon spokeswoman Octavia Roufogalis in a statement.

“We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”

Falzon added that these scams are more successful than people might think.

As of June 30, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there had been $284 million lost to fraud so far this year, affecting 15,941 victims.

But Falzon said many incidents go unreported, as some Canadians who are targeted do not know how or where to flag a scam, or may choose not to out of embarrassment.

Check Point recommends Amazon customers take precautions while shopping on Prime Days, including by checking URLs carefully, creating strong passwords on their accounts, and avoiding personal information being shared such as their birthday or social security number.

The cybersecurity company said consumers should also look for “https” at the beginning of a website URL, which indicates a secure connection, and use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping, which offer better protection and less liability if stolen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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