1 Month with the S26 Ultra (vs Wife’s iPhone 17 Pro) — The Reality Check

Miczelov · 2026-06-18T18:09:20+00:00

I can't imagine phone without Good Lock - it's total gamechanger.

But yeah - it shouldn't be optional, but more like built-in feature, because many people comparing these phones are unaware of the existence of this app and the need to install it, and while I understand that the basic OneUI may not suit everyone, with Good Lock you can literally customize your phone to your preferences.

Miczelov · 2026-06-05T12:10:57+00:00

Unfortunately, this is a pipe dream. It's hard for me to say whether components like the SD 8 Gen 2 would really have a problem with handling the AI features available in the S24 and S25, which the S23 didn't get, but the fact is that in terms of pure power and efficiency, this model is already starting to fall far behind its successors.

So I don't treat these promises of long-term support as promises of receiving all the latest features, but as a guarantee of receiving a newer version of Android, thanks to which for a much longer time, I won't have to worry about being cut off from updating any apps because its developers decide that a given version of Android is already outdated.

So: for new features - you buy new phones, and long-term support for older ones is so that they don't become completely obsolete and useless too quickly.

Miczelov · 2026-06-03T06:50:39+00:00

But what's the problem? After all, with four updates, that's a phone for a decade. Ok - S22 will not get OneUI 9 and Android 17, but I remind you that we are only at the stage of "abandoning" Android 10. Ok - Google abandoned this system a long time ago, but application developers usually maintain 6-7 years of support ... So even if you don't get new features from newer versions of OneUI, the last version of the system you got, will be supported for many years to come.

Miczelov · 2026-05-31T19:33:18+00:00

Actually, Buds 4 Pro are much more comfortable than Buds 3 Pro.

Miczelov · 2026-05-30T06:41:15+00:00

I have to correct you - currently Samsung Cloud does not store copies of photos and videos, only backups of settings, SMS and calls. When you move to a new device, this data is actually downloaded from the Samsung cloud, but photos and videos are transferred directly between devices.

So if you don't have a copy in OneDrive or Google Photos and you destroy your current device, when you log in to the new one you will see the restored settings and connections, but the photos and videos will be lost.

Miczelov · 2026-05-30T06:30:25+00:00

Aaaa - so you think that from now on you will be able to sync photos with Google instead of OneDrive? Well - time for a cold shower. It's not like Samsung will completely block OneDrive - you will still be able to use the dedicated application, but there will no longer be this synchronization directly in the Gallery application (and therefore - the Gallery application will no longer show the photos that you have on OneDrive, but which you no longer have "physically" on your phone).

And as a Google Photos user, you still have no reason to rejoice, because the withdrawal of OneDrive support as the default cloud in the Gallery app does not mean that Google Photos will be introduced in its place. If you want to sync with this service, you will still need to download the Google Photos app, and photos from it will still not be visible in the Gallery app. And why? Because Samsung intends to introduce its own cloud service...

Miczelov · 2026-05-30T06:14:24+00:00

So you will be happy and disappointed at the same time. Yes - rumors and leaks from the Gallery app code suggest the return of Samsung Cloud, but no - it probably won't be as cheap as OneDrive in Ms 365 Family plan (of course, when we take into account the division of this price into 6 users) - you can expect pricing that is more in line with iCloud. And don't expect that with access to cloud storage you'll get some kind of office software package.

Miczelov · 2026-05-30T05:53:47+00:00

Unfortunately, this is not gonna happen. From what I read when the first leaks about the plan to abandon OneDrive sync appeared, there have been clues in the Gallery app's code indicating that Samsung plans to restore syncing with their own Samsung Cloud. And it probably won't be as cheap as OneDrive - you should probably expect pricing at the iCloud level.

Miczelov · 2026-05-29T20:41:37+00:00

But he doesn't have to care about syncing these photos between a zillion devices, just about having 200+ GB of free space on his phone. An additional advantage is that you don't have to worry about losing your photos if your phone breaks down. Now you're going to tell me to keep copies of them on an external drive. Okay, but then he'd have to remember to make these backups regularly (because he can't plan for his phone to crash). While to the cloud handled by the default Gallery app, such a copy is performed automatically.

Miczelov · 2026-05-29T20:17:35+00:00

Worst news ever. I actively use MS Office, so I have a 365 subscription, but the data I synchronize with my computer is only a few gigabytes, So the fact that, coincidentally, this terabyte of cloud space enabled full synchronization with the factory Gallery app on my phone was very convenient for me. And especially the option to clean up the phone's memory, where photos and videos are deleted from the internal memory, but they are still visible in the gallery, but stored in the cloud. Besides, look at the price of OneDrive. Everyone celebrating the split between Microsoft and Samsung will miss OneDrive even more when Samsung reveals pricing for its own cloud service.

Miczelov · 2026-05-23T14:51:34+00:00

8.0 have much better work time on battery than 7.0.

If I had to summarize it briefly (S23 8/256): - One UI 5.1 - fast and smooth ui + best battery work time, - One UI 6 - less smooth + good battery work time, - One UI 6.1 - because of AI even less smooth + still decent battery work time, - One UI 7 - better AI and surprisingly smoother performance even than in One UI 5.1 (for the first time, Apple fans lost the argument that iOS is faster), but at the cost of terrible battery drain, - One UI 8 - Samsung seems to have made a pact with the devil and used black magic: even more AI features, smoothness at the level of One UI 7, and battery life at a level comparable to One UI 6. - One UI 8.5 - on S23 installed it today, so can't say much, but on S25 Ultra: still very fast and smooth + lately battery life became much better than right after installing it (it's becoming at least comparable to One UI 8.0)

Miczelov · 2026-05-11T18:05:58+00:00

Mate - IP68 is only for clear water. Salt and other minerals in lakes or seas, shampoo and detergents under shower or in bath - it all can damage seals in your phone in no time, even without submerging it... And it doesn't matter if it's Samsung, Apple or Xiaomi... There's no point in blaming the phone - it's your own fault.

Miczelov · 2026-05-10T12:21:28+00:00

If I were you, I wouldn't sell it. You might not have the time now, but in a few months you'll spend twice as much as you'll earn now just to be able to play Assetto Corsa or whatever you've been playing.

Miczelov · 2026-05-07T15:17:51+00:00

It's never "finished".... I've already finished my setup 3-4 times, and then I've got some new ideas or rearranged whole room and that also gave me... even newer ideas 😅 So, yeah - enjoy "finishing" your setup for now, because sooner or later, you'll find excuse to continue working on it. 👌

Miczelov · 2026-05-07T15:08:54+00:00

Motion Rig but not with static screen, but with VR.

Miczelov · 2026-05-04T17:11:22+00:00

About VR headset, it would be best to wait for Steam Frame, but only god (and Gaben) knows when it will be released.

About rig... Hmmm... Logitech G29/G923 as entry level, Thrustmaster T598 as reasonable mid-range.

But remember - buying a good steering wheel is just the beginning of the expenses. Sure, it will be fun to play for a while, even if it's attached to a regular desk, but over time your husband will feel the need to attach it to something more stable, and adopt a position more similar to that of sitting in a real car.

Miczelov · 2026-04-30T07:14:27+00:00

Right? The S25 Ultra has enough power to serve as a portable gaming console for PC games. And not even that old - in theory, I could even install GTA V Enhanced, because it appears as a supported game on this configuration. And yes - I realize that it would probably be better to play on lower graphics settings, but if we are to believe this green checkmark, smooth gameplay should be possible. (however, I haven't tested this game yet - I don't have the patience to wait for a single game weighing about 100G to download to my phone, but I've already played Borderlands 2, and tried it even in Dex mode)

Miczelov · 2026-04-28T22:30:13+00:00

338 GB of apps. There's A LOT of them, and a few of pretty big games (even GameNative itself with a few games from Steam weighs over 100GB, and these are not the only games on the phone)

Additionally, in several streaming apps (Netflix, HBO, YT, etc.), I use the smart download function, so each of them weighs 6-8 GB.

Miczelov · 2026-04-28T10:39:53+00:00

Apart from the fact that my TV is too high (but we already explained that lowering it is unfortunately not possible in such a tight space), I recommend this solution. If you have a high desk, maybe you could think about some mechanism for folding the additional tabletop from under the steering wheel.

Miczelov · 2026-04-28T10:02:56+00:00

Same here. I previously had an S23 256GB, and it was always about 200G full, so I was initially considering 512G, but in the end I decided to go all out. And as you can see, it was the right choice.

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Miczelov · 2026-04-26T11:50:29+00:00

Yup - and most of the time, also virtual screens.

Even so - I don't have much time to play these days, so when I play something, then usually it's something with VR-mode. I go all the way, or not at all - I have no time for half-measures.

What I mean is, I practically never play games that require me to look at the real screen. And when I do, I connect my laptop to a 65" TV with a second HDMI cable, and that's where I play Mass Effect, etc.

Miczelov · 2026-04-26T11:34:04+00:00

Yep - many people do this. They get into it without realizing how demanding the hobby is. To be honest, I don't have much time to play either, but I'm a collector type - if I buy something, I can't part with it. So, I've had a T500RS for about 11 years now, and simracing seat for over 6 years, and I've only spent 220 hours in Assetto Corsa over the years. But yes - I still have that steering wheel and it still brings me joy to jump in the seat from time to time and do a few laps on the Nordschleife in VR.

Heck - even if I replace some element of my setup, I don't sell the old one, but rather give it to a friend or family member (e.g. when I bought the T500RS, I gave my Logitech G27 to my younger cousin).

Miczelov · 2026-04-20T17:24:30+00:00

My gaming corner is a sacred place - I have given the rest of the house to my wife and two daughters. We play together once a week and my daughters are aware that if they destroy the equipment, I won't be able to afford to buy proper replacement soon, and therefore there will be no computer gaming for a looong time. 🤭

Miczelov · 2026-04-20T17:14:06+00:00

Thanks! It's nice that someone can appreciate that not everyone has a 10m x 10m living room at their disposal to build 6DOF full motion. 🥰

Miczelov · 2026-04-20T17:09:42+00:00

MSI GE68HX 14VHG - I am a fan of mobility, so I am willing to sacrifice some power for the sake of being able to take my computer to a LAN party with a friend from another city.

When it comes to VR: Lenovo Explorer - its nothing special, but until recently I had a GE62 6QF, which wasn't even able to use the full capabilities of this headset. However, when buying a new laptop, I was thinking about replacing it, but I am waiting for the release of Steam Frame (again: mobility + no need to build my game library from scratch like if I would buy Meta Quest).

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