Smartphone of the Year – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

TV of the Year – Samsung 65QN90A

Smartwatch of the Year – Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

“We were honoured to receive recognition across our product portfolio. This reflects our vision of developing a deeper integration of product segments, to offer a multi device experience, that connects every part of our lives seamlessly, “said Dudu Mokholo, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Africa.

The Galaxy 21 Ultra 5G, clearly resonates with South Africans with its pioneering camera and performance. This is a legacy that has been amplified even further with the newly-launched Galaxy S22 Series, which also connects in new ways with the Galaxy Watch4 at and its recent game-changing updates The QA65Q95A was launched as part of the trailblazing Neo QLED TV range that appeals to both the country’s increased appetite for big screen TV’s and an immersive viewing and audio experience designed for entertainment, work and remote-learning.

“All our products are all designed with customer feedback in mind, which is why it is pleasing to see the response from the very people we innovate for. We will continue to offer cutting-edge devices and appliances that are more personalised, intelligent and pioneering,” concluded Mokholo.

Challenging the status quo, Scott Hurley’s video is a showcase of just one reason why the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a massive hit in South Africa and across the world. Like many content creators and everyone with a passion for capturing life’s greatest moments, Scott is clearly a fan of the device’s bold, pro-grade camera system, which is in a category of its own, and its 108-megapixel resolution – the highest possible resolution on a smartphone. He has even challenged others to use the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G to reach for the stars like a professional.

Even though Scott took daylight to another level, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equally ready to take on the night no matter where you are. The device’s Bright Night sensor is Samsung’s biggest leap in low light photography, capturing bright, vivid colours in the dark of night. You can shoot clear images with more speed and significantly less noise, while also controlling exposure time. Clearly light years ahead, it’s no wonder that the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G continues to receive rave reviews around the world and in South Africa. It is powered by the most advanced processor ever on a Galaxy device, stunning edge-to-edge 120Hz displays, and a large battery for uninterrupted productivity and entertainment. There is no doubt that the Galaxy S21 Series builds on its impressive legacy to offer a premium flagship experience that makes every day epic. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G series is loaded with state-of-the-art innovations, is 5G-enabled, includes 8K video capabilities and has S Pen compatibility, which means you can finesse and fine-tune while editing your videos down to the last frame, with precision that your finger simply can’t touch. All of these features combine to create a device that makes shooting for the moon simply effortless.

TikTok @scotthurly

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Best Smartphone

At the awards ceremony on June 30^th, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was named ‘Best Smartphone’ of the past year. The smartphone, which features a professional grade camera system and bright Intelligent Display is the go-to choice for users who want to take gorgeous, detailed photos. It is also the first device of the S Series to support the S Pen, for advanced productivity from power users. With all these features packed into a sleek contour-cut design, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G represents the very best of Samsung engineering.

The category judges said, “The best Android smartphone Samsung has ever made with a great range of features, stunning AMOLED display, best-in-class cameras and more. This phone delivers across the board and is a worthy winner of Best Smartphones in 2021.”

Also shortlisted in this category was the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which brought fan-favourite features of the flagship Galaxy S20 to even more users, including the incredible AI-powered camera and beautiful Infinity-O 120Hz display.

“We are honoured to have been recognised in such a competitive category at this year’s GLOMO awards. Samsung has a long, proud history of driving innovation, and we aim to deliver devices that meet the needs of our users now and in the future,” said Justin Hume, Director: Integrated Mobility at Samsung South Africa. “As the user needs continue to grow so varied and dynamic, we are committed to leading the journey in developing devices that are loved by users across the globe.”

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees of the GSMA’s GLOMO Awards 2021. You truly embody the theme of this year’s event, Connected Impact.” said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd, “Given the challenging circumstances we’ve all faced over the last 15 months, it’s more important than ever to come together to recognise the incredible innovation and ingenuity shaping our industry, as well as the positive impact this is making on the world around us.”

For more information about the latest Galaxy devices and services, please visit news.samsung.com/galaxy, www.samsungmobilepress.com, www.samsung.com.

Nabilah Kariem has made a living out of creating exceptional well curated content for the last four years. With the Galaxy S21 Ultra, she believes she has finally found a smartphone that takes photography to the next level. Whilst she has experimented with using these in the past, she could never fully justify using one for professional work, until she tried the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. She believes the cameras are created on a professional level, and is impressed by the four beautiful lenses, as well as the incredible amount of processing power. She believes this empowers her to create absolutely stunning content. An aspect of the device which is important to her is the control it delivers, which includes being able to manually adjust the white balance as well as the shutter speed, all with the touch of a button. Like many photography professionals, she loves the ability to shoot her images in a RAW format, which then gives her even greater flexibility to edit and bring her own vision to life.  Additionally, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 108-megapixel camera which adds to the professional control she as well as the quality. In her hands she can take and edit images that would even look great on a billboard.

The contour cut camera, premium front haze finish and silky smooth screen caught Lerato Kgamanyane’s attention immediately. Her choice of colour for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Phantom Black, a choice that is not just aesthetically pleasing but is a perfect fit for the fashion forward content creator. Lerato who is also currently studying, finds the multi-tasking abilities of the phone impressive in the way she can work and create content effortlessly using the device’s professional-level features. This includes versatile tools such as the intuitive S Pen, which offers an effortless and precise way to use the vast array of editing options. With the S Pen in hand, you can also seamlessly switch to productivity tools, that make working and presenting even easier. This means she is ready for work or play, day or night. Lerato cannot imagine life without the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

There is no doubt that the Galaxy S21 Series builds on its impressive legacy to offer a premium flagship experience that makes every day epic. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G series is loaded with state-of-the-art innovations, is 5G-enabled and includes 8K video capabilities and also the Galaxy Note series’ famous S Pen for the first time. All of these features combine to create a device that makes everyone feel like a star.

Local media and tech influencers have fallen in-love with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, including two of South Africa’s most-followed technology influencers Hayleigh Chamberlain and Grant Hinds. Hayleigh Chamberlain, is the women behind the YouTube Channel – Hayls World. She is the number #1 Top Tech YouTuber in South Africa and is ranked in the Top 30 YouTube channels in South Africa with over 712 thousand subscribers. Grant Hinds is celebrated YouTube marketer, gaming guru and TV show tech contributor for media outlets such as Expresso, GQ magazine and Good Hope FM. Hayleigh, along with Grant Hinds¹ described the Galaxy S21 Ultra as “The single most all-in-one content creation device I have ever used! “.

“Do things that other phones can’t”

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G represents a clear and remarkable evolution in smartphone technology including the fastest processer in a Galaxy device with remarkable battery performance. Hayleigh and Grant praised these features and the fact that the device has Galaxy’s best camera and video technology all in one device. We already know that the S21 Ultra’s 108MP camera is one of the highest resolution cameras you can get on a smartphone right now and its underlying HDR technology helps the enormous sensor capture pictures with amazing color and lighting. Off the bat, Grant was quick to note the incredible processing power made possible by the new Exynos 2100 processer. He believes that now, editing and video is better than it has ever been. This enhancement can be effortlessly used to harness the power of the 5 Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G cameras, which he describes as ‘arguably the most cameras on a phone.” In fact, he describes the camera technology, including the whopping 108MP resolution as being able to “do things that other phone cameras simply cannot do.”

“This is where the magic happens”

Hayleigh was enthralled by the Directors View feature which already a firm favourite amongst content creator in South Africa. She described it as the feature where the magic happens. This impressive technology is a game-changer for anyone who wants to take their content to another level. It lets you see, switch, and select the best shot to tell your best story. You can capture video with the front and rear cameras at once for real-time reactions with Vlogger View, and preview or change the angle, zoom or go wide without losing any action with Live Thumbnails. Paired with Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Pro, you can capture both ambient sounds and your voice at the same time using multiple mic recording. She described another popular feature, Single Take, as simply ‘crazy’. This intelligent feature harnesses the power of AI and allows you to capture a variety of still and video formats with one tap. Hayleigh was captivated by the fact that you can film one-15 second scene and receive a group of alternate photos and videos – automatically. Her range of “endless” options created on a skateboarded scene she created, proves the point.

“The most complete content creation device ever made”

Grant was enormously excited by the creativity the device gives you – describing it as “a DSL-like camera experience”. This includes the introduction of RAW images, which gives both amateur and professional photographers even greater control over image treatment option. This is a ringing endorsement from an acclaimed content creator who seeks the best possible results.  Both Hayleigh and Grant were impressed by the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G’s ability to grab crystal clear images from your 8K video footage, which is the highest possible video resolution available on a smartphone. This means you can film an epic scene and then select moments in 33K crystal clear high-resolution photos. While Hayleigh spoke with great enthusiasm about the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G’s most prominent and pioneering features, she also noted additional fun features such as the ability to create a personalised video scene tailored to the person who is calling. She clearly loved the feature as she showcased it in her trademark effervescent manner.

Grant emphasised how much the power to edit photo or even documents, has on a smartphone’s value to the user. He therefore highlighted the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G’s S Pen capabilities. This empowers you to draw, take notes, edit photos or even take a picture with the device set up from a distance. The S Pen compatibility means you can finesse and fine-tune while editing your videos down to the last frame, with the precision that your finger simply can’t touch.

Both clearly agreed that the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is undeniably the greatest Galaxy yet or as Grant Hinds says, “the most complete content creation device ever made”.

You can view both Hayleigh and Grant’s videos below.

¹https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMeOpW8anRs

²https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5LhNGUquQw

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 07 May 2021 – Bonang Matheba is no stranger to being in the spotlight. Her legion of Instagram followers are always captivated by her latest social media content and look up to her as a role model as she carves her own path in the world. A major tool in her arsenal is her use of the latest technology to stay at the forefront of media innovation. Africa’s social media darling therefore recently shared her review of the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G – a device that’s also grabbing the headlines. Is it a device worthy of a Queen? Bonang seems to think so. Not one to drop her standards for anyone, Bonang described the newly launched Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G as an absolute stunner. The highly acclaimed device delivers Samsung’s most advanced and intelligent pro-grade camera system, brightest and smartest display in a Galaxy and best Galaxy performance in a smartphone yet. Bonang spent plenty of time on the set of the new Galaxy TV commercial she is filming – putting the device through the Queen Test – and it clearly reigns supreme in her heart.

“As a fan of technology, I love how Samsung has stepped up, especially now with all the changes in the world. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes packed with everything I need to live my best life. As a businesswoman, whether I’m working from home or on the go; the high-quality camera is great for meetings and capturing footage. Having it sync with all my devices is fantastic because it keeps me connected. I’m really living for the ready-to-go photographer’s assistant. With all the editing tools available, it’s like you have a cutting-edge studio in your hands taking your selfie game to the next level. In my world, this is a game-changer.”

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G feature that instantly grabbed the attention of Bonang was the new Directors View.

“I am all about innovation. For someone whose job is often in front of the camera, this new feature puts you in the Director’s chair, giving you a whole new view to making content. These new features are so exciting and easy to use. You can capture video with the front and rear cameras at the same time, which means I don’t have to edit my reaction to what I am recording. Those dancing videos are going to be epic! I just choose how I want to see it. It really makes shooting content fun, especially the way it picks up and enhances your natural skin tone, day or night, so you get to stay in the moment and be authentic.”

Director’s View is one of the standout camera features on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.  It lets you see, switch, and select the best shot to tell your best story. You can now capture for real-time reactions with Vlogger View, and preview or change the angle, zoom or go wide without losing any action with Live Thumbnails.

“From my experience of being on stage live and hosting radio shows, I’m always aware of sound. Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Pro and Director’s View feature is a dream match. You feel like you have a camera crew with you the way it picks up sound around you and your voice. This way, I get to record speech, movement and background sound in the highest quality.  When you’re on the clock, you only have “one-take”, so it’s all about locking down sound and picture perfectly.”

Bonang will soon share more of her favourite experiences with the device that is turning as many heads as she does.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 26 April 2021 – The cover of every GQ magazine is the culmination of a carefully considered vision, borne from a celebrated reputation of being at the cutting-edge of the latest styles and trends. In their May/June issue, under the expert direction of visionary editors, accomplished photographers and seasoned crews, GQ South Africa was inspired to create what few in the country considered before, a cover like no other. The highly respected publication used the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G to shoot and edit everything from the cover, the fashion pages, video clips and the behind-the-scenes video.

Renowned photographer Austin Malema was hired to shoot GQ’s South Africa first cover shot on a smartphone. He was excited to see how the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G could deliver on a professional photo shoot, with a legion of GQ stylists, editors, and crew behind him and the superstar Prince Kaybee in front of him.

“Even though I shoot with a smartphone all the time for personal use, it was the first time I had shot anything like a cover with a smartphone,” said Malema. I was a little anxious, to be honest. I knew that the quality of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smartphone was great, but I only started to find out details like that it could shoot raw images in 12-bit raw files when I started exploring it. I however soon realised that the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G would be more than capable of producing images that effortlessly measured up to DSLR quality. From that point, I started to feel very much at home with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smartphone onset.”

Professional photographers, who want the utmost control and quality from their images to capture a more dynamic range, meaning more detail in the highlights and shadows, normally use raw files. However, it was the unexpected array of options offered by the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G that really captured the imagination of the GQ team. GQ Editor in Chief, Molife Kumona immediately noticed the sharpness of the images from the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smartphone.

“What caught my attention was the quality, the vivid detail and colours. Our covers are carefully curated to feel original, compelling and larger than life. I was so impressed by the image quality from shooting with the device, I knew I had to use it to create a dual cover for this edition”, said Molife

Samsung’s greatest Galaxy smartphone yet took centre stage at the selected locations, armed with its ground-breaking camera technology. Beyond the dimensions of this special project with Samsung, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone garnered a lot of praise from the Conde Nast team for the fastest processer in a Galaxy device, massive battery and the smartest and brightest screen in a Galaxy ever. The powerful quad camera, featuring a 108MP wide camera, two 10MP zoom lenses, and a 40MP front camera almost stole the spotlight. On the shoot days, cover photographer Austin Malema used the combination of these incredible features, along with the acclaimed state-of-the-art prograde camera features to great effect.

One of Molife’s favourite features onsite that he used to capture behind-the-scenes footage of the shoots was Directors View. “I love how it lets you see, switch, and select the best shot to tell your best story. capturing video with the front and rear cameras at once for real-time reactions with Vlogger View, and preview or change the angle, zoom or go wide without losing any action with Live Thumbnails”.

The combination of Prince Kaybee and a team of visionaries with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smartphone that acts like it’s a photographer’s assistant, are what have made the dual cover for GQ so epic. So make sure you look out for GQ’s May/June Issue on shelves from 23^rd April and see the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G dazzle on GQ’s dynamic dual covers.

Take a look at the video below to discover some easy and convenient use cases of IoT with SmartThings on the new Galaxy S21 series.

https://youtu.be/zDwNzA8WY1w

Thanks to the improved Single Take feature on the Galaxy S21 series, you can take a series of epic photos and videos with just a single press of the shutter button.

Find out how to activate Single Take and get incredible photo and video cuts in this video.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about how Portrait mode on the Galaxy S21 series can help you capture epic shots.