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Use case? >Work (everyday word processing, powerpoint, file compression and uncompression along with multiple download and uploads everyday (files are usually around 400MB to 1+GB in size) all while needing to be mobile around where I work, file storage and back-up among other things) >Study (screen recording and exporting to video, file conversion such as photos/powerpoints to pdfs, compression of files for sharing (local/on-hand storage is preferred as internet rates can be rather expensive if you look at the cumulative cost), file storage and back-up among other things) >Gaming (when I can...would want to play titles comfortably at 1080p to 1440p moving forward, haven't had a great experience for some time haha) >Media consumption and web browsing during my spare time Region? >I'm from SouthEast Asia (the 'tech tariff' or 'tech tax' here is rather brutal at times given currency conversion rates and such) Budget? >at most $1500 ideally but if I need to go higher then I'll be flexible but better if around $1000 to $1500 upfront...I can upgrade later if needed; the high premiums in tech in my region is rather expected...what might cost $1000 dollars in the US can be worth around $1200-$1400 at times here Screen Size? >given that it will be my main workstation sort of, I'd prefer 14 to 16" But again, open to other ideas or suggestions here I appreciate the help!

I'm currently planning to upgrade my laptop (single device use) this year if possible (rendering some videos and and some tasks are getting a bit too slow for me not to mention not being able to play the latest games well lol) Ideally it would have the ff: -Ryzen 5000 + nVIDIA 3000 internals; or previous Gen if current components become too price prohibitive -Large Battery (better if 90Wh and above) w/ USB C PD charging -easily upgradable RAM (dual channel) AND STORAGE (better if 2 M.2 slots) -16:10 QHD screen -BONUS if it's 2.3kg and lighter (in my line of work, it's better if I get to bring the laptop with me at all times around 8-16h/day often), with a webcam, good speakers and etc -Budget? I'm willing to be flexible as it is an investment Any ideas or other recommendations? should I wait for next year? Ultrabook plus eGPU? or something else? Very much willing to listen here

Well...it will take some time before AMD will have enough mindshare (not to mention their supply) in the world among those who aren't as into tech as some of us are before we'll see them take the majority of the marketshare. But yeah....the majority probably in this forum might represent just the minority in the real world.

I was thinking along the lines of modding or hacking the hardware on phones... was wondering if that would need to be done from the ground up or would it be easier on a retail phone already but I haven't seen videos/guides on either.

I didn't mean scratch as in raw materials but from like spare components from disassembled phones and such. But I do get your literal and figurative point.

The 'mods' is what I sorta what I want to get into but I haven't seen videos/guides yet...just those that build from 'scratch' My most likely option is to find external cases/accesories for the phone but it isn't the same I guess.

I know... it's a stupid question please bear with me, a noob here. I was wondering....Could you build your own Android device from parts so that it has the features you want? Like building a Note 20 Ultra with a headphone jack? or the S21 Ultra with expandable storage? Or a larger battery? Or larger storage? I know there would be case and software concerns though. PS I know you can build a standard device when you find the parts like how Strange Parts did some time back (he built an S9 Plus I believe) and I do believe the environment would benefit if we'd reuse a lot of the parts (on a global scale) if the were functional of course and such. Given the current and ongoing shortage of electronics and PC parts... it got me thinking if we could or should be building anything with anything that's available.

It will most likely sacrifice on build quality, cameras, speed of on board storage and the like to hit a price point in between their A range and S/Note Lineup.

I agree with both of you that Samsung is a HUGE company but for me at least when you compare them to Apple who release at most around 4 phones per year......it just seems that it would be easier for them to provide software support compared to having too many models with different chipsets. They have released more than 50 different models (different chipsets plus you have Qualcomm and Exynos variants) in 2019-2020; I'm sure they are very much capable in providing proper support to all those models over a span of 3-5 years but it would seem it to be rather more difficult as compared to Apple who released a total of 7 models I think over that same time span. Then again, not an expert here but it's just my opinion anyway.

Summary A 'leakster' Evan Blass has released, a few days ago, the alleged Samsung Roadmap (partial) for this year. There is a lot to take in if this roadmap is true given that it does point to a few things for me. One, I think Samsung still makes too many models of phones every year which precludes them from focusing on providing the best software experience/support among other things (similar as to how Apple does or how OnePlus used to). They have currently released at least 10 models this year already and with more coming later this year...I just think it would mean too much fragmentation. I understand that they are trying to appeal to all the price points but I do believe that they do it too far sometimes. I'm no expert, just an opinion on it. from the GSMArena website Two, the upcoming laptop event is making me curious as to how Samsung is going to package and present it given that should it run on the alleged Exynos 2200 (will apparently come out this year as claimed by Ice Universe and will be used to power the alleged upcoming Samsung laptop in the 2nd half of the year as claimed by ZDNet Korea) because if it just going to be an "Android" Laptop/Chromebook with some Samsung software on top of it then it would also cut in into their sales of the Tablets (which for the moment is the best non-apple tablet you can purchase) or it could be trying to do too much all at once without excelling at any one thing. I hope I'm wrong at this though. I'm basically hoping that eventually 1) Samsung focuses on making at most 10-12 models for the whole year (just A, S, Note and Foldables/Flexible Display phones) which would allow them to focus on software optimization, support and capability for each device. 2) Samsung can produce chips that are better than Qualcomm's because it would introduce proper competition in the mobile space which would prevent prices of smartphones/mobile devices from skyrocketing...hopefully. I do have other thoughts on it but will edit this segment in the near future. Sources https://www.voice.com/post/@evan/samsung-miniroadmap-tips-several-upcoming-devices-1615997480-606041677 https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_will_unveil_three_exynos_chipsets_this_year_claims_leakster-news-48014.php https://www.gizchina.com/2021/03/03/the-upcoming-exynos-2200-with-amd-gpu-targets-smartphones-and-laptops/ https://zdnet.co.kr/view/?no=20210224162744 https://www.bgr.in/news/samsung-exynos-2200-chip-with-amd-gpu-could-power-windows-10-laptops-in-2022-944826/

I am as well but it would seem that they will release a Galaxy Note 2022. The S 2021 isn't selling so well and the public has responded that they do want the Note. The problem is that it would seem too late to start "making and designing" one from scratch starting now if they want to release this year. I just honestly wish they would do it right next year by re-including the headphone jack, NOT removing the microSD support, make it a bit thicker to have a bigger battery (as well have software/setting improvements to improve battery health and usage similar to ROG 5) among other things.... I think you should hold on to that Note 9 unless there's something that makes it unusable....not 100% sure you should but just a suggestion. Source: XeeTechCare, TechTalkTV

definitely agree there...if it's all a marketing ploy (although highly unlikely...but could be what majority of the 'working with' budget is placed in) where the licensing fee will be passed on to consumers, it's not worth much

I absolutely agree with everything except for probably the screen size, I use my phone as almost that "do-everything" device, would honestly want a 7 inch tall aspect ratio boxy screen with razor thin bezels and great edge detection (something similar to the Note line in terms of form factor, I'm biased I know haha) It would be cool though if we could have phones made with Sapphire and Stainless Steel but I think it would drive the price way up though.

I filled up around 400+gb in my previous phone after almost a year (without backup for a lot of the files which basically sucked after my phone was stolen)...mostly references and a lot of video; I really use up space fast haha. I basically use my microSD it for back-up and files (no apps) I need but don't need super fast access to but I definitely agree....1Tb for most people will make it last for a long time. It is a hassle but economically speaking...it's way cheaper for most to buy a 128gb model and expand it to 1Tb than for most to get the 256/512gb models outright for now.

have you tried asking the forums? I'm sure there's a group looking for possible the same style of phone...or is the market really stingy recently?

I can see you that you honestly use your phone more like a tool than most, unfortunately there aren't a lot of compact options nowadays...although that screen size is too small for me (we hope that's not what she said lol)

a swappable battery is something I miss honestly....until we get graphene batteries on phones, it would still be awesome to have swappable batteries

Hard to argue with anything written here, but I'd still prefer something with a 1TB on board plus expandable storage ease of use. I'm not a fan of using too much data just to be connected to the cloud/keep on streaming stuff but it's an great set of features nonetheless.

Given that companies are trying to push new technologies into the mainstream (flexible displays, 5G, UDC/UPC, etc) but also take away beloved features (headphone jack, microSD support (Galaxy S21 ) etc.), I'm curious as to what the LTT Community has to say if they could suggest on how a company should build a phone that is for everyone. In as much as I love my N20 Ultra...it does miss some features/characteristics that other phones have. If you could build the "perfect/ultimate" smartphone in 2021; how would you do it? Comment below! I'm actually curious... Parameters: >non-flexible display (to simplfy things) >reasonable dimensions for the flagship of the lineup (if you were to suggest a lineup) >non-fiction materials/tech seen in all previous/currently sold smartphones; concept phones with a prototype tech that have been seen to work are also allowed >no luxury items unless they help with functionality (e.g. Gold plating/Diamond studs) >be specific as possible (Hardware or Software feature) Will post here GSMArena's Spec Sheet of the Note 20 Ultra so everyone can suggest a component/feature as specific as they want Will make this a running post so I can actually include the features that the commenters in this forum want

I agree with both of you...I just want everything to be easily compatible with everything haha

It's not a perfect ultrabook by 2020 standards I guess...we all have different needs/preferences but I'd honestly want the ff before paying such a high (very high imo) premium on such: >AMD Renoir/Cezanne with USB 4 of course >Non-soldered memory >an extra M.2 SSD slot >14" 16:10 screen (even if it means a slightly larger footprint) >At least a 60 Wh battery >proven QC so that there will be less reports about them breaking just outside the warranty period among a few other things... I don't know, probably just dreaming haha

LG has just officially announced their latest phone which has a different form factor as compared to the typical "glass sandwich" design. It comes with a swiveling POLED screen which is designed to increase functionality. I definitely think this is a possible alternative to folding phones for those who want a secondary screen but don't want the fragile folding component. I honestly want to see how creative people will be able to use this device and it's very unique form factor. Sources: https://www.cnet.com/news/lg-wing-5g-lgs-swivel-phone-is-real-weird-and-not-that-useless/ https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/lg-wing-news/

Yeah...it was bought at around $31 billion back in 2016 so a relatively small growth after over 4 years.