Samsung wont support your S21 series with a monthly OS update anymore

Samsung has officially launched One UI 7, its latest user interface, alongside the Galaxy S25 series at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event. This update introduces significant enhancements, focusing on AI integration and user experience improvements. Samsung has officially announced that its Galaxy S21 series, which includes the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra, will no longer receive major OS updates. This marks the end of an era for the 2021 flagship series, which has now reached the conclusion of its promised software support cycle.

But, the Samsung's Galaxy S21 series, which includes the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra models, is still receiving software updates. These devices were launched in early 2021 with Android 11 and are eligible for four major Android updates and five years of security patches. This means they are expected to receive Android 15 in 2025, with security updates continuing until early 2026. Which means, while the Galaxy S21 series will continue to receive software support for approximately another year, the frequency of updates has decreased. Users can expect the final major OS update to be Android 15, with security patches provided until early 2026.

However, it's important to note that Samsung has recently adjusted the update frequency for the Galaxy S21 series. Instead of monthly security updates, these devices now receive updates on a quarterly basis.

Key Features of One UI 7:

Galaxy AI Integration: One UI 7 incorporates advanced AI capabilities, such as writing assistance tools that help with text summarization, grammar checks, and automatic formatting. Additionally, it offers call transcription features supporting 20 languages, allowing users to transcribe recorded calls for future reference.
Now Bar: A new feature called the Now Bar provides quick access to relevant activities like music controls, interpreter, recording, and stopwatch directly from the lock screen, enhancing user convenience.
Redesigned User Interface: The update brings a refreshed design with simplified home screens, redesigned widgets, and enhanced lock screen customization options, allowing for greater personalization. The camera interface has also been revamped for more intuitive control over settings.

End of Major OS Updates

Samsung initially launched the Galaxy S21 series in January 2021 with Android 11, committing to four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches. With the rollout of Android 15 expected to be the last for these devices, users will no longer receive any new versions of Android beyond this update. However, Samsung will continue to provide security updates until early 2026, albeit at a reduced frequency.

Impact on Galaxy S21 Users

While the devices will remain functional, the lack of future OS updates means they will miss out on new features introduced in Android 16 and beyond. This could also result in decreased app compatibility over time as developers optimize applications for newer software versions. Security patches will still be available for another year, but after 2026, vulnerabilities could remain unpatched, potentially exposing users to risks.

Samsung’s Update Policy

Samsung has significantly improved its software support policy in recent years. More recent flagship devices, such as the Galaxy S23 and S24 series, are now eligible for seven years of software support, surpassing even Google’s update commitments for Pixel devices. However, since the S21 series was released before this policy change, it remains on the older four-year update cycle.

Should Galaxy S21 Users Upgrade?

If you own a Galaxy S21 series device, you still have time before support fully ends. However, users who prioritize the latest software features and security enhancements may want to consider upgrading to a newer Samsung flagship, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra or the upcoming Galaxy S25 series. These devices will continue to receive One UI updates and the latest Android versions for years to come.

The end of OS updates for the Galaxy S21 series is a reminder of how quickly technology moves forward. While these devices have served users well, those seeking continued software support and security should start planning their next upgrade in the coming year.

The One UI 7 beta program began rolling out on December 5, 2024, for Galaxy S24 series devices in select countries, including India. The official release started with the Galaxy S25 series and is expected to gradually roll out to other Galaxy devices throughout 2025.

(Source: news.samsung.com)

For users in India, with eligible devices, it's advisable to check for the One UI 7 update through the Samsung Members app or by navigating to Settings > Software Update on your device.