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Five years is a long stretch for a smartphone. But in tech years, it’s when manufacturers start closing the chapter. Samsung will no longer provide updates for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra.
These handsets launched in January 2021 under a promise: four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches. That five-year window has now closed, which means these phones will not receive further security fixes or OS upgrades from Samsung going forward.
The devices will keep working. Apps will still run. But the background safety net has been pulled up. If you rely on one of these models for sensitive banking, work email, or regular browsing, now is the time to plan an upgrade or tighten your device security.
What are the options? The most straightforward path is moving up to a current flagship — the Galaxy S25 family is the obvious candidate — especially since trade-in offers and launch-cycle discounts typically appear when new models arrive. If you prefer to hold, consider switching to a phone that still receives security patches, or restrict sensitive activities on the aging device and enable stronger protections like biometric locks and two-factor authentication.
It’s also worth noting how Samsung’s update strategy has evolved. Newer flagship lines now promise longer support spans, making software longevity a bigger part of the buying decision than it used to be. That shift matters: a phone with a longer official support window reduces long-term risk and often preserves resale value better.
Your S21 may still feel fast and familiar, but the official safety net is gone. Time to weigh cost, convenience, and how much risk you’re willing to carry on a five-year-old handset.
Source: gsmarena
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