Samsung Reduces Update Frequency for Galaxy S21 Series
Four years after their initial release, Samsung has made a decision that affects its popular Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. Effective immediately, these devices will now receive security updates on a quarterly basis, rather than the monthly updates they were previously receiving.
Update Schedule Shift
In a recent update to its Security Updates Work Scope page, Samsung has downgraded the Galaxy S21 series from a monthly update schedule to a quarterly schedule. This transition means that these devices will be updated four times per year, instead of every month.
For context, the Galaxy S21 FE, a slightly less expensive variant, continues to receive updates on a monthly basis.
Typical Update Cycle for Samsung Devices
This reduction in update frequency is not uncommon for Samsung devices. As phones age, their update schedules tend to become less frequent. This ensures that newer devices receive more timely updates while older models still benefit from security patches and the latest features.
Support Timeline for Galaxy S21 Series
Samsung is currently committed to supporting the Galaxy S21 series with four years of major operating system updates and five years of security updates. One UI 7, the latest major upgrade based on Android 15, will likely be the final major operating system update for these devices.
Security updates, however, are expected to continue until January or February 2026.
New Standards for Recent Devices
Starting with the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung has implemented a new standard of support. These newer phones will receive seven years of Android OS updates and security updates, a significant improvement over the previous four-year timeline.
Conclusion
This news reflects Samsung’s strategy to balance support for older devices with ongoing investment in newer releases. While the Galaxy S21 Series may not see as frequent updates moving forward, it will still benefit from regular security patches until late 2025 or early 2026.
For users of these devices, it’s important to continue enabling automatic updates to ensure the best possible experience, including the latest security measures.
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