SamFw
Samsung has adjusted the security update schedule for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra, switching from monthly to quarterly updates. This marks a change after four years of monthly updates since the series launched in January 2021.
For at least the next year, the Galaxy S21 trio will receive security patches every three months. However, the Galaxy S21 FE will continue to receive monthly updates, as it launched nearly a year later than the standard S21 models.
The Galaxy S21 has already received the January 2025 security update and will likely receive one or two more monthly updates before the quarterly schedule officially kicks in.
Additionally, in the coming weeks, the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra will receive their final major OS upgrade – Android 15. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 FE, which launched with Android 12, will have a chance to receive Android 16 as its final major update.
While the Galaxy S21 series will likely last another year, this could also be a good time to upgrade. The Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra will officially hit shelves on February 7 and come with seven years of OS and security updates.
For those considering upgrading from the Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the design similarities will feel familiar. While the S25 Ultra isn't exactly the same as the S21 Ultra, with its rounded corners, the grip experience is improved over previous Ultra versions like the S22 Ultra, S23 Ultra, and S24 Ultra.
