Samsung will start rolling out Android 16 with One UI 8 to millions of Galaxy devices next month, but most Galaxy S21 users will not be on the upgrade list. The only model in the lineup to get the update is the Galaxy S21 FE – the most affordable version. This has nothing to do with hardware performance, but is entirely a matter of timing.

The Galaxy S21 FE is almost indistinguishable from the S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra in terms of processing power, all using the same Exynos or Snapdragon chip. The main differences lie in the camera and finishing materials. However, the Galaxy S21 launched in January 2021 with Android 11, while the S21 FE was delayed and will not be released until January 2022 with Android 12.

According to Samsung's update policy, flagships launched before 2024 will receive 4 major Android upgrades and 5 years of security patches. That means the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra will stop at Android 15, while the S21 FE gets one final version, Android 16, thanks to a one-year delay in its release cycle.

One UI 8 promises a more streamlined experience with streamlined menus, improved multitasking tools, and a host of system tweaks to make the device more responsive. Testing on the Galaxy S21 FE has already begun, and the update is expected to be released in October or November.