Curfew falls for Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra: no more security updates
End of Galaxy S22 series is also approaching
Users of a Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra should prepare for the end of support. Five years after the release of these smartphones, Samsung has stopped releasing software and security updates. This makes it unsafe to continue using the phones, so it is wise to start looking for replacements.
The Galaxy S21 family consisting of the S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra are now beyond the 5-year update promise. With no more security updates being rolled out, software leaks and bugs remain open and, as a user, you are at risk of falling victim to them.
Incidentally, the S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra did not receive Android updates for a while. Samsung released a total of four different Android versions, the latest of which was Android 15 (combined with One UI 7).
Samsung upped its update promise in early 2024 with the introduction of the Galaxy S24 series to 7 years. This applies to both OS updates and security updates. The widening is limited to high-end Galaxy S-series models; recent Galaxy A-series models get up to 6 years of updates.
Galaxy S22 series downgrades: end to monthly cycle
There is also bad news for the S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra. These models will no longer receive monthly security updates, Samsung announces. While this means you are no longer protected against so-called Zero-day vulnerabilities, at least 4 updates per year will still arrive.
Upgrade path: From S21 to Galaxy S25 or S26?
It is advisable for those still walking around with a S21 or S22 model to look for a suitable successor. The now heavily discounted S25 series is then a good candidate. And with 7 years of promised updates, it will last at least another 6 years. You can also wait for the S26 Series expected in late February. Although its starting prices will be considerably higher in the beginning.
