Samsung accidentally made the cheapest Galaxy S21 FE the longest-lasting model
By Arthur Berg
Samsung has officially ended support for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra after five years of updates, but the Galaxy S21 FE will continue to receive updates for another year-making it the only model in the lineup to get One UI 8 based on Android 16.
- Galaxy S21 FE is set to receive One UI 8.5 in summer 2026, while the other S21 models topped out at One UI 7
- The reason: a nearly one-year delay in release, so the phone launched with a newer OS version
- Samsung guaranteed all S21 devices four major Android updates and five years of security patches
In February 2026, Samsung officially wrapped up support for the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra-exactly five years after their initial release. The company fulfilled its promise of four major OS updates plus five years of security patches, marking the end of the road for these three flagships.
The Galaxy S21 FE found itself in a different position. While Fan Edition devices usually launch about six months after the main series, the S21 FE was delayed by almost a year. This later release meant it shipped with a fresher Android build and One UI version right out of the box.
How the delay turned into an unexpected advantage
This later launch actually benefited S21 FE owners. Because the phone started with a newer system version, its four promised major updates extend further into the future. While the S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra stopped at One UI 7, the S21 FE will reach One UI 8 on Android 16-and that’s not all.
By summer, the S21 FE will likely get One UI 8.5 as well. Although this is an incremental update on the same Android version, it will bring a refreshed interface for system elements and Samsung’s native apps. After that, the device will continue receiving security patches through early 2027.
In the end, the Galaxy S21 FE will outlive its siblings-not because of power or price, but thanks to a quirk in its launch timeline. It’s a rare scenario for Samsung, where the most affordable model in the lineup turns out to be the longest-lasting in terms of software support.
