One UI 8 Drops Support for Samsung Galaxy S21 Series, but the S21 FE Survives

Samsung has finally published the official list of devices eligible for the upcoming One UI 8 update, and while the lineup is impressively long, there’s one omission that’s sure to sting longtime Galaxy fans: the Galaxy S21 series. Yes, if you’re holding on to the Galaxy S21, S21+, or the mighty S21 Ultra from 2021, I have bad news — your device has reached the end of the road when it comes to major Android upgrades.

However, the Galaxy S21 FE is still in the game and will get One UI 8 based on Android 16.

Why the cutoff makes sense (but still hurts)

Before we start sharpening pitchforks, let’s be fair. Samsung technically kept its promise here. The Galaxy S21 family launched with Android 11 and received four major Android OS upgrades, with Android 15 (and One UI 7) being the last. That’s exactly what Samsung guaranteed back then, so the company isn’t pulling a fast one.

The Galaxy S21 FE, however, came a bit later, shipping with Android 12 out of the box. And since Samsung gave it the same “four upgrades” treatment, its final stop is Android 16, which translates to One UI 8. So, the odd one out in the family is ironically the Fan Edition, which gets a longer runway than the flagship siblings it was meant to complement. Life’s funny like that.

Samsung’s software evolution

This move highlights a bigger shift in Samsung’s software strategy. Devices that got four OS updates are slowly being sunset, while newer models are entering the era of seven guaranteed Android OS upgrades. That’s a massive leap for Android longevity. The Galaxy S24 series was the first to earn this honor, and now even budget handsets like the Galaxy A07 and Galaxy A17 are being promised six major Android updates. Yes, six. For a budget device. A few years ago, that would’ve sounded like science fiction.

In short, Samsung’s update game is getting stronger, but the S21 family just happens to be the generation caught in the middle of this transition.

It’s not just Samsung. Apple’s doing it too

And lest you think Samsung is being ruthless, remember that this is simply the circle of life in the gadget world. Apple, for instance, is rolling out iOS 26, but the iPhone XS and XS Max aren’t invited to the party. Their final major stop was iOS 18. So whether you’re in Camp Android or Team iPhone, eventually the update train stops rolling.

If you’re rocking an S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra, your phone isn’t suddenly useless. It’s just not going to see Android 16. You’ll still get security updates for a while, and let’s be honest, the S21 series is still more than capable in 2025. But if you’re itching for those new One UI 8 features, you may want to start eyeing the Galaxy S24 or the Galaxy S25 price to drop further.

Meanwhile, Galaxy S21 FE users get to enjoy one last major update before joining the retirement club. Sometimes being late to the party pays off.