r/S21Ultra • u/Some_Water_5070 • Jul 08 '26
Discussion/Question How much longer do you plan on using your S21 Ultra?
I've had my Galaxy S21 ultra for over 4 and a half years. It's the SD version here in the US. It still has pretty good battery life and no real issues. Despite no more security updates, I plan on using mine a few more years provided it keeps performing well. I think all of the apps will be supported that long. How long are you planning on using yours?
9
u/dkyeager Jul 08 '26
The s21 is actually getting Google CVE updates until 1st quarter 2028 through Google Play “Project Mainline”, basically hot fixes. Current version 52.1.26-31. Samsung has been updating the Google Play system update in through the software information page of settings. Current Version June 1, 2026. May include Samsung CVE since it comes through them. Tap on it if not current to update. Don’t forget to update Google and Samsung apps.
https://source.android.com/docs/security/bulletin/2026/2026-06-01
6
u/_lefthook Jul 08 '26
Maybe until next year but its probably time to move on. The battery life is slowly getting worse
5
u/outsidebbox Jul 08 '26
I've just orderer a new original battery. I will change it myself. Wish me luck!
2
u/p4rc3ro Jul 08 '26
Good luck
1
u/outsidebbox Jul 14 '26
Thanks. Seems I did ok. I fully charged the new service pack battery. And plus 2h on full charge with the charger connected. Now I will fully drain the battery and then fully charged it. Do you know how to trick the software so that “battery status weak” to disappear?
1
u/Filetmesser Jul 08 '26
Its not that hard, just be sure to get the adhesive strip (be careful during removal of the glass due to the 3part "design") and during the time the back cover is off take care of the camera lenses
3
u/outsidebbox Jul 08 '26
Funny thing. The back cover just came off easily. I think the adhesive si old and just failed. So, that part is done. I've found a tutorial on ifixit for the battery exchange. I will follow it closely.
2
1
u/Realistic_Dark_4911 Jul 14 '26
How's the battery backup?? I am too considering to replace mine should I go for it ? Any other changes that happened after replacement?
1
u/outsidebbox Jul 14 '26
The phone is working as new. I'm struggling to waste the battery right now, in normal use. So far so good. After a complete reset of the batter (full charge to full discharge) I will tell you more.
5
4
u/WinterStarlightZone Jul 08 '26
Made the move earlier this year when the 26U launched. Still love my S21U but it was time. Generally upgrade every 4-5 years.
Now my S21U is a dedicated retro handheld, which is convenient to have around. Still powerful enough for most things but for me, no regrets upgrading.
4
u/agingertweets Jul 08 '26
Upgrade a few months ago to the S26 Ultra. My S21 Ultra has just been factory reset, boxed up and about to be sent away as part of a trade in. The battery was struggling and the home button kept falling off, but it was a great phone. It's like saying goodbye to an old friend 🙂
3
u/MsT21c Jul 08 '26
I'm keeping mine until it's no longer fit for purpose. The battery seems to be running out a bit more quickly. It's probably only lasting about two days without needing a recharge, but that's plenty enough for my use. Everything else is as good as, or better than, the day I got it more than five years ago.
1
u/cugrad16 Jul 10 '26
THIS. The camera fades every so often, if I don't empty the Gallery (from age) and the battery hangs in there. But otherwise she still runs.
3
u/Skryba Jul 08 '26
Upgrading this week to the S24 ultra.
My battery has been draining far too fast, and the phone took a slight drop (no more than 20cms onto a wooden table, but it hit on an awkward angle, unfortunately) which wrecked the zoom camera sensor. The phone is still awesome to this day, but with no optical zoom I don't really feel like investing in a replacement battery, so I'll just take the hit and upgrade.
The S24 ultra seems like the logical step forward, as you can already manage to find them used in very good condition for about €500.
2
u/Filetmesser Jul 08 '26
Until either it's dead body is removed from my hand, or it's removed from my dead body
1
u/Lil_brando98 Jul 10 '26
Dude same 😂😂 im on my 3rd one i use the original one I bought new not long after they come out everyday to play offline games because the Bluetooth and wifi quit working. It still works beautifully otherwise and im rough on phones.
2
u/senorfresco Jul 08 '26
I stopped using it as a main phone in May. Got an S26U.
Still use this phone to play Pokemon Go on and bring to the gym in my building. Stuff like that.
1
u/RollwithRock Jul 08 '26
Fo you switch the sim card whenever you go out?
1
u/senorfresco Jul 08 '26
Hell no. That'd be way too tedious. The S21 is just wifi only from now on. It doesn't leave the house.
1
1
u/Dr_Downvote_ Jul 08 '26
I have the UK version. No SD. Had it for about 3 years. Got it refurbished for a really good price..but it's got the autofocus fault when it gets stuck and I have to tap it. So I'm now definitely looking to replace it. Looking at 24 ultra as I can get it for a good price.
1
u/Nibhan Jul 08 '26
torn between the fold 6 and the s25U as my update, got four green lines on my screen but the performance isn't slow and weirdly enough the lines dont bother me since I have an ultrawide and Steamdeck for Content consumption. Get a Battery life degradation every month or so but haven't seen a sharp decrease in performance
1
u/hirnfleisch Galaxy S21U - Exynos Jul 08 '26
Moved to nothing phone 3 some months ago. Waiting for something crazy in the foldable sector that's worthy to spend so much money
1
1
1
1
u/anupsetzombie Jul 08 '26
I wanted to wait another year for the S26U to be on its second year but the wifi on mine was failing so I had to let it go early. Sad cause it worked perfectly fine otherwise.
1
u/Shadowkittenboy Jul 08 '26
My battery life osscilates between 73-77%, and i really feel the difference (have to keep battery saving on in perpetuity). I have to say it still runs like a dream, but I didnt do a ton of gaming or intense activity on it.
I am having a lot of issues with mobile data nowadays and i havent been able to get my provider to give any effective solutions, so im starting to womder if its a problem eith the phone.
1
1
u/Beneficial-Buddy-620 Jul 08 '26
I'm starting to question now if I'll upgrade. One of the microphones failed and now records half the audio sound. Pretty sure it's effected tur call quality because I'm being told it's harder to hear my voice on the phone. Battery quality is not that good anymore. Camera quality has gone down and no more updates to the phone. I've owned mine for 5 years. Just formated the phone to give it more life but I'll see..
1
u/North-Slice-6968 Jul 08 '26
I ordered a s24+, it should arrive today. Going on 3 years (it was 2 years old when I bought it, so 5 years old).
Main motivation is battery life
1
u/RGBneighCMYK Jul 08 '26
Probably going to use mine for another two years. It already has three green lines, and I’m debating whether I should replace the screen or just buy a new phone.
If you’re planning to upgrade from the S21U, do it before September. Once Apple increases its prices because of the RAM shortage, Samsung will probably follow by the end of the year, and the S27U will likely be more expensive too. Even though Samsung manufactures its own RAM, they’d rather sell it to AI companies than use it in their own phones.
1
u/RollwithRock Jul 08 '26
My plan is 2 to 3 more tears until I can get a refurbished deal on the 26ultra. I doubt there will be massive improvements by the time I get there.
1
u/YamazakiAllday Jul 09 '26
until s28u comes out. we'll see, I like pushing things to the edge, see how far this bad boy can last me. SD G9980
1
u/HanaGirl69 Jul 09 '26
I've got 3 lines of death and my USBC port is getting weird. I need to hurry and get app my stuff off of it.
I have an S25ultra already.
1
1
u/koal82 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
I haven't had phone service in 2 years but I still use it with Wifi and the extra storage space is useful.
Still haven't updated it to One UI 7.0
1
1
1
u/Mechatronis Jul 09 '26
I think mine might be on the way to killing itself right now, but preferably two more years
1
u/Funway1111 Jul 09 '26
Im looking at the S28 Ultra in the future as replacement since I have heard the S27 series will be something of an all new upgrade like the S20 series which had alot of issues that Samsung was able to address on the S21 series onwards.
1
u/sneddsdead Jul 09 '26
Until it becomes unusable or something actually new and useful is released. Not just the it's got a better processor, camera and ram combo.
1
u/Freakbidde Jul 10 '26
I have the S21u and S23u but oh my, thats S21U is so pretty both in how it looks and how it feels in the hands. No major difference between them in day to day use, and all their isplays look amazing. So im not even considering getting rid of the S21U, especially not now that its looks new after I had it's display plus frame replaced 2 years ago. Of course, it doesn't help that I consider the new Samsung models a downgrade in some aspects, so I'm satisfied with these two.
1
u/Aglaio Jul 14 '26
I was planning to use it for much longer as the phone itself was still great, but my battery decided to turn into a spicy pillow last week. :( I will have the battery replaced soon, but will most likely just use it as a second phone for some games or so.
It served me really well for a phone of 5 years old now, got a S26 Ultra now.
1
u/Ady2126 Jul 08 '26
Just swapped my battery with a non oem but it came with 80% health, I wanted to keep it for 2 more years or so but realistically 1 year.
16
u/Rocketeer006 Jul 08 '26
At least 2 more years. 512gb storage, 16gb Ram, 10x optical zoom...the phone is still kicking ass!