Samsung Galaxy M21
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until March 2023 · Buy-by March 2021
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy M21 should be supported until around March 2023. Buying it today still gets you about -3.2 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
A 2020 budget battery champ with a 6000mAh cell and AMOLED screen, now well past its update life.
Pros
- 6000mAh battery for excellent multi-day endurance
- FHD+ AMOLED display, a step up from typical budget LCDs
- 48MP main and 20MP selfie cameras covered the basics well
Cons
- No longer receives OS or security updates
- Slow 15W charging and a 60Hz screen
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.4-inch Super AMOLED, 1080x2340 (FHD+), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 9611 |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 48MP |
| ultra-wide | 8MP |
| macro | 5MP |
| front | 20MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 159.0 × 75.1 × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 188 g |
| Materials | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Water resistance | None |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 10 with One UI 2 at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB-C, GPS |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy M21 get updates?
It received two OS upgrades (Android 11 and Android 12) and roughly three years of security from its March 2020 launch, so it no longer receives updates.
How good is the Galaxy M21 battery?
Very good — its 6000mAh battery easily lasts two days, though the 15W charger means refilling is slow.
Does the Galaxy M21 have an AMOLED display?
Yes, it uses a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel, which was a notable feature at its budget price.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.