Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
How long will it last?
Official promiseSupported until January 2026 · Buy-by January 2024
Samsung promises 5 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until January 2026 — buying it today still gets you about -0.4 years of safe use.
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
A 2021 super-flagship with a second 10x periscope camera that is now at the very end of its security support.
Pros
- Dual telephoto cameras including a 10x periscope still rival much newer phones for reach
- Sharp QHD+ 120Hz screen that remains one of the best displays on a used phone
- Received all four promised Android upgrades through One UI 7
Cons
- Security support has effectively run out as of early 2026
- Heavy and large, and the big battery degrades noticeably on aged units
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3200x1440 (QHD+), 120Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (US) / Exynos 2100 (global) |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 108MP |
| ultra-wide | 12MP |
| telephoto 10x | 10MP |
| front | 40MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 229 g |
| Materials | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 11 with One UI 3.1 at launch |
| Connectivity | 5G/4G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C |
| Update policy | 4 OS upgrades · 5 years of security updates (official promise) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G get updates?
Its four major Android upgrades finished with One UI 7, and its five-year security window closes around January 2026, so it is now effectively out of support.
Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera still good in 2026?
Yes. The 108MP main sensor plus dual 3x and 10x telephoto cameras give zoom flexibility that few used phones at its price can match.
Should I buy a Galaxy S21 Ultra now?
Only if you accept it no longer gets security updates; the hardware is excellent but the software clock has run out, so it's best as a value camera phone rather than a long-term daily driver.
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.