The Samsung Galaxy S21 came out on January 29, 2021
Samsung announced the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra on January 14, 2021, and released all three models to the public on January 29, 2021. This was Samsung's flagship phone line for that year, replacing the S20 series. If you own an S21 today, you are using a phone that is now several years old, which affects how long Samsung will support it with software updates and security patches.
The S21 launched in most major markets on the same date, though some carriers and retailers had pre-order windows in the days before. If you bought one at launch, your phone is now past the point where Samsung considers it a current device, but that does not mean it has stopped working or receiving updates.
Key Takeaways
- The Galaxy S21 launched on January 29, 2021, making it over three years old as of 2024.
- Samsung typically supports flagship phones like the S21 with major Android updates for three years and security patches for four years from the release date.
- An S21 purchased at launch will reach the end of Samsung's may provide support window around January 2025, though security patches may continue beyond that.
- Knowing your phone's launch date helps you plan when to expect the final update and when to consider replacing it.
How long Samsung supports the S21 with updates
Samsung committed to three years of major Android version updates for the S21 and four years of monthly security patches. This means a phone purchased at launch in January 2021 would receive its last major Android update around January 2024 and its final security patch around January 2025. Your actual timeline depends on when you bought the phone, not when Samsung released it.
If you bought your S21 used or refurbished months or years after launch, your support window starts from the original release date, not your purchase date. This is why checking the phone's manufacturing date or asking the seller when it was first activated matters if you are considering a used S21.
What changes when your S21 reaches the end of support
When Samsung stops sending security patches, your phone does not stop working. It continues to run whatever version of Android it was last updated to. However, it no longer receives fixes for newly discovered security vulnerabilities, which means it becomes riskier to use for sensitive tasks like banking or entering passwords.
You can still use an unsupported phone for calls, texts, and apps, but the longer you go without patches, the more exposed you become to exploits that hackers can use. This is the main reason to consider replacing a phone once it falls out of the support window, not because the hardware fails.
The S21 compared to newer Samsung phones
The S21 was Samsung's top phone in 2021. The S22 launched in February 2022, the S23 in February 2023, and the S24 in January 2024. Each generation brought camera improvements, faster processors, and longer battery life, but the S21 still performs everyday tasks without lag. The main practical difference is that newer phones receive updates for longer.
If you are deciding whether to keep your S21 or upgrade, the question is not whether it still works—it does—but whether you want the security of ongoing patches and the features in newer Android versions. A phone that is three years old is not obsolete, but it is no longer in Samsung's active support period.
Where to find your S21's exact age
You can check your phone's manufacturing date by going to Settings > About phone and looking for the build number or device information. The build number often includes a date code. You can also look at your original receipt or box if you still have it, or contact Samsung support with your serial number.
Knowing the exact date matters if you are trying to figure out when your final security update will arrive or if you are buying a used S21 and want to know how much support time remains. A phone manufactured in early 2021 is further along in its support cycle than one manufactured in late 2021.
What to do if your S21 is nearing the end of support
If your S21 is approaching or has passed its support important date, you have a few options. You can continue using it as-is if you are comfortable with the security risk, switch to a newer Samsung phone to reset your support window, or explore other brands. There is no single right answer—it depends on your budget and how much you rely on your phone for sensitive information.
Before you decide to replace it, check whether your phone still receives patches. Sometimes Samsung extends support beyond the original timeline, or your carrier may push updates slightly later than Samsung's official date. A quick search for your model number and current date will tell you whether patches are still rolling out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung S21 still worth buying used?
That depends on the price and how much support time remains. If you find one at a steep discount and do not mind losing security patches in a year or two, it can be a good deal. If the seller is asking near the original price, a newer phone is usually the better choice because you get more years of updates.
Will my S21 stop working after January 2025?
No. It will continue to work exactly as it does now. The only change is that Samsung stops sending security patches, which means vulnerabilities discovered after that date will not be fixed. The phone itself does not break or become unusable.
Can I still use banking apps on an unsupported S21?
Yes, but it carries more risk. Banks often require the latest security patches to use their apps, and some may block older phones. Even if your bank allows it, an unpatched phone is more vulnerable to theft of your login information. Check your bank's requirements before relying on an older phone for financial tasks.
Does the S21 still get updates in 2024?
The S21 may still receive security patches in 2024 depending on when it was manufactured, but it has likely already received its final major Android version update. Check your phone's settings under About phone > Software update to see if updates are still available.