I didn’t expect to still enjoy the Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2026

It’s hard to believe the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is about to be five generations old. It feels like just yesterday that I was unboxing it new.

I’m the first to admit, I wasn’t fair with the Galaxy S21 Ultra at launch. I was bitter that my beloved Galaxy Note series was being sunset, and I hated that the S pen wasn’t housed inside the phone.

Still, time has softened my stance, and I look back on the phone fondly. Putting a SIM in it in 2026 feels downright refreshing in many ways.

Unfortunately, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will not receive One UI 8 because it was released before companies like Samsung began offering extended support.

That hasn’t deterred me, and while out-of-support phones aren’t always ideal, here’s why I still like the Galaxy S21 in my pocket in 2026.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra still has the look and feel of a flagship

Snappy performance in 2026

When you start using the Galaxy S21 Ultra again, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think it was a flagship from this year.

It has Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, with an aluminum frame. It’s IP68 dust- and water-resistant and features a premium design.

Even though I’ve come to prefer flat displays on flagships, I wouldn’t mind Samsung returning to a curved back glass design. It makes the phone easier to hold and feels better in the hand.

Most users put a case on their phones, but for those who appreciate our devices’ design, a curved back glass makes a difference.

Its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD screen also holds up well in 2026. The Galaxy S21 Ultra hails from a time before Samsung adopted a more natural approach to its smartphone displays.

The company has since reversed course, adding more saturation back in, but the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the vibrant, poppy display I always knew and loved from Samsung.

It compares favorably to displays you’ll find on midrange devices today, and I’ll never complain about a vintage Samsung panel in my pocket.

One UI 7 completely overhauled the Galaxy S21 Ultra user experience

It was a much-needed change to Samsung’s software

If the Galaxy S21 Ultra were stuck running One UI 6.1, I probably wouldn’t be enthused about using it anymore.

Thankfully, it was kept in support long enough to receive One UI 7, and it’s done wonders. It completely changed my user experience, with fresh visuals but also solid performance.

I know people question what seven years of software support will look like, but if the Galaxy S21 Ultra is any example, I’m encouraged.

Samsung did an excellent job optimizing One UI 7 for older hardware, and I don’t feel left out by not having One UI 8.

In addition, I won’t be shedding any tears that Galaxy AI is largely missing from my Galaxy S21 Ultra. I have the basics, like Circle to Search and Note Assist, but Now Brief is nowhere to be found.

However, the Now Bar is on the device, and it’s a fantastic experience. I love the functionality it adds to the lock screen, and I’m pleased it’s made its way to the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

I’m less worried about a lack of security updates on the Galaxy S21 Ultra than I would be about an even older device.

Android 15 will be supported by your favorite apps (even banking apps) for a few years, so you’ll have protection against some vulnerabilities.

The Google Play Store and Play Protect also provide additional layers of protection.

Security updates are only as good as the user, and if you sideload a bunch of software, then an out-of-date device isn’t for you.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra shows its age in some spots

Battery life isn’t amazing

I often think that people who complain about overheating Tensor chipsets have never had the pleasure of using a phone powered by the Snapdragon 888.

We wouldn’t need nuclear reactors if scientists only figured out that if you put an SD888 in a pool of water, you’ll generate enough steam to power Las Vegas.

As you’d expect, the battery life suffers. And despite a respectable 5,000mAh cell, I struggle to get between 5 and 6 hours of screen on time, which isn’t nearly what you get on flagships in 2026.

That’s not to say performance is bad, as the SD888 is still snappy. I know there’s an 8GB variant roaming around, but as long as you have 12 or 16GB (remember when Samsung offered that on the Ultra?), you’ll be fine.

While I enjoy the photos I get from the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the camera app is a laggy mess. It’s something that plagued Samsung flagships for years and persists on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

If you can deal with that, you’ll be pleased by what the 108MP primary sensor can produce.

If you don’t have to upgrade, don’t trade in your old device

I marvel at how well older smartphones hold up. Older Samsung flagships used to age like milk, but that’s not the case anymore.

I’d happily rock a Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2026 without issue, and as long as you can live with limited support and lackluster battery life, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t hold on longer.