Samsung’s latest One UI 6.1.1 update, which will bring new AI features to select older Galaxy phones, shows why it is time to ditch your Galaxy S21.
In a post on Samsung’s community forums, a representative explained that several exclusive Fold 6 and Flip 6 features will be coming to older Galaxy phones. These include the Galaxy S22 range, the S23 range (including the FE), the Flip 4 and Fold 4, the Fold 5 and Flip 5, Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S9.
One major model was missing from the list: the Galaxy S21. This isn’t the first time the 2021 handset has been excluded (partially, at least) from retrospective AI updates. In May, Samsung rolled out One UI 6.1 to millions of devices. This update included a new suite of Galaxy AI suite of tools.
The Galaxy S21 range, however, only received Circle To Search—a simple web search tool that lets users circle what they want to look up. It presumably doesn’t require much processing power to run considering it’s a more user-friendly version of Photo Lens, which only needs Android 10 or later to run.
The other devices that received One UI 6.1 without AI features—the A35 and A55—are similar in CPU performance to the Galaxy S21. So it looks like these devices are the processing cut-off point for Galaxy AI features.
What that means is that there is now a big ability gap between the Galaxy S21 and S22. The Galaxy S22 can make use of Note Assist, generative image editing, Live Translate, Instant Slo Mo, Portrait Studio and more. The Galaxy S21 can’t do any of that.
Samsung is also pushing owners to swap out the device for a new Galaxy phone with wildly high trade-in prices when buying the Fold 6. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is valued at $500 right now in Samsung’s current pre-order deal, while it’s being sold on eBay for under $200.
At the same time, the S21 Plus, S21 FE and base S21 models will net $400 trade-in each. The caveat here is that you have to purchase a Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung’s most expensive phone, to get that valuation.
If you’re planning to do a more direct upgrade, Samsung is actually offering more for your Galaxy S21 when buying the Galaxy S24. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is valued at $550. However, the base Galaxy S21 and S21 FE have much lower prices at $200, while the Galaxy S21 Plus is valued at $300 by the Korean company.
Being skipped over for AI updates while maintaining high trade-in prices makes it’s clear that Samsung is pushing Galaxy S21 buyers to upgrade. The 2021 phone should have at least one more year left of software support, so if you’re planning to wait before upgrading, it’s worth pointing out that Samsung is still offering good trade-in prices for the Galaxy S20 range (up to $450), so you will get another shot at saving some money when the Fold 7 or Galaxy S25 comes out.
