Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 FE • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, launched in October 2024, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, key distinctions lie in their software longevity, processing capabilities, and camera systems. Both operate on the Android platform, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their respective release dates significantly influence their expected practical lifespan and software support.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, launched in January 2021, is an older model compared to the Galaxy S24 FE, which became available in October 2024. This age difference directly impacts how long each device will continue to receive official support.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received major Android updates until Android 15 (One UI 7.0) in May 2025, with security updates concluding around February 2026. [31, 38, 42, 44, 49] In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE launched with Android 14 and is promised seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, extending its support until 2031. [5, 8, 20, 28] This makes the S24 FE a more future-proof option for users prioritizing extended software support.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received a repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating it is challenging to repair due to extensive use of glue and non-modular components. [24, 33, 40, 41] The Galaxy S24 FE, however, scored 8.5 out of 10 in repairability by PBKreviews, highlighting its more accessible design for component replacement, including the battery, speakers, and cameras. [3, 6, 10, 15, 16] Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and utilize durable glass (Gorilla Glass Victus on S21 Ultra, Gorilla Glass Victus+ on S24 FE front, Gorilla Glass 5 on S24 FE back) and aluminum frames for physical resilience. [22, 23, 29]

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal processing unit and memory, influencing how smoothly applications run and how efficiently multitasking is handled.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with an older generation flagship-tier processor (Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, depending on region). [23, 47] The Galaxy S24 FE features a more recent, slightly underclocked flagship-tier processor, the Exynos 2400e. [1, 4, 7, 12] While the S21 Ultra's processor was top-tier at its release, the S24 FE's newer chip generally offers improved efficiency and performance for demanding applications and modern tasks. Users report the S24 FE's performance feels close to a flagship level, handling daily usage without significant lag. [18, 32]
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was available with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, alongside storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. [19, 23, 35] The Galaxy S24 FE typically comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. [2, 7, 11, 14] For users who frequently run many applications simultaneously or engage in intensive mobile gaming, the higher RAM configurations of the S21 Ultra might offer a slight edge in sustained multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G houses a 5000 mAh battery, which generally provides good endurance for a full day of use. [23, 30, 36, 47] The Galaxy S24 FE has a 4700 mAh battery, and user experiences suggest it can last up to 1.5 days on a single charge, indicating efficient power management. [2, 18, 25, 29] Both devices support fast wired and wireless charging.

The visual experience on a smartphone is primarily defined by its display technology, resolution, and brightness capabilities.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy S24 FE feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 Ultra offers a higher QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a very sharp and detailed image. [19, 22, 23, 30] The S24 FE comes with an FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels). [2, 4, 7, 12] While the S21 Ultra provides a crisper display, the S24 FE's FHD+ resolution is still clear for everyday viewing.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both models boast a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. [1, 2, 4, 23, 29] The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a high peak brightness, making it suitable for outdoor visibility. [23] The Galaxy S24 FE is specified with a peak brightness of 1900 nits, though real-world tests indicate slightly lower, but still decent, outdoor visibility. [1, 12, 29]
• Screen Size: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a 6.8-inch display. [19, 23] The Galaxy S24 FE has a slightly smaller 6.7-inch display. [2, 4, 7] The difference in size is minimal, offering a large viewing area on both devices for media consumption and productivity.

The camera systems on both devices offer distinct capabilities for capturing photos and videos, catering to different user preferences and scenarios.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108 MP wide sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and another 10 MP periscope telephoto lens offering 10x optical zoom. [17, 22, 23, 39, 45] This configuration provides exceptional flexibility for various photographic situations, particularly for distant subjects. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50 MP wide sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [1, 2, 4, 12, 29]
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra is praised for its overall camera quality, especially its zoom capabilities and detail capture. [39, 45, 47] The S24 FE delivers good photo quality in daylight conditions, with sharp and well-balanced images, but its low-light performance is considered average due to smaller camera sensors. [18, 25, 26]
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 8K video recording at 30 frames per second. [4, 23] The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a high-resolution 40 MP front camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies. [17, 23, 45] The Galaxy S24 FE features a 10 MP front camera, which performs well in good lighting. [1, 4]