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

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, represent different generations of Samsung's premium smartphone offerings. While both devices deliver a high-end Android experience, the S24 Plus introduces significant advancements in software longevity, processing power, and display brightness, whereas the S21 Ultra 5G stands out with its more versatile camera system and larger form factor.

The expected lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and ease of repair. These factors determine how long a device remains functional and secure for daily use.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was released in January 2021, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus, which launched in January 2024. This three-year difference directly impacts their remaining support cycles.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G initially received four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. Its final major OS update was Android 15 (One UI 7.0) in the first half of 2025, with security updates concluding around January 2026. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Plus is part of Samsung's new policy, promising seven years of OS updates and security patches, meaning it will receive updates through Android 21 until 2031.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of glue for the battery, display, and rear panel, making disassembly challenging. The display cable is also non-modular, complicating screen replacements. The Galaxy S24 Plus, however, shows significant improvement in repairability, with a score of 8 or 9 out of 10. It features pull tabs for easier battery removal and uses less adhesive, though screen replacement can still be difficult without damaging the display.

Performance in smartphones is about how smoothly they handle tasks, from everyday browsing to demanding applications and multitasking. Both devices offer robust performance for their respective generations.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is powered by a processor that, while capable for its time, represents an older generation of mobile computing. It handles demanding apps and multitasking effectively, but newer applications may push its limits more over time. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a current-generation processor, providing enhanced speed and efficiency for all tasks, including complex computations and AI-driven features.
• System Responsiveness: Users of the S21 Ultra 5G generally report smooth operation, though some noted that the battery life could be challenging for heavy use. The S24 Plus offers a highly responsive experience, with its updated processor contributing to quicker app loading times and seamless transitions, ensuring it stays fast for longer.
• Storage and RAM: The S21 Ultra 5G was available with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB. The S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB, providing ample memory for multitasking and storage for most users.

The display is a primary interaction point, and both the S21 Ultra 5G and S24 Plus offer high-quality viewing experiences, though with some key differences in their capabilities.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels for S21 Ultra 5G, 3120 x 1440 pixels for S24 Plus), offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S24 Plus utilizes LTPO technology, allowing for a more dynamic and efficient adaptive refresh rate.
• Brightness Levels: The S21 Ultra 5G has a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. The S24 Plus significantly increases this to 2600 nits, which enhances outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing.
• Refresh Rate and Size: Both phones feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 6.8-inch display, offering a more expansive viewing area. The S24 Plus has a slightly smaller 6.7-inch display.

Camera systems are a crucial aspect for many users, and these two devices approach photography with different strengths and capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), offering extensive zoom capabilities. The S24 Plus has a triple camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra 5G is praised for its detailed 108MP main camera and its impressive 10x optical zoom, making it suitable for capturing distant subjects. The S24 Plus offers solid photo and video quality across the board, with its 50MP main sensor delivering clear images, though some reviews suggest its telephoto performance is adequate but not exceptional compared to higher-end models.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 8K video recording. The S21 Ultra 5G has a 40MP front camera, providing high-resolution selfies. The S24 Plus features a 12MP front camera.