Galaxy S21 FE Gets New Update, but One UI 8.5 Remains Missing

Samsung has released a fresh software update for the Galaxy S21 FE, but it isn’t the major upgrade some users may have been hoping for. Instead of bringing One UI 8.5, the company is rolling out the May 2026 security patch to improve the device’s security and stability. The Fan Edition handset may not get One UI 8.5.

Galaxy S21 FE receives new security update from Samsung

The Exynos variant of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE is currently picking up a new update in India. The latest firmware release for the phone carries build version G990EXXSNHZE1 and weighs around 309MB. The official changelog confirms that the update is all about the latest security fixes. The May 2026 patch addresses nearly 40 vulnerabilities, helping keep the phone protected against known security threats.

Unfortunately, this Galaxy S21 FE update doesn’t bring the One UI 8.5 features Samsung recently rolled out to a bunch of other devices. While the handset is technically eligible for the new version, the company appears in no mood to bring One UI 8.5 to it. In fact, Samsung may not roll out the update to any 2022 or older models, including the Galaxy S22 series.

The Galaxy S21 FE and other 2022 flagships launched with Android 12-based One UI 4. Samsung promised four generations of Android OS upgrades for them, and it has already fulfilled that commitment with the release of One UI 8 with Android 16. Since One UI 8.5 is a mid-cycle “point” release, the company could have pushed it to those devices, but it decided not to.

For now, Galaxy S21 FE owners can install the latest security patch by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install. The update may already be available in additional markets, with Samsung typically expanding availability gradually over the coming days. Even if it doesn’t get One UI 8.5, the device will continue to receive new security patches until early 2027.