Samsung has officially begun rolling out the One UI 8 update based on Android 16 for the Galaxy S21 FE, marking another significant milestone in its update schedule. The stable firmware, version G990EXXUIHYJ2, includes the September 2025 security patch and comes in at a hefty download size of over 2GB. 
That means users should ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection and sufficient storage before proceeding with the installation.
At launch, the update is currently live in Vietnam and Thailand, with broader availability expected to follow soon across other markets. Historically, Samsung staggers its rollouts to monitor early performance and user feedback before releasing to global users – a strategy that often ensures stability and minimizes post-launch bugs.
Owners of the Galaxy S21 FE can manually check for the update by navigating to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Early adopters report smoother animations, refined app transitions, and improved battery optimization – hallmarks of Samsung’s software polish that continue to differentiate it from many competitors.
Interestingly, discussions online have hinted at a temporary pause in One UI 8 releases for the S23 and S24 series, possibly due to optimization delays. Some insiders even speculate the Galaxy S26 might debut between January and March, with an even deeper One UI integration. For now, S21 FE users can take comfort in receiving the update ahead of some flagship models, reaffirming Samsung’s commitment to keeping even its Fan Edition line up-to-date.
1 comment
hope they dont pause updates again like they did with s23 lol