Bricked S21 Ultra - Planned Obsolescence?

[Joe_Connor]

'Searching' forever for mobile network. Device is unlocked U.S. version S21 Ultra. Service Provider was working until One UI version 7.0, Android version 15, Android security patch level June 1, 2025. 

Tried all the obvious, so an 'obvious' reponse is useless to me, and will be called out as such. Was Samsung's plan to brick these with the overlay of One UI? I'm done with Samsung personally, anyway. I'll just have to use this as a WiFi, Bluetooth, camera brick and get a cheap carry around for mobile. Anyone have any fixes like changing firmware through Odin or something? Is there a recovery mode embedded in diagnostics somewhere, vice just a factory reset that still keeps you on 7.0 / 15? 

[Jazie]

Xda developers honestly might be the best option. Check them out, they most likely have a solution.

[Joe_Connor]

I looked. 'Xda Developers' has no solution other than to go crazy with scripts and trying to unlock the bootloader to install some custom ROM, which is not my preference. I believe that Samsung in conjunction with the service providers should be held accountable to work together, locked or unlocked, vice me having a good chance of completely bricking their phone.

[Joe_Connor]

At least now I can use this as a non-glorified cheap camera.

[realaud]

It is possible that either your mobile provider needs to re-provision your SIM, or you need to reset your mobile network.  While most products, of any kind, have some measure of built in obsolescence, I don't believe that would apply to the S21.  It is on it's last update, so it's nearing the end of its useful life anyway.  It is possible the update *could* have overloaded your mobile antenna, because the S21 does have older hardware, that may not be able to handle the improvements from the update.  There are millions of S21 users who got the update who do not have this issue. 

Run a diagnostic on the phone.  You saying you've "done all the obvious" things does not tell any of us what you consider the "obvious" things.  You have to enumerate what you did, so someone doesn't do the horrible thing of suggesting something you already did.  In the meantime, if you actually did a diagnostic or reset the mobile network, calling issues (absent an antenna problem), are always a carrier issue.  Your carrier tweaks the updates before they go to users, regardless of whether a user has a carrier locked phone or a factory unlocked version. ALL UPDATES COME THROUGH THE CARRIER.

[Joe_Connor]

#1: Battery is fine in diagnostics

#2: Never any damage to any internals other than battery was replaced and that was fine until the update

#3: Reset Mobile settings a long time ago

#4: The Sim card is fine

#5: Diagnostics run fine

#6: Factory reset just brings me back to One UI version 7.0, Android version 15, Android security patch level June 1, 2025

#7: IMEI's are fine

#8: Samsung bricked the thing. All the hardware is fine. Nothing has been damaged

#9: I'm pretty sure there is no recovery mode on this piece of **bleep**

[researchspy]

There may be millions who got the update with no issue, but losing network service is a pretty common issue with this update. Whether it's the One UI 7 (probably) or Android 15 idk. Samsung told me to wipe cache/partition which I did but that didn't help. So I get to spend hours on the phone with my carrier. Can't wait

[realaud]

#1:I never said check the battery in diagnostics, I said check the mobile network

#2:No one said you damaged anything, just that the older hardware may not be able to handle the requirements of the new update.

#3:  You reset mobile settings a long time ago, but I assume not since this issue started.  You may have to reset it again.

#4: Just because you think the SIM card is fine, does not mean it is.  Sometimes it's fine, but your carrier *still* needs to reprovision your phone.  Happens all the time.

#5: Diagnostics run fine

#6: Factory reset just brings me back to One UI version 7.0, Android version 15, Android security patch level June 1, 2025.  - Yes, that is what a factory reset will do.  All it does is give you a clean, unencumbered fresh new operating system.  It does not roll back to a previous version.  Updates cannot be undone.

#7: IMEI's are fine.  IMEs have nothing to do with the issue at hand.

#8: Samsung bricked the thing. All the hardware is fine. Nothing has been damaged.  Samsung did NOT brick your device.  Stuff happens.  Your phone is old. As I said, if anyone bricked your phone, it was your carrier's tweaks to the update.  ALL UPDATES GO THROUGH THE CARRIER, WHO THEN TWEAK IT TO RUN WITHOUT ISSUES ON THEIR NETWORK.  You need to contact your carrier for ALL calling issues if there is no hardware problem.  Also, a bricked phone means it's unusable for all purposes.

#9: I don't know what you are trying to illustrate with your screen shots, other than taking up space.

[Joe_Connor]

Stuff happens. Your phone is old. <<< Really. So is that a call for an upgrade? Of course it is. Instead of Samsung working with their stakeholders who actually provision service for this, the user is blamed or the updates apparently 'overwhelmed' the hardware. That's a good one. Take #2. 🙄

[realaud]

Your phone *is* old.  Technology changes and improves.  Software improves for the new hardware.   It is impossible to make a practical update for every old device.  The best ANY company can do is make it so the older devices are functional.  That your old hardware gave out may or may not be the fault of the newer software, but likely not - just aging equipment.  And, I have some terrible, terrible news for you - EVERY SINGLE PIECE OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT PRODUCED TODAY BY ANY MANUFACTURER has a built-in life span.  If a consumer manages to eke out life beyond the life expectancy, all well and good for them.  But, there is a point support ends, and a point when parts are no longer available, and a point where software no longer works.  Even smart TVs only have a 5 year life expectancy.  There are five years of WebOS updates.  The TVs will still work with whatever content was already downloaded and OTA or with cable, but no new apps and old apps will likely not be updated.

Once again, if your cellular antenna diagnostics come up good, the issue is with your carrier.