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? 

[Joe_Connor]

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. <<< Of course, blame the provider. A bricked phone to me is when I can't use a mobile service when I am out and about, working. 

[realaud]

That may be *your* definition of  a bricked phone, but the literal definition of a bricked phone is that it does not work for any purpose whatsoever.  Of course I will blame the provider, ALL calling issues are the domain of the provider, all issues with calling after an update are the domain of the provider,  as the provider adjusts the updates for their purposes. PERIOD. EXCLAMATION POINT. 

I cannot help it if you are unwilling to believe that because you are intent on blaming Samsung for something that is not their issue. Some people just can't be taught or convinced. This is a problem singular to *YOU* at the moment. 

You have no idea what Samsung employees do or do not do during their working hours.  My guess is that they work, just like you do. Whether they work from home or an office is irrelevant- they work.  

CALL YOUR CARRIER, or don't - that's your choice, but if you don't, your phone is not going to work.  If you think it's Samsung's fault, why have you not put in an error report (I just know you haven't)?

https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Tips-Tricks/How-to-Send-Feedback/ba-p/3001692

Better yet, if you think this was deliberate sabotage or planned obsolescence, just go buy a new phone, Samsung or otherwise.  As I said, this update is your last for that model, except for another year or so of security updates.

Oh, and your phone *does* have a recovery mode, you just have to know how to get there.  All it's going to do for you is allow you to factory reset or  wipe the cache partition.

[Joe_Connor]

go buy a new phone, Samsung or otherwise <<< It will be otherwise. 

[Joe_Connor]

Oh, and your phone *does* have a recovery mode <<< A recovery mode sets the phone to where you first received it, and how it was manufactured. 

[ztzrico]

I had similar issue with my s23. Phone was bricked after one ui 7 update. I thought it was due to the one ui update, like a software issue. I flashed the firmware to the newest version. Didn't work. I even reverted it to older versions. Didn't work either... After some research, I found out that it's likely caused by faulty USB charging board. It turns out that this is a quite common issue with s21,22 and 23. Somehow the antenna is relying on the charging board.

I had the USB charging board replaced. And it worked! Repair kits are available for 15 bucks online. It took me 30 min to replace it. Or you can have someone do it for like $100.

[Joe_Connor]

Yeah, I already tried that. Thanks tho.