Phone starting to freeze aspecially like when exiting camera app or locking/unlocking device, all system / security etc. updates & apps up to date . Thinking of changing device as the update we been waiting for ( ONE UI 8 ) will be the last update for my O.S anyway .
Hi Humbled Given what you’ve described — freezing mainly after using the camera, or during lock/unlock transitions — that’s a known symptom of system UI lag or thermal throttling on the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, especially after major updates like One UI 8 (Android 15). Here’s a quick breakdown before you decide whether to switch:
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🔍 Why It’s Happening
1. Heavy system processes after Android 15 update
One UI 8 is quite resource-heavy, and on the S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 (depending on region), background system services can spike CPU usage.
2. Thermal or memory management
The camera app uses a lot of RAM; when you exit it, the system sometimes “clears cache” too aggressively, causing a short freeze.
3. System UI cache corruption
After major updates, UI cache or old settings conflict with new ones.
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🧰 Try These Before Upgrading
1. Wipe Cache Partition (not data)
Power off → press Volume Up + Power → release Power when logo appears → use volume buttons to highlight Wipe cache partition → confirm with Power.
This clears old system cache without deleting apps or data.
2. Repair apps via recovery
In the same menu, choose Repair apps. This re-optimizes all apps for the new firmware.
3. Disable “RAM Plus” or set it to 2 GB
Go to Settings › Battery & device care › Memory › RAM Plus → choose 2 GB or Off. Too much virtual RAM can slow the phone down.
4. Safe Mode Test
Restart and hold volume down when the Samsung logo appears. If freezing stops, a 3rd-party app is misbehaving.
5. Factory Reset (if issues persist)
Back up with Smart Switch → then reset. Often clears deep UI issues after big updates.
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🔄 If You’re Considering an Upgrade
Since One UI 8 will indeed be your last major OS update, you’ll still get security patches for about a year, but no Android 16 next year.
If you’re upgrading, look for:
Galaxy S23 FE – best continuation from your model (stronger processor, 4 OS + 5 years security updates).
Galaxy S24/S24+ – more future-proof (up to Android 21!).
A55/A35 – solid mid-range choices if budget-minded, both smoother under One UI 8.
