Samsung Openly Tackles Galaxy S21 Overheating... Includes New Update

Galaxy S21 3 Models Receive New Software Update Version on the 17th

Screenshot of Samsung Electronics smartphone Galaxy S21 Ultra software update screen

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Will the overheating issue of the Galaxy S21 series, criticized as a fatal flaw even before its release, be resolved? Samsung Electronics has included 'device overheating improvement' in its new software update version. Although several updates have been made since the official launch in January, this is the first time that device overheating has been directly mentioned.

On the 17th, Samsung Electronics released a new software update version for the three Galaxy S21 models (Standard, Plus, Ultra). The improvements include ▲enhanced camera usability ▲device overheating improvement ▲fixes for screen tearing during specific video playback ▲application of stabilization code related to device operation.

The Galaxy S21 series faced overheating issues across all models from the time of the three-day free rental service called 'To-Go' before its release. Among these, the highest-end model, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, was reported to have the most overheating problems.

Famous tech influencers led public opinion. IT YouTubers such as Itssub, Techmong, Gajeonjubu, and Jooyeon Tech pointed out the high overheating through self-comparison tests with previous models. A temporary frame drop was also observed when playing high-spec games like 'Genshin Impact.' However, there were expectations that these issues would be resolved through software updates after the official release.

Overheating is considered a critical problem for smart devices. In smartphones, when the product temperature rises, 'throttling' (a temporary performance reduction) occurs to lower the temperature. This causes a temporary decrease in screen frame rates and can shorten the lifespan of the display and battery.

Online communities have shown mixed reactions. While the overheating improvement itself is viewed positively, there are criticisms regarding the limitations of addressing the issue through software updates rather than hardware changes. In the Samsung smartphone user community 'Samsung Members,' comments such as "Battery life has improved and overheating has significantly decreased after this update" and "After testing the Galaxy S21 Ultra for 40 minutes, it felt noticeably cooler and more stable than usual" were posted.

On the other hand, suspicions arose that smartphone performance might be limited. One user asked, "Games that used to run at 100-120 frames are now fixed at 60 frames after the overheating patch," seeking solutions. Another user expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "Those with device temperatures above 40-50 degrees might feel the difference, but for those with lower temperatures, is it really necessary to apply an update that reduces performance?"

A Samsung Electronics representative stated, "Samsung Electronics continuously provides software updates by applying the latest features and reflecting consumer feedback to offer the best user experience."