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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If budget is a primary concern and you're looking for a more affordable option, the Apple iPhone 11 offers a good balance between price and features. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE boasts a more modern and higher quality OLED screen, a higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling, and better overall camera quality. The S21 FE also supports 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds if available in your area. Keep in mind that the iPhone 11 uses iOS, while the S21 FE uses Android, which could influence your decision based on your preference for a particular ecosystem. The iPhone 11 has slightly longer battery life, but if having the latest technology and a better display is important to you, then the S21 FE might justify the higher cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 11
- The Apple iPhone 11 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 11.
Key differences
Photo Quality
6.2
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Apple iPhone 11 both have only fair photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes better photos than the Apple iPhone 11 because it offers superior photo software experience, more effective dynamic range, and better low-light performance. Additionally, it excels in selfie quality, which is very important for many users, contributing to its overall good photo capability compared to the iPhone 11's fair performance.
Video Quality
6.8
5.9
The Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE delivers better video quality than the Apple iPhone 11 due to higher scores in resolution and frame rate, video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as superior microphone quality which enhances audio capture during video recording. These combined factors contribute to the Galaxy S21 FE's ability to produce videos that are generally clearer, more stable, and better sounding, especially in varied lighting conditions, compared to the iPhone 11.
Cost
$271
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 11 has a price of $271 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
6.6
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 FE to have good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 11 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's camera is rated better than the Apple iPhone 11's because it delivers a more refined photo software experience, which includes better dynamic range and improved low light performance. Additionally, the S21 FE has a higher camera versatility and selfie quality, making it a strong choice if these aspects are very important to you.
Battery
7.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 11 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 11 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 11 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$271 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 20, 2019 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 326 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A13 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.7/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.1 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3110 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 7.5 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.94" x 2.98" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.84 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | N/A | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Black, White, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 11
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Mark Spoonauer | September 2021
"The iPhone 11 delivers superb cameras, fast performance and excellent battery life, making it the iPhone to buy for many people. The cameras are very good, thanks to an ultra-wide lens and a Night mode for better low-light performance. This device also has IP68-rated water resistance, which means that it can withstand 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, and is one of the best waterproof phones out there."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 11 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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FAQs
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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