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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a high priority for you, the iPhone 14 Pro typically offers a better camera system, useful for high-quality photos and videos. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is less expensive and still provides satisfactory camera performance. In terms of battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE generally offers longer battery life compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, which can be beneficial if you're often on the move and not able to charge your phone frequently. Screen size preferences vary, but if you prefer a larger screen, the Galaxy S21 FE has a slightly larger display which might enhance your viewing experience for media and games. Lastly, the iPhone 14 Pro runs on iOS while the Galaxy S21 FE uses Android, representing different ecosystems; this could be an important consideration depending on which interface you are more comfortable with or the specific apps you require. 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 14 Pro
- Excellent for taking photos
- Best in class for recording videos
- Good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
9.2
7.0
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro boasts an 'excellent' selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's selfie quality is rated 'very good', both providing solid options for self-portraits. However, when it comes to the overall camera package, the iPhone 14 Pro takes the lead with 'best' in photos software experience and camera versatility, and 'very good' in photos dynamic range and low light performance, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE is a step behind with scores ranging from 'fair' to 'very good' in these categories.
Photo Quality
9.1
6.9
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro takes excellent photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is superior in taking photos primarily due to its excellent selfie performance and very good dynamic range, which contribute to better detail and quality in various lighting conditions. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, while capable, offers good selfie performance and has fair dynamic range, which might lead to less detail in challenging light scenarios.
Video Quality
9.5
5.9
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro takes best in class videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro delivers superior video quality due to its higher ratings in video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to smoother, more detailed, and better-lit videos even in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE performs well, yet it doesn't match the iPhone in terms of video software experience and microphone quality, important for overall video clarity and sound recording.
Cost
$900
$770
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro has a price of $900 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.3 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 14 Pro 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 14 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$900 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 16, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A16 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 9.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 9.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 3200 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.81" x 2.81" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.27 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 | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 | (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 | Deep Purple, Gold, Silver, Space Black | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | March 2023
"I am confident in saying that, based on my usage and time with the device, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best phone Apple’s made. It’s powerful, has amazing cameras, sports a beautiful display, and the notch is dead. It’s hard to think of anything truly wrong with this device and it’s perfect for people tired of giant handsets."
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 14 Pro 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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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
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Recommendations made
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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.
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