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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you place a high value on having a more advanced screen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a larger, crisper display with a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals. It also has better camera capabilities, supporting features like HDR10+ video and higher selfie camera quality. Conversely, the iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller, traditional LCD screen and a simpler camera system. However, it comes with iOS and Apple's A15 processor, which is known for fluid performance. Consider the Galaxy S21 FE if you prefer Android, a larger display, and camera versatility, or the iPhone SE for a more compact size, iOS experience, and potentially longer software support. Both phones are similarly priced within the mid-range segment. 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 SE (2022)
- Very good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Good display quality
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.7
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE boasts better cameras than the Apple iPhone SE (2022) because it provides good photos and selfies with higher ratings in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility. Contrarily, the iPhone SE (2022) has fair selfie quality and lower performance in these areas, affecting its overall camera capability.
Photo Quality
5.5
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE delivers better selfie photos, likely thanks to its higher-quality selfie camera and superior software experience for photography. In contrast, the Apple iPhone SE (2022) falls short in selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contributes to its fair photo-taking capability compared to the good performance of the Galaxy S21 FE.
Video Quality
6.6
5.9
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good videos due to a combination of factors including superior video resolution and frame rate performance, a more sophisticated video software experience, effective video stabilization, and better performance in dynamic range and low light conditions, paired with higher mic quality as compared to the iPhone SE (2022). While the iPhone SE (2022) has a decent video capability, its performance is fair in these areas, resulting in videos that may not be as high in quality especially in challenging conditions.
Battery
4.9 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a screen size of 4.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$429
$770
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has a price of $429 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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How the Apple iPhone SE (2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$429 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 18, 2022 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 4.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 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 | A15 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.8/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 4.9 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2018 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 | 5.45" x 2.65" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.08 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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Front | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Midnight, Starlight, Red | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
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 SE (2022) 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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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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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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