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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a lower price and a good quality camera are important to you, the Samsung Galaxy S21 stands out as a budget-friendly option while still offering a solid photographic experience. However, if you're interested in a slightly larger screen and higher telephoto camera resolution which could result in better zoomed-in pictures, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE might be worth the extra investment. Both phones have the same processor and support 5G, so performance and connectivity are strong for either choice. Keep in mind that both models offer similar battery life, so either device should serve you well in terms of daily usage. 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 Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Key differences
Video Quality
6.6
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE both provide excellent video experiences due to their high video resolution/framerate, which allows for crisp and smooth videos, and their stabilization features which make videos taken with these phones look professional and less shaky. While both phones offer good dynamic range and decent low light video performance, the Galaxy S21 tends to have a slight edge in video stabilization, offering better handling of motion during recording, yet both phones have commendable video software experiences and microphone quality for clear audio capture.
Cost
$145
$770
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $770.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a superior selfie experience compared to the S21 thanks to its higher selfie camera quality and a significant increase in selfie camera megapixels. While both models have commendable camera versatility and fair to good performance across photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low-light photo capabilities, the S21 FE is particularly better in capturing detailed and high-quality selfies.
Photo Quality
7.0
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 to have good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both capture good quality selfies, with a good selfie score. They achieve solid overall photo performance with a very good software experience, fair dynamic range, good low light performance, and a good camera versatility score, each with a 12-megapixel main camera.
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $770 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 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 | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | 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/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
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Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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 Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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
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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