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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality, particularly for still photos and video, is a primary concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ might be the better option as it has a higher-quality overall camera system, including a telephoto camera with 64 megapixels focal length. For those seeking a phone with a larger screen and longer battery life, the S21+ again stands out with a 6.7-inch display and extended battery duration compared to the S21 FE's 6.4-inch screen and shorter battery life. However, if the price is a significant factor, the S21 FE is a more budget-friendly choice while still offering respectable camera capabilities, a solid battery life, and a slightly smaller but quality display. Both devices share the same processor, ensuring strong performance, and are equipped with modern features like 5G connectivity, Wireless DeX for desktop-like experiences, and no headphone jack, with the expectation of using wireless headphones or Bluetooth connectivity. 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 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Video Quality
5.9
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE ensures a high-quality video software experience with good video stabilization, but its video dynamic range and low-light performance are just fair, and the mic quality is very good. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers excellent video software experience and the best video stabilization, along with better video dynamic range and low-light performance, paired with the highest mic quality.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$770
$340
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a good selfie camera and overall camera performance with its photos software experience, photos dynamic range, and photos low light performance marked as good, along with a fairly good camera versatility. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ also delivers a good selfie camera experience, but with the best video quality, and similarly good ratings in photos software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility.
Photo Quality
6.9
7.0
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 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have strong selfie scores, with the S21+ taking the edge, indicative of higher quality self-portraits. Both phones offer high-resolution photography, a good software photography experience, and perform well in dynamic range and low light conditions, but the S21+ adds camera versatility, which could provide more options for different shooting scenarios.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4800 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 | 6.13" x 2.93" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | (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 | |
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 | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
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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."
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S21+
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.
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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.
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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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