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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera is a priority and you don't mind a heavier device, the Galaxy S21 Ultra excels with higher photo and video quality, and a more diverse camera setup. It also has a larger, curved screen but lacks a microSD card slot and its design is more premium with a glass back compared to the plastic on the S21 FE. Both have similar battery life and processing power, but the S21 Ultra comes with more RAM which can be better for multitasking. If the cost is a concern, the S21 FE is less expensive while still offering good overall features. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the S21 Ultra both provide good selfie capabilities, ensuring quality self-portraits. However, the S21 Ultra stands out with superior camera versatility, which implies more flexibility in photography such as wider zoom range and different lens options for various scenarios.
Photo Quality
6.9
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE captures good selfies and provides an overall good camera experience, although with limited dynamic range and versatility compared to the Ultra model. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, on the other hand, offers not just good selfies but also excels with a better dynamic range, low light performance, and greater versatility, making it superior in varied photographic situations.
Video Quality
5.9
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE captures admirable video quality, with competence in categories like resolution/framerate, video software experience, and stabilization, although it performs just fairly in low light conditions and has good mic quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra provides the best video resolution/framerate and has very good performance in dynamic range and low light scenarios, coupled with a very capable mic, making it superior for video enthusiasts who can benefit from its advanced capabilities.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$770
$423
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
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 Ultra
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Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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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