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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers a more recent chip promising better performance and efficiency, plus a higher megapixel count main camera for potentially sharper images. However, if screen brightness and high-resolution video recording are important to you, the Galaxy S21 FE shines with a brighter display and supports 8K video. Both phones have the same screen size and battery capacity, so your choice may hinge on whether you prioritize camera and performance improvements of the S23 FE or the display and video capabilities of the S21 FE. Keep in mind, these features come with a cost difference, as the S21 FE is often more expensive than the S23 FE. 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 S23 FE.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE features a superior selfie camera compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, providing the best selfie quality, which is highly valued by users who frequently take self-portraits. Beyond just selfie quality, the Galaxy S23 FE also holds advantages in overall camera versatility and performance metrics such as resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, making it a strong choice for those prioritizing photo and video capabilities.
Photo Quality
6.9
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes very good selfie photos, thanks to a combination of better selfie camera resolution and improved software experience over the Galaxy S21 FE which takes good selfie photos with a lower resolution for its selfie camera. Additionally, improvements in photos dynamic range and low light performance contribute to the S23 FE's enhanced photo capabilities compared to the S21 FE.
Video Quality
5.9
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE provides a very good video experience with decent stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers an even better experience in these areas, including video software and audio quality for recordings. If you prioritize higher-quality video capture, the latest S23 FE stands out, but the S21 FE is still a solid choice if looking to balance performance with possibly a lower price..
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Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$600
$600
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
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 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 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 | 6.13" x 2.93" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 7.37 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 | 5.3 | |
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)1, 2, 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 | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
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 S23 FE
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PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S23 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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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.
Jason Lew
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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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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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