If you prioritize saving money and can work with a good but not top-of-the-line camera, the Galaxy S21 FE might be the right choice for you as it offers midrange pricing. However, if you want the highest quality camera with more advanced features, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the superior device although it comes with a premium price tag. The S23 Ultra also provides a larger screen and longer battery life, making it a better option for those who use their phone heavily throughout the day. Both phones run on Android and have similar core functionalities, so your decision might hinge on how much you value the camera and battery performance versus cost savings. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best in class for taking photos
Very good for recording videos
Best in class battery life
Best in class display quality
Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0/10
9.2/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels over the S21 FE with exceptional camera performance, especially with better photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, all critical for high-quality images under various conditions. It outshines the S21 FE in selfie quality, which is very important for front camera enthusiasts, and offers a more versatile camera setup for different photography scenarios.
Photo Quality
6.9/10
9.5/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a "Very Good" selfie quality and takes fair to good photos overall, making it capable for general photography. However, for those prioritizing camera performance, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra provides a "Best" selfie score and very good to excellent results in areas such as resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with superior versatility due to more advanced camera features.
Video Quality
5.9/10
8.0/10
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a superior video experience due to its higher video resolution/framerate, enhancing detail and smoothness, along with a more advanced video software experience that provides users with a broader range of editing and enhancement capabilities. Additionally, it boasts better video stabilization and dynamic range, which contributes to steadier and more visually dynamic videos, especially in diverse lighting conditions; its microphone quality is also better, ensuring clearer audio capture compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
Battery
6.7 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$600
$1,050
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,050.
"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."
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S23 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.
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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Phones Expert
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