A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
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
9.2
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
9.5
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
8.0
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
$770
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $1,200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 10.4 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 8.25 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/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. OnePlus 12
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Motorola Motorola Edge+ (2023)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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.
Featured in
