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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority, the Samsung Galaxy S24 offers a significant improvement over the S21 FE with a much higher main camera megapixel count and better overall camera performance. The Galaxy S24 also has a glass back, newer processor, more RAM, and longer battery life, making it a better performer for multitasking and gaming. However, the S24 is typically more expensive. While the S21 FE has a larger screen and slightly higher battery capacity, the tradeoff is in materials quality and performance capabilities. Both phones use Android, but the S21 FE has a plastic back and an older processor. If budget is a concern and you are satisfied with good enough camera performance, the S21 FE would save you money while still providing a competent smartphone experience. 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 S24.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a "good" ranking in selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 excels with a "very good" selfie score according to evaluations. Other factors such as photos resolution, photos software experience, photos dynamic range, and low light performance all contribute to the S24's superior camera quality over the S21 FE.
Photo Quality
6.9
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 generally takes better photos than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE because it has a higher selfie quality score, better software experience, enhanced dynamic range, superior low light performance, and more versatile camera capabilities. While the S21 FE does well in these categories, the S24 simply outperforms it, resulting in higher overall photo quality.
Video Quality
5.9
7.9
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good videos due to its higher Video Resolution/framerate score and better performance in Video Stabilization and Video Low light performance, which lead to smoother and clearer videos in various lighting conditions. Comparatively, the Samsung Galaxy S24 takes poorer videos because while it has a high Video Software experience score, it doesn't achieve the same level of Video Resolution/framerate and notably underperforms in Video dynamic range, resulting in less detail and less adaptability in environments with contrasting lighting.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 has 8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$770
$800
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 costs $800.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S24 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 416 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G3 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4000 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" | 5.79" x 2.78" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 5.89 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, 276 | |
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 | Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S24
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
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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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