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
7.0/10
8.4/10
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
6.9/10
8.5/10
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
5.9/10
7.9/10
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.
Cost
$600
$800
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 costs $800.
"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.
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
121,500
Recommendations made
68,850
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.
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Phones Expert
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