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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera versatility, the Sony Xperia 5 III has a telephoto lens with variable focal length for different perspectives, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a higher resolution ultrawide camera for more detailed wide shots. The Xperia 5 III also offers more RAM, which could provide a smoother performance, especially in multitasking. On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 FE has a slightly larger screen and a plastic back which may be more durable than glass. Both have high refresh rate OLED displays and similar battery life; however, the Xperia 5 III slightly leads in battery endurance. They share the same processor and support 5G, ensuring comparable overall performance. Opt for the Xperia 5 III if camera and RAM are your priorities, or the Galaxy S21 FE for a more robust build and slightly larger display. 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 Sony Xperia 5 III.
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
6.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's cameras excel with good software, dynamic range, low light performance, camera versatility, and especially in selfie quality. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 5 III, while still good in software and camera versatility, falls short in dynamic range, low light performance, and notably has fair selfie quality.
Photo Quality
6.9
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good photos as it offers a solid selfie quality, with overall good ratings in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility. Conversely, the Sony Xperia 5 III delivers fair selfies due to weaker performance in dynamic range and low light aspects, despite a very good software experience and camera versatility.
Cost
$770
$450
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $770 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.9
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony Xperia 5 III to have only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a very good video software experience, good video stabilization, and good microphone quality which contributes to its ability to take good videos. The Sony Xperia 5 III, despite having a very good video resolution and framerate, falls short with fair scores in video software experience and microphone quality, making its video performance fair overall.
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$770 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.13" x 2.93" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
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, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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."
Sony Xperia 5 III
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Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Sony Xperia 5 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
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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
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.
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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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