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What we think
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Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize having a higher resolution camera and newer hardware, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers a substantial upgrade in the main camera and a more recent processor, which can potentially result in better performance and longevity. However, this comes at a higher cost compared to the Galaxy S21+. The Galaxy S21+ has a larger screen and a slightly bigger battery, which may translate into slightly better battery life and a better experience for media consumption. Both phones run on Android, and both have OLED displays with high refresh rates, ensuring smooth visuals. If cost is a significant concern, you might favor the Galaxy S21+ for its lower price, but if you want a phone with more modern specifications and are willing to invest more, then the Galaxy S23 FE could be the better option. 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+
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a good selfie experience; however, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE outperforms it with a very good selfie capture quality, making it a better choice for those who prioritize front-facing camera performance. Additionally, both phones demonstrate versatility in camera options and solid performance in low light conditions for photos, with the S23 FE showing a slight edge in overall camera performance, which includes resolution, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities.
Photo Quality
7.0
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes very good photos due to better overall photo software experience and selfie quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21+, which takes good photos but with a slightly lower-rated performance in these areas. Additionally, the S23 FE shows improvements in dynamic range and low light performance, contributing to its superior photo capabilities.
Video Quality
6.6
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers robust video capabilities with great stabilization and dynamic range, as well as excellent microphone quality, making it a reliable choice for clear and steady videos. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE provides an exceptionally good software experience for video, along with very good stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring a user-friendly interface and consistent video quality in various lighting conditions.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$340
$600
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a price of $340 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$340 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 394 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 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 | 6.36" x 2.98" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 7.37 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
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 | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
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