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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 16, 2024·
If your priority is a larger screen and a significantly higher-resolution camera, the Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a 6.8-inch display and an incredibly powerful 108-megapixel primary camera with a 10x optical zoom telephoto lens. However, if you prefer a more recent model and can do with a smaller screen size at 6.4 inches, the Galaxy S23 FE provides you with the latest technology as it was released two years after the S21 Ultra and might provide longer software support. Though it has a slightly smaller 4500mAh battery compared to the 5000mAh of the S21 Ultra, it still maintains a good battery life. The S23 FE could also be more user-friendly due to its more compact design and being lighter. Both phones share the same storage capacity and have OLED displays with high refresh rates for smooth visuals. If cost is a factor, and you're looking for a more affordable option with premium features, the Galaxy S21 Ultra might suit you better as it typically comes at a lower price point compared to the Galaxy S23 FE. 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 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Key differences
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$423
$600
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a good selfie camera experience, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE steps it up with a very good selfie performance, likely due to improved software algorithms and image processing enhancements for self-portraits. Both phones provide a high level of camera versatility and perform well across various photography aspects like resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance; however, the S23 FE holds an edge in selfie quality.
Photo Quality
7.8
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE both have good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is rated as having a good selfie camera, while the Galaxy S23 FE takes very good selfies, indicating that the S23 FE may have superior selfie camera performance despite both phones having good overall photographic capabilities. The S23 FE's stronger selfie performance could also be influenced by better camera versatility, resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low-light capability, contributing to its very good photo quality.
Video Quality
7.1
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra impresses with top-notch video resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, while also delivering good video stabilization and mic quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE offers a very good overall video experience, with particularly strong software support and stabilization, but it doesn't quite match the S21 Ultra in terms of dynamic range and low light capabilities.
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $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 | 6.8" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.5" x 2.98" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
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 Ultra 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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