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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Possibly you’re a fan of spending much less cash on bigger screens. In that case, the Galaxy S21 FE could also be your higher choice if you do not need premium options corresponding to 8K video recording and a totally variable refresh fee show.
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Supply: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Because of the Galaxy S21 being over a 12 months outdated now, it is easy to seek out offers on the cellphone, making it the higher selection for most individuals. Sure, the display screen is not fairly as giant, nevertheless it would not make compromises and remains to be a really succesful flagship.
Everyone knows the Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely is absolutely the cream of the crop in the case of flagship Android telephones; nonetheless, its value can flip lots of people to barely older units to avoid wasting cash. Enter the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE. Certain they might be yesterday’s information to lots of people, however each telephones are nonetheless very succesful every day drivers.
If you’re available in the market for a brand new compact cellphone with flagship-like specs, however this 12 months’s fashions do not attraction to you, do you have to purchase the Galaxy S21 or go for the Fan Version? Whereas each telephones are very related in some features — particularly on the floor — they differ in key areas which will sway you. So, which one is price your cash? Discover out within the comparability beneath.
cellphone |
Samsung Galaxy S21 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Fan Version |
chipset |
Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 |
Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 |
RAM |
8GB |
6-8GB |
Storage |
128, 256GB |
128, 256GB |
show |
6.2” Flat FHD+ (2400×1080) 120Hz AMOLED, All the time-on Show |
6.4” Flat FHD+ (2400×1080) 120Hz AMOLED, All the time-on Show |
battery |
4,000mAh, 25W quick charging, as much as 15W wi-fi charging |
4,500mAh, 25W quick charging, as much as 15W wi-fi charging |
Rear Cameras |
12MP vast (f/1.8, OIS, DPAF); 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FoV, FF); 64MP telephoto (f.2.0, 3x hybrid, OIS, DPAF) |
12MP vast (f/1.8, OIS, DPAF); 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 123° FoV, FF); 8MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, 30x Area Zoom) |
Entrance Digicam |
10MP (f/2.2, 80° FoV, DPAF) |
32MP f/2.2 (81° FoV, fastened focus) |
connectivity |
5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, NFC, USB Sort-C |
5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, NFC, USB Sort-C |
Dimensions |
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm, 169g, IP68 licensed |
74.5 x 155.7 x 7.9mm, 177g, IP68 licensed |
Fingerprint scanner |
In-display ultrasonic |
In-display optical |
software program |
One UI 4.0 (Android 12) |
One UI 4.0 (Android 12) |
colours |
Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
White, graphite, olive, lavender |
value |
Beginning at $799 |
Beginning at $699 |
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: Glass entrance, plastic again
The Galaxy S21 and S21 FE take an identical route to maintain their value in examine, pairing Gorilla Glass Victus alongside the cellphone’s entrance with a matte “glasstic” again that sandwiches an aluminum body. Some customers could frown at Samsung for utilizing a plastic again on $700+ smartphones, nevertheless it will not matter a lot with most individuals placing their telephones in a case. On the brilliant aspect, plastic doesn’t crack practically as simply as glass, although it does decide up scratches. Additionally, each telephones are IP68 licensed, making them able to being submerged in as much as 1.5m of water for as much as half-hour with none points.
Other than variations in dimension and weight, the telephones roughly share a design. The Galaxy S21 FE has a bigger footprint, although, due to a bigger show which is one thing sure customers may even see as a promoting level. This bigger dimension comes from the digicam hump on the S21 FE, manufactured from plastic slightly than the steel extension on the Galaxy S21.
Each telephones can be found in lots of colours, one among which you are certain to love. And, whereas the S21’s digicam bump is available in a unique shade than the physique, the Fan Version has the identical shade all through. Different minor variations embrace the lacking AKG certification for the S21 FE’s stereo audio system and the usage of an optical as an alternative of the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner discovered on the mainline S21.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: 120Hz OLED shows
The Galaxy S21 and S21 FE function flat 120Hz FHD+ decision OLED shows lined by Gorilla Glass Victus. Samsung telephones are recognized for his or her glorious screens, and you may’t go fallacious with any of them right here. They’re all vivid and have glorious viewing angles, distinction, and vividness.
The S21 FE has a bigger 6.4-inch show than the common S21’s 6.2-inch panel. Nevertheless, there is a catch: the Galaxy S21’s panel can dynamically modify the refresh fee relying on the content material you are viewing to avoid wasting battery energy or ship improved smoothness. Alternatively, the Fan Version’s show can solely work at 60Hz or 120Hz — it can’t dynamically modify its refresh fee. That may result in an influence on its battery life in real-world use.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: Flagship efficiency
Qualcomm’s 2021 flagship chipset — the Snapdragon 888 — powers each Galaxy S21 variants, with Samsung’s Exynos 2100 chip present in choose markets exterior the US. In both mannequin, day-to-day efficiency won’t be a difficulty, as you will not discover an app or recreation that may convey these telephones to their knees. The Exynos chip will get a bit sizzling when beneath load, however the Korean firm’s in-house silicon has all the time been a difficulty.
The Galaxy S21 has 8GB RAM as normal, whereas the bottom FE mannequin ships with 6GB. To get 8GB of RAM with the FE, you may have to seize the 256GB mannequin. There isn’t any microSD slot on both cellphone, so space for storing is restricted by the variant you purchase. Each telephones are additionally eligible to obtain three years of OS updates and 4 years of safety patches.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: Related cameras
The Galaxy S21 and S21 FE function a triple-camera setup on the rear, with the identical 12MP f/1.8 major digicam that is optically stabilized. The ultra-wide digicam can be the identical, although the one on the FE has a barely wider subject of view: 120 levels vs. 123 levels. It’s the telephoto shooter the place each telephones differ. Whereas the Galaxy S21 includes a 64MP telephoto sensor with 3x hybrid zoom and OIS, the Fan Version makes use of an optically stabilized 8MP shooter with 3x optical zoom and a slower f/2.4 aperture.
The Galaxy S21 was praised for its constant and spectacular digicam efficiency, and the S21 FE is not any totally different on this regard. The FE’s zoomed-in images are inferior to the S21 — and each fall in need of the efficiency of the rival Pixel 6 — however most customers are unlikely to note this. Because of the lacking 64MP sensor, although, the Galaxy S21 Fan Version can’t document 8K movies just like the common S21; it tops out at 4k 60fps. The sensor additionally permits the S21 to supply 12x digital zoom whereas recording movies, whereas the S21 FE maxes out at 10x zoom. The FE can be restricted to recording Tremendous Regular movies at 1080p@30fps, whereas the S21 can document at 60fps on this mode.
The Galaxy S21 FE has a better decision entrance digicam than the S21 at 32MP vs. 10MP. Nevertheless, the S21 FE selfie digicam misses out on autofocus, which implies the S21 can take sharper images regardless of the decrease decision sensor.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: Connectivity
On paper, the Galaxy S21 and its FE variant have the identical specs: 5G with mmWave help, 4×4 MIMO, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. Nevertheless, trying intently, you may discover the S21 FE helps a most theoretical obtain velocity of 1.6Gbps, whereas the S21 helps LTE Cat.20 for obtain speeds of as much as 2Gbps. The S21 additionally helps Enhanced 4×4 MIMO with as much as 7CA.
Mainly, this implies the Galaxy S21 ought to pull barely increased obtain speeds on 4G and 5G networks. Nevertheless, the distinction shouldn’t be large, so do not contemplate this a deal breaker in any method.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: Battery life
The bigger dimensions of the Galaxy S21 FE have offered Samsung with extra room for a bigger battery. It packs a 4,500mAh battery, whereas the S21 is available in barely smaller at 4,000mAh. The S21 provides common one-day battery life, which may drain shortly in case you make the most of mmWave 5G or are in an space with a poor community connection. The Fan Version does function an even bigger battery, nevertheless it additionally has a bigger and extra power-hungry show. So general, its battery life ought to be in the identical ballpark because the common S21.
Each telephones ship the identical quick charging velocity: 25W wired and 15W wi-fi. Samsung doesn’t bundle an influence adapter with both cellphone, so you may have to purchase one individually.
Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S21: The precise selection
On paper, the Galaxy S21 FE makes simply the best set of compromises to attain its $100 cheaper price tag than the S21. Nevertheless, the latter is continuously discounted to across the similar value because the Fan Version, particularly now that the telephones are each one era behind.
At nearly the identical value, shopping for the S21 FE over the S21 solely is smart if you’d like the bigger 6.4-inch show. In any other case, the common Galaxy S21 makes for a greater purchase and might nonetheless maintain its personal up in opposition to among the finest Android telephones right now.

Supply: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Because the value distinction finally ends up being fairly moot with the gross sales you could find on the S21 as of late, we would counsel going with this over the Fan Version. It provides all these premium ending touches that make it nonetheless a really succesful flagship even right now.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
In the event you do not thoughts shedding out on top-end options like 8K video recording, and you may put up with a couple of includes, it might be price saving a couple of bucks and selecting up the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.