Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S21: Which one should you buy?

With the introduction of the Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung has created a phone that offers a similar experience as the Galaxy S21, but at a lower price point.

Samsung unveiled its Galaxy S21 series a year ago, and with its base model, the company cut a few corners to bring a device that was affordable and accessible while keeping most of its flagship qualities. With two devices so similar to one another, which should you buy? Let’s get into it in this Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S21 comparison.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S21

Design and display

When it comes to design, the Galaxy S21 was one of the standouts of last year due to its clever integration of the camera module. Samsung continues in a similar direction with the S21 FE, with a couple of differences.

At launch, the Galaxy S21 was criticized for its polycarbonate back because it’s not as premium as the frosted glass found on its bigger brothers, the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra. Aside from that, the S21 is otherwise a premium phone with its signature integrated camera module and metal sides. With the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, you’re essentially getting the same design. The device has a polycarbonate back and metal rails, but the camera module is plastic as opposed to being metal, as on the regular S21.

In terms of size, the Galaxy S21 FE is slightly taller and wider when compared to the Galaxy S21, while having the same thickness. This is because it sports a 6.4-inch display compared to the S21’s 6.2-inch panel.

Aside from the size, there are no differences between the displays of the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE. Both devices have a FHD+ panel with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,080. Both also support a 120Hz refresh rate with up to 240Hz touch sampling and sport flat panels with a centrally-placed punch hole camera.

Also read: The best Samsung Galaxy S21 alternatives

As far as colorways go, there are plenty of new choices to pick from. The regular Galaxy S21 comes in Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, and Phantom Pink. If you’re buying from Samsung directly, you can also get the device in Phantom Gold and Phantom Red. It’s also worth noting that the 256GB variant is only available in Phantom Gray. With the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, you have a choice between White, Graphite, Olive, and Lavender.

Hardware and software

When it comes to hardware, the S21 and S21 FE are nearly identical. Both phones are equipped with the Snapdragon 888 or Samsung’s Exynos 2100 processor, depending on your region. That means you’re getting flagship performance from both devices, albeit with chipsets that are a year old at this point. The S21 FE gets 6GB of RAM for its 128GB variant while the regular S21 has 8GB of RAM, regardless of its storage capacity. You’ll need to upgrade to the 256GB variant of the S21 FE if you want to get that extra 2GB of RAM.

Another hardware difference between the S21 and S21 FE comes in the form of biometrics. The S21 packs Samsung’s upgraded ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that is fast and very accurate, while the S21 FE has an optical scanner, which may be a bit slower compared to its more expensive counterpart.

One advantage the Galaxy S21 FE has over the regular S21 is its battery capacity: you’re getting a 4,500mAh cell compared to 4,000mAh on the S21. Keep in mind that the FE also has a slightly larger display, but we’re sure you’re going to see an overall improvement in the battery department with the FE.

When it comes to the rear cameras, the S21 FE offers a bit less than the S21 overall, at least on paper. Both devices have a triple-camera setup with regular wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. We haven’t tested the camera capabilities of the S21 FE, but judging from the spec sheet, the FE has the same 12MP main camera as the S21. The ultrawide lens is very similar as well, sporting the same resolution but offering a slightly larger field of view.

There’s a bigger difference between the two when comparing their telephoto cameras. Both devices have a 3x optical telephoto camera, but the regular S21 has a 64MP sensor compared to the FE’s 8MP. It’s important to note that megapixel count doesn’t necessarily equate to better image quality. However, when it comes to telephoto cameras, if you plan on zooming in farther than the 3x optical range, the larger megapixel count of the regular S21 may result in crisper images.

When it comes to selfie cameras, the Galaxy S21 FE has an advantage on paper, as it sports a 32MP sensor compared to the S21’s 10MP sensor. But again, a higher megapixel camera doesn’t always mean better image quality, but it does capture more detail.

Read more: Testing the best 2021 smartphone cameras

Moving on to software, the Galaxy S21 FE runs the latest Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.0 on top, while the S21 ships with the older Android 11 on board. However, the Android 12 update is already available for the phone, so the two handsets offer the same software experience.

But keep in mind that since Samsung guarantees three OS updates for both of these devices, the Galaxy S21 FE will get updated all the way up to Android 15, while Android 14 will be the end of the road for the Galaxy S21.

Specs

Price

With the Galaxy S21, Samsung delivered a flagship phone at an affordable price. With the Galaxy S21 FE, the company offers users a device that delivers on most of the great aspects of the Galaxy S21, but at an even more budget-friendly price. Starting at $100 cheaper, the S21 FE undercuts the S21 in almost every way. You’re getting similar if not identical performance, a larger display and battery, and a great camera setup overall.

But keep in mind that since the Galaxy S22 series is just around the corner, the S21 may go on sale soon, which could make it more appealing to many. It’s possible that you’ll soon be able to get it for the same price as the Galaxy S21 FE or even lower, which will make the decision of which one to get that much more difficult.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Which should you buy?

The Galaxy S21 has a leg up on the S21 FE in a few areas. It has a slightly better build quality due to using metal instead of plastic for the camera housing. It also has a better fingerprint scanner, more RAM on the base model, and a slightly better rear camera system — at least on paper.

However, the Galaxy S21 FE boasts longer battery life, a larger screen, and runs Android 12 instead of the older Android 11, which means it will get an extra year of software support. It also has a higher-resolution selfie snapper and comes in $100 cheaper.

Which of these two phones is more suitable for you depends on the specs and features you value more. Users who want the best camera and build quality should go with the S21, while those who prefer things like a bigger battery and a larger screen should opt for the S21 FE.

The Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra are also options that are worth considering if you’re looking for a device with an even better build quality paired with a larger screen and a bigger battery. These devices cost more at the moment, but their prices may drop soon since the Galaxy S22 series is just around the corner.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus review | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review