Galaxy A55 vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A55 (released March 2024) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (released January 2022) are both Android smartphones from Samsung, offering distinct experiences for different user needs. While the Galaxy A55 focuses on a modern design and extended software support, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a more performance-oriented experience with a versatile camera system. Both devices run on Samsung's One UI over Android, ensuring a consistent software environment.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines and software support commitments.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy A55 is a newer device, launched in March 2024, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released earlier, in January 2022. This difference in launch dates directly impacts their remaining software support.
• OS Support: The Galaxy A55 is expected to receive four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates from its release, starting with Android 14. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, having launched with Android 12, also received four OS updates and five years of security updates, meaning its software support will conclude earlier than the A55's.
• Build Quality: The Galaxy A55 features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, a glass back, and an aluminum frame, offering an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, boasting a slightly higher IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

The performance of these two smartphones caters to slightly different user expectations, primarily due to their internal components and release generations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy A55 is equipped with a current-generation processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly and supports moderate gaming without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, on the other hand, features a processor that was considered flagship-tier at its release, providing robust performance for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games.
• System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy A55 generally report a fluid experience for daily use, with fast app loading times. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a very snappy and fluid interface, particularly noticeable with high motion smoothness settings, ensuring quick reaction times in various applications.
• Storage and RAM: Both devices offer various configurations, typically starting with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy A55 supports expandable storage via a microSD card, which is not available on the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A55 includes a larger 5000 mAh battery, often providing over a full day of use for many users, with some tests indicating up to 49 hours of battery life. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides average battery life, often requiring a charge by the end of a heavy usage day. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G supports wireless charging, a feature not present on the A55.

Both devices offer vibrant and clear displays, but there are subtle differences in their technology and viewing experience.

• Display Technology: The Galaxy A55 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which also delivers accurate and realistic colors.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing sharp visuals for typical viewing, streaming, and browsing.
• Brightness Levels: The Galaxy A55 can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a slightly higher peak brightness of 1200 nits, which can be beneficial in very sunny environments.
• Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and a more responsive user experience.
• Screen Size: The Galaxy A55 has a slightly larger 6.6-inch display compared to the 6.4-inch display on the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, offering a marginally more expansive viewing area.

The camera systems on these smartphones are designed to capture quality images and videos, though they differ in their specific lens configurations and capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A55 features a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 12MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy A55 captures impressive shots in daylight and performs decently in low-light conditions, benefiting from improved AI image processing. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is known for its versatile camera system, delivering good detail and reliable performance across various lighting conditions, with significantly better low-light performance compared to some older models.
• Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second (fps) from their main cameras. The Galaxy A55's main camera also offers very good stabilization. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can record 4K video at up to 60fps, and its front camera also supports 4K recording.
• Front Camera: Both phones are equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, capable of producing clear and detailed selfies.