Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S23 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, launched in October 2023, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's popular Galaxy S series. While they share the same operating system, key differences lie in their release timelines, software support longevity, and advancements in camera technology and overall performance. This comparison aims to highlight these distinctions to help users make an informed decision.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's software support policy.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 5G, having been released in January 2021, has received its promised four major Android operating system updates and is now at the end of its five-year security update cycle as of early 2026. This means it will no longer receive new Android versions or regular security patches. In contrast, the Galaxy S23 FE, launched in October 2023, is set to receive major OS updates until approximately October 2027 and security updates until October 2028, offering a considerably longer period of official software support.
• Build Materials: The Galaxy S21 5G features a Gorilla Glass Victus front for display protection, an aluminum frame, and a plastic back. The Galaxy S23 FE, a more recent model, utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for both its front and back panels, coupled with an aluminum frame, providing a more uniform feel.
• Durability Rating: Both devices carry an IP68 rating, indicating robust resistance to dust and water. This means they can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, offering peace of mind against accidental spills and splashes.

Performance is a critical aspect for daily usage, affecting everything from app responsiveness to gaming and multitasking capabilities.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a high-end processor from early 2021, which delivers smooth performance for everyday applications, web browsing, and moderate gaming. It handles multitasking efficiently, ensuring a responsive user experience. The Galaxy S23 FE, featuring a flagship-tier processor from early 2022, offers enhanced processing power. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother transitions, and more capable handling of graphically intensive games and demanding productivity applications.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both smartphones typically come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. For internal storage, both offer 128GB and 256GB options. The 256GB and higher variants of the Galaxy S23 FE benefit from a newer, faster storage technology (UFS 4.0) compared to the S21 5G, which can contribute to quicker data access and app performance.
• Overall Responsiveness: While the Galaxy S21 5G remains a capable device, the Galaxy S23 FE generally provides a snappier and more fluid experience, particularly in scenarios involving heavy usage or the latest applications, due to its more recent internal components.

The display is the primary interface for interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with some notable distinctions.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the Galaxy S21 5G and the Galaxy S23 FE feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their deep blacks, excellent contrast, and vivid color reproduction. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 6.2-inch display, offering a more compact form factor. The Galaxy S23 FE provides a slightly larger 6.4-inch display, which can enhance the viewing experience for media consumption and productivity tasks.
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 for S21 5G, 1080 x 2340 for S23 FE), ensuring sharp and clear visuals for text and images. They also support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which provides exceptionally smooth scrolling and fluid animations, dynamically adjusting to content to optimize battery life.
• Brightness: The Galaxy S23 FE boasts a higher peak brightness of 1450 nits, making it slightly more visible in bright outdoor conditions compared to the Galaxy S21 5G's 1300 nits peak brightness.

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a variety of moments, though with different sensor configurations.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G features a triple-lens setup consisting of a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy S23 FE also has a triple-camera array, but with a 50MP main wide-angle sensor, an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The S23 FE's 3x optical zoom provides clearer zoomed-in shots compared to the S21 5G's hybrid zoom.
• Photography and Video Capabilities: Both devices are capable of capturing detailed photos in various lighting conditions, with features like optical image stabilization (OIS) on their main sensors to reduce blur. They both support 8K video recording at 24 frames per second, allowing for high-resolution video capture. For selfies, both phones include a 10MP front-facing camera.
• Audio Experience: Both the Galaxy S21 5G and Galaxy S23 FE are equipped with stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption and calls compared to devices with a single speaker.