Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S22 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, launched in February 2022, are both Android-based smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy S series. While sharing the same operating system and a similar design philosophy, these devices cater to slightly different user preferences, primarily differing in screen size, battery capacity, and camera specifications. Both offer a premium Android experience with regular software updates.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and ease of repair.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the Galaxy S22 5G followed shortly after in February 2022. This means both devices started their software support cycles around the same time.
• Software Longevity: Both models were launched with Android 12 and are expected to receive several years of major Android updates and security patches, ensuring continued access to new features and security enhancements. The S21 FE is expected to receive updates up to Android 16, and the S22 also runs Android 14 currently.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S22 received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating challenges in disassembly and component replacement, particularly for the battery. While a specific iFixit score for the S21 FE is not widely available, Samsung phones from this era generally present similar repair challenges due to strong adhesives.

Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 5G are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding tasks, though there are differences in their overall performance and battery behavior.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a processor that provides smooth performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and gaming. The Galaxy S22 5G, being a slightly newer flagship, incorporates a more advanced processor, offering enhanced responsiveness and efficiency, particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games and heavy multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use. Users of the Galaxy S22 5G, which has a smaller 3700 mAh battery, frequently report that its battery life can be a concern for heavy users, often requiring a charge before the end of a long day, especially with features like a high refresh rate and always-on display enabled.
• Storage and RAM: Both devices offer configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space and memory for most users.

The display is a key feature for both smartphones, offering vibrant visuals and smooth interactions, though they differ in size and peak brightness.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 5G feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp images.
• Screen Size and Brightness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a larger 6.4-inch display, providing more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. The Galaxy S22 5G has a more compact 6.1-inch display. The Galaxy S22's display can achieve a peak brightness of 1300 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility, while the S21 FE's display typically reaches around 800 nits.
• Refresh Rate: Both devices support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations, which contributes to a responsive user experience.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 5G are versatile, designed to capture a range of photos and videos, with notable differences in sensor resolution and low-light performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-lens rear camera setup with a 12 MP wide-angle, 12 MP ultrawide, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S22 5G elevates this with a 50 MP main wide-angle sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, and a 10 MP telephoto lens also offering 3x optical zoom. The higher resolution main sensor on the S22 generally results in more detailed and colorful photos.
• Front Camera and Video Quality: For selfies, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 32 MP front camera, while the Galaxy S22 5G has a 10 MP front camera. Both phones are capable of recording 4K video at 60fps, with the Galaxy S22 also supporting 8K video recording at 24fps.
• Low-Light Photography: While both perform well in good lighting, the Galaxy S22's larger main sensor tends to offer improved low-light performance compared to the S21 FE.