Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

The longevity of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates. These two devices offer distinct expectations in this regard.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched with Android 12, is expected to receive up to four major Android OS updates, with security updates typically extending for five years from its release. This means its final major OS update would likely be Android 16, with security patches continuing until early 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, released with Android 14, benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, promising seven years of major OS updates and security updates, potentially reaching Android 21 and security patches until early 2031.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The S21 FE 5G utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and has an aluminum frame with a plastic back. The S24 Ultra, however, incorporates a more robust build with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor on the front, offering enhanced scratch resistance and overall durability.
• Expected Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software longevity and cutting-edge physical resilience will find the S24 Ultra to be a more future-proof option. The S21 FE 5G still offers a respectable lifespan, particularly for users who do not require the absolute latest software features beyond its update window.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting everything from daily tasks to demanding applications. The two devices offer varying levels of processing power and battery endurance.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that capably handles everyday applications, web browsing, and moderate gaming, providing a smooth user experience for most tasks. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, featuring a more advanced, current-generation processor, delivers significantly higher performance, enabling seamless multitasking, graphic-intensive gaming, and efficient handling of professional-grade applications without noticeable slowdowns.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE 5G houses a 4500 mAh battery, which for many users provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use, though heavy usage, especially with the 120Hz display enabled, may necessitate more frequent charging. The S24 Ultra comes with a larger 5000 mAh battery. Coupled with a more power-efficient processor and display technology, it generally offers extended usage times, often lasting more than a full day even with intensive use.
• System Responsiveness: While the S21 FE 5G offers good responsiveness for its class, the S24 Ultra provides a noticeably snappier and more fluid overall system experience, particularly when launching apps, switching between tasks, and navigating complex interfaces.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both models offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with notable differences in technology and specifications.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), providing clear and colorful visuals suitable for media consumption and daily use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in a sharper and more detailed image, especially noticeable with high-resolution content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, the S24 Ultra's display can achieve significantly higher peak brightness levels, making it more comfortable to view in bright outdoor conditions and enhancing HDR content. The S24 Ultra also features an adaptive refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz to optimize power consumption.
• Viewing Experience: The S24 Ultra's larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display, combined with its adaptive refresh rate and anti-reflective layer, provides a more immersive and versatile viewing experience, particularly for users who consume a lot of video content, play games, or frequently use their phone outdoors.

Camera capabilities are often a deciding factor for many users, and here the S24 Ultra presents a significant upgrade over the S21 FE 5G.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 12 MP wide lens, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, capable of capturing good quality photos in various conditions. The Galaxy S24 Ultra elevates this with a quad-camera system, highlighted by a 200 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and an additional 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, offering superior detail, flexibility, and zoom capabilities.
• Photography Performance: While the S21 FE 5G delivers dependable photos with consistent color reproduction in good lighting, its low-light performance and zoom capabilities are more limited. The S24 Ultra excels in capturing highly detailed images across a wider range of lighting conditions, with improved low-light performance and more versatile zoom options, including effective 10x zoom through sensor cropping.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording. The S21 FE 5G has a 32 MP front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The S24 Ultra features a 12 MP front camera, which, combined with advanced processing, often produces more refined and detailed self-portraits and video.

Beyond the core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two Samsung smartphones.

• Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, ensuring access to faster mobile networks. The S21 FE 5G includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, while the S24 Ultra features newer standards like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and lack a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Biometrics and Design: The S21 FE 5G incorporates an optical under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The S24 Ultra uses a more advanced ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, which can offer enhanced security and reliability. In terms of design, the S21 FE 5G has a plastic back and aluminum frame, contributing to its lighter weight. The S24 Ultra features a more premium titanium frame and glass back, giving it a more substantial feel.
• Unique Features: A significant distinguishing feature of the S24 Ultra is the integrated S Pen stylus, which offers enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and precise navigation, a feature not present on the S21 FE 5G. The S24 Ultra is also heavier and slightly larger, which can impact one-handed use compared to the more compact S21 FE 5G.