Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S25

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched in February 2025, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy S25 introduces significant advancements in processing power, display technology, and long-term software support, reflecting three years of technological evolution.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it a more mature device. The Galaxy S25, released in February 2025, benefits from being a newer model.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and typically receives four major OS updates and five years of security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 launched with Android 15 and is promised seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its support until 2032. This means the Galaxy S25 offers significantly longer software longevity.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, while the Galaxy S25 upgrades to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, potentially offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches.

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S25 show a notable generational gap, impacting how smoothly each device handles demanding tasks and multitasking.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor capable of handling demanding applications and gaming, providing a responsive experience for everyday use. The Galaxy S25 features a significantly newer and more powerful current-generation processor, which delivers substantial improvements in CPU, GPU, and neural processing unit performance compared to its predecessors. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced capabilities for AI-driven features and intensive gaming.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, without expandable storage. The Galaxy S25 offers 12GB of RAM as standard, providing more headroom for heavy multitasking and future applications. It also comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, utilizing faster UFS 4.0 technology.
• Overall Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally report a fluid experience, even with graphically intensive games. The Galaxy S25, with its advanced processor and increased RAM, offers a more immediate and efficient response across all operations, from navigating the interface to running complex applications.

Both devices offer high-quality displays, but the Galaxy S25 incorporates newer technology for an enhanced visual experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S25 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) screen. The base Galaxy S25 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels) display.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can reach a peak brightness of up to 1000 nits, providing good visibility outdoors. The Galaxy S25 significantly increases this to a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent readability even in bright sunlight. The S25 also features an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz) using HOP 3.0 LTPO technology, which can contribute to better power efficiency.
• Viewing Experience: Both displays provide a clear and immersive viewing experience for media consumption and daily tasks. The higher peak brightness and adaptive refresh rate of the Galaxy S25 offer a more refined and efficient visual performance, particularly in varied lighting conditions.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture quality images and videos, with the Galaxy S25 benefiting from more recent advancements and AI integration.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 12-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 also comes with a triple-camera system, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12-megapixel ultrawide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers good all-around results in decent lighting, with improvements in low-light performance compared to its predecessor. The Galaxy S25's camera hardware is similar to previous flagship models but benefits from enhanced AI features and improved nighttime video capture. It also supports Expert RAW for more control over image editing.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 30/60 frames per second. The Galaxy S25 further supports LOG video up to 8K at 30 frames per second from its main camera. For selfies, the S21 FE 5G has a 32-megapixel front camera, while the S25 features a 12-megapixel front camera.