Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in January 2025, represent different tiers and generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the S25 Ultra, as a more recent flagship, introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology compared to the S21 FE 5G.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two devices offer distinct expectations in terms of how long they will remain current and functional.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched with Android 12, is expected to receive its final major OS update with Android 16, with security updates continuing until January 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, released with Android 15, benefits from Samsung's extended update policy, promising seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, extending its support until January 2032.
• Physical Durability: The S21 FE 5G features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, offering robust protection against everyday wear and tear, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The S25 Ultra elevates this with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on the front, providing enhanced resistance to drops and scratches, also maintaining an IP68 rating.
• Repairability: The S21 FE 5G has been noted for being relatively easy to repair, with a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, though its battery is glued in place. The S25 Ultra, while scoring a provisional 5 out of 10 from iFixit, marks an improvement for Samsung flagships with easier battery replacement due to pull tabs and modular camera components, though screen removal remains challenging.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer device offering substantial upgrades that impact daily usage, from app responsiveness to demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a capable processor that handles daily applications and multitasking smoothly, suitable for general use and moderate gaming. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a significantly more advanced, current-generation processor designed for intensive tasks, offering superior speed and efficiency for demanding applications, advanced gaming, and on-device AI functionalities.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S21 FE 5G comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 256GB, providing sufficient capacity for most users. The S25 Ultra offers higher base RAM configurations, typically 12GB or 16GB, paired with faster storage options up to 1TB, enabling seamless multitasking with numerous applications and ample space for large files and media.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE 5G includes a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use. The S25 Ultra houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, combined with a more power-efficient processor and adaptive display technology, which contributes to extended usage times, even with its more powerful components.

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and both devices offer quality viewing experiences, though with notable differences in technology and specifications.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks and vibrant colors. The S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch Full HD+ (2340 x 1080) display with a pixel density of 401 PPI. The S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch Quad HD+ (3120 x 1440) display, offering a higher resolution and greater clarity, which is particularly noticeable when viewing detailed content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S21 FE 5G offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The S25 Ultra also features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which can scale down to 1Hz for power efficiency, and typically achieves higher peak brightness levels, improving outdoor visibility and HDR content consumption.
• Viewing Experience: The S21 FE 5G provides an immersive viewing experience for its size, suitable for media consumption and daily tasks. The S25 Ultra's larger screen size and higher resolution enhance the viewing experience for multimedia, productivity, and gaming, making it well-suited for users who prioritize screen real estate and visual fidelity.

Camera systems are a significant area of advancement, with the S25 Ultra offering a more comprehensive and advanced setup compared to the S21 FE 5G.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 12MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, capable of capturing good quality photos in various scenarios. The Galaxy S25 Ultra significantly upgrades this with a 200MP main sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an additional 50MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, providing greater detail, flexibility, and zoom capabilities.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: Both devices offer optical image stabilization (OIS) on their main sensors, aiding in clearer low-light photos and stable video. The S25 Ultra, with its larger sensors and more advanced image processing, delivers superior low-light performance and more detailed video recording, including enhanced features for professional-grade videography.
• Front Camera and Audio: The S21 FE 5G has a 32MP front camera, suitable for high-resolution selfies and video calls. The S25 Ultra features a 12MP front camera, which, combined with advanced processing, provides clear and detailed self-portraits. Both phones offer stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience, with the S25 Ultra likely providing richer sound output.