Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S25+

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy series. While the S21 FE 5G was positioned as a feature-rich option for enthusiasts, the S25 Plus represents a more recent flagship offering with advancements in performance, display technology, and software longevity. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing a familiar user experience with Samsung's One UI.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in early 2022, making it a device that has been on the market for a few years. The Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, is a much newer device, having been released in early 2025. This age difference directly impacts their expected practical lifespan.
• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive up to four major Android OS upgrades, with Android 16 being its final major update, anticipated around mid-2026. It also receives security updates for five years. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Plus launched with Android 15 and benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, promising seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its support well into the future.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has been noted to have a decent repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, indicating that some repairs are manageable, though certain components require heat and prying tools due to adhesive use. The newer Galaxy S25 Plus has shown improved repairability, with some assessments giving it a score of 9 out of 10, partly due to the use of standard Philips screws and an improved battery pull pouch, making internal access and component replacement more straightforward.

The performance capabilities of these two smartphones reflect the generational advancements in mobile technology.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, and is capable of running demanding games. The Galaxy S25 Plus features a significantly newer and more advanced processor, designed for super-fast performance, making it highly responsive for intensive tasks, complex applications, and advanced mobile gaming.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing a capable experience for typical multitasking. The Galaxy S25 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM as standard, contributing to enhanced multitasking efficiency and a consistently fluid user experience, even with numerous applications open simultaneously.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G houses a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate to heavy use, though very heavy users might find themselves needing to charge more frequently. The Galaxy S25 Plus features a larger 4900 mAh battery and is reported to offer excellent battery life, often lasting a full day even with intensive camera usage and surpassing some other flagship devices in longevity. Both devices support wired and wireless charging.

The visual experience on both devices is delivered through high-quality displays, though with notable differences in specifications.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both smartphones feature AMOLED display technology, known for deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), offering clear visuals for daily use. The Galaxy S25 Plus steps up with a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a higher WQHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), resulting in a sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions, including bright sunlight. The Galaxy S25 Plus significantly increases this to a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring exceptional outdoor visibility and a more impactful HDR viewing experience.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy S25 Plus incorporates an adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) which can dynamically adjust based on content, potentially optimizing power consumption while maintaining visual fluidity. The S21 FE 5G's 120Hz refresh rate is not adaptive.

Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S25 Plus offer versatile camera systems, designed to capture a range of photographic and video content.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main sensor (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 Plus also has a triple-camera system, but with a higher resolution 50MP main sensor (with OIS), a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. While the S25 Plus shares similar camera hardware with its predecessors, it benefits from newer software processing and AI enhancements.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE 5G delivers good photo quality in well-lit conditions with vibrant colors and decent detail, and its night mode improves low-light shots. The S25 Plus provides excellent image quality, producing sharp and vibrant photos with strong low-light performance and versatile shooting modes.
• Video and Audio: The S21 FE 5G supports 4K video recording at 60fps on its main camera and 4K at 30fps across all rear cameras. The S25 Plus also offers high-quality video recording, including features like Log file recording for more control during post-production. Both devices offer stereo speakers, providing a capable audio experience for media consumption.