Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy Z Fold5

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, is a traditional smartphone designed to offer a balance of flagship features at a more accessible point. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, launched in August 2023, represents a premium foldable device that transforms from a compact phone into a larger tablet-like experience. These two devices cater to different user preferences, with the S21 FE focusing on a conventional, robust smartphone experience and the Z Fold5 prioritizing screen real estate and advanced multitasking capabilities through its unique folding design.

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

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy Z Fold5, which launched in August 2023. This difference in release date impacts their remaining software support.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its release. The Galaxy Z Fold5, launching with Android 13, is also guaranteed four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates, meaning it will receive software support for a longer period due to its later release.
• Physical Durability: The S21 FE features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, offering IP68 dust and water resistance. The Z Fold5 boasts a more advanced, thinner, and lighter design that folds completely flat, incorporating upgraded Gorilla Glass and an IPX8 water resistance rating. While the Z Fold5's hinge design has improved for better durability, some users have reported concerns about the inner screen protector peeling over extended use.

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and Galaxy Z Fold5 reflect their respective market positions and release years.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that delivered flagship-grade performance at its release, capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. The Galaxy Z Fold5, being a more recent flagship, features a newer, custom-tuned processor designed for enhanced efficiency and raw power, resulting in exceptionally fast app loading, seamless multitasking, and robust gaming performance.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer a responsive user experience. The S21 FE provides smooth navigation and app transitions, suitable for everyday use. The Z Fold5, with its larger internal display and optimized software, excels in multitasking scenarios, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously with minimal lag.
• Storage and Memory: The S21 FE typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The Z Fold5 offers a more generous 12GB of RAM as standard, paired with storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB, providing ample space and memory for intensive use and large files.

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones, largely due to their distinct form factors.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a sharp 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution. The Galaxy Z Fold5 provides a dual-screen experience: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED cover screen and a larger 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main foldable display. Both screens deliver excellent clarity and color reproduction, with the main screen offering a higher resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This high refresh rate enhances the visual experience during gaming and general navigation on both the S21 FE and the Z Fold5's displays.
• Viewing Experience: The S21 FE offers a traditional, immersive viewing experience on its single, flat display. The Z Fold5's main screen, when unfolded, provides a significantly larger canvas, making it well-suited for media consumption, reading, and productivity tasks that benefit from expanded screen real estate. The cover screen on the Z Fold5 is designed for quick, one-handed use.

Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy Z Fold5 offer capable camera systems, though with differences in their configurations and performance nuances.

• Rear Camera Systems: The S21 FE features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Z Fold5 also has a triple rear camera array, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE produces colorful and detailed images in good lighting conditions, suitable for social media. Its telephoto lens, while capable of 30x digital zoom, has a lower resolution than some other models. The Z Fold5's main camera delivers mostly excellent photos with good color reproduction and detail, particularly in well-lit environments. Its low-light performance is also noted as strong for the main lens.
• Front Cameras and Video: The S21 FE has a 32MP front camera, capable of 4K 60fps video recording. The Z Fold5 features a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on its main screen. The under-display camera is generally considered best for video calls due to its lower quality. Both devices can record video up to 4K 60fps, with the Z Fold5's main rear camera also supporting 8K 30fps video recording.