Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs iPhone SE (2020)

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, are smartphones designed to offer capable performance within their respective ecosystems. While the Galaxy S21 FE 5G presents a modern Android experience with a larger display and versatile camera system, the iPhone SE 2020 provides a compact iOS experience with a focus on raw processing power in a familiar design. Both devices run on their respective operating systems, Android and iOS, offering distinct user interfaces and app ecosystems.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical repairability.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone SE 2020 was released in April 2020, making it older than the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which launched in January 2022. This difference in release date impacts their expected software support windows.
• Software Longevity: Apple typically provides major iOS updates for 5 to 7 years, with security patches continuing for a couple more years. Given its 2020 release, the iPhone SE 2020 is expected to receive major updates until approximately 2025-2027, followed by security updates until around 2027-2029. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, as an Android device, generally receives 3-4 major Android OS updates and 4-5 years of security updates from its release.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2020 received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, indicating that common components like the screen and battery are relatively straightforward to replace, partly due to its shared design with the iPhone 8. However, its glass back is noted as impractical to replace. Specific repairability scores for the Galaxy S21 FE 5G are not as widely published, but Samsung devices generally offer moderate repairability, with some users reporting ease of component replacement for certain issues.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal processing capabilities, affecting everything from app loading times to multitasking efficiency and gaming experiences.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2020 is equipped with a powerful processor that, at its release, delivered performance comparable to more expensive flagship models. This allows it to handle demanding applications and graphically intensive games smoothly, ensuring a responsive user experience for several years. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a current-generation 5nm octa-core processor, designed to provide fast processing and graphics rendering, enabling smooth multitasking and efficient handling of various mobile activities, including livestreaming and video editing.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone SE 2020 comes with 3GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS's efficient memory management, allows for smooth transitions between applications. Storage options for the iPhone SE 2020 include 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers more RAM, with configurations of 6GB or 8GB, which supports robust multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. It is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, but it does not support expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2020's battery capacity is smaller, which can lead to more frequent charging for heavy users, with some reports indicating it may not last a full day under intensive use. Moderate users, however, might find it sufficient for a day's use. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a larger battery, designed to provide all-day power even with 5G connectivity, managing app usage efficiently to deliver lasting power.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and differences in technology, size, and refresh rate can significantly impact the user experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The iPhone SE 2020 features a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, offering good color accuracy and clarity for its size. Its compact form factor is preferred by users who value one-handed usability. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a larger 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a more immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and productivity.
• Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone SE 2020 has a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch (ppi). It offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a higher resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, with a pixel density of 403-404 ppi, contributing to sharper images and text. Its display can reach around 700 nits of brightness, offering good outdoor visibility.
• Refresh Rate: The iPhone SE 2020 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features an adaptive refresh rate that can go up to 120Hz, providing smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience, especially noticeable during gaming or fast-paced content. It also includes a 240Hz touch sampling rate in Game Mode for enhanced responsiveness.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many smartphone users, encompassing everything from everyday photography to video recording and specialized features.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE 2020 features a single 12MP wide camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS). It excels in well-lit conditions, producing detailed and color-accurate photos. However, it lacks an ultrawide or telephoto lens and does not include advanced features like Night Mode or Deep Fusion found in newer iPhones, which can limit its performance in low-light environments. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a more versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2), a 12MP wide camera (f/1.8 with Dual Pixel AF and OIS), and an 8MP telephoto camera (f/2.4 with 30x Space Zoom). This configuration provides greater flexibility for different shooting scenarios, from expansive landscapes to distant subjects.
• Front Camera and Video: For selfies and video calls, the iPhone SE 2020 has a 7MP front camera. Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The iPhone SE 2020 can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second (fps). The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a higher-resolution 32MP front camera and also supports 4K video recording.
• Audio Experience: The iPhone SE 2020 provides a good audio experience for calls and media consumption, benefiting from stereo speakers. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a main loudspeaker and microphone, contributing to its media and communication capabilities.