Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs iPhone SE (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Apple iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, are both smartphones designed to offer a blend of modern features and established form factors. While the Galaxy S21 FE 5G presents a larger display and a versatile multi-camera system running on Android, the iPhone SE 2022 offers a compact design with a powerful internal processor and Apple's iOS ecosystem.

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

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced in January 2022, while the iPhone SE 2022 followed shortly after in March 2022 [1, 8]. This means both devices entered the market around the same time, offering similar starting points for their expected lifecycles.
• Software Longevity: The iPhone SE 2022, running iOS, is known for receiving software updates for an extended period, typically five to six years or more from its release [9, 12]. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, operating on Android, also benefits from a commitment to several years of major OS updates and security patches, though the exact duration can sometimes be shorter than Apple's typical support window [6, 14].
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2022 has an average repairability score, with components like the battery and screen being relatively accessible for replacement, though some repairs require specialized tools [4, 34, 44]. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a plastic back and metal frame, contributing to its overall durability, and its IP68 rating indicates strong resistance to dust and water [6, 14, 21]. The iPhone SE 2022 has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance [12, 27].

Both smartphones are equipped with capable internal components that handle daily tasks efficiently, though their approaches to performance differ.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE 2022 features a highly efficient processor that delivers robust performance for demanding applications and smooth multitasking [7, 22, 29]. This allows for quick app launches, fluid navigation, and capable handling of graphics-intensive games [7, 29, 33]. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also includes a powerful processor, ensuring responsive performance across various applications, from streaming to video editing [5, 21].
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically offers more RAM options, which can contribute to a smoother experience when switching between many open applications [6, 20]. Both devices offer various internal storage configurations, but neither supports expandable storage via a microSD card [6, 14, 30].
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a larger battery capacity, which generally translates to longer usage times for many users, often lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use [5, 16, 21, 41]. The iPhone SE 2022, despite having a smaller battery, benefits from its efficient processor and software optimizations, providing adequate battery life for a typical day, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge more frequently [3, 7, 11, 25, 27].

The visual experience on these devices is distinct, primarily due to differences in display technology, size, and refresh rates.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast [5, 6, 21]. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, which provides accurate colors and good clarity, but does not offer the same level of contrast as an OLED panel [1, 2, 27].
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels) resulting in a sharp image with approximately 403 pixels per inch [6, 14, 15]. The iPhone SE 2022 has a resolution of 1334x750 pixels, with a pixel density of 326 pixels per inch, which is clear for its size but less dense than the Galaxy S21 FE 5G [2, 27].
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience, especially during gaming or fast-paced content [5, 8, 14]. The iPhone SE 2022 maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate [2, 27]. Both displays offer sufficient brightness for outdoor visibility, with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G capable of reaching higher peak brightness levels [6, 24].

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they cater to different photography preferences and provide varying levels of versatility.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-lens rear camera setup, including a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom [13, 14, 20, 36]. This provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios, from expansive landscapes to zoomed-in subjects [16]. The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12MP wide-angle rear camera with optical image stabilization, which excels in capturing detailed and color-accurate photos in good lighting conditions [2, 27, 28].
• Low-Light and Video Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally performs well in different lighting conditions, with improvements in low-light photography compared to older models [16, 43]. The iPhone SE 2022 produces very good images in decent light, but it lacks a dedicated night mode, which can result in darker and grainier images in low-light environments [7, 27]. Both devices are capable of recording video at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, offering high-quality video capture [9, 13, 14, 28, 33].
• Front Camera and Features: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting 4K video recording [13, 14, 20]. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7MP front camera, which performs well in good lighting for selfies and video calls [2, 27].