Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G: Specs Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has officially launched in the Philippines. It packs a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Exynos 2100 SoC, triple-rear cameras, and 5G connectivity. However, it’s almost similar to the Galaxy S21 5G. So, what’s different, and which model is the best pick? Let’s find out in this quick specs comparison.

Summary of advantages

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
• Slightly larger screen
• Higher front camera resolution
• Bigger battery
• Lower price

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
• Slightly higher PPI count
• Gorilla Glass Victus
• Better telephoto camera
• Stereo speakers
• More secure optical fingerprint scanner

Display

The two devices are pretty much the same since they have a Full HD+ resolution and Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. The S21 FE 5G, though, has a slightly larger screen at 6.41-inches with 402ppi. The S21 5G, on the other hand, has a smaller 6.2-inches with 421ppi. Both have a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. The differences, though, are not that significant. We can still expect a sharp screen with punchy colors and deep blacks. What gives the S21 5G the advantage is the Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection.

Chipset and Memory

Both devices, specifically the models, available in the Philippines, sport the Exynos 2100 chipset with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G78 MP14 GPU. When it comes to RAM, local models are limited to 8GB. Then for storage, both are available in 128GB and 256GB UFS 3.1.

Cameras

The two devices are equipped with triple-rear cameras but with a slightly different configuration. Both have 12MP Dual Pixel main and 12MP ultra-wide shooters. When it comes to the telephoto lens, the S21 FE 5G only has an 8MP camera with 3x optical zoom, but the S21 5G has a 64MP camera with 3x optical zoom and 30x Space Zoom. This means that the latter performs better at shooting subjects from a distance.

For selfies, the S21 5G has a 10MP Dual Pixel front camera, while the S21 FE 5G has a higher 32MP resolution. We can say that the latter provides sharper selfies but in terms of quality, we’ll only know once we’ve compared the samples side by side.

Connectivity and Other Features

The two smartphones are packed with the same connectivity features, including 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth, NFC, GPS, USB-C, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The S21 5G, though, offers stereo speakers by AKG, which can provide a better audio experience when watching movies or playing games.

Both also have in-display fingerprint scanners but use different scanning technologies. The S21 FE 5G uses an optical scanner that uses light to create a 2D scan of the fingerprint, while the S21 5G uses ultrasonic which uses sound waves to create a 3D scan. The former is less secure and doesn’t work properly when the screen is dirty or wet, while the latter is more secure and can work even when it’s wet, oily, or dirty. On the downside, using a thick screen protector can hamper its effectiveness.

Battery

The S21 FE 5G has the advantage of having a 4,500mAh battery which is 500mAh more than the S21 5G. Both feature the same 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and Wireless PowerShare.

Price

The S21 FE 5G is basically a toned-down version of the S21 5G, so it’s only proper that it is priced lower. And so it is, starting at PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839 for the 128GB model, whereas the S21 5G starts at PHP 44,990USD 767INR 64,993EUR 730CNY 5,583.

Which one to get?

If you’re on a budget, don’t need Gorilla Glass Victus, a powerful telephoto camera, and stereo speakers, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G will serve you well. You will also get a higher resolution selfie camera and a larger battery capacity. But if you want better screen protection, a powerful telephoto camera, and stereo speakers, and have a bigger budget, the Galaxy S21 5G is also a good option. Check out their prices below.

• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (8GB + 128GB) – PHP 38,990USD 664INR 56,325EUR 633CNY 4,839
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (8GB + 256GB)– PHP 41,990USD 716INR 60,659EUR 681CNY 5,211
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (8GB + 128GB) – PHP 44,990USD 767INR 64,993EUR 730CNY 5,583
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (8GB + 256GB) – PHP 47,990USD 818INR 69,326EUR 779CNY 5,956