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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
45.2Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
49Inno Score
37.5Performance39.3
47.2Display49.4
41.7Camera46.1
41.7Battery51.4
78.7Features78.7
3 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G6 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

InnoReviews verdict

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE wins this phone face-off, 49 to 45.2, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+10) and camera (+4). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

  • 220% higher Front camera: 32 MP vs 10 MP
  • 15% lower weight: 177 g vs 209 g

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

  • Stronger camera score: 46 vs 42
  • Stronger battery score: 51 vs 42
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 33% higher RAM (max): 8 GB vs 6 GB
  • 21% higher Peak brightness: 1,450 nits vs 1,200 nits
  • Lower launch price: $600 vs $699

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
Screen size6.4 ″6.4 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution2340x10801080x2340
Pixel density401 ppi403 ppi
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits1,450 nits+21%
Screen-to-body—85.8 %

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
ChipsetSnapdragon 888Samsung Exynos 2200
AnTuTu 101,040,324Top 46%1,080,000+4%Top 44%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,450Top 48%1,450Top 48%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,650Top 53%3,800+4%Top 52%
RAM (max)6 GB8 GB+33%
Storage options128GB / 256GB128/256GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
Main camera12 MP50 MP+317%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP12 MP
Telephoto8 MP8 MP
Optical zoom3 x3 x
Max video4K@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera32 MP+220%10 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
Capacity4,500 mAh4,500 mAh
Wired charging25 W25 W
Wireless charging15 W15 W
Active use endurance—11 h

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
Weight177 g+15%209 g
Thickness7.9 mm+4%8.2 mm
IP ratingIP68IP68
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.05.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
OS at launchAndroid 12 (One UI 4)Android 13 (One UI 5.1)
OS update pledge4 years4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S23 FE
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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