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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
45.2Inno Score
VS
WINNER
Samsung Galaxy S26+

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S26+

$1,100

71.2Inno Score
37.5Performance82.4
47.2Display66
41.7Camera47.3
41.7Battery71.7
78.7Features94.7
2 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G13 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S26+

InnoReviews verdict

Samsung Galaxy S26+ wins this phone face-off, 71.2 to 45.2, pulling ahead mainly in performance (+45) and battery (+30). 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

  • 167% higher Front camera: 32 MP vs 12 MP
  • Lower launch price: $699 vs $1,100

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S26+

  • Stronger performance score: 82 vs 38
  • Stronger display score: 66 vs 47
  • Stronger camera score: 47 vs 42
  • Stronger battery score: 72 vs 42
  • Stronger features score: 95 vs 79

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
Screen size6.4 ″6.7 ″+5%
Panel typeAMOLEDDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution2340x10803120x1440
Pixel density401 ppi516 ppi+29%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits2,600 nits+117%
Screen-to-body—90.7 %

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
ChipsetSnapdragon 888Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
AnTuTu1,040,324—
Geekbench 6 (single)1,450Top 44%3,393+134%Top 8%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,650Top 50%11,515+215%Top 2%
RAM (max)6 GB12 GB+100%
Storage options128GB / 256GB256GB / 512GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 4.0

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
Main camera12 MP50 MP+317%
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP12 MP
Telephoto8 MP10 MP+25%
Optical zoom3 x3 x
Max video4K@60fps8K@30fps
Front camera32 MP+167%12 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
Capacity4,500 mAh4,900 mAh+9%
Wired charging25 W45 W+80%
Wireless charging15 W20 W+33%
Active use endurance—16.4 h

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
Weight177 g+7%190 g
Thickness7.9 mm7.3 mm+8%
IP ratingIP68IP68
Frame materialAluminumArmor Aluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.06.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
OS at launchAndroid 12 (One UI 4)Android 16 (One UI 8.5)
OS update pledge4 years7 years+75%

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S26+
SpecSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GSamsung Galaxy S26+
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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