Galaxy A54 • Unlocked vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy A54 (released in March 2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (released in January 2022) are both Android smartphones from Samsung, offering distinct experiences for different user priorities. While the Galaxy A54 is positioned as a strong mid-range contender, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced as a more accessible version of a flagship device. The primary differences lie in their core processing power, camera capabilities, and overall build materials, influencing their performance and longevity.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Software Support: The Galaxy A54, launched with Android 13, is promised four major OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until Android 17 and security patches until 2028. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, initially released with Android 12, also benefits from Samsung's enhanced policy, receiving four major OS upgrades up to Android 16 and security updates until the end of 2025 or potentially longer for critical issues.
• Build Durability: The Galaxy A54 features Gorilla Glass 5 on its display and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers slightly enhanced protection with Gorilla Glass Victus on its display and an IP68 rating, indicating greater resistance to dust and water immersion.
• Practical Lifespan: Both devices are designed for extended use, with their respective software support ensuring they remain functional and secure for several years. The A54's newer release date and slightly longer security update commitment might offer a marginal advantage in terms of overall software longevity.

The performance of these two Samsung smartphones varies due to their internal components, impacting how they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A54 is equipped with an Exynos 1380 processor. User experiences suggest it handles everyday tasks smoothly, though some reports indicate occasional stutters or sluggish animations, particularly with the One UI software. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, especially the AT&T variant, typically features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which generally offers a higher performance ceiling for more intensive applications and gaming.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both models are available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy A54 includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage up to 1TB, a feature not present in the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A54 has a larger 5000 mAh battery, which users often report provides good battery life for typical daily use, sometimes lasting up to 1.5 days. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, and user feedback frequently points to average or sometimes poor battery life, especially with heavy use or when 120Hz refresh rate and 5G are consistently active.

Both devices offer vibrant displays, but there are distinctions in their underlying technology and brightness capabilities.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a 6.4-inch display, but it uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels. Both technologies provide rich colors and deep blacks.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Galaxy A54 can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits in high brightness mode. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, however, can achieve a higher peak brightness of 1300 nits, which can be beneficial for outdoor visibility in bright conditions.
• Screen Protection: The Galaxy A54 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features the more robust Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

The camera systems on the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S21 FE 5G are designed to capture quality images and videos, each with its own strengths.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A54 features a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 12MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The S21 FE's dedicated telephoto lens offers more versatile zoom capabilities.
• Photography Performance: The A54's main camera is noted for producing clear images with good color reproduction in various lighting conditions, and its Nightography feature is highlighted. The S21 FE's cameras are praised for vibrant colors and good performance in well-lit situations, with its main camera often compared favorably to its S-series counterparts.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30fps on their main and front cameras. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G extends this to 4K at 60fps for both rear and front cameras, offering smoother video capture. Both phones feature a 32MP front-facing camera.