Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, launched shortly after in February 2022, are both Android-based smartphones from Samsung's popular Galaxy S series. While sharing the same operating system and a similar design philosophy, the S22 5G offers a more compact form factor and an upgraded main camera system, whereas the S21 FE 5G provides a larger display and a more substantial battery capacity.

Both devices were released in early 2022, placing them in a similar lifecycle stage regarding software support and expected longevity.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced in January 2022, with the Galaxy S22 5G following in February 2022. This means both devices began their software support cycles around the same time.
• OS Support Duration: Samsung initially promised four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for both models. As of February 2026, both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 5G have transitioned to a quarterly security update schedule, with official software support for both expected to conclude around February 2027.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users can anticipate both phones to remain functional and receive critical security patches for approximately another year. Beyond that, while the devices will continue to operate, they will no longer receive official software updates, which may impact security and compatibility with newer applications over time.

The performance of these two devices is driven by different internal components, leading to varying experiences in certain usage scenarios.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically features a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking with ease, providing a smooth user experience. The Galaxy S22 5G, with its slightly newer generation processor, offers a marginal increase in processing power, which can translate to quicker app loading times and a more responsive feel, especially during intensive tasks like high-fidelity gaming or complex video editing.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, which generally allows for extended usage throughout a day for most users. In contrast, the Galaxy S22 5G has a smaller 3700 mAh battery, meaning heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge more frequently to last a full day.
• Storage and Responsiveness: Both models offer similar storage configurations, typically starting at 128GB with options for 256GB, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM for the S21 FE 5G and 8GB of RAM for the S22 5G. This ensures efficient multitasking and ample space for applications and media on both devices.

Both smartphones feature high-quality displays, though there are distinctions in size and brightness that affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 5G utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 FE 5G offers a larger 6.4-inch screen, providing more expansive viewing area, while the S22 5G has a more compact 6.1-inch display, which can be more comfortable for one-handed use.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 5G boasts a higher peak brightness of up to 1300 nits, making it more visible in bright outdoor conditions compared to the S21 FE 5G's typical peak brightness of 700-800 nits. Both displays offer a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels (S22) or 1080 x 2400 pixels (S21 FE), ensuring sharp and clear visuals for everyday content.
• Refresh Rate and Protection: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. For durability, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Galaxy S22 5G features the slightly more advanced Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for enhanced scratch and drop resistance.

The camera systems on both phones are capable, but they prioritize different aspects of photography and video recording.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 5G features a more advanced main camera with a 50MP sensor, which can capture more detail and perform better in various lighting conditions, especially low light, compared to the S21 FE 5G's 12MP main sensor. Both include a 12MP ultrawide lens. The S22 5G also has a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, while the S21 FE 5G has an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Front Camera and Video Quality: For selfies, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a higher resolution 32MP front camera, while the S22 5G has a 10MP front camera. In terms of video, the Galaxy S22 5G supports 8K video recording at 24fps, a feature not available on the S21 FE 5G, which maxes out at 4K resolution. Both offer 4K recording at 30/60fps.
• Audio Experience: Both phones are equipped with stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption. The S21 FE 5G is noted by some users to have Dolby Atmos support and a noise cancellation microphone for calls, which may offer a slightly enhanced audio experience in specific scenarios.