Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy S25 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched in February 2025, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy S25 introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera technology, and long-term software support, reflecting its newer release. These differences cater to varying user needs and priorities.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an established device. The Galaxy S25, released in February 2025, benefits from being a much newer model.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and was eligible for four generations of OS updates and five years of security updates, meaning it would receive updates up to Android 16 and security patches until early 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 launched with Android 15 and is promised seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its support until 2032.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and has an aluminum frame with a plastic back. The Galaxy S25 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking effectively, suitable for general use and moderate gaming. The Galaxy S25 features a newer generation processor, designed for enhanced efficiency and significantly faster processing, resulting in quicker app loading times, smoother transitions, and more robust performance for intensive applications and advanced mobile gaming.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing adequate capacity for most multitasking scenarios. The Galaxy S25 is equipped with 12GB of RAM across all models, offering substantial headroom for running numerous applications simultaneously and maintaining high responsiveness even under heavy workloads.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for moderate users, though heavy usage may require more frequent charging. The Galaxy S25 features a 4000 mAh battery, but its newer, more efficient processor and optimized software contribute to effective power management, often allowing for a full day of use for many users.

The display quality significantly influences the visual experience, from everyday browsing to media consumption.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a 6.4-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Galaxy S25 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, providing sharp and clear visuals.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both phones offer good brightness levels for comfortable indoor viewing. The Galaxy S25, being a newer flagship, typically features higher peak brightness, which improves visibility in bright outdoor conditions compared to the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both models support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This higher refresh rate enhances the user experience during tasks like web browsing and gaming.

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture a variety of moments, with differences in their capabilities and performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple camera setup with a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 also has a triple rear camera system, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The S25's larger main sensor generally captures more detail and performs better in various lighting conditions.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers good photos in well-lit environments, with vibrant colors. The Galaxy S25 offers improved image processing and sensor technology, resulting in more consistent detail, better dynamic range, and enhanced low-light performance, particularly with its main sensor. Portrait shots on the S25 are noted for good edge detection.
• Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second from their main cameras. The Galaxy S25 extends its video capabilities with 8K recording from the main camera and 4K recording available across all its lenses, including the front camera, offering more versatility for high-resolution video content creation.