Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, offers a traditional smartphone experience, building upon the established Galaxy S series with a focus on delivering core flagship features. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, represents a different approach with its innovative foldable design, transforming from a compact smartphone into a larger tablet-like display. Both devices operate on the Android platform, with the Z Fold4 introducing Android 12L, optimized for its unique form factor, while the S21 FE launched with Android 12. The primary distinction lies in their form factor: a conventional slab phone versus a versatile foldable device.

When considering the longevity of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an earlier model compared to the Galaxy Z Fold4, which launched in August 2022. This difference in release date means the Z Fold4 benefits from a slightly longer period of guaranteed software updates.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is eligible for four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until approximately August 2027 for security patches. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also receives substantial software support, typically up to four major Android upgrades and ongoing security updates.
• Physical Durability: The S21 FE features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, along with a Gorilla Glass Victus front and an aluminum frame, offering robust protection for a traditional smartphone. The Z Fold4 boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, but notably lacks official dust resistance due to its folding mechanism. Its construction includes Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the cover screen and back, with a more delicate Ultra Thin Glass on the main foldable display. Users of foldable devices sometimes report concerns regarding the durability of the inner screen protector and the hinge mechanism over extended use.

Both smartphones are equipped with capable internal components designed for smooth operation, though they cater to different usage intensities.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications, multitasking, and moderate gaming with efficiency. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a more advanced processor, providing enhanced performance for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy gaming, ensuring a highly responsive user experience.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S21 FE offers configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, suitable for typical smartphone usage and running multiple apps simultaneously. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB. The Z Fold4 comes with a substantial 12GB of RAM across all models, which significantly benefits its advanced multitasking features, allowing users to run several applications concurrently on its larger display without slowdowns. It also offers larger storage capacities, up to 1TB, catering to users with extensive data needs.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing sufficient power for a full day of moderate use. The Z Fold4 has a 4400 mAh battery, and while it offers improvements over its predecessor, its larger, power-intensive foldable display can lead to more frequent charging for heavy users.

The display experience is a significant differentiator between these two Samsung devices, offering distinct advantages based on user preferences.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 FE features a 6.4-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing a clear and sharp viewing experience for everyday content. The Z Fold4, however, offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch cover display and a large 7.6-inch foldable main display. The main display boasts a higher resolution of 1812 x 2176 pixels, delivering an expansive and immersive canvas for media consumption and productivity.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This adaptive refresh rate on the Z Fold4's main screen helps optimize power efficiency. The S21 FE's display reaches a peak brightness suitable for most indoor and outdoor conditions. The Z Fold4's main display offers higher peak brightness, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor environments.
• Viewing Experience: The S21 FE provides a traditional, flat screen experience. The Z Fold4's foldable design allows for a compact phone when closed and an expansive, tablet-like display when unfolded, offering a unique viewing and multitasking experience. The wider aspect ratio of the Z Fold4's cover screen also improves one-handed typing compared to its predecessor.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy Z Fold4 includes enhancements that provide more versatility.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, capable of capturing detailed photos and videos in various conditions. The Galaxy Z Fold4 also has a triple-camera system, but it upgrades the main sensor to 50MP, alongside a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This larger main sensor on the Z Fold4 allows for improved light gathering, contributing to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: The S21 FE delivers good performance in everyday photography and video recording, with features like optical image stabilization (OIS) on its main and telephoto lenses. The Z Fold4's camera system, with its larger pixel size and enhanced processing, is designed to capture clearer images in low-light conditions. Both devices support 4K video recording at 30/60fps, with the Z Fold4 also offering 8K video recording at 24fps.
• Front Cameras and Audio: The S21 FE has a 32MP front camera for clear selfies and video calls. The Z Fold4 features a 10MP cover screen camera and a 4MP under-display camera on its main screen, offering flexibility for selfies and video conferencing in different modes. Both phones include stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience during media consumption.