Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs iPhone 15 • Unlocked

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two devices offer different expectations in terms of their practical lifespan.

• Release Timeline & Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, introduced in early 2022, typically receives four years of Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release. The iPhone 15, launched in late 2023, is guaranteed a minimum of five years of software updates from its initial supply date, with Apple historically providing major iOS updates for five to seven years and security support for even longer.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against submersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its display protection and has a plastic back with an aluminum frame. The iPhone 15 incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and a color-infused glass back, framed by aerospace-grade aluminum.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has been noted for a decent repairability score, with some sources giving it a 7.5/10 or 8.2/10, suggesting that repairs might be less challenging. The iPhone 15 initially received a lower repairability score, but subsequent assessments have seen it improve to 7/10, indicating Apple's efforts to make the device more repair-friendly.

Performance in daily use, from app handling to gaming, is a key consideration for smartphone users. Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the iPhone 15 deliver capable experiences, though with different underlying architectures.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The iPhone 15 provides a fast, fluid, and reliable experience for daily tasks, with smooth app opening, multitasking, and browsing. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also offers strong performance for heavy tasks and games, though some users have noted potential heating with excessive use, which can affect battery and refresh rate stability.
• Multitasking and App Handling: The iPhone 15 is equipped with 6GB of RAM, contributing to its ability to manage multiple applications smoothly. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers configurations with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for multitasking on the Android platform.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 15 is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with 128GB or 256GB storage options. Neither device offers expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15's battery is designed to comfortably last a full day for most users, showing improved efficiency. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its 4500 mAh battery, also aims for all-day power, supporting 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.

The visual experience is a primary interaction point for smartphones, and both devices offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering sharp visuals with a resolution of 2556x1179 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 460 ppi. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G sports a larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in about 401 ppi. Both OLED panels offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.
• Brightness Levels: For outdoor visibility, the iPhone 15 can reach a peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, with typical brightness at 1000 nits and HDR peak brightness at 1600 nits. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A notable difference lies in the refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 15 maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Screen Features: The iPhone 15 introduces the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped area at the top of the display that dynamically adapts to show alerts and background activities.

Both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems designed for various photography and videography needs, though they approach imaging with different hardware configurations.

• Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 15 features a dual-camera setup with a 48MP main sensor (f/1.6) that uses sensor-shift optical image stabilization and can achieve 2x telephoto zoom through a sensor crop. It also includes a 12MP ultrawide camera (f/2.4). The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a triple-camera system, comprising a 12MP wide-angle lens (f/1.8, OIS), an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom (f/2.4, OIS), and a 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2).
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 15's 48MP main camera is designed to capture detailed photos, including super-high-resolution options, and features an Auto Portrait Mode. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's dedicated telephoto lens provides optical zoom capabilities, which can be beneficial for capturing distant subjects.
• Video Recording: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second from their main and front cameras.
• Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the iPhone 15 has a 12MP front camera (f/1.9). The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a higher-resolution 32MP front camera (f/2.2).

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

• Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the iPhone 15 support 5G cellular networks and Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity. The iPhone 15 uses Bluetooth 5.3, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Bluetooth 5.0.
• Ports and Biometrics: The iPhone 15 marks a significant change by adopting a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, aligning with industry standards. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also features a USB-C port. For security, the iPhone 15 relies on Face ID for facial recognition. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G incorporates an optical under-display fingerprint sensor.
• Design and Handling: The iPhone 15 measures 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 171 grams. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is slightly larger and heavier at 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm and 177 grams. Both devices feature aluminum frames. The iPhone 15 has a color-infused glass back, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a plastic back.