Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs iPhone SE (2022) • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Apple iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, are both smartphones designed to offer a blend of modern features within their respective ecosystems. While the Galaxy S21 FE operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, the iPhone SE runs on Apple's iOS. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technologies and sizes, as well as their camera system configurations.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline & Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the iPhone SE (2022) followed shortly after in March 2022. Both devices benefit from their manufacturers' commitment to software updates. The iPhone SE (2022) launched with iOS 15.4 and is expected to receive updates for several years, potentially up to iOS 26 as of September 2025. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and One UI 4, and Samsung typically provides several years of Android version updates and security patches, ensuring continued functionality and security.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on its front, offering robust protection against drops and scratches. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE (2022) uses ion-strengthened glass, which Apple describes as the "toughest glass in a smartphone" (similar to the back glass of the iPhone 13 series), though it does not feature Ceramic Shield. It carries an IP67 rating, providing protection against dust and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Practical Lifespan: Both phones are built to last, with their respective software support lifecycles contributing significantly to their practical usability over time. Users can expect several years of reliable performance from either device, making them suitable candidates for those considering a quality-assured refurbished option.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions. Both devices offer capable internal components for smooth operation.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE (2022) is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease. This ensures a responsive user experience and provides ample headroom for future software updates and more intensive tasks. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also features a high-performance octa-core processor, delivering fast processing and graphics rendering for a fluid experience across various activities, including livestreaming and video editing.
• System Responsiveness & Multitasking: Users of the iPhone SE (2022) will find the system to be very responsive, maintaining smooth operation even with multiple applications running simultaneously. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its available 6GB or 8GB of RAM, also provides efficient multitasking capabilities, allowing users to switch between apps without noticeable slowdowns.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which users generally report as lasting a full day or more with regular use. It supports 25W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging. The iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller battery capacity, which translates to an average battery life that should still last through a typical day for most users, though heavy usage may require more frequent charging. It supports 20W wired fast charging and Qi wireless charging.

The visual experience is a primary interaction point for any smartphone, and these two models offer distinct display characteristics.

• Display Technology & Size: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) has a more compact 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display. This difference in technology means the Galaxy S21 FE offers richer colors and better contrast, while the iPhone SE provides consistent color accuracy from various viewing angles.
• Resolution & Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a sharp image with approximately 401 pixels per inch (ppi). It also boasts an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which provides noticeably smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone SE (2022) has a resolution of 750 x 1334 pixels at 326 ppi, and a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness & Viewing Experience: Both displays offer sufficient brightness for comfortable indoor and outdoor viewing. The Galaxy S21 FE's AMOLED panel can reach high brightness levels, enhancing visibility in bright conditions. The iPhone SE's display offers 625 nits of typical maximum brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting environments. The larger screen of the Galaxy S21 FE provides a more expansive viewing area for media consumption and productivity, while the iPhone SE's smaller size makes it easier for one-handed use.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and these phones approach photography with different hardware and software philosophies.

• Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios. The iPhone SE (2022) has a single 12-megapixel wide-angle rear camera with OIS.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE's main camera produces colorful and detailed images in good lighting, with its ultrawide and telephoto lenses adding creative options. Its front camera is particularly praised for selfies, even in low-light conditions. The iPhone SE (2022), despite its single lens, leverages its powerful processor for computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion, resulting in good image quality in decent light. However, it lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can impact low-light performance.
• Video Recording & Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second with their main rear cameras. The Galaxy S21 FE also offers a high-resolution 32-megapixel front camera that can record 4K video. The iPhone SE (2022) features a 7-megapixel front camera, which performs well in good lighting conditions.
• Audio Experience: Both devices include stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption and calls.