Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked Verizon vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, launched in February 2022, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy series. While the S21 FE aims to deliver a balanced experience with key flagship features, the S22 Ultra represents Samsung's top-tier offering, integrating advanced camera technology and the signature S Pen stylus. Both devices run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, providing a consistent software experience, though they cater to different user priorities.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and repairability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G followed shortly after in February 2022. Both devices launched with Android 12. Samsung's software update policy for these models promises four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches. This means both the S21 FE and S22 Ultra are expected to receive Android 16 as their final major OS update. The S21 FE is anticipated to receive security updates until at least 2026, while the S22 Ultra is expected to receive security updates until 2027, offering a slightly longer period of official support due to its later release within the same generation.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally offers a more straightforward repair experience, earning a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10 from some assessments. While some components are glued, many internal parts are secured with standard screws, making certain repairs more accessible. In contrast, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G received a lower repairability score of 3 out of 10. This is primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, which makes disassembling the device, particularly for battery and screen replacements, a challenging and time-consuming process.

Performance in both devices is robust, but they cater to different levels of demand.

• Processing Power and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, equipped with a current-generation processor (Snapdragon 888 in US models), handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. Users generally report a snappy experience, even with demanding apps and some gaming. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a more advanced processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in US models), providing enhanced capabilities for intensive tasks. This translates to very fluid performance for heavy gaming, advanced photo and video editing, and seamless multitasking with numerous applications open simultaneously.
• Storage and RAM: The S21 FE 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB. It does not support expandable storage via a microSD card. The S22 Ultra 5G offers more generous configurations, starting with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and extending to 12GB of RAM with 256GB, 512GB, or even 1TB of internal storage, also without a microSD card slot. The higher RAM options in the S22 Ultra contribute to its ability to manage more complex workloads and keep more applications active in the background without performance degradation.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a 4500 mAh battery, which users often find sufficient for a full day of moderate use, sometimes extending further. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G houses a larger 5000 mAh battery. Despite its more powerful components and larger, higher-resolution display, it is generally reported to offer excellent battery life, often lasting through a full day of heavy use and potentially two days with lighter usage.

Both devices offer high-quality displays, but the S22 Ultra provides a more premium visual experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 FE has a 6.4-inch screen with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340/2400 pixels). The S22 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3088 pixels), offering a noticeably sharper image, especially for detailed content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones support a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The S21 FE maintains a consistent 120Hz refresh rate, while the S22 Ultra features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz. This adaptive technology allows the S22 Ultra to conserve battery life by lowering the refresh rate when static content is displayed. In terms of brightness, the S21 FE reaches around 700 nits of peak brightness, providing good visibility outdoors. The S22 Ultra significantly surpasses this with a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight.
• Viewing Experience: The S21 FE offers a comfortable viewing experience for media consumption and daily tasks. The S22 Ultra's larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display, combined with its adaptive refresh rate, provides a more immersive and detailed viewing experience, particularly beneficial for users who consume a lot of high-definition content or work extensively on their phone.

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the S22 Ultra provides a more versatile and advanced photography experience.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup: a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x Space Zoom. This system is praised for producing detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions, with improved low-light performance through its night mode. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G elevates this with a quad-camera system: a 108MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP telephoto lens offering an impressive 10x optical zoom and up to 100x Space Zoom. This setup is highly regarded for its exceptional detail, versatility, and superior zoom capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of photographic scenarios, including challenging low-light environments.
• Front Camera and Video Recording: The S21 FE is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, capable of capturing natural-looking selfies. It supports video recording up to 4K at 60fps, with Super Steady stabilization available at 1080p 30fps. The S22 Ultra features a 40MP front camera, delivering highly detailed self-portraits. It can record 8K video with its primary rear camera and 4K video with its front camera, offering advanced video features and stabilization for smooth footage.
• Audio Experience: Both devices provide a decent audio experience for media consumption. The S21 FE's down-firing stereo speakers produce good quality sound that can get loud without significant distortion. The S22 Ultra also offers a strong speaker output, contributing to an immersive media experience. Microphone quality on both is suitable for calls and recordings.