Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked Verizon vs Galaxy S23 Ultra • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, launched in February 2023, are both Android-based smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy series. While the S21 FE 5G offers a balanced experience with key flagship features, the S23 Ultra represents Samsung's top-tier offering with advanced specifications and additional functionalities. The primary distinctions lie in their release timelines, processing power, and camera capabilities.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release date, software support, and physical resilience. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G and Galaxy S23 Ultra offer different timelines for software updates and vary in their build materials.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an earlier model compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which launched in February 2023. This difference in release date impacts the duration of future software support.
• Software Longevity: Both devices typically receive four years of Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates. This means the Galaxy S23 Ultra will receive software support for approximately one year longer than the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
• Durability and Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus protection and a plastic back, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame, offering enhanced drop and scratch resistance. Both models carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The S23 Ultra has shown improvements in repairability, with some components designed for easier replacement.

Performance in smartphones is determined by the internal processing unit, available storage, and battery efficiency, all of which contribute to the user's daily experience. These two devices offer different levels of capability in these areas.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a newer generation processor designed for enhanced efficiency and power, resulting in smoother performance for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex multitasking.
• Storage and RAM: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage and 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers larger storage options, starting at 256GB and going up to 1TB, with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, providing more capacity for files and supporting more intensive multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy S23 Ultra, with its 5000 mAh battery and more efficient processor, offers extended battery life, often lasting up to two days for many users, even with heavy usage.

The display is a central component of the smartphone experience, and both models offer vibrant visuals with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Size: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch screen, offering a comfortable viewing area. The Galaxy S23 Ultra provides a larger 6.8-inch display, which enhances the viewing experience for media consumption and productivity.
• Resolution and Clarity: The S21 FE 5G features a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), delivering clear and sharp images for everyday use. The S23 Ultra steps up to a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3088 pixels), offering a higher pixel density for finer detail and enhanced clarity, particularly noticeable on its larger screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones support a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers higher peak brightness levels, reaching up to 1750 nits, which improves outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing compared to the S21 FE 5G. The S23 Ultra's adaptive refresh rate can also scale down to 1Hz, contributing to battery efficiency.

The camera systems on these devices cater to different photography needs, with the S23 Ultra offering a more advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a quad-camera system, including a high-resolution 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, providing significantly greater zoom capabilities.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE 5G delivers good quality photos in various conditions, suitable for most users. The S23 Ultra excels in detail capture, especially with its 200MP sensor, and offers enhanced low-light performance and improved dynamic range. Its advanced processing and multiple telephoto lenses make it highly capable for diverse photographic scenarios, including distant subjects.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both devices support 4K video recording, with the S23 Ultra also capable of 8K video at 30 frames per second, an upgrade from previous models. The S23 Ultra generally captures more realistic color and sharpness in video. Both phones feature stereo speakers, providing a good audio experience for media consumption.