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

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy S series. While they share the same operating system and a similar design philosophy, the S23 Plus introduces advancements in processing power, display brightness, and overall camera capabilities, reflecting its newer generation.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors related to their release timeline and build materials come into play.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the Galaxy S23 Plus followed in February 2023. This difference means the S23 Plus will generally receive software updates for a longer period, extending its functional life. Samsung typically provides several years of Android OS updates and security patches for its flagship and FE series devices.
• Software Longevity: Users can expect the Galaxy S23 Plus to receive at least one additional major Android OS update compared to the S21 FE 5G, offering extended access to new features and security enhancements.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust construction. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S23 Plus enhances this with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame and an IP68 rating, suggesting a slightly improved resistance to drops and scratches.

The performance of a smartphone is central to its user experience, encompassing how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and how efficiently power is managed.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a newer generation processor, which provides a noticeable improvement in handling demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive gaming. Users report the S23 Plus feels exceptionally fast and smooth, with no lag even under heavy use. The S21 FE 5G, while still capable for everyday tasks, may show its age more quickly with future software updates and more demanding applications.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking. However, the S23 Plus's more efficient processor contributes to a more consistently responsive experience, particularly when switching between numerous open applications or running several in the background.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a 4,700 mAh battery, a slight increase from the S21 FE 5G's 4,500 mAh battery. More significantly, the S23 Plus's newer processor is designed for greater power efficiency, leading to substantially longer battery life in real-world usage. Many S23 Plus users report comfortably achieving two days of moderate use on a single charge. The S21 FE 5G generally provides a full day of use for most users, but heavy usage, especially with 5G and a 120Hz refresh rate, can deplete the battery more quickly.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both models offer high-quality viewing experiences with some key distinctions.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S23 Plus feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Both have a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), providing sharp and clear visuals for text, images, and videos.
• Brightness Levels: The Galaxy S23 Plus offers a significantly higher peak brightness of up to 1,750 nits, making it exceptionally well-suited for outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight. The S21 FE 5G has a peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits (or 800 nits typical), which is still good for most conditions but less bright than the S23 Plus.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and a responsive feel during gaming or general navigation. The S23 Plus's display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 48Hz to 120Hz, while some sources indicate the S21 FE 5G can go from 10Hz to 120Hz, which can contribute to power efficiency.
• Screen Size: The Galaxy S23 Plus has a 6.6-inch display, offering a slightly larger viewing area compared to the S21 FE 5G's 6.4-inch display.

Both smartphones offer versatile camera systems designed for various photography and videography needs, with the S23 Plus generally providing a more refined experience.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The S21 FE 5G also has a triple-camera system, comprising a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The S23 Plus's larger main sensor and improved image processing generally result in more detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
• Low-Light and Everyday Photography: The S23 Plus shows improvements in low-light performance, capturing brighter and more detailed images with better noise reduction. Both phones produce vibrant and social media-ready photos in good lighting, a characteristic of Samsung phones.
• Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy S23 Plus supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps), an upgrade from the S21 FE 5G's 4K at 60fps. The S23 Plus also benefits from enhanced video stabilization (VDIS), leading to smoother footage.
• Front Camera: The S21 FE 5G has a 32MP front camera, while the S23 Plus features a 12MP front camera. While the S21 FE 5G has a higher megapixel count, the S23 Plus's front camera often delivers more consistent and higher-quality selfies due to better processing and features like autofocus.