Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked Verizon vs Galaxy S24 Ultra • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent different tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the S24 Ultra is a premium flagship device, offering advanced features and cutting-edge technology, whereas the S21 FE is positioned as a 'Fan Edition,' balancing key flagship elements with a more accessible design. The primary distinctions lie in their overall performance capabilities, camera systems, and display technologies.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and ease of repair.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which launched in January 2024. This two-year difference directly impacts their expected software support lifespan.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S24 series, including the Ultra, is notable for Samsung's commitment to providing seven years of full Android OS and security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G was promised four years of Android updates and five years of security updates from its release, meaning it will receive updates up to Android 16. This gives the S24 Ultra a significantly longer period of official software support.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Ultra has received high repairability scores, with some assessments giving it a 9/10, noting that the battery is easy to remove with pull tabs and internal components are accessible. Other assessments give it a moderate score of 7.0/10, citing the use of adhesive for the back cover and battery, despite the presence of pull tabs. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a decent repairability score of 7.5/10, with many common repairs like screen and battery replacements being feasible.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily operations, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks. Both devices offer capable performance, but with notable differences due to their respective generations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a current-generation processor, which provides substantial power for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy gaming. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, specifically the Verizon model, is equipped with a previous-generation processor, which still handles everyday tasks smoothly and runs most applications without issue.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: Users of the S24 Ultra generally report a very smooth and responsive experience, even with numerous applications open simultaneously, benefiting from its advanced processing capabilities and ample RAM. While the S21 FE 5G offers a fluid experience for most users, some long-term reviews mention occasional heating under heavy or even light usage, which can sometimes lead to a less consistent experience.
• Storage and Memory: The S24 Ultra typically comes with 12 GB of RAM and offers storage options up to 1 TB, utilizing faster storage technology. The S21 FE 5G usually features 6 GB of RAM and storage options up to 256 GB. The higher RAM and faster storage in the S24 Ultra contribute to better long-term performance and efficiency, especially for power users.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both models offer high-quality viewing experiences, though with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch display with a higher QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in a sharper image. The S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch display with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels).
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The S24 Ultra offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2,600 nits, which greatly enhances outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing. It also features an anti-reflective coating and Gorilla Armor for improved durability and reduced glare. The S21 FE 5G's display also gets bright and offers good clarity, but it does not match the peak brightness or advanced anti-glare properties of the S24 Ultra.
• Refresh Rate and User Experience: Both phones feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and a fluid user interface. While the S24 Ultra's display is generally praised for its quality, some users have noted a muted appearance or graininess compared to older Samsung flagships, even with vividness settings maximized. However, others highlight its anti-reflective capabilities as a significant improvement.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, but the Ultra model offers a more advanced and versatile setup.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a quad-camera setup, including a 200 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, a 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, capable of up to 100x digital zoom. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a triple-camera system with a 12 MP wide lens, a 12 MP ultrawide, and an 8 MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S24 Ultra delivers bright, colorful images with good exposure and dynamic range, excelling in various conditions, including low light. Its telephoto capabilities are particularly strong, offering versatile zoom options. The S21 FE 5G also takes detailed and colorful photos, performing well in good lighting, but its low-light performance and zoom capabilities are less advanced than the S24 Ultra.
• Video Recording and Selfie Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording, with the S24 Ultra capable of 8K video at 24/30fps. The S24 Ultra has a 12 MP front camera with Dual Pixel PDAF, while the S21 FE 5G features a 32 MP selfie camera. User reviews indicate the S24 Ultra's front camera offers good quality, and its video stabilization is highly praised.