Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked Verizon vs Galaxy S25 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched in February 2025, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, the Galaxy S25 introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and software longevity, reflecting the technological progress over three years. Both run on the Android operating system, but the S25 benefits from a much newer version and extended support.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release timeline and the duration of software support it receives.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy S25, which launched in February 2025. This age difference directly impacts how much longer each device will receive official updates.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, part of the S21 series, was promised four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates, having received Android 15 (One UI 7) in May 2025. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 launched with Android 15 and is guaranteed seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, extending its viability until at least 2032.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and access to the latest features will find the Galaxy S25 offers a considerably extended practical lifespan. The S21 FE, while still functional, is nearing the end of its guaranteed update cycle.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer device typically offering more robust capabilities for demanding tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience for its generation. The Galaxy S25 features a significantly more advanced processor, designed to manage demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex AI tasks with greater efficiency and speed.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S25 typically comes with a higher amount of RAM (12GB for the base model) compared to the S21 FE 5G (6GB or 8GB), which contributes to smoother multitasking and quicker app switching, especially with many applications open simultaneously.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, with users often reporting it can last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate use. The Galaxy S25 has a 4000 mAh battery, and despite the slightly smaller capacity, it is optimized for efficiency, with many users reporting it comfortably lasts a full day even with heavy usage.

Both devices offer high-quality displays, but there are notable differences in their technology and capabilities.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S25 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S25's display, however, incorporates LTPO technology, allowing for more dynamic and efficient refresh rate adjustments.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both phones offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S25 boasts a higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, which enhances visibility in bright outdoor conditions compared to the S21 FE 5G.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch display, offering a slightly larger viewing area than the Galaxy S25's 6.2-inch screen. Both provide an immersive viewing experience for media consumption and daily tasks.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture quality images, but the newer model benefits from advanced sensors and processing.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. Its front camera is 32MP. The Galaxy S25 also has a triple-camera system, but with a 50MP wide main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The front camera is 12MP.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE 5G is praised for its impressive camera quality, producing detailed and colorful images in various lighting conditions, with improved low-light performance over its predecessor. The Galaxy S25, with its higher resolution main sensor and advanced image processing, delivers crisp details and vibrant photos, especially benefiting from AI-powered enhancements for image quality and editing.
• Video Recording and Features: While the S21 FE 5G offers solid video capabilities, the Galaxy S25 supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second across its main, ultrawide, and telephoto cameras, providing higher resolution video capture. The S25 also includes features like Super Steady video mode for stabilization and 10-bit HDR video recording for richer colors.