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

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025, represent different tiers and generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While the S21 FE offers a balanced feature set for a broader audience, the S25 Ultra is a premium flagship designed for users seeking advanced capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform, with the S25 Ultra benefiting from a more recent version and extended software support.

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

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it a device from an earlier generation. The Galaxy S25 Ultra, released in February 2025, is a much newer model.
• OS Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive four major OS upgrades, with its final update being Android 16, and security patches until January 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with Android 15 and is guaranteed seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, extending its support through 2032. This means the S25 Ultra will receive updates up to Android 22.
• Durability: Both devices feature IP68 dust and water resistance. The S21 FE has a Gorilla Glass Victus front and an aluminum frame with a plastic back. The S25 Ultra incorporates more advanced materials, including a titanium frame and newer generation Gorilla Armor glass on both the front and back, offering enhanced protection against drops and scratches.

Performance differences between these two devices are notable, reflecting their generational gap and intended market segments.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. For demanding tasks and gaming, it offers a capable experience, though it may show limitations with the most intensive applications over time. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a significantly newer and more powerful processor, designed for high-performance computing, advanced AI tasks, and graphically intensive gaming, ensuring a fluid and responsive experience even with future demanding software.
• Memory and Storage: The S21 FE 5G typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The S25 Ultra offers higher base RAM configurations, starting at 12GB and going up to 16GB in some regions, alongside larger storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, providing more headroom for multitasking and extensive media storage.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the day ends. The S25 Ultra features a 5000 mAh battery, combined with a more power-efficient processor and display technology, often resulting in extended usage times, with many users reporting it can last well over a day even with substantial use.

The display experience on both devices offers vibrant visuals, but with distinct differences in technology and capabilities.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, providing a more expansive viewing area.
• Resolution and Clarity: The S21 FE offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), delivering clear and detailed images for everyday viewing. The S25 Ultra steps up to a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in even sharper text and finer details, particularly noticeable on its larger screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The S21 FE has a peak brightness of around 1200 nits. The S25 Ultra offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching 2600 nits or more, which enhances outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing. The S25 Ultra's LTPO technology also allows for an adaptive refresh rate, optimizing power consumption.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the S25 Ultra provides a more advanced and versatile photography and videography experience.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This system performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing vibrant and detailed photos. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a more sophisticated quad-camera system, typically including a high-resolution main sensor (e.g., 200MP), an improved ultrawide sensor (e.g., 50MP), and multiple telephoto lenses offering various optical zoom capabilities (e.g., 3x and 5x optical zoom).
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE delivers solid everyday photos, with good color reproduction and detail. Its low-light performance is adequate, with a dedicated night mode improving results. The S25 Ultra excels in various lighting conditions, offering superior detail, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities due to its larger sensors and advanced image processing. Its telephoto lenses provide clearer zoomed-in shots.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices can record 4K video at 30/60fps. The S25 Ultra extends this with 8K video recording and enhanced stabilization features. For selfies, the S21 FE has a 32MP front camera, while the S25 Ultra typically features a 12MP front camera with advanced focusing and processing for detailed self-portraits.