Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, launched in February 2022, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's flagship lines. While sharing the same operating system and a similar user experience, the S22 offers a more compact design and a newer generation of internal components, whereas the S21 FE provides a larger display and a more substantial battery capacity.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and Samsung's software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE was released in January 2022, followed closely by the Galaxy S22 in February 2022. This means the S22, being a slightly newer model, may receive software updates for a marginally longer period.
• OS Support: Both devices were released before Samsung's extended 7-year update policy for newer flagships. They are expected to receive four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from their respective launch dates. The S22, therefore, is likely to receive one additional major OS update compared to the S21 FE.
• Practical Lifespan: Users can anticipate a practical lifespan of several years for both, with consistent security patches ensuring continued safe usage. The S22's slightly newer release date gives it a minor edge in overall software longevity.

Both the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22 are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking, though there are differences in their underlying hardware and real-world performance.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE features a high-end processor from its release year, capable of running modern applications and games smoothly. The Galaxy S22, being a slightly newer model, incorporates a next-generation processor, offering incremental improvements in processing power and graphical performance.
• System Responsiveness: Users will find both devices highly responsive for everyday tasks, app loading, and navigation. The S22 may exhibit a slight advantage in handling very intensive computational tasks or graphically demanding games due to its newer hardware.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE is equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which generally translates to a full day of use for many users, even with moderate to heavy activity. The Galaxy S22, with its 3700mAh battery, often requires more frequent charging, especially for heavy users, and has been noted by some users for its shorter battery life.

The visual experience on both smartphones is vibrant and clear, thanks to their advanced display technologies, though they differ in size and peak brightness.

• Display Technology: Both the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their deep blacks, high contrast, and vivid color reproduction.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both devices offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels for S22, 1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 FE), providing sharp images and text for typical viewing distances.
• Screen Size and Brightness: The Galaxy S21 FE has a larger 6.4-inch display, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. The Galaxy S22 features a more compact 6.1-inch display. The S22 can achieve a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits, while the S21 FE reaches around 1200 nits, making both suitable for outdoor visibility.

Both smartphones offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, with some distinctions in sensor resolution and low-light performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S22 also has a triple-camera system, but with a higher resolution 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE delivers dependable photos with good detail and vibrant colors in well-lit conditions. The S22's larger main sensor generally provides improved low-light performance and better detail capture, making it a strong performer across various lighting scenarios.
• Front Camera and Video: The S21 FE is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, while the S22 has a 10MP front camera. Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second.