Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S23 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23, launched in February 2023, represent different approaches within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While the S21 FE offers a blend of flagship features in a more accessible package, the S23 is a more recent flagship model with advancements in processing power, display technology, and camera capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform, featuring Samsung's One UI for a consistent user experience.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its physical durability and the duration of software support it receives. These two models offer different timelines in this regard.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, launched with Android 12. The Galaxy S23, released in February 2023, launched with Android 13. Samsung typically provides four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its flagship devices. This means the Galaxy S23 is expected to receive software support for a longer period, potentially up to Android 17 and security updates until at least 2028. The S21 FE, being an earlier release, will have a shorter remaining support window.
• Build Materials and Durability: The Galaxy S21 FE features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, offering IP68 dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S23 elevates this with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, coupled with an Armor Aluminum frame, also providing IP68 dust and water resistance. While both are designed to withstand everyday exposure to dust and water, the S23's newer glass technology offers enhanced scratch and drop protection.
• Repairability: In general, modern smartphones are not designed for easy user repair. While specific repairability scores can vary, both devices are built with premium materials that require specialized tools and expertise for internal component access. Users seeking to extend the life of their device through repair should consider professional services.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that handles daily applications and multitasking effectively. Users can expect smooth navigation and responsive performance for most common activities, including web browsing, social media, and casual gaming. Some users have noted that under heavy load, the device might experience thermal throttling, which can affect sustained peak performance.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: The Galaxy S23 features a more advanced processor, specifically optimized for Samsung devices, which contributes to a highly responsive user experience. This allows for quicker app loading times, seamless transitions between multiple applications, and a generally snappier feel during intensive use, such as graphic-heavy gaming or video editing. The S23's architecture also contributes to improved power efficiency, which can translate to more consistent performance over longer periods.
• Storage and RAM: The Galaxy S21 FE is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S23 comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. It is worth noting that the 128GB version of the S23 utilizes an older storage format (UFS 3.1), while larger capacities benefit from the faster UFS 4.0 standard, which can impact data transfer speeds and app launch times.

Both devices offer vibrant displays, but there are notable differences in their technology and capabilities that affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 FE and the Galaxy S23 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks and vibrant colors. The S21 FE has a 6.4-inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in approximately 401 pixels per inch (ppi). The Galaxy S23 has a slightly smaller 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, offering a higher pixel density of approximately 425 ppi, which can result in slightly sharper images and text.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 FE offers a typical brightness of around 800 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, which can be set to either 60Hz or 120Hz. The Galaxy S23 significantly improves on brightness, reaching a peak of 1750 nits, making it more visible in bright outdoor conditions. The S23 also features an adaptive refresh rate that can dynamically adjust between 48Hz and 120Hz, optimizing smoothness while conserving battery life. The S21 FE's fixed refresh rate means it consumes more power when consistently set to 120Hz.
• Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the S21 FE provides a more expansive canvas for media consumption and gaming. However, the S23's higher peak brightness and adaptive refresh rate contribute to a more premium and power-efficient viewing experience, especially in varied lighting environments. The S23 also incorporates a newer OLED panel with improved power efficiency.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture quality images and videos, though the newer model introduces several enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide-angle lens (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom (with optical image stabilization). The Galaxy S23 also has a triple-camera system, but with a 50MP wide-angle lens (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom (with optical image stabilization). The S23's larger main sensor and improved processing can capture more detail.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE's main camera produces vibrant and social media-ready photos, performing well in good lighting conditions. Its low-light performance for the rear camera can be less consistent. The Galaxy S23 offers significant improvements in low-light photography and overall image processing, resulting in more natural skin tones and better detail retention, even in challenging lighting. However, some users have noted that the 50MP mode on the S23 can sometimes over-process images, though the 12MP mode and portrait mode generally perform well.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30/60fps. The S23 also offers 8K video recording at 30fps. For selfies, the S21 FE has a 32MP front camera, while the S23 features a 12MP front camera. The S21 FE's front camera is noted for good low-light performance. The S23's front camera also benefits from improved processing for better detail and color accuracy.