Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 FE • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, launched in October 2024, are both Fan Edition smartphones designed to offer a balance of flagship features and accessibility. While the S21 FE 5G brought premium capabilities from its generation, the S24 FE introduces a more recent processor, an updated camera system, and extended software support. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing a familiar user experience with Samsung's One UI.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key differentiators.

• Release and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched in January 2022, typically receives several years of Android operating system updates and security patches. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE, released in October 2024, benefits from Samsung's commitment to extended software support, offering up to seven years of OS and security updates, which means it will receive updates for a significantly longer period than its predecessor.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature robust build quality. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S24 FE also boasts an IP68 rating and uses Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on the front, alongside a Gorilla Glass 5 back, suggesting a similar level of resilience against environmental factors.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software longevity and access to the latest features will find the S24 FE's extended update policy more appealing. The S21 FE 5G, while still a capable device, will reach its end-of-support earlier.

The performance of these two Fan Edition smartphones reflects their respective generations, with the newer model offering advancements in processing power and efficiency.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications, multitasking, and moderate gaming smoothly. Users generally experience responsive navigation and quick app loading. The Galaxy S24 FE, featuring a more recent generation processor, delivers enhanced speed and processing power. This translates to smoother performance across demanding applications, more efficient multitasking, and improved capabilities for advanced features like on-device artificial intelligence.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: Both devices offer a fluid user experience, but the S24 FE's newer internal components provide a noticeable edge in overall system responsiveness, particularly when running multiple applications simultaneously or engaging in graphically intensive tasks. The S21 FE 5G typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, while the S24 FE generally includes 8GB of RAM, contributing to its multitasking efficiency.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users. The Galaxy S24 FE features a slightly larger 4700 mAh battery. User experiences suggest that both phones offer decent battery life for typical usage, with the S24 FE benefiting from optimizations that allow it to last through a day with moderate use.

Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S24 FE feature high-quality displays, but the newer model brings some refinements in size and brightness.

• Display Technology and Size: Both devices utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch screen, offering a comfortable viewing area. The Galaxy S24 FE features a larger 6.7-inch display, providing a more expansive canvas for media consumption and productivity.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 FE 5G, 1080 x 2340 pixels for S24 FE), resulting in sharp and clear visuals for everyday viewing. The pixel density is around 401 ppi for the S21 FE 5G and 385 ppi for the S24 FE, ensuring fine details are rendered well.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The S21 FE 5G offers good brightness levels for various lighting conditions. The S24 FE has a higher peak brightness of 1900 nits, though real-world testing indicates it reaches around 659 nits under ambient brightness, which can impact outdoor visibility compared to some competitors. The S24 FE also features a variable refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz.

The camera systems on both Fan Edition phones are designed to capture quality images and videos, with the S24 FE introducing a higher resolution main sensor.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple camera setup: a 12 MP wide lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. This configuration delivers dependable results in various scenarios. The Galaxy S24 FE upgrades the main sensor to 50 MP with OIS, retaining an 8 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. This higher resolution main sensor on the S24 FE can capture more detail.
• Photography Performance: Both phones are capable of producing good photos in well-lit conditions. The S21 FE 5G's cameras are noted for providing good all-round results. The S24 FE's main camera performance is considered solid, with users reporting good quality across the board, though some suggest the ultrawide and telephoto lenses might not match the main sensor's quality. Both offer features like LED flash, auto-HDR, and panorama.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The S21 FE 5G supports video recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps), and has a 32 MP front camera. The S24 FE elevates video capabilities to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, and features a 10 MP front camera. Both front cameras are capable of 4K video recording.