Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 • Locked T-Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's popular Galaxy series. While the S21 FE was positioned as a 'Fan Edition' offering core flagship features, the S24 represents a more recent iteration of Samsung's main flagship line. The primary distinctions between these two devices lie in their release timelines, the underlying processing power, and the extent of their software support.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release age and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it two years older than the Galaxy S24, which launched in January 2024. This age difference directly impacts the remaining period of official software support.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S24 benefits from Samsung's extended update policy, promising seven years of operating system and security updates from its release date. This means it is projected to receive updates until early 2031. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, under Samsung's policy at its release, typically receives four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and access to the latest Android features will find the Galaxy S24 offers a significantly extended practical lifespan. Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, contributing to their physical durability.

The performance of these devices is largely determined by their internal components and how efficiently they handle various tasks.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 features a newer generation processor, either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or the Exynos 2400, depending on the region. This newer hardware generally translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and more efficient handling of demanding applications and graphics-intensive games compared to the Galaxy S21 FE 5G's Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processor.
• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24's more advanced processor provides a noticeable improvement in overall system responsiveness, making daily interactions feel more fluid. While the S21 FE 5G still offers capable performance for everyday use, the S24 provides more headroom for future software and applications.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S24 has a 4000 mAh battery. Despite the S21 FE's larger capacity, the S24's newer, more efficient processor can lead to comparable or even better real-world battery endurance for many users, with some reports indicating the S24 can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use.

Both smartphones offer vibrant displays, but there are notable differences in their visual experience and outdoor visibility.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels on S21 FE, 2340 x 1080 pixels on S24), providing deep blacks and rich colors. The Galaxy S24 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch display compared to the S21 FE 5G's 6.4-inch screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 offers significantly higher peak brightness at 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, compared to the S21 FE 5G's typical 700 nits. Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, but the S24's display is adaptive, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, which can contribute to power efficiency.
• Screen Protection: The Galaxy S24 comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced durability, while the S21 FE 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, though the newer model introduces advancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 features a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP wide main sensor (f/1.8, OIS), a 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS), and a 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 120˚ FOV). The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 12MP wide main sensor (f/1.8, OIS), an 8MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS), and a 12MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 123˚ FOV). The S24's higher resolution main sensor can capture more detail.
• Photography Performance: Both phones offer strong performance in good lighting conditions. The S24, with its newer image processing and higher resolution main sensor, generally provides improved detail and dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting. The S21 FE 5G also includes features like Night Mode for low-light photography.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S24 supports video recording up to 8K at 30fps, and 4K at 60fps, while the S21 FE 5G records up to 4K at 60fps. For selfies, the S24 has a 12MP front camera, while the S21 FE 5G features a 32MP front camera, both capable of capturing detailed self-portraits.