Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S25 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25, launched in February 2025, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy S25 introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and long-term software support. These differences cater to varying user expectations regarding device longevity and performance.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release timeline and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, is an older model compared to the Galaxy S25, which launched in February 2025. This three-year difference in release dates directly impacts their respective software support windows.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was expected to receive four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, likely bringing its software support up to Android 16. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 benefits from Samsung's extended commitment, promising seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, ensuring support until at least 2032 and up to Android 22.
• Durability Features: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its front display, while the Galaxy S25 upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both its front and rear panels, offering enhanced durability against drops and scratches.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer device offering substantial improvements in processing power and overall system responsiveness.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor capable of handling everyday applications and moderate multitasking smoothly. For more demanding tasks like intensive gaming or heavy video editing, users might experience occasional slowdowns. The Galaxy S25, featuring a current-generation processor, delivers a significant leap in performance, ensuring demanding apps and multitasking run with greater fluidity and efficiency. This newer processor also contributes to better thermal management, maintaining consistent performance over extended use.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S25 comes with 12GB of RAM as standard across its models, providing more headroom for extensive multitasking and future application demands. It offers storage options of 128GB and 256GB.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G houses a 4500 mAh battery, with user experiences varying; some heavy users report needing to recharge before the end of a full day. The Galaxy S25 features a 4000 mAh battery, and despite a slightly smaller capacity, its more efficient processor and software optimizations allow it to consistently last a full day under mixed usage conditions.

Both devices offer vibrant display technologies, but the newer model incorporates advancements that enhance the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing rich colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S25 comes with a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, which offers similar visual quality but with the added benefit of more dynamic refresh rate adjustments.
• Resolution and Brightness: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), ensuring sharp and clear visuals for everyday content consumption. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a peak brightness of 1200 nits, which is suitable for most outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S25 significantly increases peak brightness to 2600 nits, making it more comfortable to view content in bright sunlight and enhancing HDR content.
• Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also includes a 240Hz touch sampling rate in Game Mode for more responsive gaming. The Galaxy S25's LTPO technology allows for a variable refresh rate, optimizing power consumption by adjusting the refresh rate based on the content being displayed.

Camera systems on both devices are designed to capture quality images, with the newer model benefiting from sensor and software enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 12MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It is capable of 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The Galaxy S25 also has a triple-camera system, upgrading to a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This setup, combined with an advanced imaging engine, aims for improved detail and color accuracy.
• Low-Light and Photography Features: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G performs well in various lighting conditions, with its camera producing detailed and colorful images. The Galaxy S25 benefits from a newer imaging engine and potentially larger sensors, which contribute to enhanced low-light performance and more sophisticated image processing, including AI-driven features for scene optimization.
• Front Camera and Video Quality: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 32MP front camera. The Galaxy S25 features a 12MP front camera. The Galaxy S25 also supports 8K video recording at 30 frames per second, offering higher resolution video capture compared to the S21 FE 5G's 4K capabilities.