Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Flip4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, is a traditional smartphone offering a balanced set of features. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, launched in August 2022, presents a distinct clamshell foldable design, prioritizing portability and a unique user experience. The primary differentiators lie in their form factor and the Z Flip4's innovative folding screen, while both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI.

These devices offer different timelines for software support and exhibit varying levels of physical resilience.

• Release and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, while the Galaxy Z Flip4 followed in August 2022. Both devices shipped with Android 12 and are expected to receive four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates. This means the Z Flip4 will likely receive software support for approximately one year longer than the S21 FE 5G.
• Physical Durability: The S21 FE 5G features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, offering IP68 dust and water resistance. The Z Flip4 also has an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on its cover screen, with IPX8 water resistance, but its foldable inner screen uses ultra-thin glass, which some users report requires more careful handling.
• Practical Lifespan: While both are built to last, the S21 FE 5G's traditional design may offer a more predictable long-term physical durability compared to the Z Flip4's folding mechanism, which some users have noted can be susceptible to dust or hinge issues over extended use.

Both smartphones are equipped with capable processors, but their real-world performance and battery behavior differ.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking efficiently, though some users have noted it can generate warmth during intensive use. The Galaxy Z Flip4 features a newer generation processor, which provides smooth operation for everyday tasks, gaming, and complex applications, with improved thermal management compared to its predecessor.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE 5G includes a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use, though heavy usage, especially with a 120Hz display and 5G connectivity, may require more frequent charging. The Z Flip4 has a 3700 mAh battery, which, despite being smaller, benefits from a more power-efficient processor, offering improved battery life over previous Flip models, though heavy users may still find themselves charging by late afternoon or evening.
• Storage and Responsiveness: Both devices offer various internal storage options (128GB, 256GB, and for the Z Flip4, 512GB) and come with 6GB or 8GB of RAM for the S21 FE 5G, and 8GB of RAM for the Z Flip4, ensuring responsive multitasking and app management without expandable storage.

The display experience on these two devices is distinct, primarily due to the Z Flip4's foldable nature.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels) screen, providing clear visuals. The Z Flip4's main screen is a 6.7-inch foldable display with a 2640 x 1080 resolution, offering similar clarity when unfolded.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The S21 FE 5G's refresh rate is not adaptive, while the Z Flip4's main screen offers an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which can help with power efficiency. Both displays offer good brightness levels, with the Z Flip4 reaching up to 1200 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Unique Viewing Experience: The Z Flip4 stands out with its folding design and a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover screen, which allows users to check notifications, control music, and take quick selfies without unfolding the device. The S21 FE 5G offers a traditional, flat screen experience.

Both devices provide capable camera systems, but they cater to slightly different photographic needs and experiences.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup: a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 123-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The Galaxy Z Flip4 has a dual-camera system on the rear, consisting of a 12MP wide-angle lens with OIS and Dual Pixel AF, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 123-degree field of view.
• Photography and Video Features: The S21 FE 5G offers features like 30x Space Zoom and an enhanced Night Mode with AI multi-frame processing for low-light shots. It records video up to 4K at 60fps. The Z Flip4 leverages its foldable design with 'FlexCam' for hands-free photography and video recording, and its main camera system is noted for good daytime performance and improved night mode. It also records video up to 4K at 60fps.
• Front Camera and User Experience: The S21 FE 5G includes a 32MP front camera, capable of detailed selfies. The Z Flip4 has a 10MP front camera, but its unique form factor allows users to utilize the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies via the cover screen, offering more flexibility.