Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs Google Pixel 7a • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Google Pixel 7a, launched in May 2023, are both smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience. While the Galaxy S21 FE 5G focuses on a larger display and a versatile camera system, the Pixel 7a emphasizes advanced computational photography and extended software support. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing users with a wide ecosystem of applications and customization options.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced in January 2022, making it an earlier model compared to the Google Pixel 7a, which arrived in May 2023. This difference in launch dates impacts their respective software support cycles.
• Software Longevity: The Google Pixel 7a is expected to receive five years of major operating system updates and security updates from its release. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically receives four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, aligning with Samsung's policy for its flagship-tier devices. This means the Pixel 7a generally offers a longer period of official software support.
• Durability Features: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on its display and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing it to withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The Pixel 7a comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection and an IP67 rating, indicating resistance to dust and submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Both devices feature a plastic back and an aluminum frame.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating applications to engaging in demanding activities like gaming. Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Pixel 7a offer capable hardware for a smooth user experience.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a current-generation processor from its release period, providing robust performance for multitasking and running various applications smoothly. The Pixel 7a features Google's Tensor G2 processor, which is designed to handle demanding apps and facilitate advanced on-device artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks, contributing to a fluid user experience.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Pixel 7a comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, utilizing UFS 3.1 technology for efficient data access. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers configurations with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither device supports expandable storage, so users should consider their storage needs at the time of purchase.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G houses a 4500 mAh battery. While some users report it can last a full day with typical use, heavy usage may require more frequent charging. The Pixel 7a is equipped with a 4385 mAh battery (some sources state 4500 mAh), and generally offers decent battery life, often lasting a full day for most users. However, some heavy users have noted challenges in achieving extended screen-on time.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Pixel 7a has a slightly more compact 6.1-inch OLED display, also known for its rich color reproduction and contrast.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2400 pixels), resulting in sharp and clear visuals for everyday viewing, reading, and media consumption. The pixel density is approximately 401 ppi for the S21 FE 5G and around 431 ppi for the Pixel 7a.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a smoother scrolling and gaming experience with its 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The Pixel 7a features a 90Hz refresh rate, which also offers a noticeable improvement in fluidity over standard 60Hz displays. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's display is generally noted for its satisfying brightness levels, while the Pixel 7a's maximum brightness, though improved over its predecessor, can be less visible in direct sunlight compared to some competitors.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography with slightly different strengths, catering to various user preferences.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens with a 123-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS. The Pixel 7a comes with a dual-camera system, featuring a 64MP main wide-angle lens with OIS and a 13MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view. The Pixel 7a's main camera utilizes a Quad Bayer sensor, producing detailed 16MP images through pixel-binning.
• Photography Performance: The Pixel 7a is widely recognized for its computational photography capabilities, delivering consistently good photos with accurate colors and impressive dynamic range, particularly in everyday and low-light conditions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's camera system is considered very dependable, offering good image quality across its versatile lenses. The dedicated telephoto lens on the S21 FE 5G provides true optical zoom, while the Pixel 7a relies on digital zoom with its high-resolution main sensor.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 30 or 60 frames per second with their rear cameras. For selfies, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 32MP front camera, while the Pixel 7a features a 13MP ultrawide front camera that can also record 4K video at 30 frames per second. The Pixel 7a's microphone quality for calls and recording is noted for its clarity and noise reduction.