Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 13 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in early 2022, and the Apple iPhone 13, launched in late 2021, offer distinct smartphone experiences. While the Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a customizable Android environment with a focus on display fluidity and versatile photography, the iPhone 13 delivers a streamlined iOS experience known for its hardware-software integration and consistent performance. Both devices aim to provide high-end features, but they cater to different user preferences, particularly concerning operating systems and specific hardware priorities like screen size or camera versatility.

When considering the long-term usability and security of a device, both Samsung and Apple have established reputations for software support and physical resilience. The practical lifespan of these devices is influenced by their initial release and the manufacturer's commitment to updates.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone 13 typically receives iOS updates for approximately six years or more from its September 2021 release date, ensuring it remains current with features and security patches well into the late 2020s. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, is supported by Samsung's policy of four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security patches, providing a predictable software lifespan.
• Build and Repairability: The iPhone 13 features a Ceramic Shield front, glass back, and an aluminum design, offering enhanced drop protection. It has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, capable of submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. Initially, the iPhone 13 received a repairability score of 5/10 from iFixit, which later improved to 6/10 with an iOS update addressing Face ID functionality after screen replacements. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G utilizes a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame. It also carries an IP68 rating, protecting against dust and water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Teardowns have given the Galaxy S21 FE 5G a repairability score of 7.5/10, indicating a relatively decent ease of repair.

Both smartphones are equipped with capable processors designed to handle daily tasks and demanding applications, though their underlying architectures differ.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 13 is powered by Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which provides fast and smooth performance across various applications and games. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung's Exynos 2100 processor, depending on the region. These processors enable the device to manage demanding apps and multitasking efficiently.
• Multitasking and Storage: The iPhone 13 typically includes 4GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers options of 6GB or 8GB of RAM. For storage, the iPhone 13 is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB options. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13, despite having a smaller 3227mAh battery, is frequently praised by users for its excellent battery life, often lasting a full day or more with typical usage. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a larger 4500mAh battery. User experiences with its battery life are mixed, with some reporting it can be a power-intensive device, especially with the 120Hz display and 5G enabled.

The display is a primary interaction point for any smartphone, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with some key differences in technology and features.

• Display Technology and Smoothness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing exceptionally smooth scrolling and motion. The iPhone 13 uses a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, focusing on high color accuracy and deep contrast for a natural viewing experience.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi. The iPhone 13 offers a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, with a higher pixel density. Both provide sharp and clear visuals for everyday use.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can reach a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The iPhone 13 can achieve a brightness of around 795 nits in typical use, with some tests showing it to be brighter than the S21 FE in certain scenarios. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a slightly larger screen, which can enhance the experience for watching videos or playing games.

Both devices offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though they approach imaging with different hardware configurations and software optimizations.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12MP wide lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This configuration allows for a range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to zoomed-in shots. The iPhone 13 has a dual-camera system, comprising a 12MP wide lens with sensor-shift OIS and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 13 is noted for its improved low-light performance and detailed, well-balanced photos in good lighting conditions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's cameras are generally praised for producing vibrant and detailed images, performing well in various lighting. Users have noted that the color profile on the ultrawide lens of the S21 FE may not always be in sync with the other lenses.
• Video Recording and Features: Both phones support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 13 introduced 'Cinematic mode,' which allows for depth-of-field effects and automatic focus transitions in videos. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers features like HDR10+ video recording and various shooting modes.
• Front Camera: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, capable of 4K video recording. The iPhone 13 features a 12MP front camera.