Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 16 Plus • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the iPhone 16 Plus, launched in September 2024, represent distinct approaches to the smartphone experience. While the Galaxy S21 FE operates on the Android ecosystem, offering a customizable interface, the iPhone 16 Plus runs on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated services and user-friendly design. Key differentiators between these two devices include their respective operating systems, release timelines, and core hardware capabilities, catering to different user preferences.

Evaluating the practical lifespan of these devices involves considering their release dates, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced in January 2022, making it an older device compared to the iPhone 16 Plus, which was released in September 2024. This difference in launch dates directly impacts their remaining software support windows.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 FE launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive major OS updates up to Android 16, fulfilling Samsung's commitment to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The iPhone 16 Plus, launching with iOS 18, benefits from Apple's typical policy of providing major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years, with security patches often extending even longer, potentially until around 2036.
• Physical Durability: Both devices offer robust build quality. The Galaxy S21 FE features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16 Plus incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover, which is designed for enhanced durability, and also carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Performance is a critical aspect for daily use, influencing how smoothly applications run and how efficiently tasks are handled.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE is powered by a processor from 2021 (Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100), which capably handles everyday applications and multitasking. The iPhone 16 Plus features Apple's A18 chip, a more recent generation processor designed for enhanced performance and efficiency, particularly with demanding applications and advanced AI features.
• System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy S21 FE generally experience smooth navigation and app loading, though some heavy tasks might show its age compared to newer chipsets. The iPhone 16 Plus, with its advanced chip and optimized iOS, is expected to offer highly responsive performance across all tasks, including intensive gaming and complex computational processes.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, without expandable storage. The iPhone 16 Plus is rumored to feature 8GB of RAM and offers storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, also without expandable storage.

The display is the primary interface for interaction, and differences in technology and specifications can significantly impact the visual experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 16 Plus comes with a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also offering excellent color accuracy and contrast.
• Resolution and Brightness: Both devices provide sharp visuals with high resolutions; the S21 FE has a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution (~401 ppi), while the iPhone 16 Plus offers a 2796 x 1290 pixel resolution at 460 ppi. The iPhone 16 Plus boasts higher peak brightness levels, reaching up to 2000 nits for outdoor viewing, compared to the S21 FE's 1200 nits peak brightness, which can improve visibility in bright conditions.
• Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 FE offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, though it is not adaptive, meaning users manually switch between 60Hz and 120Hz. The iPhone 16 Plus maintains a 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a consistent visual experience but does not offer the same level of fluidity as higher refresh rate displays.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, with both devices offering advanced systems for capturing photos and videos.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The iPhone 16 Plus is equipped with an advanced dual-camera system, featuring a 48MP Fusion Main camera with OIS that also enables a 2x optical-quality telephoto option, alongside a 12MP Ultra Wide camera.
• Photography Performance: The S21 FE is known for producing vibrant and clear photos in various conditions, including good low-light performance. The iPhone 16 Plus, with its larger main sensor and computational photography enhancements, is designed to deliver detailed images with improved dynamic range and color accuracy, especially in challenging lighting. It also supports Spatial Video recording.
• Video and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording high-quality video. The Galaxy S21 FE supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps. The iPhone 16 Plus also offers advanced video recording features, benefiting from its powerful chip for stable and high-resolution footage. Both devices include stereo speakers for media consumption.