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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera performance and display quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a better camera system and a high-quality OLED screen. However, if you value longer-lasting battery life and a larger screen size, the Motorola Edge (2021) would be a better fit, with its sizable LCD screen and longer battery life, although its camera and overall display quality are not as high as the Galaxy S21 FE's. Both phones have plastic backs and offer similar storage options. The Galaxy S21 FE is slightly newer and may provide more future-proofing with its more recent chipset. Both run Android, but Samsung's phone has extra features like wireless charging and a superior processor which can make it a smoother experience overall, albeit at a slightly higher cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Motorola Edge (2021)
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Motorola Edge (2021).
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE outperforms the Motorola Edge (2021) in camera capabilities primarily due to its superior software experience and dynamic range in photo capture, as well as more efficient low light performance. Furthermore, the S21 FE offers a better selfie camera, which is very important for selfie enthusiasts, and shows greater versatility across both photo and video attributes, such as camera options and video stabilization.
Photo Quality
5.3
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos, including selfies, because it has lower selfie quality, dynamic range, and low light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. The Galaxy S21 FE overall has better camera software, more versatile camera capabilities, and its photos and selfies are rated as good, making it a superior choice for photography.
Video Quality
4.7
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Motorola Edge (2021) both have poor videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes somewhat better videos.
The Motorola Edge (2021) falls behind the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE in video quality primarily because of its lower video resolution/framerate, less capable video software, poorer video stabilization, and weaker performance in dynamic range and low light conditions, as well as an inferior microphone. Additionally, while both have the same maximum video recording fps at certain resolutions, customers consistently report a better overall video experience with the Galaxy S21 FE due to these factors.
Battery
8.7 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
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Key similarities
Cost
$600
$600
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Motorola Edge (2021) has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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How the Motorola Edge (2021) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 2, 2021 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2460 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 395 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD778G | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 5.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.7 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.65" x 2.98" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Nebula Blue | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Motorola Edge (2021)
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Motorola Edge (2021) or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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