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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a better camera is high on your priority list, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ would be an excellent choice, as it significantly outperforms the S21 FE in photo and video quality. For those who prioritize battery life, the Galaxy S23+ also has a slight advantage. The Galaxy S23+ has a larger screen at 6.6 inches compared to the S21 FE’s 6.4 inches, which might be preferable for media consumption but also could make the phone bulkier. However, if saving on cost is more crucial for you, then the S21 FE might be the better option as it usually retails for less. Both phones share features like 5G capability, OLED displays, high refresh rates, and no headphone jack. Remember, these phones operate on Android and offer similar storage options, with the S23+ providing double the base storage of the S21 FE. 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 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.0
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE's selfie camera is rated as good, adequate for capturing decent quality selfies. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ boasts a very good selfie camera, indicating superior performance, likely producing sharper images and better low-light capabilities, which might be important for users prioritizing front-facing camera quality.
Photo Quality
6.9
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has a higher selfie quality than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, which translates to sharper and potentially more detailed self-portraits. Additionally, the S23+ includes advancements in photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with greater camera versatility, contributing to its superior overall photo-taking capabilities compared to the S21 FE.
Video Quality
5.9
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes excellent videos primarily because it has a higher overall video quality, including better stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside top-quality microphone audio. In contrast, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes good videos, in comparison, it has lower scores in video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, though it still maintains good video software experience and mic quality.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a screen size of 6.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$600
$949
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs $949.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $949 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 401 | 390 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4700 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.13" x 2.93" | 6.21" x 3" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.24 oz | 6.91 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 285 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Lime, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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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."
Samsung Galaxy S23+
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TechRadar
Axel Metz | March 2023
"Despite not boasting the same camera credentials as its pricier sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will remain a top-tier handset for several years thanks to its industry-leading processor and magnificent display. It may prove an attractive proposition for Galaxy newcomers in the market for a big-screen all-rounder."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S23+
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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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
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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