When it comes to choosing a smartphone, especially in the Samsung Galaxy FE series, you want to make sure you get the best value for your money. Two popular contenders in this series are the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. Both offer a compelling set of features, but they also have their unique characteristics. In this comprehensive comparison, we will dive deep into all major parameters to help you make an informed decision.
Price: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Let’s start with the price point, as it often plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. As of the latest update in September 2023, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is priced at ₹35,999, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is available at ₹27,999. This price difference of ₹8,000 is significant and may influence your choice. However, there’s more to consider than just the price.
Design and Build: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Dimensions and Weight
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G measures 74.5 x 155.7 x 7.9 mm and weighs 177g, making it a compact and lightweight option. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is slightly larger and heavier, with dimensions of 74.5 x 159.8 x 8.4 mm and a weight of 190g. If you prefer a more pocket-friendly and lightweight device, the S21 FE might be the better choice for you.
Display
Both phones feature vibrant Super AMOLED displays with high resolutions, ensuring crisp and clear visuals. The S21 FE 5G boasts a 6.4-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. Meanwhile, the S20 FE 5G offers a slightly larger 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and the same 120Hz refresh rate. While the differences are subtle, the S20 FE offers a slightly larger screen, which might be more appealing to users who prioritize a larger display.
Water Resistance
Both phones come with an IP68 rating, making them water and dust resistant. They can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes. This feature ensures durability and peace of mind in case of accidental water exposure.
Performance: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Chipset and CPU
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by the Samsung Exynos 2100 chipset, featuring an octa-core processor with a clock speed of 2.9 GHz. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset, which also boasts an octa-core processor but with a slightly lower clock speed of 2.84 GHz. Both chipsets are powerful and capable of handling most tasks and applications with ease. However, the Exynos 2100 has a slightly higher clock speed, which may result in marginally better performance.
RAM and Internal Storage
Both phones offer 8GB of RAM, providing smooth multitasking and responsive performance. In terms of internal storage, they both come with 128GB, ensuring you have enough space to store your apps, photos, and videos. However, it’s worth noting that the S20 FE 5G offers expandable storage of up to 1TB using a hybrid slot, while the S21 FE 5G does not support external storage expansion.
Display: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Display Quality
When it comes to display quality, both phones excel with their Super AMOLED panels. The S21 FE 5G boasts a 6.4-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 411 PPI. On the other hand, the S20 FE 5G features a slightly larger 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, yielding a pixel density of around 405 PPI. While the differences in pixel density are minimal, the S21 FE 5G has a slightly higher resolution, which could lead to slightly sharper visuals.
Refresh Rate
Both phones support a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and responsive touch interactions and animations. This feature enhances the overall user experience, particularly when gaming or navigating the interface.
Camera: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Rear Cameras
The camera setups on these two devices are quite similar. Both feature triple-camera systems:
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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
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Galaxy S21 FE 5G - 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle lens
- 8MP f/2.4 telephoto lens
- 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens with autofocus
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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G:
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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G - 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle lens
- 8MP telephoto lens
- 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens with autofocus
While the megapixel count and aperture sizes are identical, the S21 FE 5G specifies its telephoto lens’s aperture (f/2.4) while the S20 FE 5G does not. In practical terms, both phones are capable of capturing high-quality photos in various lighting conditions, but the S21 FE 5G’s slightly narrower aperture might offer a minor advantage in low-light scenarios.
Front Camera
For selfies, both phones feature a 32MP front camera with a wide-angle lens. This ensures sharp and detailed selfies, making them suitable for social media and video calls.
Camera Features
Both phones come with standard camera features such as auto-HDR and panorama mode, ensuring that you can capture stunning landscapes and detailed scenes effortlessly. Additionally, both phones support 4K video recording, allowing you to shoot high-quality videos.
Software: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Operating System
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G runs on Android 11, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G ships with Android 10. Although both phones offer a customized user experience through Samsung’s One UI, the S21 FE benefits from being on a more recent Android version. This means you can enjoy the latest features, security updates, and improvements offered by Android 11.
Battery Life: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Battery Capacity
Both phones are equipped with a 4500mAh non-removable lithium-polymer (Li-Po) battery. This battery capacity is generous and should easily provide a full day’s worth of usage on a single charge for most users.
Charging
The S21 FE 5G supports 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging, along with reverse charging capabilities. On the other hand, the S20 FE 5G also supports fast charging but does not specify the exact charging speed. Both phones offer convenient and fast charging options, ensuring you spend less time tethered to a charging cable.
Connectivity: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
5G Connectivity
Both phones support 5G connectivity, ensuring you can take advantage of faster download and upload speeds on compatible networks. The S21 FE 5G supports multiple 5G bands, including FDD and TDD sub6, providing compatibility with a wide range of 5G networks.
Other Connectivity Features
Both phones offer a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, 3G,
2G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS with A-GPS, Glonass, BDS, and Galileo support. These features ensure you stay connected no matter where you are.
Additional Features : Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
FM Radio
If you’re a fan of traditional radio broadcasts, it’s important to note that neither the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G nor the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G includes an FM radio feature. You’ll need to rely on streaming services or other alternatives for your radio needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G offer compelling features and excellent value for money. The choice between the two largely depends on your preferences and priorities. Here’s a quick summary of key points to consider:
- Price: The S20 FE 5G is more budget-friendly, while the S21 FE 5G offers slightly better specifications at a higher price.
- Design: The S21 FE 5G is more compact and lighter, while the S20 FE 5G has a slightly larger display.
- Camera: Both phones have similar camera setups, with minor differences in aperture sizes.
- Software: The S21 FE 5G comes with Android 11 out of the box, while the S20 FE 5G ships with Android 10.
- Battery: Both phones offer a 4500mAh battery with fast charging support.
- Connectivity: Both support 5G and a wide range of connectivity options
Ultimately, your decision should be based on your specific needs and budget. Both phones are capable of delivering a fantastic smartphone experience, and you can’t go wrong with either choice.