Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Sony Xperia 5 IV
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S21 FE delivers exceptional value at $699.99, pairing a vibrant 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh, solid Snapdragon 888 performance, and a versatile camera system featuring a 3x telephoto lens. Battery life reaches respectable levels with the 4500 mAh capacity and 25W charging, though wireless charging maxes at 15W. Sony's Xperia 5 IV commands a $300 premium with legitimate upgrades: a larger 5000 mAh battery, faster 30W charging, the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, superior 4K@120fps video recording, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. However, Sony's 6.1-inch OLED display, while technically superior, delivers slightly lower brightness (1000 nits vs 1300), and the narrower form factor (67mm vs 74.5mm) feels cramped for some users. Camera differences remain marginal, with both offering 12 MP telephoto units at comparable zoom levels. The Galaxy S21 FE punches above its price class with excellent everyday performance and a more feature-rich camera, making it the smarter choice for most users. The Xperia 5 IV justifies its price only for those prioritizing professional video work, compact dimensions, or the absolute latest processor generation.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- →Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- →Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
Buy the Sony Xperia 5 IV if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- →5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- →3.5mm headphone jack
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Wireless charging included
Cons
- Only 6 GB RAM in the base model
- Snapdragon 888 runs warmer than newer chips
- Slow 25W wired charging
- Main camera sensor is just 12 MP despite the price
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch form factor at 172 g
- 5000 mAh battery in a compact body
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Wireless charging added (absent on 5 III)
- Excellent manual camera controls
Cons
- 12 MP cameras feel dated in 2022
- Slow 30W charging
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermal issues
- Niche appeal limits accessories and cases
- Auto camera mode behind iPhone and Pixel
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Sony Xperia 5 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12, One UI 4 | Android 12 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 172 g |
| Material | Polycarbonate | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 8 MP 3x optical | 12 MP, f/2.4, 2.5x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | OLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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