Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Vivo V29 Pro
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a premium flagship experience with its Snapdragon 888 processor, superior optical zoom capabilities through a dedicated 8MP telephoto lens, and wireless charging at $699.99. Vivo V29 Pro counters with a larger 6.78-inch display, faster 80W charging, higher base RAM (8GB), and a more capable 50MP front camera at $449, a $250 advantage. Performance-wise, the S21 FE's aging flagship chip still outperforms Vivo's mid-range Dimensity 8200, though real-world differences are minimal for daily tasks. Camera quality heavily favors Samsung's optical zoom and computational photography heritage, while Vivo excels in front-facing performance and charging speed. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing value and battery life, Vivo V29 Pro delivers exceptional specs per dollar. However, those wanting reliable software support, better zoom capabilities, and proven camera tuning should invest in the S21 FE despite its higher cost.
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 Vivo V29 Pro if…
- →50 MP front camera with autofocus and Aura Light for exceptional selfies
- →80W fast charging fills up the battery rapidly
- →Slim and lightweight at 7.46 mm and 185 g
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
Vivo V29 Pro
Pros
- 50 MP front camera with autofocus and Aura Light for exceptional selfies
- 80W fast charging fills up the battery rapidly
- Slim and lightweight at 7.46 mm and 185 g
- Color-changing back panel is unique and eye-catching
- Dimensity 8200 offers strong mid-range performance
Cons
- Only IP54 splash resistance — not fully waterproof
- 8 MP ultrawide is low quality for the price
- No telephoto or dedicated zoom lens
- Funtouch OS is heavily skinned with bloatware
- No wireless charging support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Vivo V29 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12, One UI 4 | Android 13 (Funtouch OS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 177 g | 185 g |
| Material | Polycarbonate | Plastic frame, glass back with color-changing finish |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm | 164.1 x 74.4 x 7.46 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX766 |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/2.0, autofocus, Aura Light LED |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 8 MP 3x optical | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 80W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz + 3x3.0 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | MediaTek Dimensity 8200 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
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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