Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21+ commands a $999 price point with flagship performance from the Snapdragon 888 and superior 8K video recording at 24fps, though its display peaks at 1300 nits brightness. Galaxy S23 FE enters at $599 with a newer Exynos 2200 chipset, brighter 1450-nit display, and a more practical 50MP main camera with Dual Pixel PDAF instead of the S21+'s 12MP sensor. Battery capacity favors the S21+ at 4800mAh versus 4500mAh, though both charge identically at 25W wired. Software support tilts toward S23 FE with Android 13 versus Android 11. For videography enthusiasts valuing 8K capabilities and Snapdragon performance, S21+ justifies its premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking current-gen software, modern camera tech, and better daily value should choose S23 FE, which delivers 85 percent of flagship experience at 60 percent of the cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21+ if…
- →Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- →120Hz AMOLED display
- →Gorilla Glass Victus durability
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Pros
- Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Gorilla Glass Victus durability
- Good triple camera system
- Flat display is easier to use with screen protectors
Cons
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- Plastic back on some regions (Glasstic)
- Slow 25W charging
- No microSD card slot (removed in S21 series)
- No charger in the box
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 200 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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