Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S23 FE

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2022

Galaxy S21 FE

76/ 100

Launch MSRP$699 USD

Samsung · 2023

Galaxy S23 FE

84/ 100

Launch MSRP$599 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S23 FE BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 FE?

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Galaxy S21 FE

Galaxy S23 FEWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S23	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	4,500 mAh	4,500 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	25W	25W
Main Camera Sensor	12 MP	50 MP	50 MP
Screen Display Size	6.4"	6.4"	6.4"
Chassis Weight	177g	209g	177g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 FE:

✓32g lighter chassis (177g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓12MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.4" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 FE:

✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($599 vs $699)
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.4" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 FE	Galaxy S23 FE
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen Size	6.4"	6.4"
Resolution & Density	2340x1080 (403 ppi)	2340x1080 (403 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,200 nits peak	1,450 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S23 FE Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 12	Android 13
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	6 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	128GB / 256GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S23 FE Wins Camera
Primary Camera	12 MP, f/1.8, OIS	50 MP, f/1.8, OIS
Telephoto Zoom	8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	32 MP, f/2.2	10 MP, f/2.4
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	159.8 x 73.6 x 8.2 mm	158 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm
Weight	177 g	209 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	4,500 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	25W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	15W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth	5.0	5.1
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 2.0	USB-C 3.2
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$699	$599

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S23 FE edges ahead with a BeastScore of 83.5/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S23 FE ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21 FE:

Lighter body: 177g (32g lighter in hand)

When to choose Galaxy S23 FE:

Higher overall BeastScore: 83.5 vs top rival 76.3 · Higher resolution main sensor: 50 MP vs max 12 MP

Upgrade GuideOwn the Galaxy S21 FE? See if upgrading to the Galaxy S23 FE is worth it

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S23 FE

Which is better: Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S23 FE?

Galaxy S23 FE leads with an overall BeastScore of 83.5/100 compared to Galaxy S21 FE (76.3/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 83.5 vs top rival 76.3 and Higher resolution main sensor: 50 MP vs max 12 MP.