Galaxy S21 5G Vs Galaxy S24 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, launched in October 2024, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the S24 FE introduces significant advancements in processing power, display technology, and extended software support. This comparison will explore the practical differences between these two devices to help users determine which model best suits their needs.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release timeline and the duration of software support it receives. These two models offer distinct expectations in terms of longevity.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 5G received its final major Android OS update (Android 15 / One UI 7.0) in early 2025, and regular security updates concluded in January 2026. This means its official software support has ended, though it remains functional. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 FE benefits from Samsung's extended commitment, offering seven years of both OS and security updates, projected to continue until 2031. This provides a considerably longer period of official support and access to the latest features and security patches.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust builds with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S21 5G utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus on its front display, while the Galaxy S24 FE upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, potentially offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary by region and component, both Samsung devices are designed with modern smartphone construction, meaning repairs typically involve specialized tools and expertise. Users considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can benefit from devices that have undergone professional inspection and repair, extending their useful life.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer Galaxy S24 FE offering a more advanced experience for demanding tasks compared to the Galaxy S21 5G.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 5G, powered by its original generation processor, handles daily applications, web browsing, and light multitasking with smooth responsiveness. Users generally report a fast experience for typical smartphone activities. The Galaxy S24 FE, featuring a more recent and efficient processor, delivers a noticeably snappier experience, excelling in app loading times, complex multitasking, and navigating the user interface.
• Demanding Applications and Gaming: For more intensive use cases like graphic-heavy gaming, video editing, or running multiple demanding applications simultaneously, the Galaxy S24 FE provides a significant advantage. Its newer processing architecture allows for smoother frame rates in games and faster processing of complex tasks, with users reporting a flagship-level performance feel. The Galaxy S21 5G can handle many games and demanding apps, but may show signs of strain or reduced performance in the most graphically intensive scenarios or over extended periods.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices typically come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications concurrently without frequent reloads. Storage options are similar, with both offering 128GB and 256GB variants, and the S24 FE also having a 512GB option. Neither model supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

Both smartphones feature high-quality AMOLED displays, but the Galaxy S24 FE offers enhancements in size and brightness for an improved viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 5G and Galaxy S24 FE utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Both displays offer Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 5G, 1080 x 2340 pixels for S24 FE), ensuring sharp text and clear images for everyday viewing.
• Size and Immersion: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 6.2-inch display, offering a compact and easily manageable form factor. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a larger 6.7-inch display, which provides a more expansive canvas for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks. The S24 FE also features slimmer bezels, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices boast a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which contributes to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, the Galaxy S24 FE offers a significantly higher peak brightness of 1900 nits, making it more legible in bright outdoor conditions compared to the S21 5G.

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the Galaxy S24 FE benefits from newer sensor technology and improved processing, particularly in its main lens.

• Main Camera Performance: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 12MP main wide-angle camera, which captures detailed and well-exposed photos in good lighting conditions. The Galaxy S24 FE steps up with a 50MP main wide-angle camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), delivering exceptional image quality, high dynamic range, and more realistic colors, often comparable to flagship models.
• Versatility and Zoom: Both phones include an ultrawide lens (12MP on both) for expansive shots. For telephoto capabilities, the S21 5G has a 64MP telephoto lens offering 3x hybrid optical zoom. The S24 FE features a dedicated 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, providing clear zoomed-in images.
• Video Recording and Low Light: Both devices support 8K video recording, with the S21 5G at 24fps and the S24 FE at 30fps. In low-light conditions, the S24 FE's larger main sensor and improved processing generally yield better results, though user reviews suggest its low-light performance is still considered average compared to top-tier flagships. The S21 5G's low-light performance is competent but can show more noise.