Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, launched in February 2025, represent different tiers and generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the S25 Ultra, as a more recent flagship, introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology compared to the S21 FE 5G.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched in early 2022 with Android 12, is expected to receive up to four major Android OS upgrades, concluding with Android 16, and approximately four years of security updates, though its security updates transitioned to a quarterly schedule in late 2025. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, released in early 2025 with Android 15, benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, promising seven generations of OS upgrades (up to Android 22) and seven years of security updates.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The S21 FE 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and has a plastic back with an aluminum frame. The S25 Ultra, however, incorporates Gorilla Glass Armor 2 on both its front and back, along with a titanium frame, offering enhanced resistance to scratches and drops.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a reported repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, with some components like the battery being glued but main boards secured with screws. The Galaxy S25 Ultra has shown improved repairability compared to older Samsung flagships, with iFixit giving it a provisional score of 5 out of 10, noting a more removable battery but a screen that is still challenging to replace.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that delivers solid performance for everyday use, multitasking, and mobile gaming, ensuring a responsive experience. The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a more advanced, current-generation processor specifically optimized for its ecosystem, providing substantial gains in speed and efficiency. This allows for exceptionally smooth operation, even with the most intensive applications and advanced AI features.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S21 FE 5G offers RAM configurations of 6GB or 8GB, which is sufficient for typical multitasking. The S25 Ultra comes standard with 12GB of RAM, with some configurations offering 16GB, enabling more seamless transitions between numerous applications and handling complex workloads with greater ease. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 FE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of moderate use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to charge before the day ends. The S25 Ultra houses a 5000 mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor and adaptive display, typically offers extended usage beyond a full day for most users, although some competing devices may offer even longer durations.

The display is the primary interface for user interaction, and differences in technology and specifications can significantly affect the visual experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 FE 5G has a 6.4-inch screen with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels). The S25 Ultra boasts a larger 6.9-inch display with a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), offering a noticeably sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S21 FE 5G's display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and animations, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits for good outdoor visibility. The S25 Ultra also features a 120Hz refresh rate, but it is adaptive (LTPO), meaning it can scale down to 1Hz to conserve battery life when static content is displayed. Its peak brightness reaches an impressive 2600 nits, coupled with an anti-reflective coating, making it exceptionally legible even in bright sunlight.
• Screen Protection: The S21 FE 5G is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The S25 Ultra features the newer Corning Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which offers enhanced durability and scratch resistance.

Camera systems are a significant aspect of modern smartphones, with both devices offering versatile setups for photography and videography.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main sensor (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S25 Ultra elevates this with a quad-camera system, including a 200MP main sensor (with OIS), a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens (3x optical zoom, OIS), and a 50MP periscope telephoto lens (5x optical zoom, OIS). This configuration provides greater flexibility and detail, especially at various zoom levels.
• Photography and Video Performance: The S21 FE 5G captures detailed and color-rich photos in good lighting and performs well in various conditions, with 4K video recording at 60 frames per second. The S25 Ultra offers superior image processing, particularly in low-light conditions for its ultrawide camera, and its multiple telephoto lenses provide excellent optical zoom capabilities. It supports 8K video recording at 24 or 30 frames per second, offering higher resolution video capture.
• Front Camera and Audio: The S21 FE 5G includes a 32MP front-facing camera capable of 4K video. The S25 Ultra has a 12MP front camera with dual-pixel autofocus, also supporting 4K video recording. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption, with the S25 Ultra's audio tuned for a richer experience.