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Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G

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Starting at

£167.39

£769 new

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Starting at

£157.14

£699 new

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Galaxy S21 5GStarting at £167.39See options
Galaxy S21 FE 5GStarting at £157.14See options
4.3/5 (16 reviews)
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In a nutshell

They share the same 12MP main camera, the same 120Hz refresh rate and the same IP68 rating. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has the lower launch price, longer OS support until about 2026 (est.) and the newer Snapdragon 888 chip. The Galaxy S21 5G counters with a lighter 169g body and a smaller 6.2-inch screen.

At 128GB, the Galaxy S21 5G launched at £769 and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G at £699.

Available models

Galaxy S21 5G

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Excellent, Great, Good

Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Excellent, Great, Good

Durability

Galaxy S21 5G 45/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 51/100

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G should be supported for longer, with OS updates until about 2026 (est.) against about 2025 (est.) on the Galaxy S21 5G.

Software support:The Galaxy S21 5G should get OS updates until about 2025 (est.) and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G until about 2026 (est.). That gives the Galaxy S21 FE 5G the longer support window.

Weight:The Galaxy S21 5G weighs 169g and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G 177g, so the Galaxy S21 5G is the lighter phone.

Water and dust:Both are rated IP68, the same protection against dust and water.

Frame:Both use the same aluminium frame.

Released

2021
2022Newer

Updates until (est.)

2025
2026Supported for longer

Water resistance

IP68
IP68

Frame

Aluminium
Aluminium

Weight

169gLighter
177g

Release date

29 January 2021
11 January 2022

Front glass

Gorilla Glass Victus
Gorilla Glass Victus

Dimensions

151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm
155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm

Biometrics

Ultrasonic fingerprint; Face recognition
Optical fingerprint

Security updates until

2026
2027

Performance

Galaxy S21 5G 60/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 67/100

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has the newer chip, the Snapdragon 888.

Chip:The Galaxy S21 5G runs the Exynos 2100 and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G the Snapdragon 888. The Snapdragon 888 is the newer chip, from 2022.

Storage:Both launched in the same 128GB and 256GB sizes.

Chip

Exynos 2100
Snapdragon 888

RAM

8GB
–

Storage options

128GB, 256GB
128GB, 256GB

Screen quality

Galaxy S21 5G 94/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 93/100

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has the bigger screen, at 6.4 inches.

Size:The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's 6.4-inch screen is bigger than the 6.2-inch screen on the Galaxy S21 5G.

Panel:The Galaxy S21 5G uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 2400 x 1080 and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel at 2340 x 1080.

Smoothness:Both refresh at the same 120Hz.

Screen size

6.2"
6.4"Bigger screen

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Refresh rate

120Hz
120Hz

Resolution

2400 x 1080
2340 x 1080

Camera

Galaxy S21 5G 42/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 56/100

The same 12MP main camera on both, so everyday shots start from the same resolution.

Selfies:The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 32MP selfie camera against 10MP on the Galaxy S21 5G.

Video:The Galaxy S21 5G records video at up to 8K 24fps and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G at up to 4K 60fps.

Ultrawide:Both have the same 12MP ultrawide.

Main camera

12MP
12MP

Ultrawide

12MP
12MP

Telephoto

64MP
8MP

Optical zoom

–
3x

Front camera

10MP
32MPSharper selfies

Video recording

8K 24fps
4K 60fps

Battery

Galaxy S21 5G 65/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 70/100

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has the bigger battery.

Capacity:The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has the bigger battery, 4500mAh against 4000mAh.

Wired charging:Both charge at up to the same 25W over a cable.

Wireless charging:Both support the same wireless charging: Qi 15W.

Battery

4000mAh
4500mAhBigger battery

Wired charging

25W
25W

Wireless charging

Qi 15W
Qi 15W

Connectivity

Galaxy S21 5G 100/100
Galaxy S21 FE 5G 100/100

5G

Yes
Yes

Port

USB-C
USB-C

Our verdict

Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if you want a lighter 169g body and a smaller 6.2-inch screen. Buy the Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you want the lower launch price and longer OS support until about 2026 (est.).

Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if

  • You want a lighter 169g body
  • You want a smaller 6.2-inch screen
Shop from £167.39

Buy the Galaxy S21 FE 5G if

  • You want the lower launch price
  • You want longer OS support until about 2026 (est.)
  • You want the newer Snapdragon 888 chip
Shop from £157.14

FAQs

The Galaxy S21 5G should get OS updates until about 2025 (est.) and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G until about 2026 (est.). That gives the Galaxy S21 FE 5G the longer support window.

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's 6.4-inch screen is bigger than the 6.2-inch screen on the Galaxy S21 5G.

Every Reboxed phone has a minimum of 80% battery health. If you want the closest thing to new, some phones offer our New Battery Upgrade, professionally installed before your phone is dispatched. If it's available, you'll see it on the product page.

Pristine, Excellent, Great and Good. Pristine has zero blemishes and at least 90% battery health. Good can show noticeable wear on the casing but works perfectly. Every grade is TechCheck certified and comes with a 12-month warranty.

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