Galaxy A23 5G Vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Galaxy A23 5G
Galaxy A23 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£100.00

Versus £300.00 new

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Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£122.00

Versus £759.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are both Android smartphones offering 5G connectivity, though they cater to different user expectations and priorities. The Galaxy A23 5G, released in September 2022, is designed to provide essential smartphone features with a focus on battery life and a large display. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched in January 2022, is part of Samsung's Fan Edition line, incorporating several features from the flagship S21 series, emphasizing performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, both offer substantial software support, but with differing timelines and durability features.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, being a Fan Edition device, typically receives four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its usability for a longer period. The Galaxy A23 5G, as an A-series device, generally receives two major OS updates and four years of security updates, providing a respectable, though shorter, period of software relevance.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features Gorilla Glass Victus on its display for enhanced scratch and drop resistance, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing it to withstand submersion in fresh water. The Galaxy A23 5G uses Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection and has a plastic build, but lacks an official IP rating, making it less resistant to water and dust.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and enhanced physical resilience will find the Galaxy S21 FE 5G more aligned with their needs. The Galaxy A23 5G still offers a solid period of usability, particularly for those who do not require the very latest software features or extreme durability.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of these two devices are distinct, reflecting their different design philosophies and internal components.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a more powerful processor, which translates to a noticeably smoother experience for daily tasks, faster app loading, and more fluid navigation through the operating system. The Galaxy A23 5G provides reliable performance for general use, but may exhibit occasional delays or less immediate responsiveness, especially when handling more demanding applications or heavy multitasking.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G typically offers more base RAM options, contributing to better multitasking capabilities, allowing users to switch between numerous open applications without significant slowdowns. It comes with ample internal storage but does not support expandable storage. The Galaxy A23 5G offers various RAM configurations and includes a microSD card slot, providing flexibility for users who need to expand their storage capacity.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A23 5G features a larger battery capacity, often translating to extended usage times, with many users reporting it can last up to two days on a single charge with moderate use. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, while having a slightly smaller battery, generally provides sufficient power for a full day of typical use and includes wireless charging capabilities, which the A23 5G does not.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a significant differentiator between the Galaxy A23 5G and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, impacting visual clarity and vibrancy.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, providing a rich viewing experience. The Galaxy A23 5G utilizes a PLS LCD panel, which offers good color reproduction and brightness but cannot match the contrast levels and true blacks of an AMOLED screen.
  • Resolution and Clarity: Both phones offer Full HD+ resolutions, ensuring sharp and detailed visuals for everyday content consumption. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a slightly higher pixel density due to its smaller screen size, resulting in marginally crisper images.
  • Smoothness and Brightness: Both devices support a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G's AMOLED panel generally achieves higher peak brightness, which can be beneficial for outdoor visibility in bright conditions.

Resolution

1080 x 2408

1080 x 2340

Screen type

PLS LCD

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A23 5G and Galaxy S21 FE 5G offer different capabilities, influencing the quality and versatility of photos and videos.

  • Rear Camera Setup: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera system with a 12-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy A23 5G comes with a quad-camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS, a 5-megapixel ultrawide, and two 2-megapixel sensors for macro and depth.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally delivers more consistent and higher-quality images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions, with its larger main sensor and dedicated telephoto lens providing greater flexibility for different shooting scenarios. Its main camera produces vibrant and social media-ready photos. The Galaxy A23 5G's 50-megapixel main sensor can capture detailed images in good lighting, but its ultrawide and auxiliary lenses offer more limited performance, especially in low light.
  • Video Recording: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G supports video recording up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second (fps) on both its front and rear cameras, offering higher detail and smoother motion. The Galaxy A23 5G records video up to Full HD at 30fps.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

8 megapixels

32 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish the Galaxy A23 5G and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, affecting daily convenience and connectivity.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, offering slightly faster and more stable wireless connections. The Galaxy A23 5G features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1. A notable difference is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy A23 5G, which is absent on the Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Both use USB-C for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometrics and Security: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Galaxy A23 5G has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is slightly lighter and features an aluminum frame with a plastic back, contributing to a more premium feel. The Galaxy A23 5G has a plastic back and frame, making it slightly heavier. The S21 FE 5G also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature not present on the A23 5G.

Weight

197 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G and Galaxy S21 FE 5G offer distinct experiences tailored to different user needs. User feedback for the Galaxy A23 5G often praises its long battery life and large, smooth display, making it a solid choice for extended use and media consumption. However, some users have noted occasional performance sluggishness, particularly with lower RAM variants, and its camera performance can be inconsistent in challenging conditions.

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is frequently lauded for its vibrant AMOLED display, robust performance for demanding tasks, and versatile camera system, including optical zoom and higher video recording capabilities. While its battery life is generally sufficient for a full day, it may not match the longevity of the A23 5G for some heavy users. Its enhanced durability features, like water resistance and a more resilient screen, are also frequently highlighted.

Users prioritizing a device with a long-lasting battery and a large screen for everyday browsing and media, and who are comfortable with a more modest performance profile, may find the Galaxy A23 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a more powerful and responsive experience, a superior camera system with advanced features, a more premium build, and extended software support will likely lean towards the Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Both models, available as quality-assured refurbished options, present an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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