Galaxy A36 Vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A36, released in March 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched in January 2022, represent different segments within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both offer a comprehensive Android experience, the A36 focuses on extended software longevity and a larger battery, whereas the S21 FE 5G prioritizes a more powerful processor and a versatile camera system from a previous flagship generation. Both devices run on the Android operating system, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Software Support: The Galaxy A36 benefits from a more extensive support period, promising six generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates from its 2025 release. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in 2022, typically receives four generations of OS updates and five years of security patches, meaning its software support will conclude sooner. [4, 11, 19, 33]
• Build Materials: The Galaxy A36 features a durable glass back and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front, with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also offers robust protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on its display and an IP68 rating, indicating slightly better water immersion resistance. Its frame is constructed from aluminum, while the A36 uses a plastic frame. [3, 4, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 31]
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and up-to-date features will find the Galaxy A36 more aligned with their needs due to its newer release and extended update policy. The S21 FE 5G, while still capable, will reach its end-of-software-support sooner.

The performance capabilities of these two smartphones cater to different user expectations, primarily due to their respective processors and memory configurations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a processor that was considered flagship-tier at its release, enabling it to handle demanding applications, graphics-intensive games, and heavy multitasking with fluidity. The Galaxy A36 features a current-generation mid-range processor, which provides smooth performance for everyday tasks, general app usage, and casual gaming, though it may not match the raw power of the S21 FE 5G for highly intensive workloads. [1, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 28, 29]
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer various RAM configurations, typically ranging from 6GB to 8GB, with the A36 also having a 12GB option, allowing for efficient multitasking. Storage options for both generally include 128GB and 256GB. The S21 FE 5G does not support expandable storage, whereas some versions of the A36 may lack a microSD slot, depending on the region. [3, 4, 6, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 31]
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy A36 comes with a larger 5000mAh battery and supports faster 45W wired charging, contributing to a generally strong battery life that can comfortably last a full day for most users. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 4500mAh battery with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. While it can last a full day for moderate use, some users have reported that its battery life can be a concern with heavy usage. [1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32]

Both smartphones offer vibrant display experiences, but with some distinctions in size, technology, and brightness levels.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A36 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, providing ample screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a slightly smaller 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Both technologies deliver rich colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. [1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 31]
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels for A36, 1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 FE 5G), ensuring sharp visuals. They also both feature a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and a more responsive feel during interactions. However, the S21 FE 5G's refresh rate is not adaptive, meaning it stays at 120Hz unless manually changed, which can impact battery consumption. [1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 31]
• Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy A36 boasts a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits (with sections reaching 1900 nits for HDR content), offering good visibility outdoors. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also provides a bright and vibrant display, with peak brightness levels reaching around 1044-1200 nits, ensuring good readability in various lighting conditions. [2, 4, 6, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 23]

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture a variety of moments, each with its own strengths and configurations.

• Rear Camera Setup: The Galaxy A36 features a triple rear camera system with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple rear camera array, consisting of a 12MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. [1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31]
• Photography Performance: The A36's main camera delivers solid daylight photos with good colors and dynamic range, though its ultrawide and macro lenses are considered less capable. The S21 FE 5G's camera system is praised for its vibrant colors and good performance in various lighting conditions, with the dedicated telephoto lens offering greater versatility for zoomed shots. However, its low-light performance is not always on par with some competitors. [1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 18, 25, 28]
• Video and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording video at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second (fps) on both their front and rear cameras, with good image stabilization for smooth footage. The S21 FE 5G can also record 4K at 60fps. Both offer a good media consumption experience with stereo speakers. [4, 12, 13, 19, 21, 22, 24, 28, 31]