Galaxy S10+ Vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, released in March 2019, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched in January 2022, represent different generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a comprehensive Android experience with Samsung's One UI, the S21 FE 5G introduces more modern connectivity and an updated camera system, whereas the S10 Plus retains features like a headphone jack and expandable storage. This comparison will explore their core differences to help users determine which device best suits their needs.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release dates, software support, and physical construction.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S10 Plus, released in 2019, is an older device compared to the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which launched in 2022. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support.
• Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides several years of major Android updates and security patches. The Galaxy S10 Plus has likely reached the end of its official software update cycle, though it may still receive occasional security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, having launched with Android 12, is expected to receive up to four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates, offering a significantly longer period of official support.
• Repairability and Build: Both devices feature robust builds with Gorilla Glass protection on the front. The S10 Plus uses Gorilla Glass 6 on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, with an aluminum frame, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The S21 FE 5G upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus on the front, also with an aluminum frame and an IP68 rating, but features a plastic back. Both models have received low repairability scores from iFixit, indicating that repairs can be challenging due to the extensive use of adhesive.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to multitasking and gaming. These two devices offer different levels of responsiveness and power efficiency.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S10 Plus is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and moderate multitasking smoothly. Users generally found its performance adequate for its time. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a more recent-generation processor, providing enhanced speed and efficiency for demanding applications, graphic-intensive games, and seamless multitasking.
• Battery Behavior: The S10 Plus houses a 4100 mAh battery, which many users found sufficient for a full day of typical use, though heavy usage might require an evening charge. The S21 FE 5G comes with a larger 4500 mAh battery. While it generally provides all-day power, its 120Hz display refresh rate can impact battery longevity, with some tests showing average battery life, especially with the higher refresh rate enabled.
• Storage and Responsiveness: The S10 Plus offered various storage configurations and included a microSD card slot for expansion, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries. The S21 FE 5G offers ample internal storage options but foregoes the expandable storage, relying solely on its internal capacity. Both devices, when new, offered responsive user interfaces, though the S21 FE 5G's newer hardware generally translates to snappier app loading and smoother transitions.

The visual experience is a key aspect of any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S10 Plus and S21 FE 5G offer vibrant displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3040 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a high pixel density. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, but with a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels). While the S10 Plus offers a sharper resolution, both displays deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors characteristic of AMOLED technology.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: A notable difference is the refresh rate. The S10 Plus operates at a standard 60Hz, providing a smooth but conventional scrolling experience. The S21 FE 5G, however, features a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations appear noticeably smoother and more fluid. Both phones offer high peak brightness levels, with the S10 Plus capable of reaching up to 1200 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
• Viewing Experience: Both devices provide an immersive viewing experience with minimal bezels. The S10 Plus was praised for its cinematic display and HDR10+ support, delivering excellent color accuracy. The S21 FE 5G also supports HDR10+ and offers a vibrant display, making both suitable for media consumption.

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a range of photos and videos, though with different strengths and capabilities.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S10 Plus features a triple rear camera setup: a 12MP main lens with variable aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and OIS, and a 16MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also has a triple rear camera system, consisting of a 12MP main lens with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS.
• Photography Performance: The S10 Plus was highly regarded for its excellent color reproduction and exposure in good lighting conditions, with its versatile triple-lens setup. Its low-light performance was considered good but not class-leading compared to some contemporaries. The S21 FE 5G offers a reliable point-and-shoot experience, producing accurate and vibrant colors in daylight. Its low-light performance is acceptable, with Samsung's processing smoothing noise, though fine detail can be sacrificed.
• Front Camera and Video: The S10 Plus features a dual front camera (10MP + 8MP depth sensor) which was praised for detailed selfies and good color rendering. The S21 FE 5G has a higher resolution 32MP front camera, which often uses pixel binning to produce 12MP images, offering good detail in well-lit conditions. Both phones are capable of recording 4K video, with the S21 FE 5G offering 4K at 60fps across its main and ultrawide lenses.