Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Galaxy S22+ 5G

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

Refurbished price:£122.00

Versus £759.00 new

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Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£167.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in early 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, launched shortly after in February 2022, are both high-performance Android smartphones from Samsung. While the S21 FE aims to deliver a flagship-like experience at a more accessible point, the S22 Plus represents a more premium offering within the same generation, featuring enhanced build materials and camera capabilities. Both devices run on the Android operating system, offering a consistent software experience with Samsung's One UI.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S21 FE and the Galaxy S22 Plus benefit from Samsung's commitment to software support, ensuring a comparable practical lifespan.

  • Software Updates: Both models launched with Android 12 and are eligible for four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. This means both devices will receive major software support until Android 16 or 17, and security patches until 2027.
  • Build Materials: The S21 FE features a plastic (Glasstic) back and an aluminum frame, offering good durability. The S22 Plus, however, uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, paired with an Armor Aluminum frame, providing a more premium and potentially more scratch-resistant finish.
  • Water Resistance: Both smartphones carry an IP68 rating, indicating robust protection against dust and water immersion, contributing to their overall longevity in everyday use.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two models stem primarily from their internal processing units, impacting how they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE is equipped with a powerful processor from the previous generation, which handles everyday tasks, web browsing, and most games smoothly. The Galaxy S22 Plus features a newer generation processor, offering a noticeable boost in raw performance, particularly for intensive gaming, video editing, and complex computational tasks.
  • Multitasking: The S21 FE is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, while the S22 Plus comes standard with 8GB of RAM. This difference means the S22 Plus generally offers slightly more headroom for keeping multiple applications open simultaneously without slowdowns.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer 128GB and 256GB internal storage configurations, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media for most users.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both devices offer excellent display quality, but the S22 Plus introduces some refinements that enhance the viewing experience.

  • Display Technology: Both the S21 FE and S22 Plus feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The S21 FE provides a bright and clear viewing experience, suitable for most conditions. The S22 Plus, however, boasts a higher peak brightness, making it more comfortable to view content outdoors in direct sunlight and enhancing HDR content.
  • Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and gaming. The S22 Plus features an adaptive refresh rate, which can dynamically adjust from 10Hz to 120Hz to save battery life when a high refresh rate isn't needed.
  • Screen Size: The S21 FE has a 6.4-inch display, while the S22 Plus offers a slightly larger 6.6-inch screen, providing a bit more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both phones are capable, but the S22 Plus features a more advanced main sensor for improved image capture.

  • Main Camera: The S21 FE includes a 12-megapixel main sensor that captures detailed and colorful photos in good lighting. The S22 Plus steps up with a 50-megapixel main sensor, which excels in capturing more detail and performs better in low-light conditions, producing brighter and clearer images.
  • Ultra-Wide and Telephoto: Both devices feature a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens for expansive shots and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom (8-megapixel on S21 FE, 10-megapixel on S22 Plus) for zooming in on distant subjects.
  • Video Recording: Both phones are capable of recording high-quality video, with the S22 Plus offering slightly more advanced video stabilization and low-light video performance due to its newer sensor and processing.
  • Front Camera: The S21 FE features a 32-megapixel front camera, offering high-resolution selfies. The S22 Plus has a 10-megapixel front camera, which still delivers excellent quality for video calls and self-portraits.

Main camera

12 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features differentiate these two Samsung smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both models support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data, Wi-Fi 6 for quick wireless internet, and Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting accessories.
  • Charging Speed: The S21 FE supports 25W wired fast charging. The S22 Plus offers faster 45W wired charging, allowing it to recharge its battery more quickly. Both also support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
  • Haptics and Audio: The S22 Plus generally offers a more refined haptic feedback system for a more tactile user experience. Both devices feature stereo speakers, providing a good audio experience for media consumption.
  • Design and Handling: The S21 FE is slightly lighter and has a more rounded design, which some users find comfortable to hold. The S22 Plus, with its glass back and slightly larger size, feels more premium and substantial in hand.

Weight

177 g

195 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22 Plus both offer a robust Android experience, but cater to slightly different user priorities. User feedback often highlights the S21 FE as a strong all-rounder, praised for delivering most flagship features without the top-tier price tag. Its battery life is generally considered reliable for a full day of moderate use, and its camera system performs well in most everyday scenarios.

The Galaxy S22 Plus, on the other hand, is frequently lauded for its superior camera performance, especially in challenging lighting, its brighter and more adaptive display, and its more premium build quality. Some users note that while its processor is more powerful, the battery life, despite having the same capacity as the S21 FE, can be similar or slightly less depending on usage due to the more demanding components. Both phones are generally well-regarded for their software support and overall reliability.

Users prioritizing a more advanced camera, a brighter display, and a premium glass design will find the Galaxy S22 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those seeking a solid, high-performing smartphone that covers all essential features without the absolute latest enhancements may prefer the Galaxy S21 FE. Both devices represent excellent choices, especially when considering quality-assured refurbished options, which provide an eco-friendly alternative for accessing these capable smartphones.

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