Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Google Pixel 7

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the Google Pixel 7, launched in October 2022, are both Android smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience. While the Galaxy S21 FE 5G extends Samsung's popular 'Fan Edition' line with a focus on core features, the Pixel 7 emphasizes Google's software prowess and computational photography. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing users with a wide ecosystem of applications and customization options.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support and physical durability are key. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Google Pixel 7 offer different timelines for software longevity and vary in their construction for everyday resilience.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was released in January 2022, making it slightly older than the Google Pixel 7, which launched in October 2022. This difference in release date impacts the remaining duration of software support for each device.
• Software Support: The Google Pixel 7 is guaranteed to receive five years of both Android OS updates and security updates, extending its support until October 2027. This commitment ensures access to new features and security patches for an extended period. Samsung typically provides four years of OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship devices, which the S21 FE 5G generally aligns with, though specific end dates can vary.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front for screen protection and carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G utilizes a plastic back with an aluminum frame, while the Pixel 7 features a glass back and an aluminum frame.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions. Both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Google Pixel 7 are equipped with capable internal components, offering smooth user experiences, though their approaches differ.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor designed for efficient multitasking and handling graphically intensive applications. The Google Pixel 7 features a custom-designed processor that focuses on optimizing artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks, contributing to features like advanced photography and voice processing. Both processors deliver responsive performance for typical smartphone usage.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, alongside storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The Google Pixel 7 comes with 8GB of RAM and offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The higher RAM in the Pixel 7's base model can contribute to smoother transitions between multiple open applications.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G houses a 4500mAh battery, while the Pixel 7 has a 4355mAh battery. User experiences suggest that the Galaxy S21 FE 5G's battery can last a full day with moderate use, but heavy usage, especially with the 120Hz display refresh rate, may necessitate a charge before the day ends. The Pixel 7's battery generally provides sufficient power for a full business day, though intensive use might require a top-up.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Google Pixel 7 offer vibrant and clear viewing experiences, each with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Google Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch AMOLED display. Both offer Full HD+ resolutions (1080 x 2400 pixels), resulting in sharp visuals for text and images. The AMOLED technology on both phones provides deep blacks and vibrant colors.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to very smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, this is not an adaptive refresh rate, meaning it can be manually switched between 60Hz and 120Hz. The Google Pixel 7 features a 90Hz refresh rate, offering a noticeable improvement in smoothness over standard 60Hz displays.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both displays offer good brightness levels for outdoor use. The Pixel 7 can reach a peak brightness of 1400 nits, while the S21 FE 5G can achieve up to 1044 cd/m² in certain conditions, ensuring content remains visible even in bright environments.

Photography is a significant aspect of modern smartphones, and both the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Google Pixel 7 provide capable camera systems, each with its own strengths in capturing images and videos.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Google Pixel 7 comes with a dual-camera system, comprising a 50MP wide-angle main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens, relying on advanced computational photography for zoom beyond the ultrawide.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers colorful and detailed photos in good lighting conditions, with its telephoto lens providing dedicated optical zoom capabilities. The Pixel 7 is highly regarded for its computational photography, producing images with excellent dynamic range, natural colors, and strong low-light performance, even without a dedicated telephoto lens.
• Video and Audio: Both phones are capable of recording video at 4K resolution at 30 or 60 frames per second with both front and rear cameras, offering good quality and stabilization. The Pixel 7's video capabilities are noted for their clarity and dynamic range, even in lower light. Both devices include stereo speakers for media consumption.