Galaxy S21 FE 5G Vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in early 2022, is a traditional smartphone offering a balanced set of features in a familiar form factor. In contrast, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, launched in August 2024, represents a more recent advancement in mobile technology, featuring a foldable design that transforms from a compact device into a larger tablet-like display. These two Android devices cater to different user preferences, with the Galaxy S21 FE focusing on a conventional smartphone experience and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold emphasizing versatility and an expansive screen for enhanced productivity and media consumption.

The expected lifespan and software support differ significantly between these two devices due to their respective release timelines and manufacturer policies.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G was introduced in early 2022, making it an older device compared to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which launched in August 2024. This age difference impacts the remaining period of official software and security updates.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is expected to receive up to four major Android OS updates, potentially reaching Android 16, with security updates continuing until at least the end of 2025. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, being a newer Google device, is slated for an extended support period, offering seven years of both OS and security updates from its release. This longer commitment from Google provides a more extended period of feature enhancements and security protection.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a Gorilla Glass Victus front, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold incorporates a more complex design with Ultra Thin Glass for its internal folding display and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its external cover screen. It also boasts an IPX9 water resistance rating, indicating a high level of protection against water ingress, and an improved hinge mechanism designed for enhanced robustness. While foldable technology has advanced significantly, the presence of moving parts means that the long-term durability of the folding screen and hinge remains a consideration for some users.

Performance capabilities vary between the two devices, reflecting their different release dates and hardware architectures, impacting how they handle demanding tasks and everyday usage.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a processor that was a flagship-tier component at its release, providing smooth performance for most applications and multitasking. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a more recent generation of Google's custom-designed processor, which is optimized for advanced on-device artificial intelligence tasks and offers a notable boost in overall responsiveness. This newer processor allows for quicker app loading, more fluid transitions, and efficient handling of complex computations.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G manages typical multitasking scenarios effectively. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, equipped with 16GB of RAM, provides substantial headroom for running numerous applications simultaneously and handling intensive workloads, making it particularly well-suited for power users and those who frequently switch between demanding apps.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a 4500 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users, though heavy usage, especially with the high refresh rate display, may require more frequent charging. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a 4650 mAh battery and is designed to offer up to 24 hours of typical use, extending to 72 hours with extreme battery saver modes, leveraging its power-efficient processor and adaptive displays.

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold offering a unique foldable form factor compared to the traditional flat screen of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.3-inch external Actua display and an 8-inch internal Super Actua Flex folding OLED display. The larger internal screen provides an expansive canvas for productivity and media.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both devices offer high resolution for clear viewing. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, resulting in sharp images and text. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's internal display boasts a 2076 x 2152 pixel resolution, while its external screen is 1080 x 2424 pixels, both delivering excellent clarity across their respective sizes.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, with good brightness levels for outdoor visibility. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold's displays also offer high refresh rates, with the internal screen adapting from 1Hz to 120Hz and the external screen from 60Hz to 120Hz, contributing to fluid visuals. Both displays can reach high peak brightness levels, enhancing visibility in bright conditions and for HDR content.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold integrates more advanced hardware and computational photography features, reflecting its newer generation.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a versatile triple-lens rear camera system, including a 12 MP wide lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This setup delivers detailed and color-rich photos in various lighting conditions. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an advanced triple rear camera array, comprising a 48 MP wide camera, a 10.5 MP ultrawide lens with macro focus, and a 10.8 MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom and up to 20x Super Res Zoom.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G performs well for everyday photography, capturing pleasing images with good detail and color accuracy. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold leverages its advanced processor and computational photography to enhance image quality, particularly in challenging conditions, and offers features like improved low-light performance and advanced zoom capabilities.
• Video and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 32 MP front camera for high-resolution selfies and video calls. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold includes two 10 MP front cameras, one on the internal display and one on the external display, providing flexibility for video calls and selfies in both folded and unfolded modes.