Only the differences are shown. 17 specs stay the same.
Galaxy S21 5G is shown as its US version; Samsung also lists the Europe and Japan versions.
Galaxy S20 FE is shown as its Exynos version; Samsung also lists the Snapdragon version.
+2you gain
−3you give up
Galaxy S21 5G came out in January 2021. Galaxy S20 FE came out in October 2020.
Updates & AI
4 Android upgrades → 3 Android upgrades
Android 10, No Galaxy AI
Battery
4000 mAh → 4500 mAh battery
Up to 17 hours of video playback
Camera
64 MP → 8 MP telephoto
32 MP front, 4K 60 fps
Screen
Dynamic AMOLED 2X → Super AMOLED
6.5 in screen
Charging & connections
− mmWave 5G
Price check
Galaxy S20 FE no US price from Samsung · UK launch price £599
All 23 differences
Updates & AI2 losses · 1 change
Android upgrades promised
4 Android upgrades›3 Android upgrades
What does this mean?
How many new versions of Android (with the matching One UI) Samsung promised this phone would get after the one it came with.
Samsung promises a number of versions rather than a date. Each upgrade brings new features; security updates are a separate promise, in the row above.
Matters most if: You want the newest Android features for years to come.
Android at launch
Android 11›Android 10
What does this mean?
The version of Android, Google's phone software, that was installed when the phone first came out. Samsung adds its own design and features on top, called One UI (TouchWiz on older phones).
A Galaxy moves to newer Android versions through updates, so this shows where it started, not what it runs today.
Galaxy AI
Limited (Circle to Search and Chat Assist)›No
Shown as Limited because Samsung's US newsroom says the Galaxy S21 series gets Circle to Search and Chat Assist. Samsung's pages disagree: one Samsung US support page lists the S21 series for Galaxy AI and another leaves it out, Samsung UK's Galaxy AI list leaves it out, and Samsung Hong Kong and Japan say it gets Circle to Search only. Samsung's page
What does this mean?
Galaxy AI is Samsung's name for its set of AI features, such as live translation of phone calls, writing help and photo editing that fills in parts of a picture.
Samsung lists which phones get Galaxy AI, at launch or through a One UI update. Some features work on the phone itself and others use the internet; Samsung lists which is which, and availability varies by language and country.
Matters most if: You want AI features such as call translation or photo editing built into the phone.
Security updates until
No longer updated (same on both)
What does this mean?
The month Samsung's promise of security updates for this phone runs until: the date Samsung's own page gives, or worked out from the number of years Samsung announced, counted from when the phone came out.
A phone bought later or used has fewer years left. "No longer updated" means the phone is no longer on Samsung's list of phones that get security updates.
Matters most if: You plan to keep the phone for years, or you're buying one used.
Price1 unconfirmed
Price check
Galaxy S20 FE — no US price from Samsung · UK launch price £599
What your Galaxy S21 5G sells for
- Samsung Trade-In
- Sold listings on eBay
eBay may ask you to sign in to see sold prices.
Links open in a new tab. Prices are set by each seller and change daily.
Starting price
$799.99›No US price from Samsung · UK launch price £599
What does this mean?
What Samsung charged in the US when the phone launched, for the version with the least storage, before sales tax. Phones from before about 2014 were often priced with a two-year carrier contract.
This is not what it costs today: check the used and refurbished links for current prices. If Samsung has not confirmed a price, the site shows "Price not confirmed by Samsung".
Battery1 gain · 1 change
Battery capacity
4000 mAh›4500 mAh
What does this mean?
How much charge the battery holds, measured in mAh (milliamp-hours). Samsung lists a typical figure; we show the one Samsung gives.
A bigger number stores more energy, but how long a charge lasts also depends on the screen, the chip and which features you use.
Battery life (Samsung's figure)
Up to 19 hours of video playback›Up to 17 hours of video playback
Samsung gives a different figure for another version: Galaxy S21 5G, Europe version: Up to 20 hours of video playback.
What does this mean?
Samsung's own figure for how long a full charge lasts in one of its tests, usually hours of video playback (talk time on older phones).
It is a lab test of one activity, so real use with a mix of apps is usually shorter. Compare it only with another Samsung figure for the same test.
Matters most if: You are often away from a charger all day.
Camera1 gain · 2 changes · 1 unconfirmed
Telephoto camera
64 MP›8 MPDifferent
Samsung gives this camera's zoom as "Hybrid Optic Zoom", not as optical zoom, so its megapixels are not counted as a gain or a loss.
What does this mean?
The resolution in megapixels (MP) of the telephoto camera: a separate zoom lens that sees far-away things as if you were closer. "None" means the phone has no telephoto camera. Some Ultra models have two.
At the telephoto's own zoom level, the photo comes from a real lens instead of a cropped, enlarged image.
Matters most if: You photograph kids' sports, concerts, pets or wildlife from a distance.
Optical zoom
Not stated by Samsung›3x optical zoom
What does this mean?
How far the telephoto lens zooms on its own compared with the main camera (1x), for example '3x optical zoom'. Where Samsung lists two telephoto lenses, the comparison uses the longer one.
At this level the lens does the zooming, so no part of the image is cut away. 'Optical quality zoom' figures some models list come from cropping a high-resolution camera, not from a lens.
Matters most if: You compare zoom between phones: compare this row, not the 'up to' figures.
Front camera
10 MP›32 MP
What does this mean?
The resolution in megapixels (MP) of the selfie camera on the front.
A higher number keeps more detail in selfies and video calls, but light and processing matter as much.
Video (best)
8K 24 fps›4K 60 fps
What does this mean?
The highest video quality the rear camera records. 4K and 8K describe the picture size (8K is larger), and fps (frames per second) is how many still images make up each second.
Higher settings make bigger files, so long 8K or 4K 60 fps clips fill storage quickly.
Matters most if: You film a lot.
Rear cameras
3 (same on both)
What does this mean?
How many cameras are on the back. Each one is a separate lens for a different view: wide (the main camera), ultra wide and telephoto (zoom), depending on the model.
More cameras let you switch between a wide scene and a zoomed-in view using real lenses instead of cutting out part of the picture.
Main camera
12 MP (same on both)
What does this mean?
The resolution of the main camera's sensor in megapixels (MP), meaning millions of light-catching dots.
High-megapixel cameras usually combine neighboring dots into a smaller photo by default; you can switch to full resolution for large prints or cropping.
Matters most if: You want full-size photos for large prints or for cropping later.
Ultra wide camera
12 MP (same on both)
What does this mean?
The resolution in megapixels (MP) of the ultra wide camera: the lens that fits the most into the frame.
Use it for group photos, rooms and landscapes when you can't step back.
Matters most if: You shoot group photos, small rooms or landscapes.
Digital zoom (most)
Up to 30x (same on both)
What does this mean?
The farthest the camera can zoom, with software doing the work beyond what the lenses reach. Samsung calls it Space Zoom on many models.
Past the lens's own zoom, the camera enlarges part of the picture and relies on processing to keep it sharp, so the highest levels lose detail.
Matters most if: You zoom far and need the photo to show fine details.
Screen2 changes · 2 unconfirmed
Screen size
6.2 in›6.5 in
What does this mean?
The screen size, measured corner to corner (diagonally) in inches. 1 inch is 25.4 mm.
Samsung measures the screen as a full rectangle, so with rounded corners the visible area is a little smaller.
Screen type
Dynamic AMOLED 2X›Super AMOLED
What does this mean?
The type of screen, in Samsung's own words, such as Super AMOLED or Dynamic AMOLED 2X. AMOLED screens light each dot on its own, so black areas are truly black.
The name alone does not tell you how bright or sharp a screen is, so compare the brightness, resolution and refresh rate rows.
Adaptive refresh rate
48-120Hz›Not stated by Samsung
What does this mean?
The range of refresh rates the screen moves between on its own, in Samsung's words, such as '1~120Hz'. A screen that can slow to 1 Hz saves battery on still images.
The screen speeds up for scrolling and games and slows down for reading, to balance smoothness and battery life.
Matters most if: You care about battery life as well as smooth scrolling.
Peak brightness
1300 nits›Not stated by Samsung
As Samsung states it ("Peak"); Samsung does not say how it measures it, so compare it only with other Galaxy phones.
What does this mean?
The brightest the screen can get, in nits (a unit of screen brightness; higher is brighter), as Samsung measures it.
A high peak brightness makes the screen easier to see in direct sunlight. Makers measure peak brightness in different ways, so compare it only between phones from the same maker.
Matters most if: You use your phone outdoors a lot, such as for maps or photos in sunlight.
Refresh rate (most)
120 Hz (same on both)
What does this mean?
How many times per second the screen redraws the picture, in hertz (Hz). 120 Hz means up to 120 times a second.
A higher rate makes scrolling and switching apps look smoother, and uses more battery.
Matters most if: You scroll social feeds, read long pages or play fast games.
Resolution
2400 x 1080 (FHD+) (same on both)
What does this mean?
How many dots (pixels) make up the screen, written as height x width, with a name such as Full HD+ or Quad HD+.
On screens of the same size, more pixels show text and photos in finer detail.
Design & buttons3 changes · 1 unconfirmed
Unlock
Ultrasonic Fingerprint (in the screen), Face Recognition›Optical Fingerprint (in the screen), Face Recognition
What does this mean?
Ways to unlock the phone with your body instead of typing a PIN: a fingerprint sensor (in the screen, the side key, the home key or on the back), face recognition, or on some older models an iris scanner.
An ultrasonic sensor in the screen reads your finger with sound waves; others use light. Where the sensor sits changes how you unlock the phone with one hand.
Weight
171 g›190 g
What does this mean?
How much the phone weighs in grams (g); about 28 g is 1 ounce.
You feel the weight most when you hold the phone up for a long time, such as reading or filming.
Size (mm)
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9›159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4
What does this mean?
The phone's size in millimeters (mm): height x width x depth (thickness). 25.4 mm is 1 inch.
Height and width tell you whether it fits your pocket and hand; depth is how thick it is.
Materials
Metal frame; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus; haze-finish back›Not stated by Samsung
What does this mean?
What the outside of the phone is made of: the cover glass over the screen and back, and the frame around the edge, as Samsung lists them.
Glass names such as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus or Gorilla Armor are tougher generations of glass; a titanium or aluminum frame changes the weight and feel more than the strength in daily use.
Water and dust resistance
IP68 (same on both)
What does this mean?
A standard code for how well the phone keeps out dust and water. The first digit is dust (6 means dust-tight) and the second is water (8 is the highest of the usual ratings).
Samsung tests in fresh water; salt water, pools and soapy water are not covered, and the protection can wear off over time.
Headphone jack
No (same on both)
What does this mean?
Whether the phone has a 3.5 mm socket for wired headphones (the standard round headphone plug).
Without the jack, wired headphones need a USB-C plug or an adapter, or you use Bluetooth earbuds.
Charging & connections1 loss · 1 unconfirmed
Ultra Wideband
No›Not stated by Samsung
What does this mean?
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a radio chip that measures how far away another UWB device is and in which direction. It only works with another device that also has UWB.
With a tracker tag that has UWB, such as a Galaxy SmartTag+, the phone can show distance and direction to find keys or a bag.
Matters most if: You use tracker tags to find keys or bags.
mmWave 5G
LoseWhat does this mean?
mmWave ("millimeter wave") is a high-band type of 5G. The more common type, Sub-6, uses frequencies below 6 GHz. Usually only the US versions of Galaxy phones can use mmWave.
You need a carrier with mmWave 5G where you use the phone; the carrier's network decides which type the phone uses.
Matters most if: Your carrier offers mmWave 5G where you live or work.
USB port
USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1 (same on both)
What does this mean?
The kind of USB port Samsung lists: Micro USB on older phones, USB-C on newer ones, with a USB version such as USB 2.0 or USB 3.2. It concerns moving data over a cable, such as copying files to a computer.
A higher USB version can copy files faster with a cable that supports it. Charging speed is listed separately.
Wired charging
Up to 25W (same on both)
What does this mean?
How fast the phone charges with a cable, in Samsung's words, such as Super Fast Charging (25W or 45W). W (watts) is how much power the charger can deliver.
The top speed needs a charger and cable that support it; recent Galaxy phones come with a cable but no charger.
Matters most if: You often need a quick top-up before heading out.
Wireless charging
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (same on both)
What does this mean?
Whether and how fast the phone charges on a wireless charging pad, in Samsung's words, such as Fast Wireless Charging 2.0.
The fastest speed usually needs a matching Samsung charger. Wireless charging is slower than a cable but saves plugging in.
Qi2 magnetic charging
Not stated by Samsung (for both)
What does this mean?
Qi2 is a wireless charging standard with magnets that hold the charger in the right spot.
Samsung says which Galaxy phones work with Qi2 chargers, and whether they need a case with magnets for the charger to snap on.
Matters most if: You want a charger or stand that snaps onto the phone.
Wireless PowerShare
Yes (same on both)
What does this mean?
Wireless PowerShare lets the phone wirelessly charge another device, such as Galaxy Buds or a Galaxy Watch, placed on its back.
It works with devices that charge wirelessly, and it uses the phone's own battery.
Matters most if: You carry wireless earbuds or a watch and want to top them up away from a charger.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (same on both)
What does this mean?
The Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. 6E and 7 can also use the 6 GHz band, which is less crowded. Older phones list only the 802.11 letters (n is Wi-Fi 4, ac is Wi-Fi 5, ax is Wi-Fi 6).
A newer generation helps only with a router that supports it, and the 6 GHz band is not allowed in every country.
Matters most if: You have, or plan to buy, a Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 router.
Bluetooth
v5.0 (same on both)
What does this mean?
Bluetooth connects wireless accessories, such as earbuds and watches, to the phone. The number, such as v5.3, is the Bluetooth version.
Newer versions add features such as LE Audio, but your earbuds or watch need to support them too.
eSIM
Not stated by Samsung (for both)
Samsung's US pages disagree: the spec pages list an embedded SIM, while the product page says the Galaxy S21 series does not currently support eSIM in the U.S. Samsung's page
What does this mean?
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the phone: it connects you to your carrier without a SIM card.
Whether you can use eSIM depends on your carrier and country. Some versions of a model have eSIM and others do not.
Matters most if: You travel abroad or want two phone lines on one phone.
SIM card slot
Yes (same on both)
What does this mean?
A tray for the SIM card from your carrier. Some versions take two SIM cards (dual SIM).
With a tray, you can move the SIM card from your current phone instead of getting a new one.
Matters most if: Your carrier does not offer eSIM, or you often move a SIM card between phones.
FeliCa
Not stated by Samsung (for both)
What does this mean?
FeliCa is the contactless chip behind Osaifu-Keitai, the tap-to-pay service used in Japan for transit cards such as Suica and e-money such as WAON.
Samsung Japan lists it for the Galaxy versions sold in Japan; versions sold elsewhere do not have it.
Matters most if: You live in Japan, or want to use Suica or other Osaifu-Keitai services.
Chip & storage2 changes · 1 unconfirmed
Chip
Snapdragon 888›Exynos 990
What does this mean?
The main processor: the part that runs apps, camera processing and on-device AI. Samsung uses its own Exynos chips in some countries and Qualcomm Snapdragon chips in others, sometimes for the same model.
Where the chip depends on the country, the page shows a switch for the versions Samsung lists. A newer phone can have an older chip, so compare the chip names rather than the year.
Matters most if: You are buying a model that was sold with two different chips.
Security chip
Samsung Knox Vault›Not stated by Samsung
What does this mean?
A separate secure processor that keeps passwords, PINs and other sensitive data apart from the rest of the phone. Samsung calls it Knox Vault.
Phones where Samsung names no security processor still have Samsung Knox security in their software; this row only shows a separate chip Samsung names.
RAM
8 GB›6 GB (8 GB in some markets)
What does this mean?
RAM is the phone's short-term working memory for the apps running right now, measured in GB (gigabytes).
More RAM lets more apps stay open in the background. RAM is separate from storage, which holds your apps, photos and files. On some Galaxy phones it depends on the storage size or the country.
Storage options
128 GB, 256 GB (same on both)
What does this mean?
How much space the phone has for apps, photos, videos and files, in GB (gigabytes) or TB (terabytes; 1 TB is 1,000 GB).
Each storage size is sold at its own price, and not every size is sold in every country. You get less usable space than the number shown, because some of it holds the phone's own software.
What's new
RSS feedAdded Samsung Galaxy S, iPhone vs Galaxy and Pixel vs Galaxy
Galaxy S phones from the first Galaxy S (2010) to the Galaxy S26 series, checked against Samsung's own pages only, with a page for each model and a switch for models Samsung sold in separate versions, such as with an Exynos or a Snapdragon chip. iPhone vs Galaxy and Pixel vs Galaxy pages compare only what both makers publish, in each maker's own words, and you can pick a Galaxy on the iPhone and Pixel tabs.
Added prices by storage and configuration
Spec pages now list the launch price of each storage option, Mac configuration or Apple Watch case, and today's price on the maker's own store for models still sold, from Apple's and Google's own pages only. Comparisons call the old price row the starting price and add the price of the same configuration on both models: the same storage on iPhone, iPad and Pixel, the same memory and storage on Mac, and the same case on Apple Watch. iPhone pages also show Apple's wired fast-charging figure.
Added Google Pixel and iPhone vs Pixel comparisons
Pixel phones checked against Google's Pixel phone hardware tech specs page, with a page for each model and a switch for models Google sells in separate versions for the US, Japan and the rest of the world. iPhone vs Pixel pages compare only what both makers publish, in each maker's own words, and you can pick a phone from the other maker on the iPhone and Pixel tabs.