Samsung is really putting us through the ringer this year, releasing the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE just weeks before the new Galaxy S22 family. If you're trying to decide if its worth saving a couple hundred dollars and going for the S21 FE then we're here to help you make the call.
First, here are their specs:
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22
| Galaxy S21 FE | Galaxy S22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.4-inch flat | 6.1-inch flat |
| Resolution | 1080p+ with 120Hz | 1080p+ at 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 12MP + 8MP | 50MP + 12MP + 10MP
|
| Front Camera | 32MP | 10MP |
| Processor | Exynos 2100 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Storage | 128GB - 256GB | 128GB - 256GB |
| Battery | 4,500mAh | 3,700mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Price | From $999 | From $1,249 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22 Price
Affordability is a key factor when it comes to deciding between these two phones. The S21 FE is marketed as a the best features from the S21 range, in a cheaper body to bring the price down. While the S22 is your entry level flagship. In saying that, there is only a $200-$250 difference between the two.
Here are the outright prices for the S21 FE and the S22:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (128GB): $999
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (256GB): $1,099
- Samsung Galaxy S22 (128GB): $1,249
- Samsung Galaxy S22 (256GB): $1,349
These same prices are reflected in phone plans. When you buy a phone from Telstra, Vodafone, Optus, or Woolworths Mobile (the four providers likely to range both devices in Australia), you'll simply pay the outright price of the phone, divided by how many months on your plan. Your SIM plan will then be added on top of that.
Every now and again, telcos offer discounts on handsets, but in short, the more expensive the outright price, the more expensive your phone plan will be. Sometimes promotions can skew the maths a little - we've already seen some providers offer temporary discounts on the Galaxy S21 FE, and these are likely to resurface now that the S22 family has been announced.
Here's a selection of popular Galaxy S21 FE plans:
And here are all the two cheapest S22 plans available from each provider.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plans
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$86.85/mth
Min. cost $1,187.40
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$116.85/mth
Min. cost $1,217.40
Out of stock
|
|
#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$91.02/mth
Min. cost $1,287.48
Out of stock
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$121.02/mth
Min. cost $1,317.48
Out of stock
|
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22 Camera
The S21 FE and the S22 have pretty similar camera setups. Both have a primary lens, ultra-wide lens, and a 3x zoom camera. The megapixels on these are 12MP + 12MP + 8MP, and 50MP + 12MP + 10MP respectively.
The biggest difference between the Galaxy S22 camera and the Galaxy S21 FE camera is the primary lens. The S22 measures in at 50MP, while the Galaxy S21 FE has a 12MP sensor. While megapixels aren't everything, Samsung says the S22 should be better at low light photos and videos.
The Galaxy S22's 3x optical zoom is a higher resolution than the Galaxy S21 FE's, and we'd also expect it to be better quality.
We can't make any clear-cut comparisons right now, but as soon as we get our hands on an S22 we will go into the practical differences in photography.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22 Design
Like most other aspects of these devices, the S21 FE and the S22's designs will be quite similar. Historically the entry-level Galaxy S series phones have a less premium finish than the + and Ultras, and the FEs are a touch below that again.
The design is all but identical, with just some minor differences between the pair. Both have the sidebar camera bump, and a hole punch selfie cam. Although the S22 has aluminium camera bump and edge, while the S21 FE is entirely polycarbonate.
Size-wise the S22 is 6.1-inches and the S21 FE comes in at 6.4-inches, giving it a larger display.
Both come in a range of colours; the S21 FE colours are more vibrant coming in white, graphite, lavender, and olive. The S22 comes in black, white, green, and pink gold.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22 Performance
Being the latest piece of tech from Samsung, we're anticipating that the S22's new processor will be slightly faster. While we did see some minor performance issues with S21 FE in our testing, it was for the most part reliable and quick. The lower 6GB of RAM is most likely to blame for some stutters here and there. The Galaxy S22 has 8GB of RAM.
The performance between the two isn't likely to be much of a deciding factor. Both should be more than capable for your phone's usual tasks, but the additional RAM on the S22 may be worth considering if you tend to use more intensive applications.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S22 Battery
Over the past few years, Android flagship batteries have been disappointing. Even on the S21 FE which has 4,500mAH battery capacity, we had to disable the 120hz refresh rate to make it through the day with a more comfortable buffer.
Samsung's Galaxy S22 does now have an adaptive refresh rate, which should help to smooth out some extra battery life. Regardless, its battery capacity is down to 3,700mAH which is a massive drop from the S21 FE.
Considering that the FE struggles to get through the day with its larger capacity, we have our doubts about the S22's battery life. In saying that, Samsung may just surprise us. Time will tell on this one.
Should I buy the Galaxy S21 FE or the Galaxy S22?
From what we know so far about the Galaxy S22, it is a close call between it and the S21 FE.
You'll pay slightly more for the S22 and in exchange get a newer processor, a higher megapixel count on the cameras, and a slightly more premium design.
On the other hand, the S21 FE has a larger battery capacity, but otherwise pretty similar specs.
At this point in time, we wouldn't recommend jumping the gun. The S22's rumoured battery capacity could mean that you need to carry a charger along with you, and we'll need to wait and see what the camera is like.
Your choice is likely to be dependent on what kind of compromise you want to make. If you're ok with a theoretically worse battery in exchange for a newer processor then the S22 may be a good option. But if you'd rather save some money and get year old cameras, then the S21 FE looks to still be a solid bet.
We will update this guide with more up to date information when we get our hands on the newest Samsung flagships.
In the meantime, you can look at how the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra stack up.
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
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