1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme GT 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 158.5 × 73.3 × 8.4 mm | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | Realme GT 5G is taller and thicker; S21 FE 5G is wider, impacting hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 186g | 177g | S21 FE 5G is slightly lighter, which may feel more comfortable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.4" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Nearly identical sharpness, no practical difference. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 403 | Indistinguishable sharpness to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Same vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 FE 5G is significantly brighter, much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Similar high-end performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 912,342 | 923,836 | Almost identical real-world performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 660 | Similar graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 (1/1.7") | 12MP f/1.8 (1/1.76") | Realme has higher resolution, S21 FE has larger pixel size. Likely different strengths in detail and low light. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP f/2.0 | S21 FE has optical zoom capability; Realme GT 5G lacks this versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.5 | 32MP f/2.2 (1/2.8") | S21 FE has higher resolution and a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.3 | None | Realme GT 5G includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for ultrawide photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Realme GT 5G includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP f/2.2 (1/3.06") | S21 FE includes wide-angle & macro in a single lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR/EIS | Both offer high-quality video; S21 FE has HDR support. |
| Slow Motion | Up to 480 fps | Up to 960 fps | S21 FE has higher slow-motion frame rate |
| DxoMark | Not tested | 117 Mobile, 127 Selfie | S21 FE provides an actual camera performance evaluation. |
| Camera Features | Laser AF, Ultra Stable Video | Optical Zoom, OIS, Exposure compensation | Realme has additional autofocus feature; S21 FE has optical image stabilization and zoom. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Realme GT 5G charges much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse/Wireless Charging | S21 FE offers more flexible charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 14) | Android 12 (up to 16) | S21 FE comes with a newer OS and will likely get more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 + MIMO | S21 FE has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, especially in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Realme GT has a newer Bluetooth version, with more up to date codecs; S21 FE has more features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Realme GT 5G supports more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 6/8GB | Realme GT 5G has more RAM options for heavy users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports MicroSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Realme GT offers Hi-Res audio and better voice capture. S21 FE has noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Basic biometric security on both devices. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 FE offers stronger screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 FE offers more sensors for advanced functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme GT 5G Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging is significantly faster than the S21 FE's 25W, allowing for quicker power-ups.
- More RAM Option: Up to 12GB RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Wider Variety of Camera Lenses: Offers a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for creative photography.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers potential improvements in speed and efficiency.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers superior audio quality.
- More Satellites for GPS: Offers more accurate location tracking.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (1300 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities for enhanced versatility.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Superior Build Quality: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch and drop protection.
- Later Software Version: Comes with Android 12 and is likely to receive more OS updates.
- More camera features: OIS and exposure compensation
- More Sensors: Features additional sensors such as gyroscope and barometer, which are useful for gaming and other applications.
- Camera performance: Higher DxoMark score and superior selfie camera
Trade-offs:
- Realme GT 5G prioritizes charging speed and raw performance, sacrificing some camera versatility and build quality.
- Samsung S21 FE 5G balances performance with a more refined feature set, such as a better display, more versatile charging options, and more software updates, but charges slower and has less ram (depending on config).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme GT 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who prioritize raw performance, fast charging, and multitasking capabilities.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want top-tier performance at a potentially lower price point.
- Creative Photographers: Those who like to experiment with wide-angle and macro shots, while also having a high-resolution main camera.
Use Cases for Realme GT 5G:
- Heavy mobile gaming with high frame rates and demanding graphics.
- Quickly charging during a short break.
- Capturing wide landscapes or close-up details.
- Multitasking between demanding apps
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is ideal for:
- General Users: Those who value a well-rounded experience with a great display, solid camera, and practical features.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a brighter display for use in sunlight.
- Users in the Samsung Ecosystem: Those who prefer Samsung's software and features, and might have other Samsung devices.
- Users who want longer software support: Those who want a phone with more guaranteed software updates.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Using wireless charging pads.
- Capturing zoomed-in images with the telephoto lens.
- General daily usage and multimedia consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is fast charging? (Realme GT 5G has a big edge.)
- Do you need a very bright display for outdoor use? (S21 FE is better.)
- Do you prefer more software updates? (S21 FE likely has longer support)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Fast charging is vital, budget is a constraint. Choose the Realme GT 5G.
- Scenario 2: Need reliable outdoor display visibility, prefer Samsung's software. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
- Scenario 3: Prioritize camera features like optical zoom and wireless charging. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
- Scenario 4: Want the highest possible raw performance, some versatility on camera, and newer Bluetooth version. Choose the Realme GT 5G.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the Realme GT 5G offers impressive charging speed and RAM, the S21 FE strikes a better balance for my needs. The much brighter display is a significant advantage for outdoor use, where I often find myself. The telephoto lens provides valuable versatility, and the overall user experience feels more polished. The wireless charging is also a convenient feature for me, and the longer software support is a bonus. While the faster charging on the Realme is tempting, the S21 FE better aligns with my typical use case scenarios.
