Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. I'll be putting on my tech journalist hat, combining my engineering knowledge with a user-centric approach to break down these two impressive devices.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus, along with a practical explanation of what these specs mean for you:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2023-09-22 | The iPhone is about 20 months newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | The iPhone is slightly larger and a touch thinner. |
| Weight | 177g | 201g | The Samsung is lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | The iPhone offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1290x2796 | The iPhone has significantly sharper visuals due to a higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 403 | 460 | The iPhone’s higher PPI translates to a crisper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Samsung has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone is significantly better in bright sunlight with higher max brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Apple A16 Bionic | The iPhone's chipset offers significantly higher performance in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone is faster for apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The iPhone's GPU offers better graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4383mAh | Similar battery capacities, expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The Samsung charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless | The Samsung offers more versatile wireless charging options. iPhone has MagSafe. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.8 | 48MP f/1.6 | The iPhone has a significantly higher resolution main sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | None | The Samsung has a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/1.9 | The Samsung has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 13MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.4 | Samsung slightly higher res and wider apperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 60fps | Both offer high-quality 4K video with stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 117 | 145 | The iPhone excels in both photo and video quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 16) | iOS 17 (up to 18) | Different ecosystems; Android offers customization, iOS is known for its ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The iPhone has the latest Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | The iPhone has slightly better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The iPhone offers the flexibility of eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The iPhone offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6GB | The Samsung offers more RAM in higher end model, and good for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | 3 Microphones | Samsung has Dolby Atmos. iPhone has 3 mics for better calls. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security | The Samsung offers the convenience of a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | Corning GG Victus | Unknown | Samsung has better screen protection |
| Sensors | Extensive Sensor Suite | Extensive Sensor Suite | Samsung has Fingerprint and Hall sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Strengths:
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother user experience for animations and scrolling.
- Versatile Charging: It offers both wired and wireless charging, including reverse wireless charging, and faster wired charging, offering extra functionality.
- Telephoto Camera: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens that adds flexibility to your photography.
- More Customisable: With Android, you have greater freedom to modify your user interface.
- Trade-offs:
- Older Chipset: The Snapdragon 888 is powerful but not as fast as the A16 in the iPhone.
- Lower Screen Brightness: Not as good for outdoor use as the iPhone 15 Plus.
- No Expandable Storage: Limited to the onboard storage option.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
- Strengths:
- Higher Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides top-tier performance for apps and gaming.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher PPI, and significantly brighter screen results in a sharper and more viewable display.
- Better Main Camera: The 48MP main sensor excels in photo and video quality.
- Longer Software Support: Apple typically offers longer software support periods.
- Larger Storage Option: Up to 512GB storage capacity available.
- Trade-offs:
- Lower Refresh Rate: The 60Hz display doesn’t feel as smooth compared to the Samsung’s 120Hz.
- Less Versatile Charging: Only offers basic MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- No Fingerprint Sensor: Relies primarily on facial recognition or passcode.
- Less Customisable: iOS has a tighter eco-system and restrictions.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- The Gamer: The 120Hz refresh rate and dedicated telephoto camera are great for gaming. The reverse wireless charging can be used to charge peripherals.
- The Android Enthusiast: Users who prefer the openness and customization of Android over iOS will find this appealing.
- The Photography Buff: The versatile camera system is ideal for those who need different lenses.
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus:
- The Power User: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, or high-intensity multitasking.
- The Content Creator: Users who prioritize high-quality photo and video for their social media and other projects.
- The Apple Fan: Users who prefer the simplicity of iOS and the seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some questions to help you choose between these phones:
- Do you prioritise smooth scrolling or screen brightness and resolution?
- Do you prefer Android or iOS, and how important are their ecosystem benefits?
- How important is having fast processing speeds compared to having wireless charging capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Performance and Display Clarity: If raw performance, a bright and sharp display, and top-tier camera quality are your priorities, choose the Apple iPhone 15 Plus.
- For Gaming and Versatile Charging: If you need a smoother display for gaming and more flexible charging options with a telephoto camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better choice.
- For Best of Both Worlds: If you're somewhere in between, consider which operating system and ecosystem you prefer first, then consider which features are more important to you.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go for the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While I do appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate of the Samsung, I value overall performance and the superior camera quality offered by the iPhone for my day-to-day use, as I use my phone for photography a lot. The higher peak brightness also means I can use it in any lighting condition. Additionally, as someone who uses other Apple devices, the ecosystem benefits are something that I would appreciate too. The improved processing power is something that would matter to me too.
