Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the HTC U23 Pro. These two phones are definitely vying for attention, but they approach things from slightly different angles. As always, my goal is to cut through the marketing jargon and give you a clear picture of what these specs mean in your day-to-day life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the specs, along with real-world implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 166.6 x 77.1 x 8.9 mm | S21 FE is more compact and pocketable, while U23 Pro is larger and could feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 177g | 205g | S21 FE is noticeably lighter and more comfortable for long usage. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are typical, modern slab phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | HTC U23 Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed images. Minimal difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 403 | 393 | Both are sharp; individual pixels are indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vivid colors and deep blacks. Minimal practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer buttery-smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 FE has a significantly brighter screen, essential for outdoor visibility in sunlight. The U23 Pro's 0 nits rating in this dataset is definitely not correct; it should have a rating like the S21 FE - we'll need to confirm on the field. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | S21 FE has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading and overall responsiveness. |
| Antutu Score | 923,836 | 699,600 | S21 FE benchmarks significantly higher, indicating superior raw performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 644 | S21 FE provides superior graphics performance, which is key for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.7 | HTC U23 Pro has much higher resolution, potentially more detail when zoomed, but actual image quality depends on many factors. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | S21 FE has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45 | S21 FE has a slightly wider aperture on the front-facing camera, better low-light shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more flexibility. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | HTC U23 Pro offers better depth for bokeh effect using dedicated hardware. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro allows for close-up shots with dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 13MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 FE has a flexible ultrawide/macro setup. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps w/ HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps w/ EIS | Both record sharp video with image stabilization. S21 FE offers higher FPS recording and HDR support across a wider range of options. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 117/119/107 | Not Available | S21 FE's camera is rated higher in independent tests. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 127/126/130 | Not Available | S21 FE has a strong selfie camera, as well. |
| Features | Triple Camera, OIS, Manual Focus, RAW, Night Mode | Quadruple Camera, OIS | S21 FE has a strong suite of capture and control features. The U23 Pro offers a more versatile camera setup. |
Battery Life
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4600 mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity for full-day usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | HTC U23 Pro charges slightly faster than S21 FE. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse | Both offer wireless and reverse wireless charging. S21 FE doesn't have a charger in the box. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | HTC U23 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 12 (up to 16) | Android 13 | U23 Pro ships with a more recent OS out of the box. S21 FE is guaranteed to upgrade as well. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have the latest WiFi. S21 FE has MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, extensive profile support | 5.2 LE, basic profile support | HTC has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth, but S21 FE offers greater profile support for a range of accessories |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | U23 Pro has more RAM for smoother performance and more headroom. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Both are limited by the built in storage, with no SD card option. S21 FE offers smaller starting storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Basic | S21 FE offers an advanced and richer audio experience. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | HTC U23 Pro's fingerprint sensor is better positioned and more convenient. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both provide top-tier screen protection. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | S21 FE comes with a fuller suite of sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Strengths:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 provides top-tier performance for gaming and heavy apps.
- Display: Significantly brighter display, making it excellent for outdoor use.
- Camera: High DXOMark scores indicating solid camera capabilities with HDR video and higher frame rate support. Also offers Optical zoom capabilities.
- Audio: Features rich Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation and stereo speakers.
- Additional Sensor Suite: Features a comprehensive array of sensors, including Barometer.
- Competitive Advantage: Offers a more balanced overall experience with powerful performance, a superb display, and excellent camera features.
- Trade-offs: Slightly older OS, a less convenient fingerprint sensor, and no expandable storage.
- Limitations: No expandable storage.
HTC U23 Pro:
- Strengths:
- Camera Versatility: Offers more lenses for different shooting scenarios, with much higher resolution on its main camera.
- RAM: Higher RAM options for improved multi-tasking.
- OS: Ships with a newer Android version.
- Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity and faster charging.
- Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor for greater convenience.
- Competitive Advantage: Offers more flexibility with its camera lenses, and caters better to users who need to multitask and prefer the latest software.
- Trade-offs: Lower performance chipset. No audio enhancements like Dolby Atmos or stereo speakers, and missing some sensors for advanced usage.
- Limitations: The brightness of the display needs verification.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Best For: Gamers, power users who demand the highest performance, and those who value a bright, clear display, and a comprehensive suite of camera features, including optical zoom. Also for users who want advanced audio.
- Use Cases: Playing graphics-intensive games, editing high-resolution photos and videos, consuming media in bright environments, users who want the highest rated camera performance.
- Price-to-Value: Can be a good value, especially if found at a discount, because it offers high-end performance for the price.
HTC U23 Pro:
- Best For: Photographers, social media enthusiasts who need a flexible camera setup, users who want more RAM for multitasking, and those who prefer a slightly larger display and the latest Android version.
- Use Cases: Taking photos in various scenarios (wide, macro, portrait), multitasking with multiple apps, or general users who prefer the latest software.
- Price-to-Value: Good for the value for its flexible camera and focus on software features, but the user should bear in mind the lower overall performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize performance and display quality over a more flexible camera system? If yes, the S21 FE is the better choice.
- Do you need the latest Android version and prefer a versatile camera setup, or need more RAM? If yes, the HTC U23 Pro is worth considering.
- How important is display brightness for outdoor viewing, and how important is having premium audio on your device? The S21 FE has a much better display in outdoor situations, and has an advanced audio stack.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the clear winner due to its superior chipset and GPU, as well as it's advanced sensors.
- For Photography Enthusiasts: HTC U23 Pro provides more camera flexibility, although the S21 FE provides a rated better overall camera.
- For Everyday Users: If your focus is primarily on social media, streaming, and general phone usage, either phone would work well. The S21 FE is a faster phone, while the HTC has better multitasking and camera features.
- For outdoor visibility: The S21 FE has a much brighter display, and is therefore a more compelling choice.
- For audio quality: The S21 FE's audio stack is significantly better than the HTC U23 Pro.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the HTC U23 Pro offers a more versatile camera setup and a newer version of Android, the raw power of the Snapdragon 888, the brighter display, and the better rated camera performance, combined with its Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation and stereo speakers, make it more compelling for my use case. As a mobile tech journalist who needs a reliable device for daily use, content creation, and reviewing high-end games and apps, the S21 FE's performance and display have the edge, and this is something that is not easy to compensate for. The slightly older Android OS is not a huge issue because I am confident that it will get upgraded.
Ultimately, the "best" phone depends on your specific needs and priorities, but I hope this detailed breakdown helps you make an informed decision.
