Okay, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) and see which one comes out on top for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2024-05-30 | Motorola is newer; likely with longer software support |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm | Motorola is taller and slightly thicker; Samsung is more compact |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Samsung is lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger viewing area |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400 | Very similar clarity; negligible difference |
| PPI | 403 | 395 | Similar pixel density, both sharp enough |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; P-OLED is similar to AMOLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both are smooth for scrolling and gaming |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | Samsung screen is brighter for outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Samsung has a significantly more powerful processor |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 514,000 | Samsung will be notably faster in apps and games |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | Samsung has a more powerful GPU for gaming |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola has slightly longer potential battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 30W Fast | Motorola charges slightly faster |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse | 15W Wireless | Samsung has more versatile charging; Motorola simpler |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | Motorola has a higher resolution sensor |
| Rear Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.0) | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto zoom lens; Motorola is wide only |
| Selfie | 32MP (f/2.2) | 32MP (f/2.45) | Samsung has wider aperture for slightly better low-light selfies |
| Rear Wide + Macro | 13MP (f/2.2) | 13MP (f/2.2) | Both are comparable for wide-angle and macro photos |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 960fps slow motion | 4K@30fps, 240fps slow motion | Samsung has more advanced video features |
| Camera DxoMark | Mobile 117, Selfie 127 | Not tested | Samsung has scored a camera rating |
| Additional Features | Optical Zoom, RAW | Time-lapse, Dual Capture | Samsung offers optical zoom and RAW capture, Motorola captures time lapse and has dual capture feature |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Up to 16) | Android 14 (Up to 15) | Motorola has a newer base OS; Samsung has more years of software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Motorola has faster Wi-Fi with 6GHz band |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Motorola has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Motorola has more accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano + eSIM | Motorola offers eSIM for more flexibility |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Both offer ample storage; Samsung has a lower option |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Both offer smooth multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Samsung excels in audio features |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both use basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung has better screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | None | Samsung has additional environmental sensors |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
Strengths:
- Significantly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 888) and GPU: This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Brighter AMOLED display: Better visibility outdoors, with great color reproduction.
- More versatile camera: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, plus better video recording features and RAW capture.
- Superior audio experience: Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus, which is known for its superior scratch and shatter resistance
- More versatile charging: Has reverse wireless charging.
- Additional Environmental sensors: Barometer for weather and altitude information.
Competitive Advantages: The S21 FE 5G is clearly the performance king here. The Snapdragon 888 is a flagship chip that is still very competitive. Its camera setup is more versatile.
Trade-offs: It's an older device (released in early 2022), and has a smaller battery.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):
- Strengths:
- Newer Device: Launched in mid-2024, it should have longer software support.
- Larger Display: The 6.7-inch screen is ideal for media consumption and productivity.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery will likely last longer.
- Faster charging: 30w charging is faster than Samsungs 25w
- eSIM Support: Useful for international travel or separating work and personal numbers.
- Faster WiFi: Wi-Fi 6E standard for improved wireless performance.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 with LDAC.
- Better location tracking: Has support for more GPS systems
Competitive Advantages: The Motorola wins on its modern design, battery life, and connectivity options.
Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful processor and camera performance compared to the Samsung. Lacks optical zoom and additional environmental sensors.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best for:
- Power Users: Those who demand smooth performance for gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value zoom capabilities, better video, and RAW image capture.
- Media Consumers: Those who prefer a vibrant and bright display.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is best for:
- Casual Users: People who prioritize battery life and a large screen for media consumption and social media.
- Travelers: Those who will benefit from eSIM support and the newer Wi-Fi and GPS features.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a reliable device with modern connectivity and good everyday performance at a lower price.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance is king for me?: If the answer is "yes", the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better choice due to its powerful Snapdragon 888 processor and dedicated GPU.
- Battery life and connectivity is important: If the answer is "yes", the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is better due to the newer WiFi and GPS, along with longer battery life and faster charging.
- Do I need a versatile camera with zoom and advanced features?: If "yes", the Samsung is the obvious choice thanks to its telephoto lens, brighter aperture for low-light photography and advanced video recording modes.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer / Power User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Its superior processor and GPU will provide a much smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
Scenario 2: Travel Enthusiast / Casual User
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). Its eSIM, longer battery life, and newer connectivity features make it a more practical choice for on-the-go use.
Scenario 3: Photography Lover
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, again. The telephoto lens, optical zoom, and superior video recording capabilities give it an edge for serious mobile photographers.
My Choice
If it were me, I'd choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers some modern niceties like a slightly larger screen, bigger battery and eSIM, the overall performance and camera quality on the S21 FE 5G make it the winner for me. The Snapdragon 888 is a beast of a processor, and I value the versatility of the telephoto lens for zoom shots and the superior video capture options. I do a lot of photo and video editing on the go, so the S21 FE 5G's performance and camera are critical for me. The brighter display is also a big plus for outdoor use. The S21 FE 5G is still a very capable device, and while it's an older model, I’m confident I’d be happy with it for a while.
