Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Motorola Moto G35. I'll break down the specs, analyze their real-world implications, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a look at how these two phones stack up across key categories:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | The S21 FE is more compact, while the G35 is taller and slightly wider, making it less pocket-friendly but offering a larger screen |
| Weight | 177g | 188g | S21 FE is lighter which can improve comfort during prolonged use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both have standard smartphone builds |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.72" | The G35 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both provide sharp visuals, with a very similar pixel density |
| PPI | 403 | 392 | Very similar pixel density, both look sharp |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 FE's AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, and is more power-efficient |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, a great experience overall |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | The S21 FE is noticeably brighter, making it better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Unisoc T760 | The S21 FE's Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level chipset, providing much higher performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 423,297 | The S21 FE scores more than double the G35, indicating much snappier app loading, faster multitasking, and superior gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 | The Adreno 660 in the S21 FE is significantly more powerful, further bolstering its gaming and graphics processing capabilities |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | The G35 has higher resolution, but the S21 FE has a larger sensor, which typically translates to better low-light performance and dynamic range |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0, Hynix HI-847 | None | S21 FE offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom and portrait shots |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX258 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The S21 FE offers a Wide Angle + Macro, while the Motorola offers an 8MP Wide Angle. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | 16MP, f/2.45 | The S21 FE offers higher resolution for crisper self portraits, and better low-light performance with a wider aperture |
| Video | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | S21 FE supports more modes for videography with a 60fps recording, and HDR and slow motion 240fps |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | N/A | The S21 FE is a significantly better camera in all conditions, having higher image and video quality |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode, Optical Zoom | No OIS, Digital Zoom only | The S21 FE comes with many more features like Optical Zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), and a dedicated Night Mode, making it a much more versatile camera |
Battery Life
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The G35 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 18W Fast | S21 FE charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse Charging 4.5W | None | S21 FE has a more advanced feature set including wireless and reverse wireless charging |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Strengths: Its biggest strength lies in its flagship-level performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 888 chipset. It also features a superior AMOLED display with higher brightness, a more versatile camera system, and faster charging. The added features of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also significant advantages.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior performance, better display quality, more advanced camera features including telephoto, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- Trade-offs: Slightly smaller screen, smaller battery, and lacks expandable storage
Motorola Moto G35:
- Strengths: It boasts a larger display and a larger battery than the S21 FE, which is great for media consumption and all-day use. It is also a newer phone, shipping with a newer version of Android
- Competitive Advantages: Longer battery life, Larger Display and more up to date OS out of the box.
- Trade-offs: Significantly lower performance and a much less capable camera system, as well as lower display quality. It also lacks the S21 FE's high-end features like OIS, a telephoto lens, and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, photography lovers, and users who prioritize performance and visual quality over everything else. If you are used to flagship phones, this will feel more familiar and provide a better experience.
- Use Cases: Ideal for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and running multiple apps. Great for users who want top-tier camera capabilities for everyday photography, especially in challenging lighting. The better screen is perfect for social media and streaming, whilst the wireless and reverse charging gives you more flexibility.
Motorola Moto G35:
- Best Suited For: Casual users who value battery life and a larger screen, as well as a more up-to-date operating system, and don't need top-tier performance or camera quality.
- Use Cases: Perfect for browsing, social media, watching videos, and general daily tasks. The big battery means you don't need to charge the phone every day. It's a great choice for people on a tight budget who need a reliable and long-lasting device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some key questions to ask yourself when deciding between these phones:
- How much do you value performance? If you are planning to play graphically intensive games or do a lot of multitasking, the S21 FE is the only logical choice.
- Which do you value more: Battery life or display quality? The G35 has a bigger battery and slightly larger screen, while the S21 FE has an advanced AMOLED display with better brightness and contrast.
- How important is camera quality? The S21 FE is far superior, with more versatile lens options, much better quality, and more features. If you value taking high-quality pictures, the S21 FE is much better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Power User: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the clear winner, delivering a much smoother experience, better image quality, and an overall better user experience.
- For the Budget-Conscious: The Motorola Moto G35 offers a large battery, large screen, and an updated OS out of the box, which makes it perfect for those on a budget.
- For the Media Consumer: The Motorola Moto G35, with its large battery, large screen, is an excellent choice. However, the S21 FE's display is more vibrant and will provide a better viewing experience if you're in a brighter environment.
- For the Casual User: The Motorola Moto G35 offers excellent battery life for light use, and comes with a more up-to-date operating system.
Which would I choose?
Personally, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the Moto G35 has some appealing features, the sheer performance gap is too large to ignore. As someone who appreciates snappy performance, a great screen, and good camera capabilities, the S21 FE caters to my needs much better. The faster charging and extra features like wireless charging and reverse charging are huge for me, as I use a lot of devices throughout the day and it allows me to keep my devices charged with a smaller power bank. The biggest drawback, the smaller battery, isn't enough to sway me away, given the overall package that the S21 FE offers.
I hope this detailed analysis helps you make an informed decision! Let me know if you have any other questions.
