Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Motorola Moto G82. These two phones occupy different niches in the market, and understanding their strengths is key to picking the right one for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table breaking down the key specs and what they mean in the real world:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G82 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2022-06-07 | G82 is 5 months newer |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 160.9 x 74.5 x 8 mm | S21 FE is a bit shorter, both are nearly identical width and thickness. |
| Weight | 177g | 173g | Negligible difference; both feel lightweight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.6" | Moto G82 offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are sharp; slight difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 403 | 402 | Virtually identical pixel density, sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 FE has much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Moto G82 likely has lower brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G | Snapdragon 695 5G | S21 FE has a much more powerful chipset for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 390,000 | S21 FE is significantly faster in performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 619 | S21 FE has better graphics performance, great for gaming. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G82 should offer better battery endurance. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Moto G82 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse | Non-removable | S21 FE has more battery features, including wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Moto G82 has much higher resolution, S21 FE has larger sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.0 | None | S21 FE offers telephoto capabilities for zoomed shots. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | S21 FE captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G82 offers a wider field of view. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G82 has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 13MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 FE uses a combined sensor. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | 1080p@60fps | S21 FE offers much higher video quality and slow-motion. |
| DXOMark | Mobile 117, Selfie 127 | Not Tested | S21 FE has very good camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Advanced, Night Mode | Basic | S21 FE has far more camera feature options |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, max 16 | Android 12, max 13 | S21 FE is slated to have more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | Wi-Fi ac | S21 FE has newer, faster WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Moto G82 has slightly newer Bluetooth. |
| GPS | Full suite | Full suite | Both have good location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM setup. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128GB | S21 FE has more storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6 GB | S21 FE has more RAM options for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Similar audio capabilities with Dolby Atmos, S21 FE also has Noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Moto G82 has a slightly better fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 FE has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensor Suite | Full Suite, Barometer | Full Suite, Magnetometer | S21 FE is better for environmental awareness and gaming while the Moto G82 has a magnetometer |
2. Key Insights
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: This phone is a powerhouse, boasting a flagship-level Snapdragon 888 chipset. This translates to snappy performance, smooth multitasking, and a superior gaming experience. Its camera setup is versatile with a dedicated telephoto lens and offers higher-quality video recording. The display is excellent with high brightness, making it usable even in sunlight, and also includes wireless and reverse wireless charging. It will also have more OS updates, a big bonus for long term users.
- Motorola Moto G82: The Moto G82 shines in battery life thanks to its larger 5000mAh battery and is a bit newer. It also offers a more modern design. While the chipset is less powerful, the Snapdragon 695 handles everyday tasks and basic gaming smoothly. The camera system has a higher megapixel count on the main sensor and includes macro and ultra-wide lenses, which may be preferred by some users. The main trade-off is that this is far less powerful for gaming and heavy tasks than the Samsung.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Gamers, heavy multitaskers, avid photographers/videographers, and power users who want high performance and advanced features. Also, those who want to keep their phone for the long term and like to get frequent software updates.
- Use Cases: Playing graphic-intensive games, editing 4K videos, using multiple apps simultaneously, capturing photos/videos in various conditions.
- Motorola Moto G82:
- Ideal User: Casual users, media consumers, budget-conscious buyers, and those who prioritize battery life and a larger screen.
- Use Cases: Streaming videos, browsing the web, social media, everyday photography, general productivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance? If you need raw power for gaming or heavy tasks, the S21 FE is the clear winner. For everyday use, the G82 is capable.
- What are your priorities for the camera? If you want versatile lenses, more advanced features and high-quality video, the S21 FE is better. If you need a macro and wide angle lens and basic photography, the G82 will suffice.
- How long do you plan to use the phone? The S21 FE will have more software updates and a better performance for the long term. The G82 will only get 1 more major OS update.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The "Power User": Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. It provides the power and features you need.
- The "Budget Conscious Casual User": The Motorola Moto G82 offers the best value for your needs, with great battery life and a large display for media consumption.
- The "Photo Enthusiast": While both phones offer good cameras, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G has much more features and higher quality camera, video and lenses.
My Choice
If it were me choosing, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. The performance boost from the Snapdragon 888 is significant and the long term software updates are very valuable. I value having the best possible photography and video, along with the high brightness screen and wireless charging, it’s a really feature rich device. The Moto G82 is a capable phone, but the S21 FE has a huge performance and feature advantage for those who like using their phones frequently and like playing graphically intense games or editing photos/videos.
