Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the realme 8. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm keen to explore the nuances and real-world impact of their specifications. This isn't just a specs sheet showdown; it’s about how these devices fit into your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | realme 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2024-05-28 | The realme 8 is a newer device, which may indicate access to newer technologies and better software support, although Samsung is known for long software updates. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm, 177g | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm, 191g | The S21 FE is more compact and lighter, making it easier to handle and pocket. The realme 8 is larger and may feel bulkier. The weight difference can also be felt in daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.78" | The realme 8 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. The S21 FE is more manageable one-handed, it depends on the user preference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1264x2780 | The realme 8 has higher pixel count, meaning sharper images and text for increased clarity, important for detailed work and visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 403 PPI | 450 PPI | The realme 8 has a more pixel dense display, leading to finer details and sharper images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, but the display tuning may be a personal choice for the user. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both screens provide smooth scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 FE has much better visibility outdoors, particularly in direct sunlight where the realme 8 would be very hard to use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the realme 8 is a more modern chipset, leading to improved overall performance, efficiency, and a lower power consumption. The Snapdragon 888 on the S21 FE is still very capable, but slightly older. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 732 | The Adreno 732 in the realme 8 will likely provide better graphics processing, potentially offering superior gaming performance compared to the Adreno 660 in the S21 FE. |
| Antutu Score | 923,836 | N/A | The S21 FE has a high benchmark score, indicating strong real-world performance. The missing data for realme 8 makes direct comparison impossible. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm, IMX555) | Not Available | S21 FE has a good main camera with a large sensor for low light. The realme 8 lacks specifications on its main camera. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP (f/2.0, 1.0µm, HI-847) | Not Available | The S21 FE offers optical zoom capabilities for better distant subject shots and more effective portrait mode than digital zoom. realme 8 does not have it. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm, IMX616) | Not Available | S21 FE features a high-resolution selfie camera for great front-facing photos, but the realme 8 doesn't provide any comparable information. |
| Wide/Macro Camera | 13MP (f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm, IMX258) | Not Available | S21 FE offers a wide-angle lens for group shots and a macro lens for close-up photography. realme 8 doesn't have it. |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps HDR, EIS; 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps OIS,EIS; 1080p@120fps | Both devices can shoot 4K video, however the S21 FE can shoot slow motion at 960 fps and have video stabilization. The realme 8 has stabilization for most video modes, but it is not clear if all are included, also it does not have slow motion. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | N/A | The S21 FE has been tested with good results by DxOmark, but there's no benchmark data for realme 8 to compare with. |
| Camera Features | Extensive features, including OIS | No feature specifications | The S21 FE has a variety of advanced camera features, providing more control and flexibility in photography. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 0 mAh | The S21 FE has a larger battery, which usually translates to longer usage. The realme 8 missing battery capacity information leaves a big question mark on its battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | Standard charging | The S21 FE supports fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups. The realme 8 charging rate is not clear. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | Standard | The S21 FE offers the additional features of reverse and wireless charging. The realme 8 does not include these features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (max. 16) | Android 14 | The realme 8 launches with a newer version of Android. The S21 FE can be updated up to Android 16. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual-band, Hotspot etc | No feature specifications | The S21 FE supports the newer and faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, plus other features like dual-band and hotspot, lacking in the realme 8's specifications. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, LE, A2DP, etc | No feature specifications | The S21 FE includes a newer bluetooth version 5.0 and a variety of profiles for different uses. The realme 8 does not provide such data. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | No feature specifications | The S21 FE provides better location accuracy due to its multi-satellite support compared to realme 8's unknown support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | No feature specifications | The S21 FE has dual SIM support, which means you can have two SIM cards active. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | Not Specified | The S21 FE offers more internal storage choices than the realme 8. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | Not Specified | The S21 FE provides the option of more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic | Basic | The S21 FE offers a superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and a noise-canceling microphone for calls, compared to the unknown audio capabilities of the realme 8. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 FE has superior screen protection which means less risk of scratching your screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, etc | Basic | S21 FE has a very comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming compared to the basic sensor package on realme 8. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
Strengths:
- Strong Display: High brightness AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and a 1300 nits of brightness makes it great for outdoors.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 is still very powerful, capable of handling demanding games and applications.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a main, telephoto, wide-angle and selfie cameras with a plethora of features, providing great images and video.
- Premium Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse charging, dual SIM, Dolby Atmos audio and a very comprehensive sensor package.
- Solid Design and Build: Compact form factor with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The device is not the newest one on the market, as it was released more than two years ago.
- No expandable storage option.
- Lacks a headphone jack.
realme 8:
Strengths:
- Newer Android Version: The realme 8 has a newer Android OS out of the box, which may get further software support.
- Potentially Better Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 may be more efficient and faster than the Snapdragon 888, but no benchmark to compare them side by side.
- Potentially Superior GPU The Adreno 732 on the realme 8 may outperform the Adreno 660 on the S21 FE.
- Larger Display: Provides a bigger display for a better media and gaming experience.
Trade-offs:
- Lacks almost all specification data, making direct comparisons to the S21 FE impossible, making this an incomplete analysis, and the realme 8 may be inferior in almost every area.
- Lacks features such as wireless charging, reverse charging, and an array of useful sensors.
- Significantly lower screen brightness, making it hard to use outdoors.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Ideal For: Users seeking a reliable, high-performance phone with a great camera, good screen for bright environments and premium features. Gamers, content creators, and those who value build quality will find it beneficial.
- Use Cases: Outdoor photography, video recording, gaming, multitasking, and power users who need many features will love this phone.
realme 8:
- Ideal For: Users seeking an affordable device with the newest Android software, a good CPU and GPU, and a big screen.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, gaming, and users that need a newer phone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when deciding between these two phones:
- How important is screen visibility in bright environments to you? The S21 FE's 1300 nits of brightness makes it far superior for outdoor use.
- Are camera quality, extra features and a comprehensive sensor suite essential? The S21 FE has a superior camera system with more features, wireless charging, reverse charging and extra sensors.
- How important is getting the newest software and potentially superior performance? The realme 8 has the newest Android system, and a very powerful CPU and GPU that may surpass the S21 FE, although it has no data to support it.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: The realme 8 is a budget choice for the newest software, but with the lack of specifications it may not be the best purchase. The S21 FE is a far superior phone, but the realme 8 may provide better value depending on its price.
- Power User: The S21 FE, with its many features, very bright screen, good performance and versatility is the best choice.
- Casual User: The S21 FE is a better option, with a good camera and display, unless the user needs the newest Android software and wants to gamble on the realme 8 and its missing specifications.
Final Choice
If I were choosing between these two, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G would be my pick. The realme 8 is a blank slate, and I can’t recommend it without specification data to back up its claims. The S21 FE, despite being a bit older, offers a more polished, feature-rich experience. The Snapdragon 888 is still incredibly capable, the camera system is top-notch, and the 1300 nits display brightness for outdoor use is a necessity for me. Plus, features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a fully featured sensor suite make it incredibly versatile and suitable for all my daily needs.
The realme 8's lack of information, missing features, questionable specs, and significantly lower screen brightness puts it behind the S21 FE, which even being a little bit older, is a more complete, capable and superior phone.
