Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Realme 12 Pro. We’ll break down the specs, analyze their real-world impact, and figure out which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | S21 FE is more compact, Realme 12 Pro is taller and thicker |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | S21 FE is noticeably lighter, better for one-hand use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro offers a more immersive experience with a slightly larger screen |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2412 | Both are sharp, minor difference is not noticeable |
| PPI | 403 | 394 | Similar pixel density for great sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | S21 FE is noticeably brighter, superior for outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | S21 FE has the much more powerful flagship processor, significantly better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 574,000 | S21 FE shows significantly better performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 710 | S21 FE's GPU is much better for graphics-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2") | Realme 12 Pro boasts higher resolution, but S21 FE has a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 32MP (f/2.0) | S21 FE has an additional Telephoto + portrait camera but the Realme has a standalone Telephoto lens |
| Ultrawide Camera | 13MP (f/2.2, 1/3.06") | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | S21 FE has a higher resolution ultrawide lens, Realme has a larger sensor for this lens |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8") | 16MP (f/2.4) | S21 FE's selfie is higher resolution with a wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps w/ HDR, EIS | 4K@30fps w/ EIS | S21 FE is better with HDR |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 127 | N/A | S21 FE has detailed camera ratings, Realme has no data |
| Camera Features | Continuous AF, Manual Focus, RAW, Night Mode | No Manual focus, No RAW, No Night mode | S21 FE offers many more modes, manual control. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro has a larger battery and likely better battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 67W Fast | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless charging | Non-removable | S21 FE offers versatile charging features; neither comes with a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | Android 14 | Realme ships with a more recent OS; S21 FE is upgradable to 16 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme has the more recent standard with newer codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme supports more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Realme 12 Pro has more storage. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme has better audio overall. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have basic fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 FE has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | S21 FE has additional sensors for more accurate readings and comprehensive data. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides flagship-level performance, making it ideal for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Excellent Display: Brighter screen with higher outdoor visibility thanks to its 1300 nits display.
- Advanced Camera Features: Comprehensive features such as RAW capture, manual focus, and a dedicated Night Mode offer greater flexibility for photography enthusiasts, along with detailed DxoMark scores to validate its quality.
- Versatile Battery Features: Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging add convenience.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Barometer and compass for a more advanced array of sensor data.
- Screen Protection Gorilla Glass Victus Trade-Offs:
- The battery capacity is slightly less at 4500mAh
Realme 12 Pro Strengths:
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Larger battery capacity and significantly faster 67W charging.
- More RAM and Storage: Greater storage and RAM at 512GB and 12GB.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android (Android 14)
- Improved Audio: Hi-Res audio, dual microphones, and better spatial audio
- Better GPS Support Offers more GPS satellites Trade-Offs:
- Lower performance chipset.
- Lower brightness display.
- No wireless charging
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Ideal For:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and GPU provide excellent gaming performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Extensive camera features and manual controls are great for those who like to get creative with photography.
- Users who value screen quality: The screen is noticeably brighter in comparison.
- Tech Enthusiasts: The wireless charging, reverse charging, and barometer give a more comprehensive experience
Realme 12 Pro is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Need extended battery life and fast charging.
- Media Consumers: Need large storage for videos and movies.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: who want to buy a phone that's strong in most aspects without being too costly.
- Audio Lovers: A much better audio experience with Hi-Res audio.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Questions to Help You Decide:
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? If you’re a gamer or heavy app user, the S21 FE wins out; if you need a long-lasting battery and fast charging, go for the Realme 12 Pro.
- How important is camera flexibility and manual controls? The S21 FE gives you much more control and additional features, as well as verified DxoMark Scores.
- Do you care about wireless charging or screen brightness? The S21 FE has better wireless charging capabilities and a brighter screen, however, the Realme 12 Pro offers a more recent OS, Bluetooth Version and bigger storage and ram.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Frequent Gamer): Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for its superior processing power, better graphics performance and more advanced camera options.
- Scenario 2 (All-Day User): Choose the Realme 12 Pro for its long battery life and fast charging.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Lover): Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G for the manual camera controls, RAW format and DxoMark Scores
My Choice
If I were choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Realme 12 Pro, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. While the Realme 12 Pro is a fantastic device with its strengths in battery life, faster charging, and storage, my focus is on a balance of performance, features and overall experience that the S21 FE excels at.
The S21 FE's Snapdragon 888 chipset is a major draw for me, as I tend to run demanding apps and games. The performance difference is simply too substantial to ignore. Additionally, the brighter display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits is essential for my use cases, which frequently require outdoor screen visibility. I also really value the advanced camera features of the Samsung including manual controls, RAW format and especially the Night Mode, as well as the detailed DxoMark scores. The wireless charging and reverse wireless charging provide a level of convenience and flexibility that fits well with my tech habits, along with the additional sensors which complete the overall package.
While the Realme 12 Pro certainly provides a great experience with a larger battery and faster charging, I'm willing to trade off a little battery for the sheer processing power, the advanced camera features, the brighter screen, and the wireless charging capabilities, making the S21 FE a more complete package for my specific requirements.
