Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Realme Note 50 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 7, 2022 January 23, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 91.64 cm³ 102.59 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.62 "/g 3.62 "/g
Weight 177 g 186 g
Height 155.7 mm 167.2 mm
Width 74.5 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 7.9 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • White
  • Graphite
  • Lavender
  • Olive
  • Midnight Black
  • Sky Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.74 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.7 % 85.5 %
Pixel Density 403 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.86 mAh/in² 110.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.11 mAh/cm³ 48.74 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1 Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1 Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660 - Version 1 Mali-G57

Connectivity

USB Version N/A 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 13
Maximum OS Version 16

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Realme Note 50. On the surface, they're both rectangles that make phone calls, but under the hood, they represent vastly different approaches to smartphone design and functionality. Let's break down what each phone offers and what it means for you, the user.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21 FE 5GRealme Note 50Real-World Implications
Design
Dimensions155.7 × 74.5 × 7.9 mm167.2 × 76.7 × 8 mmS21 FE is more compact; Note 50 is larger and may be less comfortable for smaller hands.
Weight177g186gS21 FE is slightly lighter, which could be noticeable during extended use.
Display
Size6.4"6.74"Note 50 offers a larger viewing area; S21 FE is more pocketable.
Resolution1080x2340720x1600S21 FE offers a much sharper, more detailed display.
Pixel Density (PPI)403260S21 FE's display will look noticeably crisper and less pixelated.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDS21 FE has superior blacks, contrast, color accuracy, and power efficiency (especially with dark themes).
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzS21 FE provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1300 nits0 nitsS21 FE is significantly more visible outdoors, even in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 888 5GUnisoc T612S21 FE provides substantially faster processing, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
Antutu Score923,836248,000S21 FE offers a much snappier experience overall.
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G57S21 FE provides significantly better graphical performance, ideal for gaming and graphics-intensive apps.
Camera
Standard Rear12MP f/1.813MP f/2.2S21 FE has a wider aperture for better low-light photos; Note 50 has higher nominal resolution.
Telephoto + Portrait8MP f/2.0NoneS21 FE offers zoom capabilities with a dedicated telephoto lens, and better portraits due to the telephoto and portrait dedicated lens
Selfie32MP f/2.25MP f/2.2S21 FE captures significantly more detailed and higher quality selfies.
Wide + Macro13MP f/2.2NoneS21 FE offers ultrawide and macro lens capabilities for different shooting scenarios.
Black & WhiteNone2MP f/2.4Note 50 offers a black & white lens, for capturing B&W photos.
VideoUp to 4K@60fps1080p@30fpsS21 FE provides much higher quality video capture, with 4K capabilities for high-quality vlogs and memorable moments.
DxoMark Main Camera Score117NoneS21 FE takes much better quality photos and videos
DxoMark Selfie Camera Score127NoneS21 FE takes high quality selfies
FeaturesOIS, 4K, Optical ZoomDual cam, Digital ZoomS21 FE offers more advanced photographic capabilities.
Battery Life
Capacity4500mAh5000mAhNote 50 has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life.
Charging25W Fast10W FastS21 FE charges much faster, minimizing downtime.
FeaturesWireless Charging, Reverse ChargingNoneS21 FE offers more charging flexibility.
Software
OSAndroid 12 (upgradable to 16)Android 13Realme Note 50 has a newer base version of Android.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5S21 FE offers faster, more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
Bluetooth5.05.0S21 FE features more comprehensive Bluetooth profiles for better audio and device pairing.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GalileoS21 FE supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Storage & RAM
Internal Storage128/256 GB64/128/256 GBBoth come in varying sizes, however Samsung lacks a 64GB model.
RAM6/8GB3/4GBS21 FE has significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and app usage.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone offers expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersBasicS21 FE provides richer, more immersive audio.
Security
FeaturesBasic fingerprint sensorSide-mounted fingerprint sensorRealme Note 50 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass VictusUnknownS21 FE is more resistant to scratches and drops.
Sensors
SensorsComprehensiveBasicS21 FE includes additional environmental sensors and advanced features

2. Key Insights

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:

  • Superior Display: The AMOLED panel with its higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness makes the S21 FE an absolute winner for media consumption.
  • Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chip provides a substantial performance advantage.
  • Better Camera System: Versatile camera setup, superior quality on all lenses, 4K video recording and overall better image quality with OIS, optical zoom etc.
  • Faster Charging and Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers deliver an immersive audio experience.
  • Robust Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and comprehensive Bluetooth.
  • Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.

Realme Note 50 Strengths:

  • Larger Display: The bigger screen offers more screen real estate for media consumption.
  • Larger Battery: The larger battery should allow for longer battery life.
  • Newer OS: Newer base version of Android OS out of the box.
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: A more modern security feature.
  • More affordable: A cheaper option

Trade-offs and Limitations:

  • S21 FE: Older Android version out of the box. No charger included in the box.
  • Realme Note 50: Significantly weaker in processing power, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed. It lacks features like wireless charging and high-quality video recording.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:

  • Ideal For:
    • Users who prioritize high-quality media consumption (movies, gaming).
    • Mobile photographers and videographers who need versatile, high-performance cameras.
    • Power users who demand smooth multitasking and lag-free performance.
    • Anyone who needs a device that can perform well for a long time.
    • Users who are willing to pay more for top-tier features.

Realme Note 50:

  • Ideal For:
    • Budget-conscious users seeking a large display for basic tasks like browsing and media viewing.
    • Users who value long battery life and prioritize screen size over picture quality.
    • Users who only need basic functionality and don't require high performance.
    • Users who value the latest version of Android.
    • Users that don't require cutting edge features.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to consider to help you decide:

  1. What do I use my phone for the most? If you mostly browse social media and watch videos casually, the Realme Note 50 might suffice. If you game, take a lot of photos, or edit video content, the S21 FE is the obvious choice.
  2. How important is display quality? If you appreciate a crisp, vibrant display, the S21 FE's AMOLED panel is a must. If a basic display is fine, the Note 50 will do.
  3. What's my budget? The Realme Note 50 will be the more budget-friendly option but will come at the expense of core features. The S21 FE costs more but provides a dramatically better user experience.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget User: You mainly make calls, send texts, and do some light browsing. Go for the Realme Note 50 and save your money.
  • Social Media User: You love taking and sharing pictures and videos. The S21 FE is much better suited due to its high-quality camera setup and the better display.
  • Gaming Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will provide a far superior experience. The Realme Note 50 is completely inadequate for gaming.
  • Power User: The S21 FE is the clear winner due to its fast processor, plenty of RAM, and faster storage for high performance.

Final Thoughts

Both phones have their strengths, but they target completely different users. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G stands as a premium device that prioritizes display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. The Realme Note 50 is for users who are primarily concerned about price and a large screen size for basic tasks.

My Choice:

If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G without hesitation. As someone who values high-performance, good screen quality, and camera capabilities, the S21 FE clearly caters to my needs. The performance difference between the Snapdragon 888 and the Unisoc chip is monumental. This, combined with the much better camera, brighter and more vivid display, makes it a much better daily driver. I am a power user, and I need a phone that can handle anything I throw at it. The battery, along with the much faster charging speeds, is an acceptable trade-off.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.