Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A35. I'll be breaking down the specs, offering real-world context, and guiding you through which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2024-03-15 | The A35 is significantly newer, potentially offering a longer software update cycle. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 | The A35 is larger, which can be less convenient for one-handed use but may feel more immersive for media consumption. |
| Weight (g) | 177 | 209 | The S21 FE is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.4 | 6.6 | The A35 has a slightly larger screen, which is nice for media and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 | Both have the same resolution, so sharpness is comparable. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 403 | 390 | Both are sharp; differences are negligible to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use the same vibrant AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120 | 120 | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 0 | The S21 FE has dramatically better outdoor visibility, a major advantage in bright conditions. This is a significant issue with the A35. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | The S21 FE's Snapdragon 888 is a flagship-level chipset from the previous generation, offering significantly more raw power. |
| AnTuTu Score | 923,836 | 578,500 | The S21 FE benchmarks significantly higher, meaning snappier app loading and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G68 MP5 | The S21 FE has a more powerful GPU, crucial for high-end gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The A35 boasts higher resolution photos, which can be beneficial for cropping. |
| Standard Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.96" | The S21 FE has a larger sensor, which can capture more light and detail in challenging conditions. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Yes | No | The S21 FE offers optical zoom and enhanced portraits with its dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 13MP | The S21 FE offers higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes | The A35 allows you to capture more of your surroundings in a single shot. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | The A35 can capture detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Yes | No | The S21 FE has an extra lens for wide and macro shots |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 117 | 104 | The S21 FE's camera performs better according to DxOMark tests. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 127 | N/A | The S21 FE has a much better front facing camera than the A35. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The S21 FE can capture smoother video at higher frame rates. |
| Additional Camera Features | Optical zoom, PDAF, RAW | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video, NPU AI | Both offer unique features for different photography/videography styles. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 4500 | 5000 | The A35 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support the same fast charging standard. |
| Additional Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | The S21 FE offers more versatile charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, up to 16 | Android 14, up to 18 | The A35 comes with a newer OS and guarantees a longer software support, potentially making it more secure and feature-rich for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The A35 has a newer Bluetooth standard with slightly improved capabilities, such as audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A35 has more satellite support potentially leading to faster/more accurate location information. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 6/8GB | Both offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancelling, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer similar audio features but each has an advantage for different styles of audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both use standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have the same high grade of screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly higher performance, making it much better for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. It’s a performance flagship vs a mid-range phone.
- Brighter Display: The S21 FE's much higher screen brightness is a considerable advantage for outdoor use, especially in direct sunlight.
- More Versatile Camera Features: While the A35 has a higher resolution main camera, the S21 FE's telephoto lens, and wider angle and macro lens gives it more camera capabilities overall and also excels in selfie quality.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Stronger Camera Performance: The S21 FE has been rated higher by DxOMark for camera performance with a 117 mobile camera score vs a 104 on the A35, and 127 on the selfie camera vs none.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Strengths:
- Longer Software Support: Being newer, the A35 will receive software updates for longer.
- Larger Battery: It has a higher capacity battery, theoretically offering longer battery life, although this is offset by a less efficient chip and less optimized software.
- Newer Bluetooth: Offers the newer Bluetooth 5.3 for enhanced connectivity.
- Wider Camera Variety: It includes a wide angle and macro lens over the S21 FE, giving more versatile shooting options.
- Additional Camera Features: Includes additional camera features such as All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR
- Newer OS: The A35 comes with a newer version of Android.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- S21 FE:
- Launched earlier, meaning it has an older OS and chipset.
- Lacks some of the more modern camera versatility features.
- Does not have a macro lens.
- A35:
- Significantly weaker performance.
- Much dimmer display.
- Significantly worse selfie camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- For Performance Enthusiasts: If you value high performance for gaming or demanding apps, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the clear choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a much smoother and more responsive experience compared to the A35.
- For Camera Lovers: If you take a lot of selfies, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the clear choice. It's better performance, a telephoto lens, and a wider angle lens makes it the winner overall.
- For Everyday Users Prioritizing Long-Term Use: If you want long software support and a longer lifespan, the Samsung Galaxy A35 has better longevity, but be prepared to take a performance hit as well as a dim screen.
- For Outdoor Users: If you use your phone in direct sunlight, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the better option due to its superior brightness.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- How important is raw performance for me? If high performance is critical, the S21 FE is the clear winner. If you are a more casual user, the A35 will be enough for most apps.
- Will I be using the phone outdoors regularly? If yes, the superior brightness of the S21 FE is a major advantage.
- What do I value more: camera versatility or performance? The S21 FE has the better overall camera as well as performance, making it the better all rounder.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Gamer: Go for the S21 FE. The performance gap is massive.
- The Casual User: If you are a causal user who just needs the phone for basic tasks and you are not very concerned with performance, the A35 will work.
- The Photography Enthusiast: Choose the S21 FE, the camera performance and features are better in almost all aspects, with superior selfie and zoom capabilities, even if you trade a dedicated macro lens.
- The Outdoor Adventurer: The S21 FE is better for you due to it's brighter screen.
- The Long-Term User: Consider the A35 for a longer update cycle.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given my preferences, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Here's why:
- Performance is Paramount: As someone who uses their phone for various tasks including gaming and multitasking, the Snapdragon 888 in the S21 FE is a significant advantage. It provides a much smoother experience which can be noticed every single time I pick up the phone. The A35 is just too slow for my needs.
- Outdoor Usage: I often use my phone outside, and the brighter screen of the S21 FE is crucial for readability. The A35’s screen is just not bright enough.
- Better Camera: The S21 FE's camera is overall better than the A35, and has a better telephoto and selfie camera.
- Wireless Charging: The wireless charging feature is not necessary, but it is a nice addition for ease of use.
While the A35 has its advantages in terms of software support and a slightly larger battery, these benefits don't outweigh the S21 FE's superior performance and screen for my usage scenarios. The performance gap between the two devices is so large that the S21 FE would always be the better phone to pick up and use.
Therefore, for me the clear choice is the S21 FE.
