Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Sony Xperia 5 V. These two devices, while both aiming for the premium Android space, take distinctly different approaches. Let's break down the specs and see where they truly shine.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these phones stack up, focusing on what these numbers mean for you:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Sony Xperia 5 V | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-01-07 | 2023-09-25 | Xperia 5 V is significantly newer, meaning more up-to-date software and potentially longer support. |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm | 154 x 68 x 8.6mm | S21 FE is taller and wider, Xperia 5 V is slightly thicker; Xperia is more pocketable and comfortable in one hand. |
| Weight | 177g | 182g | S21 FE is a tad lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use, but it's a very slight difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.1" | S21 FE has a larger screen; better for media consumption, while the Xperia is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2520 | Xperia 5 V has a slightly sharper display, though the difference will be difficult to perceive. |
| PPI | 403 | 449 | Xperia 5 V's higher pixel density means slightly crisper text and images, but the difference is small. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and colors, but the S21 FE is more than double the brightness, offering much better outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 FE's high brightness will be great for use in bright daylight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Xperia 5 V is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother performance, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 923,836 | 1,370,000 | Xperia 5 V scores much higher in benchmarks, indicating much better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 740 | Xperia 5 V's GPU is significantly faster and more capable. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 V has a larger battery, likely offering better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 5 V offers slightly faster charging speeds. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless charging | Bypass Charging | S21 FE offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging while the Xperia 5 V offers bypass charging which prevents battery overheating when gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 12MP | 48MP | Xperia 5 V can capture more detail and has a larger sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | S21 FE’s main sensor is slightly better in low light, while the Xperia has a much bigger sensor. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.4" | Xperia 5 V has a noticeably larger sensor which allows for better light sensitivity and overall photo quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes | No | S21 FE has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 32MP | 12MP | S21 FE has higher resolution selfie sensor. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xperia 5 V has a slightly wider selfie camera aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.93" | S21 FE has a slightly larger selfie sensor. |
| Wide Angle Camera | Yes | Yes | Both phones offer wide-angle capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | Yes | No | S21 FE has a dedicated wide angle + macro camera. |
| Video Features | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS; 1080p@240fps | 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 5 V has better video recording features including higher frame rates and optical image stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 117 | 118 | Xperia 5 V has a slightly higher overall score, with slightly better photo and much better video quality. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 127 | Not Tested | S21 FE's Selfie score indicates better quality selfies |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, Upgradable to 16 | Android 13, Upgradable to 14 | Xperia 5 V has newer software out of the box, but less upgrade support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Xperia 5 V has Wi-Fi 6E, offering access to the 6GHz band for faster speeds and reduced interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Xperia 5 V has a newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xperia 5 V has more satellite system support for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Xperia 5 V has eSIM support for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both have identical storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB | Xperia 5 V standardizes on 8 GB RAM, good for consistent performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | S21 FE has better audio features, delivering a more immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-Mounted | Xperia 5 V has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint scanner, while S21 FE provides basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both offer excellent screen protection against scratches, though the Xperia is using the latest generation. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Pedometer | S21 FE features Geomagnetic sensor while the Xperia 5 V features Pedometer sensor |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The S21 FE boasts a very bright display with 1300 nits, making it much better for outdoor visibility compared to the Xperia 5 V.
- Versatile Camera System: The S21 FE includes a telephoto lens and a dedicated macro camera, giving it an edge in versatility for photography enthusiasts.
- Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone, and stereo speakers give the S21 FE a leg up on audio quality.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features are something that the Xperia 5 V does not have.
- Selfie Camera: With a 32MP selfie camera, the S21 FE will be more suitable for capturing very detailed selfies.
Sony Xperia 5 V Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is significantly more powerful, offering smoother operation and better gaming.
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery versus the S21 FE’s 4500 mAh translates to longer battery life.
- Newer Technology: Newer chipset, Bluetooth version, Wi-Fi support, and screen protection.
- Better Main Camera: The Sony Xperia 5 V boasts a larger and higher-resolution main sensor, leading to better photo quality.
- More Capable Video Recording: The Xperia 5 V offers 4K@120fps video recording, as well as Optical Image Stabilization for smooth videos.
- Modern Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint scanner offers a more modern and ergonomic experience, while S21 FE provides a standard fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Older chipset and potentially shorter software support. The camera, while versatile, is not as strong in low-light conditions as the Xperia.
- Sony Xperia 5 V: Lacks wireless charging, a telephoto lens, and has a smaller display than the Samsung. The display isn't as bright as the S21 FE.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who value a very bright screen: Those who frequently use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight will appreciate the S21 FE's higher brightness.
- Casual photographers: Those who want a flexible camera system with telephoto and macro capabilities.
- Users who value immersive audio: Those who enjoy consuming media using their phone's speakers.
- Users who value wireless charging: The convenience of wireless charging will be important for certain users.
Sony Xperia 5 V is Ideal For:
- Power users and gamers: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who prioritize main camera image quality, especially in low light.
- Users who value longevity: Newer hardware means potentially longer software support, but the S21 FE is likely to get more software upgrades.
- Those who appreciate compact designs: Xperia 5 V is easier to use one-handed compared to S21 FE.
- Users who value video: The ability to record 4k 120fps video with optical image stabilization offers unmatched video quality.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you value a bigger screen and better outdoor visibility or performance and battery life? If you often consume media on your phone, the bigger and brighter screen of S21 FE is the better choice. If performance is a top priority, the Xperia 5 V’s powerful chipset and long battery life makes it the superior device.
- How important is camera versatility and wireless charging to you? The S21 FE offers a more versatile system with a dedicated telephoto and macro lens as well as wireless and reverse wireless charging. If you prioritize the primary main camera's image quality, then the Xperia 5 V's superior hardware should be your pick.
- Do you care about newer software? The Xperia 5 V comes with Android 13, a newer OS. While the S21 FE is able to be upgraded to Android 16. If software is a priority, choose the S21 FE.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you need a very bright display and versatile camera system on a budget, the S21 FE is the better option.
- Mobile Gamer/Performance Enthusiast: The Xperia 5 V is the clear winner thanks to its superior performance, longer battery life, and overall better build quality.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Xperia 5 V excels in the primary camera, and it provides greater video recording capability, but it lacks the versatility of the S21 FE’s telephoto and macro lenses.
- Everyday User: If you want a balanced user experience with an emphasis on multimedia and wireless charging, the S21 FE is a good pick. If you care about long-term performance, newer tech, and battery life, then the Xperia 5 V would be better suited for you.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 V. While I appreciate the brighter screen and versatile camera system of the S21 FE, the performance difference is just too significant to ignore. The Xperia 5 V's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, coupled with a larger battery, ensures a smooth, long-lasting experience. As a tech journalist who often edits videos and photos on the go, the Xperia 5 V’s higher quality main camera and superior video recording capabilities outweigh its drawbacks, making it a more suitable device for my needs. I do find wireless charging convenient to have on a mobile device, however I value the superior performance more. The newer hardware, including the display, chipset, and Bluetooth support, also provides a more future-proofed experience.
