Motorola Edge (2021) vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage, particularly in demanding tasks, and its brighter display enhances outdoor visibility. However, the Motorola Edge (2021) remains a viable option for those prioritizing a smoother, potentially cooler experience with a more efficient chipset.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Edge (2021) | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 19 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 02 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | XT2141-1 | SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Edge (2021)
- More efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Potentially cooler operation under sustained load
- Clean Android software experience
- Less powerful processor compared to S21 FE
- Lacks wireless charging capabilities
- Display likely less bright than S21 FE
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster charging and wireless charging support
- Potential for thermal throttling, especially with Exynos variant
- Samsung’s One UI software can be polarizing
- May consume battery faster under heavy use
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 792 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Motorola Edge (2021). This difference is crucial for outdoor usability, where the S21 FE will remain far more legible in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels for excellent contrast (the S21 FE advertises an 'Infinite' contrast ratio), the S21 FE’s higher peak brightness and potentially higher PWM dimming rate (data unavailable for the Edge) make it the superior choice for visual clarity and eye comfort. The S21 FE’s display is also likely to have a variable refresh rate, though this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the S21 FE’s flagship lineage suggests a more refined camera system. While sensor sizes and apertures are unknown, the S21 FE likely benefits from Samsung’s advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensors. The Motorola Edge (2021) may offer a competitive camera experience, but the S21 FE is expected to deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is assumed on the S21 FE, further enhancing image and video stability.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G utilizes either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) or the Exynos 2100 (5nm), both significantly more powerful than the Motorola Edge (2021)’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at up to 2.9 GHz, provides a substantial performance boost over the Edge’s Cortex-A78. While the 6nm process of the 778G offers better efficiency, the 5nm process of the 888 and Exynos 2100, coupled with architectural improvements, translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The S21 FE’s potential for thermal throttling under sustained load is a concern, particularly with the Exynos variant, but its peak performance still surpasses the Edge.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an Endurance rating of 92 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite the S21 FE’s more powerful processor. This indicates efficient power management on both sides. However, the S21 FE offers faster charging at 25W with PD3.0, claiming 50% charge in 30 minutes, compared to the Edge’s 30W charging. The S21 FE also adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Motorola Edge (2021). The S21 FE’s charging versatility provides a more flexible user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Edge (2021) if you prioritize sustained performance over peak power, value efficient power consumption for longer gaming sessions, and prefer a cleaner Android experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you demand the fastest possible performance for demanding apps and games, appreciate a vibrant and bright display, and desire the broader feature set and ecosystem of a Samsung flagship.