The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the OnePlus 9E represent different approaches to the mid-range market. The S21 FE, initially a flagship, has seen price drops, bringing its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) processor into contention with the more budget-focused OnePlus 9E and its Snapdragon 690. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the superior choice. While the OnePlus 9E offers respectable performance for everyday tasks, the S21 FE’s significantly more powerful Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset, brighter display, and more versatile camera system justify the price difference, especially given current market pricing.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 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 | Not announced yet | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | 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 SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Adreno 619L | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 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@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/384kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | 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 | - | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless
Reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | - | SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| Price | - | € 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) |
OnePlus 9E
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 690 processor for basic tasks
- Streamlined OxygenOS experience
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the S21 FE
- Likely inferior camera system
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More versatile and capable camera system
- Faster charging with wireless and reverse wireless options
- Higher price tag
- Potential for Exynos variant to exhibit thermal throttling
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 OnePlus 9E. This makes the S21 FE far more usable in direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the S21 FE’s panel is likely to offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of Samsung’s AMOLED technology. The S21 FE’s higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz, though not specified) also contributes to a smoother visual experience, a feature likely absent on the 9E.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but the details matter. While specifics are lacking, the S21 FE’s flagship heritage suggests a more sophisticated camera setup with larger sensors and more advanced image processing. The S21 FE likely benefits from features like optical image stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor, which the 9E may lack. The 9E’s inclusion of a 2MP macro camera is likely a marketing gimmick, offering limited real-world benefit compared to the S21 FE’s potentially more versatile lens array. The S21 FE’s video recording capabilities are also expected to be superior, with support for higher resolutions and frame rates.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, equipped with either the Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) or the Exynos 2100 (5 nm), offers a massive leap in processing power over the OnePlus 9E’s Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm). The S21 FE’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X1 prime core alongside Cortex-A78 and A55 cores – is architecturally superior to the 9E’s Kryo 560 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. The 5nm process node used in the S21 FE’s chipsets also provides better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The 9E is adequate for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 92h, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the S21 FE’s 25W wired charging with PD3.0 and 50% charge in 30 minutes is significantly faster than the 9E’s unspecified charging speed. The S21 FE also adds 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the 9E. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the S21 FE’s faster charging capabilities provide a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus 9E if you prioritize a smooth, efficient experience for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and are on a very tight budget. You’ll appreciate its streamlined OxygenOS. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you demand flagship-level performance for demanding games, content creation, and photography, and value a brighter, more vibrant display and a more feature-rich camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 2100 chip in the S21 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2100 variant of the S21 FE has been known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy loads, such as extended gaming. While not a deal-breaker, users may experience slight performance dips after prolonged use. The Snapdragon 888 variant generally performs better in this regard.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the OnePlus 9E actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from the OnePlus 9E.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G reliably run PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, particularly the Snapdragon 888 variant, is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 90fps with the appropriate graphics settings. However, achieving a consistently stable 90fps may require lowering the graphics settings slightly to manage thermals and maintain a smooth experience.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the OnePlus 9E compared to the S21 FE?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its devices. The S21 FE is likely to receive more major Android updates and security patches than the OnePlus 9E. OnePlus's update schedule is generally good, but not as extensive as Samsung's.
