Realme GT Explorer Master vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT Explorer Master offers a more consistently smooth experience thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 870 and its superior 65W charging. While the S21 FE boasts a more polished software experience and potentially better camera versatility (depending on the chipset version), the risk of thermal throttling and slower charging make it a less compelling all-around choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme GT Explorer Master | 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, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 21 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 27 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 mm x 72.5 mm x 8.0/8.8 mm (depending on color) | 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 | 183.5/185 g (depending on color) (6.49 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | 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 SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) | 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), 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 | 65W wired, 50% in 13 min, 100% in 33 min | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Aurora, Apricot | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | RMX3366 | 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 380 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 117h | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 717879 (v9) GeekBench: 3050 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme GT Explorer Master
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 for sustained performance
- Better battery endurance (117h rating)
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- More versatile camera system (potentially)
- Established Samsung ecosystem
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower 25W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling (Snapdragon 888/Exynos)
- Lower battery endurance (92h rating)
Display Comparison
Both devices feature 'Infinite' contrast ratio displays, suggesting OLED panels. However, the Realme GT Explorer Master edges out the S21 FE with a measured peak brightness of 805 nits compared to the Samsung’s 792 nits. While the difference isn’t massive, it translates to slightly better visibility in direct sunlight. Neither manufacturer specifies refresh rates in the provided data, but both are expected to offer at least 120Hz. The lack of PWM frequency data prevents a definitive statement on flicker, but users sensitive to screen flicker should research further.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. The S21 FE’s potential advantage lies in its likely more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor size (though this isn’t confirmed). The Realme GT Explorer Master’s camera performance will rely heavily on software optimization. Without sensor size or aperture details, it’s difficult to assess the low-light performance of either device. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the S21 FE is largely inconsequential; its small sensor size limits its usefulness. The S21 FE’s potential for 8K video recording (based on the Snapdragon 888’s capabilities) is absent from the Realme’s specs.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Explorer Master utilizes the Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), known for its efficiency and stable performance. The S21 FE, however, comes in two variants: one with the Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) and another with the Exynos 2100 (5nm). While the Snapdragon 888 theoretically offers higher peak performance due to its Cortex-X1 prime core (2.84GHz vs 3.2GHz on the Realme), its 5nm process isn’t inherently better for sustained loads; in fact, it's known to throttle more aggressively. The Exynos 2100 variant is even more prone to thermal issues. The Realme’s Snapdragon 870, with its Kryo 585 cores, provides a more consistent experience, especially during extended gaming sessions. The S21 FE’s RAM configuration isn’t specified, but the Realme’s LPDDR4X RAM is a potential bottleneck compared to the S21 FE’s likely LPDDR5.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Explorer Master boasts an endurance rating of 117 hours, significantly better than the S21 FE’s 92 hours. This advantage is largely attributable to the Snapdragon 870’s efficiency and the Realme’s incredibly fast 65W wired charging – 50% in 13 minutes, 100% in 33 minutes. The S21 FE’s 25W charging, while supporting PD3.0, is considerably slower, taking 30 minutes to reach 50%. The S21 FE also offers 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Realme. However, the faster wired charging of the Realme mitigates the S21 FE’s wireless charging advantage for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme GT Explorer Master if you prioritize sustained performance during gaming, incredibly fast charging, and a generally cooler operating temperature. This phone is ideal for power users and mobile gamers. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you value a more established brand ecosystem, a potentially more versatile camera system (especially if you get the Snapdragon version), and prefer a more refined, albeit sometimes power-hungry, software experience.