Realme X7 Max 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme X7 Max 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity and compelling features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme X7 Max 5G boasts superior charging speeds and a slightly better battery endurance rating. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a brighter display, a more polished software experience, and the brand recognition of Samsung. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme X7 Max 5G	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, 28, 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, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	-	41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA

Launch
Announced	2021, May 31	2022, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2021, June 04	Available. Released 2022, January 07

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight	179 g (6.31 oz)	177 g (6.24 oz)
	Splash resistant	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Dragontrail Glass	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak)	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 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	Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPU	Mali-G77 MC9	Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4	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 3.1	-

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 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@30/60/480fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm	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	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	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	50W wired, 50% in 16 min 2.5W reverse wired	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	4500 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Mercury Silver, Asteroid Black, Milky Way	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	About 310 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 110h	Endurance rating 92h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.1 LUFS (Very good)	-26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 605819 (v8), 680671 (v9) GeekBench: 13105 (v4.4), 2614 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme X7 Max 5G

Faster Charging (50W)
Excellent Performance (Dimensity 1200)
Slightly Better Battery Endurance
More Affordable

Less Bright Display
Camera Image Processing Less Refined
Less Premium Build Quality

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Brighter Display (792 nits)
Premium Brand (Samsung)
Wireless Charging
Refined Software Experience
Generally Better Camera Performance

Slower Charging (25W)
Slightly Shorter Battery Life
Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes the lead in the display department with a measured peak brightness of 792 nits, significantly higher than the Realme X7 Max 5G's 640 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (nominally infinite), but the S21 FE's brighter screen provides better visibility in direct sunlight. Both use AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G generally produces more consistent and pleasing results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Samsung's image processing is typically more refined. The X7 Max 5G can capture detailed images, but may sometimes struggle with color accuracy. Video recording capabilities are comparable on both devices.

Performance

The Realme X7 Max 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers impressive performance, particularly for gaming. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, depending on the region, uses either a Snapdragon 888 or an Exynos 2100. While both are powerful, the Snapdragon 888 generally edges out the Exynos in sustained performance and efficiency. Both phones handle everyday tasks and multitasking with ease.

Battery Life

The Realme X7 Max 5G holds a slight advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 110 hours compared to the S21 FE 5G's 92 hours. However, the S21 FE 5G's 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging offer more flexibility, while the X7 Max 5G's 50W wired charging is significantly faster.

Buying Guide

The Realme X7 Max 5G is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, raw performance, and a more budget-friendly price. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a better fit for those who value a premium brand, a brighter display, wireless charging, and a more refined software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?

The Realme X7 Max 5G's Dimensity 1200 chipset often provides slightly better raw gaming performance, especially in demanding titles.

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G worth the extra money?

If you value a premium brand, a brighter display, wireless charging, and a more polished software experience, then the S21 FE 5G is likely worth the extra investment.