Samsung Galaxy A34 vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new Samsung phone can be tough, especially with so many options. The Galaxy A34 and S21 FE 5G are both compelling mid-range contenders, but cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A34 offers exceptional battery life and a brighter display at a more affordable price. However, the S21 FE 5G boasts a significantly more powerful processor and faster charging, making it the better choice for performance-focused users willing to spend a bit more.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A34	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, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	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	2023, March 14	2022, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 24	Available. Released 2022, January 07

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight	199 g (7.02 oz)	177 g (6.24 oz)
	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 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 1080 (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPU	Mali-G68 MC4	Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OS	Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single	-	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video	4K@30fps, 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
	-	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)

Battery
Charging	25W wired	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	Li-Ion 5000 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver	White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
Models	SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460	SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3
Price	€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999	€ 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990
SAR	-	0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body)	0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 133h	Endurance rating 92h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-26.1 LUFS (Good)	-26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A34

Exceptional battery life
Brighter display
More affordable
Modern design
IP67 water and dust resistance

Less powerful processor
Slower charging
Plastic build

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Faster performance
Wireless charging
Reverse wireless charging
Premium feel (aluminum frame)
Generally better camera quality

Shorter battery life
Lower peak brightness
Higher price

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A34 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 1009 nits, significantly brighter than the S21 FE 5G's 792 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the A34's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both feature Super AMOLED panels, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the S21 FE 5G generally produces slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The S21 FE 5G often has better dynamic range and more accurate colors. Both offer versatile shooting modes, but the S21 FE 5G's processing tends to be more refined.

Performance

The S21 FE 5G clearly wins in the performance department. Its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100 depending on the region) is a flagship-level chipset, offering substantially faster processing speeds than the A34's Dimensity 1080. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the S21 FE 5G.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A34 dominates in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 133 hours compared to the S21 FE 5G's 92 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage times between charges, making the A34 a champion for those who need all-day (and then some) battery life.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A34 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, a vibrant display, and a budget-friendly price. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is best suited for those who demand faster performance, enjoy wireless charging, and want a more premium feel, even if it means a slightly shorter battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy A34 good for gaming?

The Galaxy A34 is decent for casual gaming, but demanding titles may experience some lag or frame drops. The S21 FE 5G is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor.

❓ Which phone has better software support?

Both phones receive regular software updates from Samsung. However, the S21 FE 5G might receive updates for a slightly longer period due to being a higher-tier device.