Samsung Galaxy A73 5G vs Galaxy S21 FE 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new Samsung phone can be tough, especially with so many great options. The Galaxy A73 5G and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G are both compelling mid-range contenders, but they cater to different needs. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers superior performance and faster charging thanks to its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset and wireless charging capabilities. However, the A73 5G provides a larger screen and potentially better value for those prioritizing display size and a more budget-friendly price.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, March 172022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 22Available. Released 2022, January 07
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 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
Weight181 g (6.38 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-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
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Mint, WhiteWhite, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
ModelsSM-A736B, SM-A736B/DSSM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3
PriceAbout 600 EUR€ 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990
SAR1.14 W/kg (head)0.77 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)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)

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • Larger Display
  • Good Value
  • 108MP Main Camera
  • Sleek Design

  • Slower Performance
  • No Wireless Charging
  • 25W Wired Charging Only

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

  • Faster Performance
  • Wireless Charging
  • Reverse Wireless Charging
  • Brighter Display

  • Smaller Display
  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Older Model

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A73 5G boasts a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The S21 FE 5G has a slightly smaller 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, but it shines with a measured peak brightness of 792 nits, making it easier to see outdoors. Both offer excellent color accuracy and smooth 120Hz refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems. The A73 5G features a 108MP main sensor, potentially capturing more detail in well-lit conditions. The S21 FE 5G's camera system is known for its consistent image quality and reliable performance across various lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities are comparable, with both supporting 4K recording.

Performance

Here's where the S21 FE 5G truly pulls ahead. Its Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset provides significantly faster processing speeds compared to the A73 5G's Snapdragon 778G. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games. The A73 5G is still capable, but the S21 FE 5G is in a different league.

Battery Life

The A73 5G has a slightly larger battery capacity, but the S21 FE 5G's endurance rating of 92h suggests excellent optimization. While both support 25W wired charging, the S21 FE 5G adds the convenience of 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge accessories like earbuds.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is ideal for users who prioritize a large, vibrant display for media consumption and gaming on a budget. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is better suited for power users who demand faster performance, faster charging, and features like wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Galaxy A73 5G good for gaming?
The A73 5G can handle most games, but you might experience some lag or reduced graphics settings in demanding titles. The S21 FE 5G is a better choice for serious mobile gamers.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones receive regular software updates from Samsung, but the S21 FE 5G, being a newer model, might receive updates for a slightly longer period.