Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs S22+: A Detailed Comparison for Savvy Buyers

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE arrived as a 'fan edition' aiming to deliver flagship experiences at a more accessible price. Now, with the S22+ seeing price reductions, the question arises: does the newer model’s improvements justify the cost, or does the S21 FE remain the smarter buy? We dissect the key differences to help you choose.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is the superior device. Its significantly brighter display (1214 nits vs 792 nits) and more efficient 4nm chipset offer a noticeable improvement in usability and sustained performance. However, the S21 FE remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize value.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G	Samsung Galaxy S22+ 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 - International	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA

Launch
Announced	2022, January 04	2022, February 09
Status	Available. Released 2022, January 07	Available. Released 2022, February 25

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions	155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)	157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight	177 g (6.24 oz)	195 g / 196 g (mmWave) (6.88 oz)
	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)
	Always-on display	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	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	Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2	Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPU	Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2	Xclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OS	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
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	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS	8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm	10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	32-bit/384kHz audio	32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2, 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
	Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)	Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support

Battery
Charging	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless	45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Ion 4500 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive	Phantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
Models	SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3	SM-S906B, SM-S906B/DS, SM-S906U, SM-S906U1, SM-S906W, SM-S906N, SM-S9060, SM-S906E, SM-S906E/DS, SM-S906L
Price	€ 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990	€ 236.99 / $ 194.37 / £ 349.00
SAR	0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body)	1.19 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body)	0.57 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 92h	Endurance rating 97h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-26.9 LUFS (Good)	-26.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 722495 (v8), 886916 (v9) GeekBench: 3528 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

More affordable price point
Slightly more compact size
Still offers a flagship-level experience

Less bright display
Older, less efficient chipset
Slower charging speeds

Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

Significantly brighter display
More powerful and efficient chipset
Faster wired charging

Higher price
Larger size may not suit all users
Potential for Exynos variant throttling (Europe)

Display Comparison

The S22+ boasts a substantially brighter display, reaching a measured 1214 nits compared to the S21 FE’s 792 nits. This translates to significantly improved outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. Both feature 'Infinite' contrast ratios, but the S22+'s higher peak brightness is the defining difference. While both use 120Hz displays, the S22+ benefits from potential advancements in panel technology, though not explicitly stated in the specs, leading to potentially better color accuracy and viewing angles. The S22+’s larger size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the S22+ likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms. While both are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the S22+’s newer ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 allows for more sophisticated noise reduction and dynamic range optimization. Sensor sizes and apertures are not specified, but the S22+’s newer chipset suggests improvements in low-light performance. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are largely a marketing feature and offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

The S22+ utilizes either the Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW), both built on a 4nm process, while the S21 FE uses the 5nm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100. The move to 4nm offers improved thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during extended gaming sessions. The S22+’s Cortex-X2 core (2.8GHz/3.0GHz) represents an architectural upgrade over the S21 FE’s Cortex-X1 (2.84GHz/2.9GHz), promising faster single-core performance. The S22+ also benefits from newer Cortex-A710 cores, offering improved efficiency and performance over the S21 FE’s A78 cores. The S22+’s LPDDR5 RAM is likely faster than the S21 FE’s LPDDR5, further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

The S22+ achieves an endurance rating of 97 hours, slightly exceeding the S21 FE’s 92 hours. This difference, coupled with the S22+'s more efficient chipset, translates to longer real-world battery life. The S22+ supports 45W wired charging, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the S21 FE’s 25W charging. While both offer 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, the S22+’s faster wired charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery. The S22+’s 4.5W reverse wireless is also a slight improvement over the S21 FE’s unspecified reverse wireless wattage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you need a capable flagship experience on a tighter budget and prioritize a slightly more compact form factor. You’ll still get a 120Hz display and a strong processor. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, longer battery life, and the performance benefits of the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipset, even at a higher price point.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2200 in the European S22+ suffer from significant thermal throttling during demanding tasks like gaming?

Early reports indicated some thermal throttling with the Exynos 2200, particularly during prolonged gaming sessions. However, software updates have mitigated this issue to some extent. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant generally exhibits better thermal performance, but the difference is less pronounced with current software optimizations.

❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?

The 2MP macro cameras on both the S21 FE and S22+ are largely a marketing feature. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can be used for novelty shots, they don't offer a significant improvement over using the main camera in close-up mode.

❓ Does the S21 FE support 90fps gameplay in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?

The S21 FE, depending on the chipset variant (Snapdragon or Exynos) and game optimization, can achieve frame rates close to 90fps in PUBG Mobile with graphics settings adjusted accordingly. However, maintaining a stable 90fps consistently may require lowering the graphics quality to balance performance and thermals.

❓ What are the real-world differences in charging time between the S21 FE's 25W charging and the S22+'s 45W charging?

The S22+’s 45W charging can take the phone from 0% to 50% in approximately 20-25 minutes, while the S21 FE’s 25W charging takes around 30 minutes to reach the same level. A full charge on the S22+ takes roughly 60-70 minutes, compared to 75-90 minutes on the S21 FE.