vivo S15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo S15 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 8100 offers comparable performance to the Snapdragon 888, coupled with significantly faster charging speeds. While the S21 FE boasts a slightly brighter display and Samsung’s software ecosystem, the S15 Pro’s charging advantage and efficient chipset provide a more compelling overall package.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S15 Pro | 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) / 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, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 19 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 27 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.5 x 8.6 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.34 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.85 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 8100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC6 | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | 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, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 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@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF | 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 dual speakers (closed type) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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 | 80W wired, 70% in 18 min | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | V2207A | 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 480 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 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) |
vivo S15 Pro
- Significantly faster 80W charging
- More efficient Dimensity 8100 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Display brightness data unavailable
- Camera specs largely unknown
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Brighter display (792 nits)
- Samsung’s One UI software ecosystem
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower 25W charging
- Potential for Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 throttling
- Chipset performance can vary significantly
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 792 nits, making it visibly brighter than the S15 Pro (brightness data unavailable for S15 Pro). While the S15 Pro’s panel characteristics are unknown, the S21 FE’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a typical AMOLED experience. The S21 FE’s 120Hz refresh rate is standard for this class, but the S15 Pro’s PWM dimming rate (data unavailable) could be a deciding factor for users sensitive to flicker. The S21 FE’s display is optimized for outdoor visibility, while the S15 Pro’s display quality remains an unknown quantity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The S21 FE’s camera is described as offering both photo and video capabilities, but lacks specifics. The S15 Pro’s camera specs are also not provided. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, and OIS implementation, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are likely of limited utility. Image processing styles will also differ – Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look.
Performance
The vivo S15 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5nm) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) are both high-end chipsets. The Dimensity 8100’s octa-core configuration (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is architecturally similar to the Snapdragon 888’s (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55), but the Dimensity 8100 generally exhibits better thermal efficiency. The S21 FE also has an Exynos 2100 variant, which is known to throttle more aggressively than the Snapdragon version. The S15 Pro’s 5nm process node contributes to improved power efficiency, potentially leading to longer sustained performance during gaming. The S21 FE’s performance will vary depending on the chipset version.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G achieves an endurance rating of 92 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, its 25W wired charging is significantly slower than the vivo S15 Pro’s 80W wired charging, which can reach 70% charge in just 18 minutes. The S21 FE takes 30 minutes to reach 50% charge. The S21 FE also supports 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the S15 Pro. While the S21 FE’s battery endurance is respectable, the S15 Pro’s charging speed is a game-changer for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S15 Pro if you prioritize rapid charging, efficient performance under sustained load, and a sleek design. It’s ideal for power users and mobile gamers who demand minimal downtime. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you’re deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem, value a consistently bright display for outdoor use, and prefer the One UI software experience. It’s a solid all-rounder, but compromises on charging speed.