Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs. vivo X60t: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the vivo X60t represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range flagship space. The S21 FE, initially a premium device, has seen price drops, while the X60t offers a strong feature set at a competitive price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G emerges as the stronger overall choice. Its brighter display, potentially more powerful Snapdragon 888 (depending on the version), and wireless charging capabilities provide a more refined experience, despite the X60t's respectable performance.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo X60t	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, 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, 28, 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 / 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	2021, April 03	2022, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2021, April 03	Available. Released 2022, January 07

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	159.6 x 75 x 7.4 mm (6.28 x 2.95 x 0.29 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	175.5 g (6.21 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 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.6 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 1100 (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, OriginOS 1.0	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8

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

Main Camera
Features	Zeiss optics, color spectrum sensor, Pixel Shift, LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)	-
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	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
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm	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	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	32-bit/384kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C, 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, 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	33W wired	25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type	4300 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Aurora	White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
Models	V2085A	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 450 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 X60t

Faster processor (Snapdragon 888 version)
Brighter and more vibrant display
Wireless and reverse wireless charging

Potential for Exynos overheating
Software updates may be slower than vivo

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Competitive price
Clean software experience
Faster wired charging (33W)

Less powerful processor
No wireless charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 792 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the X60t. This makes the S21 FE far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the S21 FE’s panel is likely to offer superior color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of Samsung’s displays. The lack of detailed display specs for the X60t leaves a gap in understanding its visual performance.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details are limited. The S21 FE’s camera is described as 'Photo / Video', lacking specific sensor details. However, Samsung’s image processing is generally known for its vibrant colors and strong dynamic range. The X60t’s camera specs are similarly vague. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS implementation, a direct comparison is difficult. It’s safe to assume the S21 FE’s camera will offer more versatility and potentially better low-light performance due to Samsung’s established camera technology.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The S21 FE 5G, equipped with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) or the Exynos 2100 (5nm), offers a clear advantage over the vivo X60t’s Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz (or 2.9 GHz in Version 2), provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smooth multitasking. The Dimensity 1100, while capable, operates on a less efficient 6nm process, potentially leading to higher temperatures under sustained load. The S21 FE’s LPDDR5 RAM further enhances performance, though the X60t’s RAM type is unspecified.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds differ. The S21 FE 5G supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The X60t is limited to 33W wired charging, which, while faster than the S21 FE’s wired charging, lacks the convenience of wireless options. The S21 FE’s wireless charging capabilities provide a significant advantage for users who prefer cable-free power-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X60t if you prioritize a clean software experience and are comfortable with a slightly less polished overall package. It’s ideal for users who value a balanced phone without needing the absolute best in every category. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you demand a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means potentially dealing with the Exynos variant's thermal concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2100 chip in the S21 FE 5G overheat during demanding tasks like gaming?

The Exynos 2100 variant of the S21 FE 5G is known to run hotter than the Snapdragon 888 version, potentially leading to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. While not a deal-breaker, users should be aware of this potential issue and consider the Snapdragon version if possible.

❓ Is the 33W charging on the vivo X60t significantly faster than the 25W charging on the S21 FE 5G?

While 33W is numerically higher, the difference in charging speed isn't dramatic. Both phones offer reasonably fast charging, and the S21 FE 5G compensates with the added convenience of wireless charging, which the X60t lacks.

❓ How does the software experience differ between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the vivo X60t?

Samsung's One UI offers a feature-rich experience with extensive customization options, but can feel bloated to some users. vivo's Funtouch OS (or OriginOS, depending on the region) generally provides a cleaner, more streamlined experience, closer to stock Android, with a focus on simplicity.

❓ Will the S21 FE 5G continue to receive software updates and security patches?

Samsung typically provides several years of software updates and security patches for its flagship and FE devices. While the S21 FE is no longer the newest model, it should continue to receive updates for at least another year or two, ensuring ongoing security and feature enhancements.