vivo X70 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Which Flagship Delivers the Best Value?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a refined camera experience, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the vivo X70 offers a capable package, the S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 (or even the Exynos 2100) provides a more robust foundation for demanding tasks and benefits from Samsung’s established software ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo X70 | 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - International | 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 09 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm (6.30 x 2.97 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 |
| Weight | 181/182 g (6.42 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 (~86.6% 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 (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 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 1200 (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, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS (China) | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 40 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ | 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC | 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 | 44W wired 5W reverse wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4400 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Black, Aurora Dawn, White | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | V2133A, V2104 | 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 520 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 X70
- Faster wired charging (44W)
- Potentially more efficient Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Vivo's reputation for camera image processing
- Less established brand recognition
- Limited information on camera specs
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100 chipset
- Brighter display (792 nits)
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower wired charging (25W)
- Potential for Exynos variant to throttle under load
- Samsung's software bloat
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 792 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the vivo X70. While both offer excellent viewing experiences, the S21 FE’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting deep blacks. However, the X70’s display technology isn’t specified, while the S21 FE’s panel is known for its color accuracy and smooth scrolling, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are marketed for their camera capabilities, but the specifics are limited. The provided data only indicates 'Photo / Video' for both. However, vivo is renowned for its image processing and gimbal stabilization, suggesting the X70 likely excels in low-light photography and video recording. The S21 FE’s camera system, while capable, relies on Samsung’s image processing algorithms. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S21 FE’s broader feature set and potentially more versatile camera modes give it a slight edge. The lack of detail regarding the X70’s camera system makes a precise comparison challenging.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes in two variants: one with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) and another with the Exynos 2100 (5nm). Both are built on a smaller 5nm process compared to the vivo X70’s 6nm Dimensity 1200, potentially leading to better thermal efficiency and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core (2.84 GHz or 2.9 GHz depending on the version) offers a performance edge over the X70’s Cortex-A78 (3.0 GHz). The X70’s CPU configuration, with more Cortex-A78 cores, might offer strong multi-core performance, but the Snapdragon 888’s superior GPU and overall architecture give it an advantage in graphically intensive tasks. The S21 FE also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5 RAM, though this isn’t explicitly stated in the provided data.
Battery Life
Both the vivo X70 and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The S21 FE supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging. The X70 offers 44W wired charging, which should theoretically be faster, but lacks wireless charging options. The S21 FE’s wireless charging and reverse wireless capabilities add convenience, while the X70’s faster wired charging is beneficial for quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo X70 if you prioritize a unique camera aesthetic and are comfortable with the Mediatek Dimensity 1200’s performance profile, potentially benefiting from its efficient power draw. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you prefer a more widely recognized brand, a potentially faster processor (depending on the version), and a more versatile software experience with guaranteed updates and a broader ecosystem of accessories.