vivo X80 Lite vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The vivo X80 Lite and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G represent compelling options in a crowded mid-range market. The X80 Lite aims for a balance of features and affordability, while the S21 FE, originally a flagship, now benefits from price drops, offering a taste of Samsung’s premium experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the vivo X80 Lite boasts impressive battery endurance, the S21 FE’s more powerful Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset delivers a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience, justifying its slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X80 Lite 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, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 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, September 222022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 22Available. Released 2022, January 07
Body
BuildGlass front, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions159.2 x 74.2 x 7.8 mm (6.27 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)177 g (6.24 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 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
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2
OSAndroid 12, Funtouch 12Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)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@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
 Color changing back panel colorBixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
Battery
Charging44W wired, 61% in 30 min25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsDiamond Black, Sunrise GoldWhite, Graphite, Lavender, Olive
ModelsV2208SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3
Price-€ 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 120h Endurance rating 92h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.3 LUFS (Average) -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 461428 (v9) GeekBench: 2023 (v5.1) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X80 Lite

  • Exceptional battery life (120h endurance)
  • Faster wired charging (44W)
  • Bright display (781 nits)

  • Less powerful processor (Dimensity 900)
  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Limited camera details

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

  • More powerful processor (Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100)
  • Wireless and reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially superior camera system

  • Shorter battery life (92h endurance)
  • Slower wired charging (25W)
  • Potential for thermal throttling (Exynos variant)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature 'Infinite' contrast ratio displays, a marketing term indicating excellent black levels. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G marginally edges out the vivo X80 Lite with a measured peak brightness of 792 nits versus 781 nits. This difference, while subtle, will be more noticeable in direct sunlight. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels, but Samsung’s experience in display technology often translates to slightly more accurate color calibration. Neither spec sheet details refresh rate, but the S21 FE is known to have a 120Hz panel, a significant advantage for smoother scrolling and gaming, while the X80 Lite is likely 60Hz.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but details are limited to 'Photo / Video' in the provided data. The S21 FE likely benefits from Samsung’s advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes. While both phones likely feature multiple lenses, the S21 FE’s flagship heritage suggests a more refined camera experience, particularly in low-light conditions. The X80 Lite may focus on delivering vibrant, social media-ready images, while the S21 FE aims for more natural and detailed results. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Samsung’s track record suggests a more versatile camera system.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, depending on the region, ships with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) or the Exynos 2100 (5nm) chipset. Both are considerably more powerful than the vivo X80 Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at up to 2.9 GHz, provides a substantial performance boost over the Dimensity 900’s Cortex-A78 cores. While the Dimensity 900 is efficient, the Snapdragon 888’s Adreno 660 GPU offers a far superior gaming experience. The Exynos 2100 is comparable to the Snapdragon 888, though historically has shown slightly more thermal throttling under sustained load. The S21 FE also benefits from potentially faster LPDDR5 RAM, while the X80 Lite’s RAM speed is unspecified.

Battery Life

The vivo X80 Lite shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 120-hour rating compared to the S21 FE’s 92 hours. This suggests a more efficient chipset and potentially better software optimization. However, the S21 FE compensates with faster charging – 25W wired (50% in 30 minutes) plus 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the X80 Lite. The X80 Lite’s 44W charging is faster, reaching 61% in 30 minutes, but lacks the convenience of wireless options. The S21 FE’s lower endurance is a trade-off for its more powerful processor and added charging features.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X80 Lite if you prioritize exceptional battery life and a consistently bright display for outdoor use, and are willing to trade some processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you demand superior performance for gaming and demanding applications, appreciate Samsung’s One UI software, and value the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2100 chip in the S21 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2100 variant of the S21 FE is known to run slightly warmer than the Snapdragon 888 version, and can exhibit some thermal throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming. However, Samsung implemented software optimizations to mitigate this, and most users won't experience significant performance drops in typical use.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range are limited in their capabilities. Image quality is often soft and lacks detail. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either the X80 Lite or the S21 FE.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G reliably run PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, particularly the Snapdragon 888 variant, can achieve 90fps in PUBG Mobile with the graphics settings appropriately adjusted. However, maintaining a consistent 90fps may require lowering the graphics settings to balanced or even smooth, depending on the specific device and game version.
❓ How does the charging speed of the vivo X80 Lite compare to real-world usage?
The X80 Lite's 44W charging is quite fast, reaching 61% in 30 minutes as advertised. This translates to a full charge in approximately 60-70 minutes. While not as quick as some ultra-fast charging solutions, it's sufficient to top up the battery during a short break.