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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600…

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G official product image

Samsung

Galaxy S21 FE 5G

$349

3categories won

Samsung Galaxy S26 official product image

Samsung

Galaxy S26

$790

11categories won

8 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone

Information Gain

Which one wins?

MxMob Algorithmic Verdict

Samsung Galaxy S26 takes the overall win

Overall Pick

The Samsung Galaxy S26 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes the lead, while the Galaxy S26 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S26 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 FE 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.

🔋 BatteryGalaxy S21 FE 5G

Galaxy S21 FE 5G wins on endurance with 4,500 mAh and 25W fast charging.

🎮 GamingGalaxy S26

Galaxy S26 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.

📸 CameraGalaxy S26

Galaxy S26 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.

🏷️ ValueGalaxy S21 FE 5G

Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $349 vs $790.

Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.

Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared

Display

Display comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Screen size
6.4"
6.3"
Resolution
1080 x 2340
1080 x 2340
Pixel density
403 ppi
409 ppi
Refresh rate
120 Hz
120 Hz
Peak brightness
1200 nits
2600 nitsWinner

Performance

Performance comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
Process node
5 nm
2 nmWinner
AnTuTu score
810,000
3,064,672Winner
Geekbench multi
3650
10824Winner
Maximum RAM
8 GB
12 GBWinner
Maximum storage
256GB
512GBWinner

Camera

Camera comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Main sensor
12 MP
50 MPWinner
Rear cameras
3
3
Optical zoom
3x
3x
Ultrawide
12 MP
12 MP
Selfie camera
32 MPWinner
12 MP
Max video
4K at 60fps
8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps

Battery and charging

Battery and charging comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Capacity
4,500 mAhWinner
4,300 mAh
Wired charging
25 W
25 W
Wireless charging
15 W
15 W

Design

Design comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Weight
177 g
167 gWinner
Thickness
7.9 mm
7.2 mmWinner
Water resistance
IP68
IP68
Build
Aluminum frame, plastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame

Software and support

Software and support comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
Operating system
Android 12
Android 16
OS updates
4 years
7 yearsWinner
Security updates
5 years
7 yearsWinner

Connectivity and value

Connectivity and value comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S26
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FE 5GGalaxy S26
5G
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth)
Storage expansion
None
None
3.5mm jack
No
No
Launch price
$349Winner
$790

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Built for value enthusiasts, the Galaxy S21 FE combines the flagship Snapdragon 888 chip, a 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, and a dedicated 3x optical telephoto camera in a svelte 177g body.

Display
6.4"
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Main camera
12MP
Battery
4,500mAh
Full Galaxy S21 FE 5G specifications →

Samsung Galaxy S26

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.

Display
6.3"
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
Main camera
50MP
Battery
4,300mAh
Full Galaxy S26 specifications →

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