Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 FE 5G
$349
4categories won
Samsung
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
$1,999
11categories won
7 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition leads with superior optics, while battery life remains closely matched. Choose the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 FE 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Both phones deliver comparable battery performance with 4,500 mAh.
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition takes photography with 200MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $349 vs $1999.
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 Z Fold Special Edition: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.4" | 8" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1968 x 2184Winner |
| Pixel density | 403 ppiWinner | 367 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 810,000 | 1,980,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3650 | 6980Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 32 MPWinner | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,500 mAh | 4,400 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 177 gWinner | 236 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 4.9 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP48 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, plastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back with stripe texture, Ultra Thin Glass inner |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 12 | Android 14 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 8 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $349Winner | $1,999 |
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
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition represents an engineering breakthrough for Samsung foldables, reducing unfolded thickness to a staggering 4.9mm and folded thickness to 10.6mm while offering a vast 8.0-inch inner display and 6.5-inch cover screen. Upgrading the camera to a flagship 200MP sensor and pairing it with 16GB of standard RAM.
- Display
- 8"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 4,400mAh
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