Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
3categories won
Samsung
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
$1,999
12categories 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 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. Choose the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition takes battery honors offering 4,400 mAh alongside 25W charging.
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 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 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 5G vs Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 8" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1968 x 2184Winner |
| Pixel density | 424 ppiWinner | 367 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 1,980,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 6980Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 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 | 10 MP | 10 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,400 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 gWinner | 236 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 4.9 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP48 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic 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 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 14 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 8 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 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 | $799Winner | $1,999 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Highlighting Samsung's two-tone Contour-Cut camera housing and iconic Phantom Violet finish, the Galaxy S21 delivers 8K video capture, flat 120Hz AMOLED smoothness, and a featherlight 169g frame.
- Display
- 6.2"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 4,000mAh
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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