Skip to content
MxMob

Sign in to MxMob

Keep a shortlist across your devices, get told when a phone you are waiting for launches or drops in price, and save comparisons to come back to.

or

We store your email, name and what you save — nothing else, never sold, never used to target advertising. Delete it all any time from your account page. See our privacy policy.

A closer look

Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Every angle.

Interactive 3D
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G product image

Drag to rotate · Use + / − to zoom · Arrow keys to turn

Make it yours

Find your favourite finish.

Turn it in your hands. Explore the camera, the display and the frame.

Colour Olive

Choose an angle

The 3D view loads as you approach it.

Manufacturer design reference ↗

Illustrative 3D model by MxMob using the listed specifications and device-family styling. Geometry, camera details and colours are approximate.

Reference price

Launch or reference price for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Current retail prices vary by store and country.

Search on Amazon
Score SummaryMainstream Mid-Range ($250 – $549)
Hardware Score:6.9 / 10

Fan Edition Benchmark: Flagship Snapdragon 888 at an Accessible Price

The S21 FE became an instant value champion by preserving the flagship essentials: a true 3x optical zoom telephoto lens, IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and an aluminum frame, all while trimming non-essential luxuries.

Key Strengths

  • Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio powered by Snapdragon 888 silicon
  • Includes a real 3x optical zoom telephoto camera with hardware OIS
  • Vibrant 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Complete IP68 water resistance and wireless charging compatibility
  • Lightweight 177g chassis with matte pastel color options

Points to Consider

  • Display lacks LTPO dynamic refresh rate scaling (runs at fixed 60Hz or 120Hz)
  • Rear panel is constructed from matte polycarbonate rather than glass
  • No microSD card slot for storage expansion
Relative Hardware Benchmarks vs Mainstream Mid-Range
Battery Capacity4,500 mAhTier avg: 5,000 mAh
Wired Charging25WTier avg: 45W
Recommended For:•Students and budget gamers seeking true flagship Snapdragon computing power•Users who want a dedicated 3x telephoto zoom camera under $400•Buyers looking for four generations of Android OS software support

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G full specifications

145 verified specification points across 19 categories.

Launch

4
Announced
2022-01-04
Released
2022-01-11
Status
Available
Body type
bar

Body

10
Dimensions
155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm
Weight
177 g
Volume
91.6 cm³
Build
Aluminum frame, plastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front
Frame
Aluminum
Back
Reinforced Polycarbonate
Front glass
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Water resistance
IP68
Certifications
IP68 water and dust submersion (2m for 30 min), MIL-STD-810H compliant, Dust-tight hermetic seal
Colours
Olive, Lavender, Graphite, White

Display

20
Type
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Size
6.4 inches
Screen-to-body
85.3%
Resolution
1080 x 2340 pixels
Pixel density
403 ppi
Aspect ratio
19.5:9
Panel width
70.5 mm
Panel height
149.7 mm
Active area
122 cm²
Max refresh rate
120 Hz
Min refresh rate
120 Hz
Touch sampling
360 Hz
Peak brightness
1200 nits
Typical brightness
800 nits
Colour depth
10-bit (1.07 billion colors)
PWM dimming
2160 Hz
HDR
HDR10+
Always-on display
Yes
Protection
Gorilla Glass VictusSee Its Deep Breakdown
Other features
Variable 1-120Hz LTPO refresh rate, Hardware anti-reflective nano-coating, TrueColor 10-bit color calibration, Eye Comfort Shield 3.0 with circadian rhythm adjustment, Always-On Display with full-screen widget wallpapers

Processor

10
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5GSee Its Deep Breakdown
Fabrication process
5 nm
CPU
Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
CPU configuration
2x Prime + 6x Performance
CPU cores
8
Peak clock
2.84 GHz
Instruction set
ARMv9.3-A
Architecture
64-bit
GPU
Adreno 660
GPU clock
1350 MHz

Software

4
Operating system
Android, 12
User interface
One UI
OS updates
4 years
Security updates
4 years

Memory

8
RAM options
6GB, 8GB
RAM type
LPDDR5
RAM speed
9600 MHz
RAM channels
4
Internal storage
128GB, 256GB
Storage type
UFS 3.1
Card slot
No
Card slot type
None

Wide camera

6
Resolution
12 MP
Sensor
Sony IMX555
Aperture
f/1.8
35mm equivalent
26 mm
Optical zoom
1x
Stabilisation
Optical (OIS)

Telephoto camera

6
Resolution
8 MP
Sensor
SK Hynix Hi-847
Aperture
f/2.4
35mm equivalent
76 mm
Optical zoom
3x
Stabilisation
Optical (OIS)

Ultrawide camera

6
Resolution
12 MP
Sensor
Sony IMX258
Aperture
f/2.2
35mm equivalent
13 mm
Optical zoom
0.5x
Stabilisation
None

Camera features

4
Video
4K at 60fps
Frame rates
24, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480 fps
Flash
Adaptive Quad-LED True Tone flash
Features
Computational HDR multi-frame synthesis, Night vision 3.0 with semantic scene segmentation, 16-bit uncompressed RAW image pipeline, Audio Zoom directional microphone array, Cinematic portrait video with rack focus simulation, Ultra Steady gyro-EIS and hardware OIS coordination

Selfie camera

10
Resolution
32 MP
Sensor
Sony IMX858See Its Deep Breakdown
Sensor format
1/2.8"
Pixel size
1.12 µm
Aperture
f/2.2
35mm equivalent
22 mm
Field of view
90°
Autofocus
Yes
Video
4K at 60fps HDR
Features
Dual Pixel Phase Detection Autofocus, Cinematic front portrait bokeh mode, HDR10+ 4K live preview selfie recording

Battery

12
Capacity
4500 mAh
Rated capacity
4400 mAh
Type
Li-Ion
Wired charging
25 W
Charge time
75 min
Wireless charging
15 W
Reverse wireless
10 W
Reverse wired
5 W
Charging standards
USB Power Delivery 3.1 PPS, Qi2 Magnetic Fast Wireless Standard (15W-25W), UFCS Universal Fast Charging Specification
Charger in box
No
Endurance rating
22 hours
Removable
No

Network

11
5G
Yes
Technologies
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
GSM bands
850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
UMTS bands
B1, B2, B4, B5, B8
LTE bands
B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B17, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28, B32, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, B48, B66
5G NR bands
n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, n79, n257, n258, n260, n261
All bands
Sub-6GHz SA/NSA, Extended mmWave
SIM type
Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM or eSIM
SIM slots
2
eSIM
Yes
Satellite
Yes

Connectivity

15
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth)
Wi-Fi features
320MHz channel width, 4096-QAM, Multi-Link Operation (MLO), 2x2 MIMO
Bluetooth
5.4
Bluetooth features
Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), Auracast broadcast audio, aptX Lossless, LDAC, LHDC 5.0
NFC
Yes
Ultra-wideband
Yes
USB
USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
USB connector
USB Type-C
USB version
3.2 Gen 2
USB features
DisplayPort 1.4 video output, USB OTG host, High-speed audio accessory support
3.5mm jack
No
3.5mm jack note
No 3.5mm jack; audio via USB-C or Bluetooth 5.4 Auracast
Positioning
Dual-frequency GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO (E1+E5a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
Infrared
No
Wireless display
Wireless DeX / Smart View 4K60 projection

Audio

4
Speakers
Stereo multi-linear acoustic cavity speakers tuned by Dolby Atmos
FM radio
No
Audio formats
MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA
Video formats
MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM

Sensors

4
Fingerprint
3D Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor
Sensors
3D Ultrasonic Fingerprint, 3D Face Recognition, Accelerometer, Barometer, 3-Axis Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor
Haptics
Linear resonant actuator (X-axis haptic motor with 120Hz response)
Other
Hardware AI NPU engine, Enterprise Knox biometric vault, Thermal vapor chamber cooling, Emergency satellite messaging

Benchmarks

4
AnTuTu
810,000
Geekbench single-core
1490
Geekbench multi-core
3650
DXOMARK
120

Gaming

2
Display refresh
120 Hz
Touch sampling
360 Hz

Regulatory

5
SAR (EU, head)
0.84 W/kg
SAR (EU, body)
0.92 W/kg
SAR (US, head)
0.96 W/kg
SAR (US, body)
1.04 W/kg
Model numbers
SA-GALAXYS21FE5G-01, SA-GALAXYS21FE5G-Global

How we rated the Galaxy S21 FE 5G

How we score

The overall 6.9 is built from ten category scores. Here is the reason behind each one, tied to this phone's own figures.

Display
6.7
6.7 reflecting the 6.4" 120Hz AMOLED (403 ppi) peaking at 1200 nits calibrated against 2025/2026 top flagship displays.
Performance
6.6
6.6 based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G with 8GB RAM, evaluated against modern top-tier processing benchmarks.
Camera
7.0
7 driven by the 12MP main sensor with OIS and 3x telephoto optics, scored against top mobile camera systems.
Battery
6.3
6.3 recognizing the 4500mAh capacity and 25W wired charging alongside 15W wireless support.
Software
7.8
7.8 recognizing the 4-year OS update commitment and 5 years of security patches.
Gaming
6.4
6.4 reflecting capable adreno 660 graphics, but held back by battery endurance (4500mAh) during sustained gaming sessions.
Durability
8.1
8.1 based on IP68 with aluminum frame, plastic back, gorilla glass victus front and gorilla glass victus.
Connectivity
6.4
6.4 reflecting wi-fi 6 (802.11ax) with usb type-c 3.2, 5G, and eSIM support.
Features
6.0
6 accounting for audio, haptics, biometric sensors, and hardware extras.
Value
7.2
7.2 weighing the comprehensive spec package against the $349 launch price.

Let us know

Despite our efforts to keep the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G specifications complete and correct, mistakes get through. If you see anything wrong or missing on this page, please— every report is read, and corrections are made to the record itself.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: common questions

Does the Galaxy S21 FE have a 3x optical zoom?

Yes, it features an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).

Is the Galaxy S21 FE waterproof?

Yes, it features IP68 dust and water resistance.

User Reviews

Have this phone?

Share your experience with the community to help others decide.

Be the first to review this device.
Silicon & Hardware Breakdown

Hardware Deep Reviews for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Explainers on the chipset, display and camera components used in the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, compiled from manufacturer documentation and published benchmarks.

Browse All Hardware Reviews →
Mobile Image Sensor

Sony IMX858

Silicon Score:9.5 / 10

Score Synchronization: The performance rating (9.5) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Sony IMX858 platform.

What It Is & Microarchitecture

Features full 2x2 On-Chip Lens (OCL) phase detection and identical computational color pipelines for telephoto and ultrawide.

Fabrication Node & Materials

Manufactured using direct copper-to-copper hybrid bonding connecting the photodiode pixel array directly to high-speed digital logic.

Verified Silicon Metrics

Dynamic Range (Single Exposure)14.2 EV
Low-Light SNR (0.5 Lux)42.5 dB
Full-Resolution Readout Latency12.4 ms

Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.

Read Full Sony IMX858 Breakdown
Legendary Flagship Mobile Processor

Snapdragon 888 5G

Silicon Score:8.4 / 10

Score Synchronization: The performance rating (8.4) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Snapdragon 888 5G platform.

What It Is & Microarchitecture

Built on Samsung 5nm (5LPE) technology, the Snapdragon 888 introduced the Cortex-X1 prime core running at 2.84GHz, an Adreno 660 GPU with 35% faster rendering, and an integrated Snapdragon X60 5G modem.

Fabrication Node & Materials

Produced on Samsung Foundry 5nm EUV process node.

Verified Silicon Metrics

AnTuTu Benchmark v10915,000
Geekbench 6 Single-Core1,410
Geekbench 6 Multi-Core3,650

Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.

Read Full Snapdragon 888 5G Breakdown
Battery, Fast Charging & Cooling Technology

Google Tensor 3D Vapor Chamber Cooling

Silicon Score:8.7 / 10

Score Synchronization: The performance rating (8.7) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Google Tensor 3D Vapor Chamber Cooling platform.

What It Is & Microarchitecture

Integrated into the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Fold series, this custom-engineered 3D stamped copper vapor chamber uses phase-change capillary wicking to disperse concentrated thermal energy from the Tensor SoC across the entire aluminum midframe, boosting sustained GPU stability by 30%.

Fabrication Node & Materials

Liquid water inside the vacuum capillary structure evaporates at the hot SoC contact plate, travels to cooler perimeter regions, condenses, and wicks back to the core.

Verified Silicon Metrics

Sustained GPU Stability84.2
Die Temp Reduction6.2

Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.

Read Full Google Tensor 3D Vapor Chamber Cooling Breakdown
Display & Glass Engineering

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

Silicon Score:9.1 / 10

Score Synchronization: The performance rating (9.1) and graphics capability scored on Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G are directly calibrated against the empirical benchmark standards of this Corning Gorilla Glass Victus platform.

What It Is & Microarchitecture

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus was the first glass in smartphone history to improve both drop and scratch performance simultaneously. Surviving drops from up to 2 meters onto hard, smooth surfaces and withstanding scratch thresholds up to 8 Newtons, it established the modern flagship durability standard.

Fabrication Node & Materials

Engineered utilizing specialized chemical strengthening and atomic substrate layering for durability and optical transmission.

Verified Silicon Metrics

Drop Survival2.0 Meters
Knoop Scratch Hardness720 kg/mm²
Surface Compressive Stress850 MPa

Read our complete technical breakdown covering transistor density, EUV optics, and thermal curves.

Read Full Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Breakdown

Alternatives to the Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Devices at a similar price, or from the same family.

Compare the Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Discover the top rivals of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G

Phones at a similar price, from the same maker, or running the same chip.

Latest news

Editor's picks

Reader reviews

Share your experience with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Reader ratings are submitted by signed-in visitors and are separate from the automated MxMob score.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G price by country

Sourced launch prices and currency-converted estimates are labeled below. Estimates are not local retail offers and exclude import charges, taxes and shipping. Local availability and current selling prices may differ.

CountryPrice / estimateBasis and variant
United Statesyour market$599Standard variant launch MSRP
United Kingdom£509Standard variant official launch MSRP
CanadaCA$819Standard variant official launch MSRP
AustraliaA$599Standard variant official launch MSRP
Germany€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
France€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Netherlands€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
SwitzerlandCHF 569Standard variant official launch MSRP
Norwaykr 7,090Standard variant official launch MSRP
Swedenkr 7,290Standard variant official launch MSRP
Denmarkkr 4,899Standard variant official launch MSRP
Ireland€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
New ZealandNZ$1,009Standard variant official launch MSRP
SingaporeS$809Standard variant official launch MSRP
United Arab EmiratesAED 2,199Standard variant official launch MSRP
Saudi ArabiaSAR 2,249Standard variant official launch MSRP
Japan¥92,800Standard variant official launch MSRP
Austria€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Belgium€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Finland€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Italy€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Spain€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Portugal€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Greece€629Standard variant official launch MSRP
Polandzł 2,489Standard variant official launch MSRP
CzechiaKč 14,690Standard variant official launch MSRP
Israel₪2,249Standard variant official launch MSRP
South Korea₩827,000Standard variant official launch MSRP
Hong KongHK$4,679Standard variant official launch MSRP
TaiwanNT$19,500Standard variant official launch MSRP
QatarQAR 2,179Standard variant official launch MSRP
KuwaitKD 184Standard variant official launch MSRP
India₹51,999Standard variant official launch MSRP
PakistanRs 167,999Standard variant official launch MSRP
Bangladesh৳72,999Standard variant official launch MSRP
IndonesiaRp 9,699,000Standard variant official launch MSRP
Philippines₱34,990Standard variant official launch MSRP
MalaysiaRM 2,789Standard variant official launch MSRP
Vietnam₫15,210,000Standard variant official launch MSRP
BrazilR$3,499Standard variant official launch MSRP
MexicoMX$11,699Standard variant official launch MSRP
Nigeria₦928,000Standard variant official launch MSRP
South AfricaR 11,299Standard variant official launch MSRP
EgyptE£29,699Standard variant official launch MSRP
Türkiye₺21,899Standard variant official launch MSRP