The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (“Fan Edition”) 5G (Snapdragon) offers many of the features, including the Snapdragon 888 chipset, of the standard S21 5G model, at a slightly more affordable price point. FE users can compose images on a large 6.4” Dynamic AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and power is supplied by a 4,500 mAh battery.
Let’s have a closer look at how the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) performs in the DXOMARK Camera tests and compares to its rivals. Primary: 12 MP sensor, f/1.8-aperture lens About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. This article is designed to highlight the most important results of our testing.
For more information about the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, click here. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 117 camera 119 Preview Preview 64 91 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (91) 111 %s Outdoor Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux) BEST 160 Top score
%s Indoor Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux) BEST 132 Top score %s Lowlight Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux) BEST 149 Top score
%s Friends & Family Portrait and group photo & videos Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results.
While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G 102 116. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 78 136. Xiaomi Redmi 12C 45 14th 14 Position in Premium Ranking 1. Nice color in indoor and outdoor images Pretty accurate subject isolation in bokeh mode
Accurate exposure, white balance and focus preview when zooming Good exposure in low contrast video Accurate white balance and color in bright light and indoor video Good video stabilization for static scenes Cons Limited dynamic range results in highlight clipping
Ghosting, hue shift and color fringing artifacts Frame shifts and ringing artifacts in video The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) camera does a respectable job, earning itself a DXOMARK Camera score of 120 that puts it into a mid-field position in the Premium segment.
The score is one point higher than the S21 5G (Snapdragon), making the FE model a great alternative to the standard model for photocentric users.
This said, with the S21 5G having been available at retailers for several months now its street price has come down to a level that is very close to the FE. Overall, the camera performs on a very similar level to the other models in the S21 series from Samsung.
This indoor image offers accurate color rendering without any casts. However, slight color fringing and huw shifts are noticeable. In this shot and the graph below, we can see that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE’s texture performance has been improved over the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Textures are slightly more refined in all light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), low light texture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: slight loss of texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), low light texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), stronger loss of texture, stronger noise Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), indoor texture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: slight loss of texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), indoor texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), stronger loss of texture, more highlight clipping
Texture comparison: the S21 FE Snapdragon is very slightly improved over the S21 5G across all light levels. The preview image in bokeh mode is very close to the final capture.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), preview image Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: preview only slightly different to final capture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), final capture in bokeh mode Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: similar bokeh effect to preview image In bokeh mode, images can sometimes be slightly underexposed, but the simulated bokeh effect provides mostly accurate depth estimation, with only a few visible depth artifacts. Bokeh mode: good depth estimation
When using the tele zoom, exposure is generally accurate and stable, but dynamic range is limited, which can result in highlight clipping in high contrast scenes. Our testers also observed a loss of detail at most tele and ultra-wide zoom settings, as well as some autofocus failures.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), long range zoom Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: good exposure but loss of detail In video mode, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) records footage with good exposure in low-contrast scenes. However, in more difficult high-contrast conditions video clips tend to be underexposed. Our testers also observed some color and white balance instabilities but overall white balance and color rendering are generally accurate when recording in bright light or under typical indoor conditions.
In low light, an orange cast is more intrusive than on the comparison phones. Noise is quite visible in all conditions, it’s particularly strong in low light. We also noticed frame shift and ringing artifacts in all conditions. Video stabilization does a good job in static scenes and is on a similar level as the competitors.
In this sample clip, we can see that at the start of the video the subject is slightly underexposed. Strong color and exposure instabilities are noticeable between 00:19 and 00:25 are visible. We can also see frame shifts and an exposure adaptation issue towards the end of the clip when the model turns around.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) Battery test
We put the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) through our rigorous DXOMARK Battery test suite to measure its performance in autonomy, charging and efficiency. In these test results, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases.
6.4-Inch 1080 x 2400 120 Hz OLED display Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 82 battery 72
Charging Full charge 110 224 Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) Best: Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) (224) Quick boost 95 212 Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) Best: Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) (212) 80 Efficiency Charge up 112 205 Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro Best: Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro (205) Discharge 68 194 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro (194) Key performances These key points are derived from the lab measurements during testing and do not figure into the overall score.
Oppo Find X6 Pro 151 3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon) 142 10.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 136 19. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G 136 19. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 134 29. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 133 32.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G 133 32. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 129 51. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 121 69. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G 120 71.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 119 77. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 118 77. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 111 105. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) 103 121.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) 98 137. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 93 150. Google Pixel Fold 88 152. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 82 157.
Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos) 75 34th 34 Position in Premium Ranking 1. Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro 138 2. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro 127 6.
Oppo Find X3 Neo 126 6. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 118 15. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 82 34.
Pros Strong autonomy when calling on the go Very low residual power drain Cons 5% of power drained during the night in a typical usage scenario Poor autonomy recovered after a quick boost
Very high discharge current when gaming Impressive specifications on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, a 4500 mAh battery and wireless charging, could not help the device overcome an overall poor performance. The autonomy is low, and the charging time is quite long, whether wired or wireless.
It stands near the last in our general database, as well as in its price segment. About DXOMARK Battery tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone battery reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective tests over a week-long period both indoors and outdoors.
(See our introductory and how we test articles for more details about our smartphone Battery protocol.) The following section gathers key elements of our exhaustive tests and analyses performed in DXOMARK laboratories.
Detailed performance evaluation reports are available upon request. The table below shows the battery capacity, tested charger, display type and resolution, and processor specifications for the comparison devices.
Battery Charger Wireless Display Processor Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 4500mAh 25W 1080 x 2400 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Apple iPhone 13 3227mAh 20W
i How Autonomy score is composed Autonomy score is composed of three performance sub-scores: Stationary, On the go, and Calibrated use cases. Each sub-score comprises the results of a comprehensive range of tests for measuring autonomy in all kinds of real-life scenarios. Battery Life (moderate) 156th 156 Position in Global RankingBattery Life (moderate) 1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G 72h 12.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G 70h 17. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 69h 20. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 68h 23. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 67h 24.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon) 67h 25. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G 67h 26.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 65h 34. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G 62h 44.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 62h 46. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S 61h 47. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 60h 51. Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro 60h 54.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G 55h 75. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 53h 90. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 49h 120. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 48h 123.
Google Pixel Fold 47h 127. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) 47h 130. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro 46h 135. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) 44h 140.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 41h 148. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 38h 157. Battery Life (moderate) 34th 34 Position in Premium RankingBattery Life (moderate) 1. Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro 60h 2.
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 53h 9. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro 46h 26. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 38h 35. i A robot housed in a Faraday cage performs a set of touch-based user actions during what we call our “typical usage scenario” (TUS) — making calls, video streaming, etc. — 4 hours of active use over the course of a 16-hour period, plus 8 hours of “sleep.” The robot repeats this set of actions every day until the device runs out of power. Typical Usage Scenario discharge curves
i Using a smartphone on the go takes a toll on autonomy because of extra “hidden” demands, such as the continuous signaling associated with cellphone network selection, for example. DXOMARK Battery experts take the phone outdoors and perform a precisely defined set of activities while following the same three-hour travel itinerary (walking, taking the bus, the subway…) for each device
Autonomy for on the go use cases (full charge) i For this series of tests, the smartphone returns to the Faraday cage and our robots repeatedly perform actions linked to one specific use case (such as gaming, video streaming, etc.) Starting from an 80% charge, all devices are tested until they have expended at least 5% of their battery power. Autonomy for calibrated use cases (full charge)
Charging 102 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 218 Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) i How Charging score is composed Charging is fully part of the overall battery experience. In some situations where autonomy is at a minimum, knowing how fast you can charge becomes a concern. The DXOMARK Battery charging score is composed of two sub-scores, (1) Full charge and (2) Quick boost. Wired 48% in 30 min 0h53 0 – 80% 1h42 Full charge Wireless 21% in 30 min 1h48 0 – 80% 2h37 Full charge Full charge 110 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 224 Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) i Full charge tests assess the reliability of the battery power gauge; measure how long and how much power the battery takes to charge from zero to 80% capacity, from 80 to 100% as shown by the UI, and until an actual full charge. Two charts here below illustrate the full charge performance of the smartphone: (1) The charging curves, in wired and wireless (if available) showing the evolution of the battery level indicator as well as the power consumption in watts during the stages of charging toward full capacity.
(2) The time to full charge chart breaks down the necessary time to reach 80%, 100% and full charge.
Wireless Power consumption and battery level during full charge Power consumption and battery level during wireless full charge Wireless Time to full charge Time to full charge
Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro 0h14 5. Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 0h19 10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G 0h24 29.
Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro 0h28 40. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G 0h33 55. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon) 0h37 61. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 0h38 66. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) 0h39 69.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) 0h40 70.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G 0h44 78.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 0h46 83. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 0h49 90.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 0h51 102. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 0h52 103. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S 0h52 104. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 0h53 109.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G 0h54 112. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro 0h55 113. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 0h57 117. Google Pixel Fold 1h00 122.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 1h01 126. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 1h06 135. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G 1h22 145. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro 0h14 3.
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro 0h19 7. Nubia RedMagic 8 Pro 0h28 15.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 0h53 32. Quick boost 95 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 212 Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) i With the phone at different charge levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%), Quick boost tests measure the amount of charge the battery receives after being plugged in for 5 minutes. The chart here compares the average autonomy gain from a quick 5-minute charge.
Average autonomy gain for a 5 minute charge (wired) i How Efficiency score is composed The DXOMARK power efficiency score consists of two sub-scores, Charge up and Discharge rate, both of which combine data obtained during robot-based typical usage scenario, calibrated tests and charging evaluation, taking into consideration the device’s battery capacity. DXOMARK calculate the annual power consumption of the product, shown on below graph, which is representative of the overall efficiency during a charge and when in use.
Annual Consumption Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 5.6 kWh Efficient Good Bad Inefficient
Charge up 112 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 205 Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro i The charge up sub-score is a combination of four factors: the overall efficiency of a full charge, related to how much energy you need to fill up the battery compared to the energy that the battery can provide; the efficiency of the travel adapter when it comes to transferring power from an outlet to your phone; the residual consumption when your phone is fully charged and still plugged into the charger; and the residual consumption of the charger itself, when the smartphone is disconnected from it.
The chart here below shows the overall efficiency of a full charge in %. Discharge 68 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 194 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Apple iPhone 14 Pro i The discharge subscore rates the speed of a battery’s discharge during a test, which is independent of the battery’s capacity. It is the ratio of a battery’s capacity divided by its autonomy. A small-capacity battery could have the same autonomy as a large-capacity battery, indicating that the device is well-optimized, with a low discharge rate.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) Display review: Good video rendering
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) came to market in January 2022, and as befits a device in our Premium ($600-$799) segment, it comes packed with goodies. Let’s take a look at how it did in our comprehensive Display protocol tests. Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) chipset About DXOMARK Display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective and perceptual tests under controlled lab and real-life conditions. This article highlights the most important results of our testing. Note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still image (gallery) and video apps at their default settings.
(For in-depth information about how we evaluate smartphone and other displays, check out our articles, “How DXOMARK tests display quality” and “A closer look at DXOMARK Display testing.”) Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 130 display Readability 142 162 Google Pixel 8 Pro Best: Google Pixel 8 Pro (162) Color 137 164 Google Pixel 8 Pro Best: Google Pixel 8 Pro (164) Video 150 162 Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) Best: Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon) (162) Motion 116 155 Huawei P40 Pro Best: Huawei P40 Pro (155) Touch 102 168 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Best: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (168) Artifacts 100 161 Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 Best: Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 (161)
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 149 6. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 149 6.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon) 148 11. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 145 18. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) 136 34. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) 134 42.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 131 54. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 131 54.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 130 58. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 129 65.
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 128 74. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 127 78.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 123 101. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 116 122.
Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro 69 160. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro 60 162. Realme C21 52 10th 10 Position in Premium Ranking 1. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 130 13. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro 60 Pros Brightness is well suited for indoor use
Pleasant brightness when watching HDR10 content Cons Colors shift to blue and appear desaturated when viewed on angle Visible aliasing when playing video games
Noticeable stutters when playing video games
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G’s rendering of both still and moving content is particularly good indoors, though it does quite well in outdoor conditions, too.
It is a very good device for watching HDR10 videos, with suitable brightness and color fidelity. Brightness vs Contrast comparison (0 Lux)
Brightness vs Contrast comparison (30 000 Lux) Although a bit too bright in low-light conditions, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is readable indoors. Readability indoors, from left to right: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon), Google Pixel 6, Apple iPhone 13 (Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The device lacks brightness when viewed under sunlight.
Readability under sunlight, left to right: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon), Google Pixel 6, Apple iPhone 13 (Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only) Colors are faithful and well rendered indoors. In outdoor conditions, a slight green cast is often visible. Color rendering outdoors in shade, clockwise from top left: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon), Apple iPhone 13, Google Pixel 6 (Photo credit: DXOMARK; for illustration only)
The left-hand chart below shows the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE’s color fidelity in the P3 color space. The center of each circle is the target color; the further the tip of the arrow is outside of the circle, the more users will notice the difference between the color on the display and the original color of the source material. The S21 FE has generally accurate color reproduction. The scatter chart on the right shows the device’s color shift to blue when viewed at an angle.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE , color fidelity at 1000 lux in the P3 color space Samsung Galaxy S21 FE , scatter graph of white point on angle
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) Audio review
Samsung released the Fan Edition of its Galaxy S21 series in January 2022, with aim of creating an all-in-one type of phone that can appeal to a “gaming guru or social media star” alike. Powered by Qualcomm’s 888 Snapdragon chipset, the 6.4-inch Galaxy S21 FE 5G lands in our Premium ($600-$799) segment and comes in four different colors, including a new olive color made especially for this model. We put the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) through our rigorous DXOMARK Audio test suite to measure its performance both at recording sound using its built-in microphones, and at playing audio back through its speakers. In this review, we will break down how it fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases. Key Audio specifications include: Two speakers (up front-firing, and bottom side-firing) Audio zoom Surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology Dual Audio (user can connect two Bluetooth devices for simultaneous playback)
About DXOMARK Audio tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone audio reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective tests and undertake more than 20 hours of perceptual evaluation under controlled lab conditions. This short review highlights the most important results of our testing.
Note that we evaluate both Playback and Recording using only the device’s built-in hardware and default apps. (For more details about our Playback protocol, click here; for more details about our Recording protocol, click here.) Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 118 audio 115 Playback Timbre 112 158 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (158) Dynamics 121 149 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (149) Spatial 126 162 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (162) Volume 132 162 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (162) Artifacts 139 157 Asus ROG Phone 5 Best: Asus ROG Phone 5 (157) 124
Recording Timbre 127 147 Honor Magic3 Pro+ Best: Honor Magic3 Pro+ (147) Dynamics 124 146 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (146) Spatial 109 159 Vivo X Fold Best: Vivo X Fold (159) Volume 121 170 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (170) Artifacts 129 145 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (145) Background 110 166 Black Shark 5 Pro Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (166) Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders 149 4.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max 143 13. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max 142 13. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 140 22. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max 139 27.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon) 139 31.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) 133 46. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) 133 46. Apple iPhone XS Max 131 58.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 125 87. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro 124 91.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 118 111. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 118 111.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 118 111. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 116 122. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Exynos) 116 122. Motorola Edge 30 Pro 115 129.
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon) 115 129.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (Exynos) 113 135.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (Exynos) 113 135. Lenovo Legion Phone Pro 105 166.
Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition 97 183. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon) 86 30th 30 Position in Premium Ranking 1. Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro 124 23. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 118 30.
Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro Premium Edition 97 53. Correct balance and localizability, despite some flaws
Dynamics performance at low volume Almost no artifacts perceived in playback Cons Lack of low- and high-end extensions in timbre Lack of high-end that inhibits wideness and distance performances Minimum volume step that is too low Pros Good tonal balance at high SPL Good SNR across tested use cases
Excellent wideness and good localizability in life videos. Good directivity when recording selfies. Cons Mono recording of the memo app that impairs wideness and localizability
Tonal balance, hindered by lack of treble and bass in life video recording
With an overall Audio score of 70, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) matches the scores of the other models in the Samsung S21 series. As with the other models, the S21 FE 5G showed outstanding management of artifacts. The S21 FE 5G only had minor one-point differences in timbre and volume results for both playback and recording. Its audio performance in the Premium segment, however, was still far from the top-ranked Black Shark 4 Pro and 4S Pro, which both achieved overall scores of 81. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G’s results indicate Samsung has kept audio specs and tuning nearly the same across all the S21 versions. Because of S21 FE 5G’s mostly identical results, we invite you read the full Audio review of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos) for more details on its sound performance.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos) Camera review: S-series base model
It sports a 120 Hz 6.2-inch AMOLED screen with a hole punch for the selfie camera, and has a lower resolution (2400 x 1080) than the Galaxy S20. Here we are testing the global version based on Samsung’s Exynos octa-core 2100 chipset; a variant built around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 is sold in the US and China. The main wide camera has a 12 MP sensor behind a 26 mm-equivalent optically stabilized lens. Standard-wide: 12 MP 1/1.76-inch sensor with 1.8μm pixels, 26 mm-equivalent f/1.8 lens, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS %s Outdoor Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux) BEST 160 Top score %s Lowlight Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux) BEST 149 Top score While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores. The composite Zoom score of 77 lands in the top ten, which is quite impressive considering the S21’s price point. The Video score of 93 is a little lower than expected, though, landing behind the previous-generation S20-series devices we’ve tested.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos) exposes properly and captures accurate colors under a variety of lighting conditions.
The S21 5G exposes very accurately, though our testers noticed some instability in exposures and that dynamic range could be a bit wider: the phone appears to be optimized for accurate target exposures and saving shadows at the expense of highlights, which often blow out in backlit scenes. White balance is very accurate across different lighting conditions and a variety of skin tones are nicely rendered.
The S21’s ultra-wide camera is indeed ultra wide, with a measured focal length shorter than most of the competition, so you can fit a lot of any scene into a single frame. Tele performance is pretty good, especially when considering the S21 is not a flagship device and doesn’t come with the latter’s long optical tele-lenses.
The high native resolution of the tele ensures good detail at close-range zoom. It’s still slightly better at medium and long range, and only for extra long-range shots (approximately 10x and longer) is the top-end Ultra model the better choice.
The usual segmentation errors where the subject meets the background are fairly minor, and the blur effect is strong, with a natural gradient as distance from the point of focus increases. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G’s Video score puts it in the lower regions of the database, on a similar level as devices like the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G and the OnePlus Nord. Samsung’s dominant place in the market means the Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos) will be on the shortlist for many people considering a new, fairly high-end Android phone. Most mobile photographers will probably be satisfied with the S21’s nice color and accurate exposures, despite higher-than-ideal noise and the occasional clipped highlight.
We started the test of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos) using the latest firmware version available at the time. However, Samsung released new firmware versions between the start of testing and the publication of this review article.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) Camera review: A slight Qualcomm advantage
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 5G is the least expensive of the company’s current high-end S21 series. Here we examine the version based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 chipset, which is sold in the US and China (we’ve previously reviewed the global version, powered by Samsung’s own Exynos chip). The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) features a 120 Hz 6.2-inch AMOLED screen with a hole punch for the selfie camera. There are three cameras on the back; the main wide and ultra-wide modules have 12 MP sensors.
Read on to find out how the S21 5G (Snapdragon) performs in our DXOMARK Camera tests. Standard-wide: 12 MP 1/1.76-inch sensor with 1.8μm pixels, 26 mm-equivalent f/1.8 lens, dual-pixel PDAF, OIS
About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. %s Outdoor Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux) BEST 160 Top score %s Indoor Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux) BEST 132 Top score %s Lowlight Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux) BEST 149 Top score Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Pros Fairly neutral white balance and accurate color rendering in stills and video Detail is high in stills and video in bright to moderate light
Mostly accurate depth estimation in portrait mode, natural blur effect
Poor image quality at medium and long zoom ratios, low detail and visible noise
With an overall score of 119, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) falls a bit short of the top-ranked phones in our database but is competitive with devices in the Premium ($600-799) price segment. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) has particularly accurate white balance, with nicely rendered colors under a variety of conditions.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) main camera captures generally pleasing photos under most conditions. Its photo score of 124 is not bad for its price class but there are devices that outscore it, such as the iPhone 12 (132).
Issues with autofocus reliability, noise, and limited dynamic range hold the score down. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) is broadly competitive with other phones in its price category and delivers generally satisfying imaging performance, but it doesn’t push the limits of what a phone in its class can do.
Below you can find detailed analyses and image samples for all Photo, Zoom, and Video sub-attributes, along with comparisons with one of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s competitors, the Apple iPhone 12, and with the international version Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos). In this section, we take a closer look at each sub-attribute and compare image quality against competitors.
In these tests we analyze target exposure, contrast, and dynamic range, including repeatability across a series of images. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s exposure performance in backlit conditions compared to the competition. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s color performance in outdoor light compared to the competition. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), accurate white balance, pleasant skin tones Apple iPhone 12, slightly less saturated color Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), accurate white balance, pleasant skin tones In these tests we analyze autofocus accuracy and shooting time, including repeatability, in the lab. We test focus failures, depth of field, and tracking of moving subjects using perceptual analysis of real-life images.
This graph shows autofocus performance of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) in outdoor 1000 lux light compared to two competitors. AF speed and accuracy at 1000 lux, 2 EV brightness range: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) is slower than comparison phones. In these tests we analyze texture on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s texture performance in outdoor light compared to the competition.
This graph shows the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s texture measurements in the lab. In these tests we analyze noise on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s noise performance in low light compared to the competition. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), low light Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), crop: good detail Apple iPhone 12, low light Apple iPhone 12, crop: good detail Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), low light Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), crop: good detail
For these tests we switch to the camera’s bokeh or portrait mode and analyze depth estimation, bokeh shape, blur gradient, and repeatability, as well as all other general image quality attributes mentioned above. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s bokeh simulation in daylight compared to the competition.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), good subject separation, natural blur Apple iPhone 12, more depth-sensing errors, less natural blur, green color cast Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), good subject separation, natural blur In these tests we shoot a selection of images in pitch-black darkness as well as with city lights in the background providing some illumination.
We shoot sample images with the camera at default settings in both flash-auto and flash-off modes.
We analyze all image quality attributes but we pay particular attention to exposure, autofocus, and color.
These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s night performance in flash-auto mode compared to the competition. In these tests we check images for optical artifacts such as vignetting, flare, lens softness in the corner, distortion, and chromatic aberrations, as well as for processing artifacts such as ghosting and fusion errors, hue shift, and ringing.
This sample shows hue shift, color fringing, aliasing, and maze and moiré artifacts. We also check the smoothness of the field-of-view changes in the preview image when zooming with both buttons or when using the pinch-zoom gesture.
These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s preview performance in portrait mode.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), preview: clipped highlights Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), final image: greater dynamic range than in preview In this section, we take a closer look at how these sub-scores were achieved and compare zoom image quality against competitors. In these tests we analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 to 20 mm.
We look at all image quality attributes, but we pay particular attention to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion. These samples show the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s ultra-wide camera in outdoor conditions compared to the competition. In these tests we analyze all image quality attributes at focal lengths from approximately 40 to 300 mm, paying particular attention to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images. These samples show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s and its competitors’ tele performance outdoors at a 90 mm-equivalent zoom setting. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), 90 mm zoom Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), crop: reduced detail Apple iPhone 12, 90 mm zoom Apple iPhone 12, crop: very low detail, underexposure Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), 90 mm zoom Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), crop: better detail
In this section, we take a closer look at these sub-scores and compare video quality against competitors. In our Video tests we analyze the same image quality attributes as for still images, such as white balance and color rendering, but we also include such temporal aspects as speed, and smoothness and stability of exposure, and autofocus. NOTE: The sample video clips in this section are best viewed at 4K resolution.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), video still, underexposure in low light Apple iPhone 12, video still, better exposure in low light Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), video still, underexposure in low light
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), some visible white balance instabilities. These sample clips show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s video autofocus performance in low light.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), video still Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), crop: good detail Apple iPhone 12, video still Apple iPhone 12, crop: good detail Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), video still Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos), crop: good detail These sample clips show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s video noise performance in indoor light.
These sample clips show the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)’s video stabilization in laboratory conditions.
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