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.
Be First to Comment