If you are an Android fan searching for a brand new smartphone, you would possibly end up deciding between the $800 Galaxy S22 and $700 Galaxy S21 FE. Not solely are they equally priced, however they’re across the identical dimension and each have a triple-lens digital camera. That mentioned, there are some vital variations between the 2.
The Galaxy S21 FE is basically a repackaged model of final yr’s Galaxy S21, whereas the Galaxy S22 is the subsequent era of the S21. The Galaxy S21 FE runs on a barely older processor than the S22 and its major digital camera is lower-resolution. It does not have the enhancements that Samsung has made to nighttime pictures, and its design is much less thrilling than that of the Galaxy S22. But the S21 FE has a noticeably bigger display screen than the S22, a sharper selfie digital camera and, most significantly, a cheaper price.
The Galaxy S22 is healthier suited for individuals who need higher digital camera high quality and like smaller gadgets, whereas the S21 FE is for individuals who prioritize display screen dimension and a cheaper price.
Here’s a better have a look at how the 2 smartphones evaluate.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S22
Display dimension, decision
6.4-inch AMOLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 120Hz
6.1-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 120Hz
Pixel density
401 pixels per inch
425 pixels per inch
Dimensions (millimeters)
74.5×155.7×7.9mm
70.6x146x7.6mm
Weight (ounces, grams)
177g
167 g (168 g for mmWave mannequin)
Mobile software program
Android 11
Android 12
Camera
12MP (major), 12MP (ultrawide), 8MP (telephoto)
50MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (telephoto)
Front-facing digital camera
3MP
10MP
Video seize
4K at 60 fps
8K at 24 fps
Processor
Snapdragon 888 (within the US)
Snapdragon 8 gen 1
RAM/Storage
6GB/128GB; 8GB/128GB; 8GB/256GB
8GB/128GB; 8GB/256GB
Expandable storage
None
None
Battery/Charger
4,500 mAh (no bundled charger)
3,700 mAh (25W wired charging)
Fingerprint sensor
In-display
In-display
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
None
No
Special options
5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), 120 Hz show, IP68 score, 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging
5G (mmw/Sub6), 120Hz show, IP68 score, 25W wired charging, 15W wi-fi charging
Price off-contract (USD)
$700 (128GB/6GB); $770 (256GB/8GB)
$800
The Galaxy S22 has a smaller display screen, however a extra elegant design
The Galaxy S21 FE (left) and Galaxy S22 (proper).
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The most evident distinction between the 2 gadgets will be seen by simply them: The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display screen, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE has a 6.4-inch show. Which dimension is healthier relies on your choice. The Galaxy S22 can appear a bit cramped, particularly when typing, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE appears like a greater stability of portability and display screen house. Compared with the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra, the Galaxy S22 feels proper for individuals who favor smaller telephones just like the iPhone 13 Mini or Samsung Galaxy S10E. However, each of these telephones are significantly smaller than the S22.
The Galaxy S22 and S21 FE have very related show high quality. The Galaxy S22 technically has extra pixels per inch, however the distinction is not noticeable. Both telephones can crank their screens’ refresh charges as much as 120Hz for smoother scrolling and so they each assist HDR10 Plus, so you are not lacking out on something main by choosing the cheaper FE. The Galaxy S22 household has a brand new function referred to as Vision Booster, which adjusts the display screen to the lighting in your environment, however I did not discover a lot of a distinction between the 2.
Where you’ll discover a distinction, nonetheless, is within the telephones’ design. The Galaxy S22 is produced from steel and glass, giving it a extra elegant and costly really feel than the cheaper Galaxy S21 FE. The S22’s metallic edges even remind me a little bit of the iPhone 13 Pro. The Galaxy S21 FE’s design seems uninteresting by comparability, however that in all probability does not matter a lot in the event you plan to cowl your gadget with a case. The Galaxy S22 can also be barely lighter than the Galaxy S21 FE at 167 grams in contrast with the S21 FE’s 177 grams.
Read extra: Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21: Everything That’s New
Discover the most recent information and finest evaluations in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cellular specialists.
The Galaxy S22 has a greater major digital camera, however the S21 FE wins at selfies
The Galaxy S21 FE (left) and Galaxy S22 (proper).
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 FE each have triple-lens major cameras, however the distinction is within the particulars. The Galaxy S22 has a 50-megapixel major digital camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and a 10-megapixel telephoto digital camera. The Galaxy S21 FE has a 12-megapixel major digital camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and an 8-megapixel telephoto digital camera.
As a consequence, I discovered pictures taken with a Galaxy S22 typically regarded extra colourful and detailed than these shot with a Galaxy S21 FE. These modifications are most noticeable in pictures of single topics, like a portrait or a bouquet of flowers, than in busier scenes like a avenue nook.
Galaxy S22
The picture of a flower bouquet was taken with the Galaxy S22.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S21 FE
This picture was taken with the Galaxy S21 FE.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S22
This portrait was taken with the Galaxy S22.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S21 FE
This portrait was taken with the Galaxy S21 FE.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
I additionally observed that the Galaxy S22 took sharper zoomed-in pictures than the Galaxy S21 FE, which is sensible because it has a barely higher-resolution digital camera. Take a have a look at the pictures beneath to see the distinction. The pictures of the spiky ball hanging from a tree have been taken at a 10x zoom, and you will discover that the Galaxy S22’s is sharper.
Galaxy S22
This picture of a spiky ball hanging from a tree was taken with the Galaxy S22.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S21 FE
Here’s the identical picture taken with the Galaxy S21 FE.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
But it isn’t simply the decision that is modified. Samsung has additionally improved the best way the Galaxy S22 lineup takes pictures in low mild, which you’ll be able to learn extra about in our full story on the Galaxy 22’s Nightography evening pictures enhancements. The Galaxy S22 took pictures that have been typically clearer, brighter and crisper than the Galaxy S21 FE’s throughout my testing. Take a have a look at the pictures beneath, which have been captured in my condominium with all the lights turned off.
Galaxy S22
This picture was taken with the lights turned off in my condominium.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S21 FE
This picture was taken with the Galaxy S21 FE in a really darkish room.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
But the Galaxy S21 FE’s 32-megapixel entrance digital camera offers it a bonus on the subject of taking selfies. The Galaxy S22, by comparability, has a 10-megapixel selfie digital camera. You’ll discover the Galaxy S21 FE’s picture has way more element, particularly on the subject of my hair.
Galaxy S22
The Galaxy S22 has a 10-megapixel entrance digital camera for taking selfies.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Galaxy S21 FE
But the Galaxy S21 FE’s 32-megapixel selfie digital camera is sharper than the Galaxy S22’s.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Read extra: The Galaxy S22 Ultra Fails to Excite This Pro Photographer. And That’s a Problem
The Galaxy S22 has newer Qualcomm processor, however basic efficiency is analogous
The Galaxy S22 (left) and Galaxy S21 FE (proper).
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S22 runs on Qualcomm’s new processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE has final yr’s Snapdragon 888. That’s the identical chip discovered contained in the Galaxy S21 lineup.
So what does that imply for total efficiency? Not a lot. Both telephones really feel snappy and fluid when loading apps, enjoying video games and scrolling across the working system. The Galaxy S22 carried out barely increased in benchmarks that check basic computing and graphics efficiency, however by a slim margin. Check out the outcomes beneath.
Geekbench 5 Single Core
Note:
Higher scores are higher.
Geekbench 5 Multicore
Note:
Higher scores are higher.
3DMark Slingshot Unlimited
Note:
Higher scores are higher.
Where the brand new processor actually makes a distinction is in powering new options. Part of the explanation why the Galaxy S22 is healthier at taking pictures at the hours of darkness, for instance, is its new processor.
The telephones additionally provide related reminiscence and storage, though the Galaxy S22 has extra reminiscence on the base degree (8GB versus the S21 FE’s 6GB). But each telephones can be found in both 128GB or 256GB storage choices.
The Galaxy S21 FE has barely longer battery life than the Galaxy S22 in response to my testing, however not by a lot. The S21 FE lasted for 15 hours, 46 minutes in CNET’s battery check, which includes constantly enjoying a video in airplane mode with the display screen brightness set to 50%. The Galaxy S22, by comparability, lasted for 15 hours, 21 minutes throughout the identical check. Both telephones lasted noticeably shorter than the Galaxy S22 Plus and giant-size Galaxy S22 Ultra, which each exceeded 18 hours.
Read extra: Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. S22 Plus vs. S22 Ultra
Galaxy S22 pictures: Get a better have a look at Samsung’s new telephones
See all pictures
Should you purchase the Galaxy S22 or the Galaxy S21 FE?
The Galaxy S21 FE (left) and Galaxy S22 (proper).
The Galaxy S22 is your best option in the event you do not thoughts a selecting a smaller display screen dimension in trade for a greater digital camera, marginally quicker efficiency and a classier design. If pictures is a high precedence, the Galaxy S22 is the higher choice. It can seize pictures which can be typically extra detailed with extra distinction than the S21 FE offers you, and it is higher at taking zoomed-in pictures too. It can even take brighter pictures in low-light situations.
But the Galaxy S21 FE is healthier for individuals who need a bigger display screen at a considerably cheaper value than the $1,000 price ticket of the Galaxy S22 Plus. The digital camera is not nearly as good because the Galaxy S22’s, nevertheless it nonetheless takes pictures which can be adequate for most individuals. The S21 FE’s sharper entrance digital camera will even turn out to be useful in the event you take quite a lot of selfies, or regularly use your telephone for video calls.
For extra, try CNET’s Galaxy S21 FE assessment and the way the Galaxy S22 Ultra compares with the Galaxy S21 Ultra. You can even check out what Samsung’s calling Nightography and what the Galaxy S22 line means for the Galaxy Note. Want to be taught extra about Samsung’s newest flagship telephones? Check out all the things you must know concerning the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Samsung’s latest flagship telephone is the Galaxy S22, which begins at $800.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Samsung’s more-affordable Galaxy S21 FE was simply launched earlier in 2022, for $100 lower than the S22.