Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S20 5G phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
32mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
8 Advantages 
10 Advantages | 38 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (97GB available) / 128GB (104GB available) |
| Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back / Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| +31 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Model | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G990U1 (Snapdragon) | Galaxy S20 SM-G981VZIAVZW (Snapdragon, 8GB RAM) - Verizon |
| Country or region available |  USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 | 6/4/2020, Announced: 5/20/2020 |
| Depth | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) | 69.1 x 151.7 millimeters (2.72 x 5.97 in) |
| Weight | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) | 168 grams (5.88 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.4" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~88.5% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 411 PPI | 566 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| System version | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | Android 13 |
| User Interface | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (SM8250) (7nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 585 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 585 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 585 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-587MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) Geekbench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.0 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 2000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78, 79) | mmWave (260, 261) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, mmWave |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°13mm1/3"1.12µm 8MP telephoto f/2.476mm1/4.5"1.0µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1.4µmSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 32 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 6528x4896 pixels | 3872x2592 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.74" inches | 1/3.2" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.8µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C SlimPort® | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 9W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 20 hours |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive | • Colors: Cloud Pink, Cosmic Grey, Cloud White • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | Galaxy S20 5G UW (SM-G981V) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.77W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) | 0.91W/kg (head), 1.05W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |