Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2340
50
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
32mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB)
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 
6 Advantages | 44 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (100GB available) / 128GB (97GB available) |
| UFS 3.1 |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back / Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| +37 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 S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S23 FE 5G SM-S711B/DS (Fan Edition) | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G990U1 (Snapdragon) |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 10/5/2023, Announced: 10/4/2023 | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 |
| Depth | 8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.5 x 158 millimeters (3.01 x 6.22 in) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) |
| Weight | 209 grams (7.32 ounces) | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic 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 S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.4" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~83.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2340 pixels (19.5:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 403 PPI | 411 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1450nits[peak] HDR10+ | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 15 | Android 15 |
| User Interface | One UI 5.1 / 6.1 / 7.0 | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 / 7.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2200 (4nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-X2 (Single-core) 3x 2.5GHz ARM Cortex-A710 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A510 (Quad-core) | 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) |
| GPU graphical controller | Xclipse 920 [AMD RDNA 2 based] | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 940919 (v9), 1129278 (v10) Geekbench: 3550 (v5.1), 3946 (v6) GFXBench: 79fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) Geekbench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (100GB available) UFS 3.1 | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 3000/1920 Mbps | 2000/1024 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 50 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123° 8MP telephoto f/2.475mmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom | (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 |
| Main camera resolution | 8160x6120 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 24mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus |
| 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 | 8K@24fps 4K@30fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 32 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 6528x4896 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.4 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/2.74" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 0.8µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | Not supported |
| 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 S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| 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 (reversible) | USB Type-C SlimPort® |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + 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, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Virtual proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 39 hours (1.6 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| 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, Mint, Cream, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine • Samsung DeX | • Colors: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711B/DS 128GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.01W/kg (head), 0.87W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.76W/kg (head), 1.045W/kg (body) | feature not registered |