Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
7.6"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1768x2208
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4400
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 Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB)
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!
12 Advantages 
5 Advantages | 38 Common items in both devices |
| 2.84GHz 64bit Octa-core (5nm) |
| UFS 3.1 |
| Aluminum frame, flexible plastic screen, glass back / Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| +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 Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy Fold3 5G (SM-F926U1) | Galaxy S21 FE 5G SM-G990U1 (Snapdragon) |
| Country or region available |  USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 8/27/2021, Announced: 8/11/2021 | 1/7/2022, Announced: 1/4/2022 |
| Depth | 6.4 millimeters (0.25 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 128.1 x 158.2 millimeters (5.04 x 6.23 in) | 74.5 x 155.7 millimeters (2.93 x 6.13 in) |
| Weight | 271 grams (9.49 ounces) | 177 grams (6.2 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, flexible plastic screen, glass back Back: Gorilla Glass Victus | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | IPX8 certified: water resistant up to 1.5 meters and 30min | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 7.6" inches | 6.4" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.7% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1768x2208 pixels | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 372 PPI | 411 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Not supported | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1200nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display Extra display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.2" (832x2268), 120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 12 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | One UI 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| 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 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 635918 (v8), 752218 (v9) Geekbench: 3239 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) Geekbench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 6GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (220GB available) UFS 3.1 | 128GB (97GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | 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 | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 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 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) 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 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78, 79) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6, mmWave | 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 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) 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, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, 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 Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.452mm1/3.6"1.0µmPDAFOIS2x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123°12mm1.12µm | (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 | 4032x3024 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 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 |
| 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) Extra cover camera: 4MP (f/1.8 2.0µm) | 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240fps (slow motion) 720p@960fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | 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/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3" inches | 1/2.74" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 0.8µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| 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 | 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 Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | 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 | 5.2 + 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 | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4400 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 | 11W Qi Wireless charging (Qi/WPC) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 34 hours (1.4 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | 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: Phantom Black, Silver, Green • S Pen (Stylus Pen) • Samsung DeX • Samsung Pay | • Colors: Graphite, White, Lavender, Olive |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Z Fold 3 (SM-F926U 256GB) | Galaxy S21 FE (SM-G990U 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.73W/kg (head), 1.22W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |