Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. S21 vs. S21 FE vs. S20 FE — which is best for you?

Between the Galaxy S22, S21, S21 FE, and the S20 FE, Samsung has 4 thrilling choices on be offering. The Galaxy S22 is clearly the most recent from Samsung, and it options the most recent {hardware}, 50MP digital camera on the again, and runs Android 12 out of the field.

Of path, closing yr’s Galaxy S21 is no slouch both, and the phone is a noteworthy choice in 2022. Then there may be the S21 FE, which has an identical {hardware} because the S21, identical nice cameras, 120Hz AMOLED display, and the entire extras, however for so much much less cash. And with Samsung proceeding to promote the S20 FE, you’ve a value-focused phone that continues to carry its personal.

So in case you are out there for a brand new phone and cannot make up your thoughts as to which instrument to pick out up, here is what you want to grasp.

Galaxy S22 vs. S21 vs. S21 FE vs. S20 FE: Specs

I’ll cross into a bit of extra element round what every phone has to supply additional under, however first, let’s take a look at what you are getting from a {hardware} standpoint. All 4 telephones have a couple of constant options: 120Hz AMOLED monitors, IP68 mud and water resistance, wi-fi charging with opposite wi-fi charging, stereo sound, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of base garage, and 5G connectivity.

Here’s a high-level rundown of the {hardware}:

Galaxy S22: The compact choice

The Galaxy S22 sticks out for a couple of causes. First up, it has the most recent inner {hardware} within the type of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and Samsung is rolling out this model in additional international markets in lieu of the Exynos 2200 fashion. 

The S22 additionally has the consideration of being the one phone in this record that has a pitcher again — the opposite 3 fashions function a polycarbonate again. You get a layer of Corning’s newest Gorilla Glass Victus+ at the back and front, and the aluminum chassis has been bolstered to resist tumbles.

The S22 is the best choice if you need a small Android phone in 2022.

With a 6.1-inch display, the S22 is the smallest choice on this record, so if you need a compact instrument, this is the only to get. With a peak of simply 146mm and coming in at 167g, the S22 is shorter, narrower, and thinner than closing yr’s S21. Samsung controlled to try this despite the phone providing a pitcher again by way of slotting in a smaller 3700mAh battery — the S21 has a 4000mAh unit.

You nonetheless get an elegant 120Hz AMOLED panel that is going as much as 1300 nits for HDR movies, and it is secure to mention that this is one of the crucial best monitors you can to find on any phone lately. The cameras have additionally been overhauled, with a brand new 50MP lens turning in surprising pictures. The wide-angle lens is the similar because the S21, however a brand new 10MP zoom lens is going as much as 3x optical zoom.

On the instrument facet, the S22 runs One UI 4 in keeping with Android 12 out of the field, and with Samsung now making sure 4 Android OS updates, it’ll make the transfer to Android 16.

The major differentiator for the Galaxy S22 is the scale; it has more recent cameras and up to date {hardware}, however the smaller shape issue makes it a really perfect total selection.

Galaxy S21 FE: The price king

The Galaxy S21 FE is simply one of the crucial best Android telephones you can to find lately, and numerous that has to do with the worth on be offering. The phone stocks numerous similarities with the S21, together with the similar 120Hz AMOLED panel, 12MP number one digital camera on the again, Gorilla Glass Victus, IP68 and wi-fi charging with 25W stressed charging, and stereo sound.

But the truth that it manages to undercut the S21 whilst preserving its best options makes it a gorgeous choice. The best phase is that the S21 FE comes with Android 12 out of the field, and it’ll get the similar 4 Android OS updates because the S22 and S21, so it’ll get the Android 16 replace down the road.

The phone introduced at $700, however Samsung already discounted it to $600 as soon as, and we will have to see the pricing stabilize round that determine as soon as the S22 is on cabinets for a couple of weeks. At $600, there is no query that the S21 FE is the best choice in this record.

Galaxy S21: Good if you’ll be able to to find it on sale

The Galaxy S21 is still a really perfect phone in 2022, but it surely is too very similar to the S21 FE. The handiest house the place there is a substantial distinction is the cameras, with the S21 providing higher-quality sensors and the power to take higher pictures in with reference to any lighting fixtures state of affairs.

The problem to the S21 is that it is not discounted these days. Furthermore, with the phone launching with Android 11 out of the field, it would possibly not be up to date previous Android 15. It is sensible to pick out up the S21 FE if you’ll be able to to find it at across the $550 to $600 determine, however anything else greater than that, you are with the S21 FE or the S22.

Galaxy S20 FE: More for much less

Like the Galaxy S21, the S20 FE has elderly rather well, and there may be not anything fallacious with the phone itself. But with the S21 FE now broadly to be had, you will have to have a look at this phone provided that you’ll be able to get it at a considerable bargain — beneath $450 can be my advice.

The S20 FE and the S21 FE are just about an identical, with the latter the usage of the similar digital camera {hardware} and far of the similar innards. The variations are minute; you get the more recent Snapdragon 888 at the S21 FE, Gorilla Glass Victus (as opposed to GG5), and a rather smaller 6.4-inch panel. In truth, the S20 FE has a bit of extra to supply because it comprises the MicroSD card slot — the one one in this record to take action.

The explanation why I’m no longer recommending the S20 FE to lovers has to do with instrument updates. It has already picked up two platform updates — having introduced with Android 10 out of the field — and it misses out at the 4 assured updates, so you can handiest get the Android 13 construct later this yr. 

If that is not as giant a attention, you’ll be able to save a tight sum of money by way of choosing up the S20 FE. If no longer, the S21 FE is the best choice.

Which will have to you purchase?

Honestly, I’d simply cross with the S21 FE. I’ve used the phone as my day-to-day driving force for a month and a part now, and it’s been out of the ordinary. I just like the light-weight design, the matte texture on the again makes it simple to carry the phone, and the display is elegant. I have never run into any lag whilst gaming and the cameras take remarkable pictures. The phone has an IP68 ranking and 15W wi-fi charging as smartly, and it runs Android 12 out of the field and can get the similar 4 Android OS updates because the Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 prices $200 greater than the S21 FE (on the time of writing), and also you get new digital camera modules, rather sooner {hardware}, and a brighter AMOLED panel. The major differentiator for the S22 is the scale; if you need a small Android phone in 2022, this is the best selection by way of a ways. But if you wish to maximize price, the S21 FE is my advice.