Galaxy S21 FE vs iPhone 16 Plus

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2022

Galaxy S21 FE

76/ 100

Launch MSRP$699 USD

Apple · 2024

iPhone 16 Plus

76/ 100

Launch MSRP$899 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S21 FE BETTER THAN iPhone 16 Plus?

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Galaxy S21 FEWinner 🏆

iPhone 16 Plus

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	iPhone 16	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	60Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	4,674 mAh	+4,674 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	27W	27W Max
Main Camera Sensor	12 MP	48 MP	48 MP
Screen Display Size	6.4"	6.7"	6.7"
Chassis Weight	177g	199g	177g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 FE:

✓22g lighter chassis (177g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$200 lower launch MSRP ($699 vs $899)
✓12MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Plus:

✓Larger 4,674 mAh battery capacity (+174 mAh more capacity)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.7" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 FE	iPhone 16 Plus
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	OLED Super Retina XDR
Screen Size	6.4"	6.7"
Resolution & Density	2340x1080 (403 ppi)	2796x1290 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	60 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,200 nits peak	2,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 16 Plus Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 12	iOS 18
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	6 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 16 Plus Wins Camera
Primary Camera	12 MP, f/1.8, OIS	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto Zoom	8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	None (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	32 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	159.8 x 73.6 x 8.2 mm	160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm
Weight	177 g	199 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S21 FE Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,500 mAh	4,674 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	27W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 2.0	USB-C 2.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$699	$899

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S21 FE edges ahead with a BeastScore of 76.3/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S21 FE ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21 FE:

Higher overall BeastScore: 76.3 vs top rival 75.7 · Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (1 lens system)

When to choose iPhone 16 Plus:

Higher resolution main sensor: 48 MP vs max 12 MP · Brighter screen: 2,000 nits peak vs 1,200 nits

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 FE vs iPhone 16 Plus

Which is better: Galaxy S21 FE or iPhone 16 Plus?

Galaxy S21 FE leads with an overall BeastScore of 76.3/100 compared to iPhone 16 Plus (75.7/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 76.3 vs top rival 75.7 and Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (1 lens system).