In the beginning look, the $450 (£399, AU$699) Galaxy A53 5G and $700 (£499, AU$1,099) Galaxy S21 FE have so much in commonplace. Their displays are in a similar way sized, they each and every have multilens cameras and a just about equivalent design. So which one’s best for you?
Samsung’s Galaxy S telephones have a tendency to get lots of the consideration, however the corporate’s inexpensive Galaxy A lineup has been a quiet luck. Galaxy A gadgets accounted for 58% of Samsung’s total smartphone unit gross sales in 2021, whilst different fashions made up the rest 42%, in step with Counterpoint Analysis.
General, the Galaxy A53 5G provides extra worth to your cash. It has a big display screen with a prime refresh price for smoother scrolling, a tight digital camera for the cost and bold battery lifestyles. On the other hand, there are the reason why it prices $250 not up to the Galaxy S21 FE. You could have to place up with some efficiency lag at the Galaxy A53, not like the S21 FE. And Samsung’s costlier telephone has higher cameras that may take clearer pictures from a distance.
Whilst the Galaxy S21 FE exams all of the containers for probably the most section, it additionally feels overpriced in comparison to the Galaxy A53 5G. The Galaxy S21 FE could be a a lot more tempting selection if it have been frequently priced at $600, placing it proper smack in the course of the $450 Galaxy A53 and $800 Galaxy S22.
The excellent news is each telephones are neatly situated to final for some time. The Galaxy A53 and S21 FE are each assured to get a minimum of 4 years of Android working machine upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. Additionally they toughen all 5G frequencies: sub-6, C-band and millimeter wave.
Here is a nearer take a look at how the 2 telephones evaluate on the subject of design, efficiency, battery lifestyles and digital camera high quality.
Identical telephones, with slight variations
The Galaxy A53 5G.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy A53 5G and S21 FE necessarily glance the similar, however with some minor variations. Each telephones have a without boundary lines display screen with a focused hollow punch cutout for the selfie digital camera. The again of each and every tool is clean with a matte end, and sadly they each acquire fingerprint smudges simply.
However the Galaxy S21 FE’s brushed steel edges and heavier construct create a extra top class glance than the Galaxy A53 5G. Samsung additionally took a unique method with the digital camera module on each and every telephone. The Galaxy S21 FE’s digital camera bump blends in with the brink of the tool identical to at the Galaxy S21 and S22 sequence, whilst the Galaxy A53’s has a complete define.
The Galaxy S21 FE.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S21 FE could also be tougher than the A53 5G. It has an IP68 ranking, which means it may possibly resist submersion in as much as 1.5 meters of freshwater for as much as half-hour. The Galaxy A53 5G’s IP67 ranking approach it may be dunked in a single meter of freshwater for an identical quantity of time. Both manner, Samsung does not advise the usage of those telephones within the pool or on the seaside.
Design should not be a lot of an element when deciding between the 2 gadgets. They are necessarily the similar, except for a couple of minor tweaks. The similar is going for exhibit high quality; each displays are more or less the similar measurement (6.4 inches for the S21 FE as opposed to the A53 5G’s 6.5 inches) and will each and every crank their refresh charges as much as 120Hz.
The Galaxy S21 FE has higher efficiency, however the A53 5G excels in battery lifestyles
The Galaxy S21 FE.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy A53 5G steadily feels costlier than it’s, however efficiency is one house the place its worth begins to turn. There are occasions when the Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 processor struggles to maintain as I am scrolling and the usage of apps. I spotted an occasional lag when ultimate apps and navigating between house displays and settings menus, however it isn’t widespread sufficient to destroy my enjoy with the telephone. On the other hand, I did not realize stuttering like this all the way through my time with the Galaxy S21 FE, which runs at the identical Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip as final 12 months’s Galaxy S21.
Benchmark checks that measure normal efficiency and graphics confirmed equivalent effects, as you’ll see underneath.
Geekbench 5 Unmarried Core
Geekbench 5 Multicore
3DMark Wild Existence Excessive
Each telephones additionally be offering lengthy sufficient battery lifestyles to get you thru greater than an afternoon of utilization, they usually each and every toughen 25-watt rapid charging. (Simply bear in mind you will have to acquire that energy adapter one by one). However the Galaxy A53 5G does not toughen wi-fi charging, which most likely is not a deal-breaker however might be value taking into account in the event you already personal a charging pad.
The Galaxy A53 5G.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy A53 5G’s 5,000-mAh battery had 50% of its battery the following morning after a complete day, whilst the Galaxy S21 FE had 32% of its 4,500-mAh battery left after an afternoon and a part. That is not an apples-to-apples comparability, nevertheless it signifies they are able to final for an afternoon after which some.
The Galaxy A53 5G blew the Galaxy S21 FE out of the water all the way through CNET’s battery check. It lasted for 20 hours and 35 mins, outperforming now not simplest the S21 FE however all of the S22 lineup. The Galaxy S21 FE, however, tired its battery after 15 hours and 46 mins. For this check, I steadily performed native video at the tool in plane mode with the display screen brightness set to 50%. Each telephones additionally had the exhibit movement smoothness surroundings set to prime, which reinforces the refresh price to 120Hz.
The Galaxy S21 FE has a greater digital camera, however on occasion it is shut
The Galaxy A53 5G.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy A53 5G each and every have multilens cameras, however the distinction is in the main points. The S21 FE has a regular huge digital camera, an ultra-wide digital camera and a telephoto digital camera, whilst the Galaxy A53 5G has a chief digital camera, ultra-wide digital camera, macro lens and intensity digital camera. The primary cameras on each telephones even have optical symbol stabilization. However the important thing takeaway is the Galaxy A53’s loss of a telephoto lens approach you will be unable to take nice pictures from some distance away.
Many telephone producers have a tendency to spotlight megapixel rely as being the main metric for measuring a tool’s digital camera high quality. However components like shutter velocity, aperture (the digital camera’s opening for taking in mild), and the scale of each the sensor and the pixels themselves have a larger affect on a digital camera’s skill to take nice pictures.
I am some distance from a pictures professional, however larger is usually higher on the subject of pixel measurement. For aperture, decrease numbers are generally higher. As you’ll see within the desk underneath, the Galaxy S21 FE’s primary digital camera has greater pixels than the A53 5G’s.
Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy A53 5G Digicam Specifications
| Cameras | Solution | Aperture | Pixel measurement (greater is healthier) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy A53 5G huge | 64-megapixels | f/1.8 | 0.8um |
| Galaxy S21 FE huge | 12-megapixels | f/1.8 | 1.8um |
| Galaxy A53 5G extremely huge | 12-megapixels | f/2.2 | 1.12um |
| Galaxy S21 FE extremely huge | 12-megapixels | f/2.2 | 1.12um |
| Galaxy S21 FE telephoto | 8-megapixels | f/2.4 | 1.0um |
With regards to normal symbol high quality from the primary huge digital camera lens, the effects have been combined. Pictures taken at the Galaxy A53 5G and S21 FE seemed very equivalent in some instances.
However in different cases, there was once a transparent winner. Take the pictures of trees underneath for instance. The Galaxy S21 FE’s photograph appears sharper and extra colourful with higher lights. However in the second one photograph set, the image of my cat taken at the Galaxy A53 5G seemed crisper than the A53 5G’s. The photographs of pink-flowered timber necessarily glance the similar on each telephones.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 FE was once higher at taking footage in additional explicit instances. That comes with taking pictures pictures from a distance, at midnight and in portrait mode, as proven underneath.
Let’s be truthful: Neither of those pictures taken at a 10x zoom appears nice. However the Galaxy S21 FE’s symbol is noticeably clearer than the A53 5G’s.
I additionally most popular the S21 FE’s brighter portrait mode photograph over the A53’s. Even with the deliberately blurred background, the S21 FE does a greater activity of constructing the tree stand out towards the sky.
My cat Good friend nearly stayed nonetheless lengthy sufficient for me to take the similar photograph with each telephones. Even if the pictures are fairly other, you’ll inform the Galaxy S21 FE’s image is extra detailed.
In spite of symbol high quality on occasion having a look the similar, I feel the Galaxy S21 FE’s telephoto lens and higher low mild efficiency in the long run provides it the higher hand. But when you do not care about that and simply need an reasonably priced telephone that takes first rate pictures, the Galaxy A53 5G will just do wonderful.
Which one will have to you purchase?
The Galaxy A53 5G (left) and Galaxy S21 FE (proper).
Samsung
The solution is dependent upon your funds and priorities. The Galaxy S21 FE is a greater all-around telephone for a number of causes. The construct high quality is fairly higher, the efficiency is smoother and the digital camera takes sharper pictures in low mild and from a distance. That being stated, it is exhausting to suggest the Galaxy S21 FE with out encouraging you to believe the Galaxy S22, which begins at $800. It has a greater digital camera and a extra subtle design, even though you will have to compromise on battery lifestyles and exhibit measurement. Take a look at our complete tale for extra main points on methods to make a decision between the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22.
The most efficient factor in regards to the Galaxy A53 5G is its low worth. At $450, it is $250 more cost effective than the Galaxy S21 FE. The Galaxy A53 punches above its weight as a rule — particularly on the subject of battery lifestyles — making it simple to fail to remember how reasonable it’s. However there are moments when the device will stutter or lag. You additionally may not get the similar digital camera high quality as Samsung’s higher-end telephones, even though the A53 takes excellent pictures for the cost.
General, the Galaxy A53 5G is the fitting selection for the ones purchasing for a telephone on a good funds, so long as you are keen to deal with the occasional efficiency hiccup. The Galaxy S21 FE is a forged telephone, nevertheless it feels just a little misplaced in Samsung’s lineup at $700.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs. Galaxy S21 FE
| Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | |
|---|---|---|
| Show measurement, solution | 6.5-inch AMOLED (2,400×1,080 pixels); 120 Hz | 6.4-inch AMOLED; FHD Plus (2,400×1,080); 120 Hz |
| Pixel density | 405 pixels in keeping with inch | 401 pixels in keeping with inch |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in | 6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in |
| Dimensions (Millimeters) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight (Oz., Grams) | 6.67 ounces; 189g | 6.24 ounces; 177g |
| Cell device (at release) | Android 12 | Android 12 |
| Digicam | 64-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 5-megapixel (macro), 5-megapixel (intensity) | 12-megapixel (huge), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 8-megapixel (telephoto) |
| Entrance-facing digital camera | 32-megapixel | 32-megapixel |
| Video seize | 4K | 4K |
| Processor | Exynos 1280 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (in the United States) |
| Garage | 128GB | 128GB/6GB; 128/8GB; 256GB/8GB |
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Expandable garage | As much as 1TB | None |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh (charger now not incorporated) | 4,500 mAh (No bundled charger) |
| Fingerprint sensor | In-display | In-display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Particular options | 5G-enabled (Sub-6 and mmWave); IP67 ranking; 120Hz exhibit;helps 25W stressed rapid charging, lacks wi-fi charging; Samsung Pay | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave), 120 Hz exhibit, IP68 ranking, 25W stressed charging, 15W wi-fi charging |
| Value off-contract (USD) | $450 | $700 (6GB/128GB); $770 (8GB/256GB) |
| Value (GBP) | £399 | £699 (6GB/128GB); £749 (8GB/256GB) |
| Value (AUD) | AU$699 | AU$899 (6GB/128GB); AU$999 (8GB/256GB) |
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
New for 2022, the Galaxy A53 will get you a plethora of Samsung options and gear at a fragment of the S sequence worth. It boasts a some distance greater display screen and extra flexible digital camera cluster than the iPhone SE, regardless that Apple’s funds type delivers snappier efficiency.
Nonetheless, Samsung fanatics will admire what they are getting right here taking into account the reasonably priced worth. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking pictures with a broader box of view and likewise helps night-mode pictures. Symbol high quality is not as excellent as what you would get on a costlier Samsung telephone just like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, however it is surely transparent and colourful sufficient for elementary photographs. Different highlights come with an enduring battery, 4 assured generations of Android working machine updates and a microSD card slot for expandable garage.
The Galaxy A53 5G is an acceptable selection for many who need a big display screen and lengthy battery lifestyles for not up to $500. Simply remember you’ll have to care for some occasional lag, and the digital camera is not as complicated as the ones discovered on pricier telephones. Learn our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G assessment.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
The primary S20 FE critically inspired us with its stability of efficiency and value, and the brand new Galaxy S21 FE takes that additional with a forged triple digital camera, a colourful exhibit and the similar robust processor discovered within the flagship S21. It has a 6.5-inch display screen, making it an excellent selection for many who need a telephone that is greater than the common Galaxy S22 with out the Galaxy S22 Plus’ prime worth. Even if it is lacking probably the most Galaxy S22’s bells and whistles — like stepped forward evening pictures and a more recent processor — this telephone has a sharper front-facing digital camera for selfies and video calls.
The Galaxy S21 FE faces some difficult festival from Google’s Pixel 6, however if you are after an excellent total Samsung telephone and do not need to pay best greenback for the flagships, then the S21 FE is easily value taking into account.
