Realme 12 Pro Plus: January 29, 2024
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: January 7, 2022
SPECS TABLE
| Realme 12 Pro Plus | Galaxy S21 FE | |
| Price | $349 | $193 |
| Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED screen | 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen. |
| Refresh rate | 1 – 120Hz adaptive | 1 – 120Hz adaptive |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main wide (f/1.8), 64MP periscope telephoto (f/2.8), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2). | 12MP wide (f/1.8), 8MP telephoto (f/2.4), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2). |
| Front camera | 32MP (f/2.4) | 32MP (f/2.2) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G or Exynos 2100 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB | 6GB, 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 4,500 mAh |
| Charging | 67W wired | 25W wired |
| Water/dust resistance | IP65 | IP68 |
| Size | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 196g (6.91 ounces) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Colors | Midnight Black, Aurora Purple (Coral Purple), Ocean Teal, Arctic White | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
Sometimes, when purchasing a used device, it’s best that you go for the older options. In this article, we will pit a new and an older Android midrange device against each other, the Realme 12 Pro Plus vs. the Galaxy S21 FE. At the end of this article, you’ll get enough information to help you make the right choice when shopping for either of these devices.
While the majority of buyers might choose the S21 FE over the option from Realme, there are a few things to take in mind. There are some notable areas where the Realme 12 Pro Plus outshines the S21 Fe and vice versa. But which is a better buy? Let’s now weigh the two options side by side.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Price
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Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 fe: Design and Colors
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
Looking at the design of this smartphone, it’s easy to say that the design team at Realme did a great job. The back panel of this device comes with an impressive finish and a distinctive stripe that runs down through its middle. Its flat edges add a bit of flare to its design, giving onlookers something to gaze upon.
Being a newer design, its design is far more aesthetically pleasing than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, as this device was launched about two years ago. For most users, the curved screen on the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus gives it an edge over its rival in this article. The color options on the Realme 12 Pro Plus are also quite impressive and pair well with the contrasting stripe that runs down the device’s rear panel.
Galaxy S21 FE:
At this moment, it is easy to say that the design of this device has fallen into the shadows considering its age and the design upgrades Samsung now offers its buyers. But one fact remains that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a very simple device that suits those who don’t want something shouty. It features the design that was launched with the Samsung Galaxy S21 series.
However, the Galaxy S21 FE does things a little differently from the other S21 devices. It’s a bit more subtle, replacing the metal camera cutout on its siblings with a plastic cutout. Its flowing design makes it easy to grip as well, and its color options are eye-catching and impressive.
Major differences:
- A more impressive design on the Galaxy S21 FE.
- Curved screen display on the 12 Pro Plus.
- Lots of shiny metal parts on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- More modern design on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- Simple design approach on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
realme 12 pro plus vs galaxy s21 fe: Display
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
The curved screen approach to devices is not one that everybody likes, but it sure is good-looking, however, this device’s display is not all about looks. This device features an AMOLED screen panel that maxes out at 950 nits of brightness. Gamers and other power users will be able to benefit from this device’s 120Hz refresh rate as they scroll about various actions on the device. With its 6.7-inch size, this will be classified as a large-screen device, and that is something that some users fancy.
Galaxy S21 FE:
Coming from Samsung, you can only expect the best out of this device, despite it being older than the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus. It features a dynamic AMOLED screen display panel with HDR10+ technology for a better viewing experience. Just like the competing device in this article, the Galaxy S21 FE supports a 120Hz refresh rate and is also great for gaming and other activities. This device comes with a smaller 6.4-inch screen display, which some might consider to be the start of the contact screen device category.
Major differences:
- The 12 Pro Plus comes with a curved screen.
- 12 Pro Plus comes with a larger screen size.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE comes with a smaller, compact display size.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Cameras
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
This device packs a ton of photography and videography features that can match up with other devices at its price point. There are three rear cameras mounted on this device, all working together to deliver a very impressive photo or video. It has a main 50MP camera, a 64MP, and an 8MP camera for taking ultrawide shots and 4K video recording. Up front, this device has a 32MP sensor, but powering it photography and videography experience is the processor that lies under this device.
Galaxy S21 FE:
Just like the competition, this is an impressive camera device that packs three rear cameras and one front-facing camera. On the rear, this device features a 12MP main sensor, an 8 MP telephoto, and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor and on its rear cameras, this device can record 4K videos. For its selfie lens, this device comes with a 32MP sensor that also shoots 4K videos, unlike the competition in this article. These cameras are supported by a one-time flagship-level processing power, which makes images taken on this device stand out.
Major differences:
- A 50MP main camera is on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- No 4K video recording on the front-facing camera of the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Performance
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
For its performance abilities, this device features the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor and the Adreno 710 chipset. Joining this processor is up to 12GB worth of RAM capacity, buyers can also get this device with a more affordable 8GB RAM configuration. Storage here goes up to 512GB on the 12GB RAM configuration, and those getting the 8GB option can go with a 128GB or a 256GB storage option.
Galaxy S21 FE:
There are two processor options for this device and each offers good performance, but one wasn’t the best pick for most buyers. The options on this device are the Snapdragon 888 5G processor and the Exynos 2100 with the latter not being the best pick for most buyers when this device launched. Memory on this device goes up to 8GB, and users can settle for the 6GB option as well. Storage here is 128GB or 256GB available on both memory options.
Major upgrades & differences:
- More storage options on the Realme 12 Pro Plus 12GB RAM option.
- Two processor options on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Software
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
This device runs on Android 14 out of the box with software customization from the Realme UI 5.0 software. For software support, this device will keep getting updates for up to three years after it launches this month. Users will be able to stand out thanks to the Realme UI software that this device will be available with.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
This affordable device from Samsung launched with Android 12 out of the box and One UI software for customization features. Over the years, this device has got a ton of updates and is now running Android 14 and One UI 6. This device is eligible for a few more OS updates before we can close the curtains on its existence.
Major differences:
- Realme UI on the Realme 12 Pro Plus and One UI on the Galaxy S21 FE.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Battery life and charging
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
This device comes with a 5000mAh battery capacity which will be able to carry it through the day on a single charge. It also supports 67W fast wired charging, which is great for users who want to charge up their device while on the go. Sadly, this device doesn’t feature wireless charging as some might want it to,
Galaxy S21 FE:
A smaller 4500mAh battery is available on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, this capacity is still okay for everyday usage. For its fast charging, this device supports 25W fast wired charging and 15W fast wireless charging. With this device, users can benefit from its reversed wireless charging to power their accessories wirelessly.
Major differences:
- Faster charging on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- Bigger battery on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Realme 12 Pro Plus vs Galaxy S21 FE: Final Verdict
If you are going for a close flagship experience with your device, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE might give you that. However, the Realme 12 Pro Plus is a solid flagship device killer, and it packs a punch in terms of its performance. Since the Realme 12 Pro Plus is a newer device, it brings a newer processor as well as other newer components.
In terms of design, the new Realme 12 Pro Plus is a better pick, but for a touch of simplicity the Galaxy S21 FE does it better. You can also expect better performance from the Realme 12 Pro Plus, as well as a more solid battery life and faster charging speeds. So which is it going to be for you, the new gods or the old gods?
