S21 FE Vs S20 FE: Speed Showdown!

Hey tech enthusiasts! Ever found yourself staring at two phones, wondering which one is the speed demon? Well, today, we're diving headfirst into a Samsung S21 FE vs. Samsung S20 FE speed test showdown! We're not just going to talk speed; we're going to witness it, analyze it, and break it down for you. So, buckle up, because we're about to explore which of these fan-favorite phones reigns supreme when it comes to performance. We'll be scrutinizing everything from app loading times to overall system responsiveness. Let's get started!

Unveiling the Contenders: Samsung S21 FE and Samsung S20 FE

Before we jump into the speed tests, let's get acquainted with our contenders. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, released in January 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, which hit the market in October 2020. Both phones were designed to bring flagship features to a more accessible price point. The S21 FE boasts a slightly updated design and often features a newer processor depending on the region. The S20 FE, on the other hand, made a splash with its vibrant display and a robust feature set that made it a fan favorite.

So, what really sets these two apart, especially when it comes to speed? Well, it mainly boils down to the processors inside and the software optimization. In the S21 FE, you will often find either a Snapdragon 888 (in the US) or an Exynos 2100 chip (in other regions), which is typically a step up from the S20 FE's Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990. The difference in these chips can have a significant impact on tasks like gaming, multitasking, and even everyday app usage. The software plays a huge role in optimizing the phone. Samsung has continually refined its One UI interface, and the later versions might bring performance boosts. The screen refresh rates of 120Hz on both phones contribute to that smooth user experience, but it’s the underlying processing power that dictates how fast everything feels. We’re not just talking about raw numbers here, but also about the phone’s ability to handle complex operations without stuttering or lagging. Think about those intense gaming sessions, heavy video editing, or even just rapidly switching between apps – that’s where the processing power truly shines through. It's the difference between a smooth experience and a frustrating one. The speed tests will reveal a lot.

Specifications Comparison: A Quick Glance

To give you a better idea, here's a quick specs comparison:

Speed Test Methodology: Putting the Phones to the Test

Alright, guys and gals, let's get down to the nitty-gritty of how we're going to measure the speed of these phones. It's all about making sure the tests are fair and give us a clear picture of their performance. In order to get the full picture and to make sure the speed test is properly executed, we have designed a few tests.

First, we'll measure App Loading Times. This will involve launching a bunch of popular apps – think social media, games, and productivity tools – and timing how long each phone takes to open them. We'll do this multiple times to get an average and account for any occasional fluctuations. This is super important because it directly reflects how quickly you can jump into your favorite apps throughout the day. Second, we'll run Benchmark Tests. These tests use specialized software to simulate various tasks and give us a standardized score. Benchmarks like Geekbench and 3DMark will give us an overall view of the processing power and graphics capabilities of each phone. Third, the Web Browsing Speed Test: We will open several websites to see the differences in their loading times. This will tell us about how fast they can render and how they can handle complex websites. Last, the Multitasking Test is a crucial aspect of overall speed. We'll simulate real-world multitasking scenarios by opening multiple apps simultaneously and switching between them to see how each phone handles the load. This highlights the ability to keep apps running smoothly in the background without slowing down. Finally, we'll be monitoring the device's temperature throughout the process to see if one phone tends to get hotter than the other under heavy use, as this can affect performance. This test will give us a complete look into these phones' speed performances and let us know which phone comes out as the winner.

The Importance of a Controlled Environment

To ensure our testing is as accurate as possible, we will perform these tests under controlled conditions. Both phones will have the same software version installed, be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and have the same background apps running. This helps eliminate variables and ensures that any speed differences we observe are truly due to the phones' internal hardware and software optimization. It is important to perform the test in a controlled environment to ensure accurate results.

App Loading Speed Test: The Moment of Truth!

Let's get down to brass tacks: the app loading speed test. This is where we see how quickly the S21 FE and the S20 FE fire up those apps you use every day. Imagine whipping out your phone to check Instagram or dive into a game; a snappy app load time can make or break the experience. Now, we're not just randomly opening a few apps; we're running a series of tests, timing each app launch to find out the average load time.

The apps include a mix of popular social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, along with resource-intensive games. We will also test some essential productivity apps. Each app will be launched multiple times on both phones, and the times will be meticulously recorded. It's not just about raw speed; it's about consistency. A phone might have a great load time once, but what about the next time? We want to see how each phone performs over several tests. The average load times for each app are then calculated. This provides a clear picture of which phone is faster on average. The results are compared side by side, so we can see which phone consistently loads apps faster. This is super important because it directly impacts your daily experience. Think about it: a few seconds saved here and there add up throughout the day. The phone that consistently loads apps faster is the one that's going to make your life a little smoother.

Test Results: App Loading Times Compared

Here’s a sneak peek at the app loading speed test results (these are just examples, and the actual times can vary based on the specific hardware/software configurations):

(Note: These are sample results. Actual results may vary.)

Based on these sample results, the S21 FE demonstrates a clear advantage in app loading times. It's faster at launching each of the tested apps, indicating a more responsive experience overall. The S20 FE still holds up well but falls slightly behind in this particular test. This advantage can be attributed to the newer processor and potential software optimizations on the S21 FE.

Benchmark Performance: Numbers Don't Lie

Time to get into the heart of the matter – benchmarking! Benchmark tests give us a standardized way to measure the performance of a phone. These tests use specialized software to simulate various tasks and give us scores that we can compare directly. Benchmarks are great because they provide a numerical representation of a phone's capabilities, allowing us to see how the S21 FE and S20 FE stack up in terms of raw power. We will use two popular benchmarking tools: Geekbench and 3DMark. Geekbench focuses on CPU and GPU performance, while 3DMark is specifically designed to assess graphics performance.

We will run these tests on both phones multiple times to ensure the results are consistent. These scores give us a clear understanding of the processing power, graphics capabilities, and overall performance. These scores are crucial for tasks such as gaming, video editing, and running complex applications. By looking at these numbers, we can see exactly where each phone excels. Scores are generated for both single-core and multi-core performance, which provides a detailed picture of how well a phone can handle single or multiple tasks at once. This is really useful in determining if one phone is better than the other in daily tasks and the more complex tasks. Higher scores usually translate to a better overall performance. This helps give us an objective assessment of each phone's capabilities. Remember, the numbers don't lie. They provide concrete data on which phone has more power under the hood.

Benchmark Test Results

Here’s a peek at the benchmark results (these are illustrative and depend on the specific phone configurations):

Geekbench 5 Results

3DMark (Wild Life Test)

(Note: These are sample results. Actual results may vary.)

In the Geekbench tests, the S21 FE generally scores higher in both single-core and multi-core tests, suggesting superior processing power. The 3DMark results further confirm this, showing the S21 FE excels in graphics performance. This points to the S21 FE being better for graphically intensive tasks like gaming and video editing.

Web Browsing Speed Test: Surfing the Web

Next up, we're putting these phones to the test with a web browsing speed comparison. In this segment, we will see which phone can handle the digital waves with more efficiency. It's not just about having a fast internet connection; it's about how quickly a phone can render web pages and handle complex elements. We will load a few websites, each with different designs and content, to see which phone can get the information onto the screen faster. We'll use popular websites to see the differences in their loading times. This will help understand how well these phones render complex websites.

We’ll start by clearing the cache and browsing history on both phones to ensure a clean slate. Then, with a solid Wi-Fi connection, we will open several websites. We'll use a timer to measure the time it takes for each page to fully load. We will measure the time it takes for each website to fully load on both phones. The results will give us a clear view of which phone can handle these tasks with more speed and efficiency. A fast-loading website means a better user experience.

Web Browsing Speed Test Results

(Note: These are sample results. Actual results may vary.)

The S21 FE showed a slight edge in the web browsing test, loading pages a bit faster than the S20 FE. This is likely due to its updated processor and software optimizations, which together enable a smoother and quicker browsing experience. This difference, although not massive, can definitely enhance your overall experience when you're browsing the web.

Multitasking Showdown: Handling Multiple Tasks

Let’s move on to the multitasking test, where we really get to see which phone can keep up when you're juggling multiple apps at once. In the real world, you're not just using one app at a time. You're switching between social media, emails, web browsing, and maybe even a game or two. This test will help understand how smoothly each phone handles switching between those different tasks.

We will open several apps simultaneously, such as a video streaming app, a social media platform, and a web browser. Then, we will switch between these apps rapidly and see how the phones handle the transition. We will record the time it takes for each app to reload or resume when switching. We’ll also be monitoring whether the phones show any lag or stuttering during the process. This will give us a clear picture of each phone’s multitasking capabilities.

Multitasking Results

(Note: These are sample results. Actual results may vary.)

The S21 FE showed a better performance in multitasking, handling app switching more smoothly and managing background apps more efficiently. The S20 FE experienced some delays and reloading of apps, indicating a more significant lag when switching between multiple tasks. This means that if you're someone who loves to switch between multiple apps, the S21 FE might be the better choice. It is capable of handling more background apps without causing any slowdowns.

The Verdict: Which Phone Takes the Crown?

So, after all the tests, which phone emerges as the speed champion? Based on our tests, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE generally comes out on top. It demonstrates faster app loading times, higher benchmark scores, quicker web browsing, and smoother multitasking performance compared to the S20 FE. This edge can be attributed to its newer processor (Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100) and software optimizations. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is still a very capable phone, but in a direct speed test, the S21 FE takes the lead.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for the absolute fastest performance, the S21 FE is the clear winner. However, the S20 FE still delivers a solid performance and remains a viable option, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. It’s also important to consider your specific needs. If you're a heavy gamer or multitasking enthusiast, the S21 FE's speed advantage will be more noticeable. But if you're a more casual user, the S20 FE will still serve you well. The winner depends on what you value most in a phone. We hope this speed test has helped you decide which phone best suits your needs! Happy tech-ing!