Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Vivo iQOO 15
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, while the Vivo iQOO 15 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite; launch prices were $699 and $599. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads — 86/100 vs 51/100 (a 35-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 15 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 15 is faster in AnTuTu (3,758,268 vs 725,133); the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is noticeably lighter (177g vs 215g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Vivo iQOO 15
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 FE better?
- Lighter: 177g vs 215g
- Better portability (74/100 vs 48/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 15 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3758268 vs 725133
- Better Geekbench Single: 3013 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9287 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 7000 vs 4500 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $699
- Higher performance (94/100 vs 58/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 26/100)
- Longer battery life (85/100 vs 42/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 80/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs the Vivo iQOO 15, the Vivo iQOO 15 scores 35 points higher (86/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (94/100 vs 58/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (78/100 vs 26/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (85/100 vs 42/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE — 16/100, Vivo iQOO 15 — 86/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (94/100 vs 58/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (99/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (78/100 vs 26/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (85/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE notably outperforms the Vivo iQOO 15 (74/100 vs 48/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Vivo iQOO 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| AnTuTu | 725133 | 3758268 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1500 | 3013 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3537 | 9287 | |
| Display | 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 40W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 155.7×74.5×7.9 mm | 163.7×76.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 177 g | 215 g | |
| Launch price | $699 | $599 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 32MP
Vivo iQOO 15
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 15
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 15
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 18:52 hrs, total 39:26 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Vivo iQOO 15, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 15 leads Samsung Galaxy S21 FE by 80.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Vivo iQOO 15 was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (94/100 vs 58/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (99/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (78/100 vs 26/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (85/100 vs 42/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE notably outperforms the Vivo iQOO 15 (74/100 vs 48/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE by 35 points (86/100 vs 51/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a MobileRank rating of 51/100, the Vivo iQOO 15 — 86/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 26/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on performance (94/100 vs 58/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE over the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.