Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Graphite 128GB

The Galaxy S21 FE is a 2021 flagship that still punches above its weight in build quality and display. Camera performance is the weak spot, and battery life is just average. At $150 to $200, it's a fantastic deal. At $370, skip it.

The Snapdragon 888 was a flagship chip in its day, and it still handles daily tasks without breaking a sweat. Apps open fast, scrolling is smooth thanks to that 120Hz panel, and 6GB of RAM keeps multitasking decent. But it's not a benchmark monster anymore. Performance sits at the 62nd percentile in our database, which is solid but not spectacular. The 4500mAh battery lands at the 74th percentile, so you'll get through a full day with moderate use. Just don't expect two days. The camera setup is the weak spot here, scoring 54.1 out of 100 in our photography tests. The 12MP main shooter is fine in good light, but it falls behind newer mid-range phones in tricky conditions.

Against the Pixel 9a, the S21 FE loses on camera quality and software updates but wins on build materials and water resistance. The Moto G PB6V0014US is cheaper but feels like a toy next to the Samsung's aluminum frame. The iPhone 15 Pro is in a completely different league on performance and camera, but it costs three to four times as much. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G and Nothing Phone 3A Lite are newer with fresher batteries, but neither matches the S21 FE's IP68 rating or Gorilla Glass Victus protection. It's a trade-off between age and build quality.

Here's where it gets interesting. US prices range from $150 to $370 across four listings, which is a massive spread. At $150, this phone is an absolute steal. At $370, you're getting into Pixel 9a territory and should probably look elsewhere. The CAD listing at $265 is the only option for Canadian buyers, and that's a fair price for what you get. If you can snag one at the lower end of that US range, you're getting flagship-level build quality and a great display for less than a budget phone costs new.

The Galaxy S21 FE is Samsung's greatest hits album from 2021, and it still holds up surprisingly well in 2025. You get a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Snapdragon 888, and an IP68 rating. That's a lot of phone for the money, especially at the prices we're seeing now.

This is a C-grade refurbished unit though, so expect some cosmetic wear. Dents, scratches, maybe a scuff or two. The screen might have some dark spots. If you can live with that, the core experience is still solid. The build quality ranks in the 90th percentile in our database, which is wild for a phone at this price point.

Skip this if you care about camera quality. The 54.1 photography score means photos will look noticeably worse than what you'd get from a Pixel 9a or even a newer mid-range Samsung. Also skip it if you need all-day battery with heavy use, the 4500mAh cell is fine but not impressive. And if cosmetic condition matters to you, a C-grade unit with visible dents and scratches will drive you nuts.

This phone is for someone who wants flagship build quality and a great screen without paying flagship money. It's perfect as a backup phone, a first smartphone for a teenager, or a budget upgrade from something much older. The camera won't blow you away, and the battery is just okay, but the overall package is hard to beat at the right price. If you're a heavy photographer or need all-day battery with heavy use, this isn't your phone.