The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is an addition to the Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy S21 Plus, according to Samsung. So it’s high time to put these three phones in a row.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Previously, Samsung released Lite variants of its high-end smartphones, but that changed in 2020. In that year, an S20 FE was launched, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition. According to Samsung, that phone was a full alternative to the other devices from the S20 series, aimed at young people between 18 and 25 years old. This device turned out to be a success for the South Korean manufacturer and a successor was eagerly anticipated in 2021. Unfortunately, the worldwide chip shortage threw a spanner in the works, and we had to wait until January 4, 2022 to see the successor to the S20 FE, the Samsung Galaxy S21FE.
Samsung indicates that the Galaxy S21 FE is an extension of the Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy S21 Plus. So for the sake of convenience, we have put the three smartphones side by side to see exactly what the differences and similarities are.
Specifications
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G | |
| Dimensions | 74.5 x 155.7 x 7.9mm | 71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm | 75.6 x 161.5 x 7.8mm |
| Weight | 177 grams | 169 grams | 200 grams |
| Screen | 6.5″ FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340 x 1080 pixels, 401 ppi, HDR 10+, 120 Hz | 6.2″ FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 421 ppi, HDR 10+, 120 Hz | 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2400 x 1080 pixels, 394 ppi, HDR 10+, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 | Exynos 2100 | Exynos 2100 |
| Random access memory | 6GB / 8GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage Memory | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 12 MP ultra wide-angle camera (f/2.2), 12 MP wide-angle camera with f/1.8 with OIS, 8 MP telephoto camera (f/2.4) with OIS | 12 MP ultra wide-angle camera (f/2.2) with OIS, 12 MP wide-angle camera (f/1.8) with OIS, 64 MP telephoto camera (f/2.0) with OIS | 12 MP ultra wide-angle camera (f/2.2) with OIS, 12 MP wide-angle camera (f/1.8) with OIS, 64 MP telephoto camera (f/2.0) with OIS |
| Front cameras | 32MP (f/2.2) | 10MP (f/2.2) | 10MP (f/2.2) |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh, 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, USB PD 3.0 | 4,000mAh, 25W Fast Charge, 10W Wireless Charge, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charge, USB PD 3.0 | 4,800 mAh, 25W fast charging, 10W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging, USB PD 3.0 |
| Software | Android 12, OneUI 4 | Android 11, OneUI 3.1 | Android 11, OneUI 3.1 |
| Colors | Green, Lavender, White and Graphite | Phantom Grey, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet |
| Extras | IP68, in-screen fingerprint scanner, 5G | IP68, AKG stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, WiFi 6, in-screen fingerprint scanner, 5G | UWB, IP68, AKG stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, WiFi 6, in-screen fingerprint scanner, 5G |
| Recommended retail price | 749 euros / 819 euros | 849 euros / 899 euros | 1049 euros / 1099 euros |
Nice big screen
As you can see in the table above, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a large screen, which is just between the S21 and the S21 Plus version in terms of size. If you are a fan of a large screen, then the Fan Edition is the right choice for you. Like the other S21 phones, the S21 FE also has a screen notch for the selfie camera at the top of the screen.
The S21 FE also has a high refresh rate of 120 Hz for its AMOLED display, ensuring smooth animations. The resolution is slightly lower than that of the other two phones, but that will hardly be noticeable. The fingerprint scanner has also been incorporated into the screen again.
Water resistant
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a plastic back and the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra have a glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus). The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE also has a plastic back that is surrounded by an aluminum frame. The front is protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus. Like the other S21 phones, the FE also comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This means that the phone can remain underwater for half an hour, at a depth of one and a half meters.
Cameras
In terms of cameras, not much has changed compared to the Galaxy S20 FE. The Galaxy S21 FE has a 12 MP main camera with dual pixel autofocus, OIS and an f/1.8 aperture. The phone also features a 12MP ultra wide-angle f/2.2 camera and an 8MP telephoto lens with autofocus, OIS, and an f/2.4 aperture. That telephoto lens can zoom in up to 3x optically without loss of quality and up to 30x digitally. You can take selfies with the 32 MP camera. Are you a fan of shooting distant objects? Then it is best to choose the Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus. The Galaxy S21 FE, on the other hand, will take better selfies.
Powerful chipset and battery
Samsung gives the Galaxy S21 FE its flagship chipset, the powerful Snapdragon 888. In addition, there is a battery of 4,500 mAh. The phone supports fast charging and can also charge other devices via reverse wireless charging, also called PowerShare named. The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus also run on Samsung’s Exynos 2100 chipset.
In terms of memory, there is a choice of 6 GB RAM with 128 GB storage and 8 GB RAM with 256 GB storage. That’s almost equal to the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus. As with the other S21 phones, expanding the storage memory is not possible. That was still possible with the Galaxy S20 FE.
Android 12
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE runs on the new One UI 4, which is based on Android 12. One UI 4.0 includes a new design in which the colors of the interface are determined based on the wallpaper you set. There are also new privacy features, widgets, camera improvements and more. Samsung covered all the features of the major One UI 4.0 update in these videos, and here’s our screenshots of the key improvements. On top of that, there are also the novelties that Google has put in Android 12. You will find more information about this in the articles below.
- Android 12 official: these are the main new features
- Eight things that are great about Android 12
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus have also recently received this update. These phones can continue to count on Android 13 in 2022 and Android 14 in 2023. In addition, they will receive at least four years of security updates. So will the Galaxy S21 FE, and this phone will receive three more new Android versions, so Android 13 in 2022, Android 14 in 2023 and Android 15 in 2024. Because this phone is newer than the S21 and S21 Plus, you get a year longer updates.
Which Galaxy S21 should you choose?
That depends entirely on your wishes and your budget. As you can see below, you can already buy the Galaxy S21 for the same amount as the Galaxy S21 FE. You immediately have a better telephoto camera at your disposal, but with a smaller screen. With the Galaxy S21 Plus you may be completely fine. That device costs a little more than the 8 GB variant of the S21 FE, but on the other hand, it has the best specs on paper, including Ultra Wideband support. This allows you to unlock your car door (contactless) as soon as you are close to the compatible vehicle.
Then there’s something else to keep in mind. Samsung will announce the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus and the Galaxy S22 Ultra in February. It is then especially interesting to see how much the Galaxy S22 will cost and how that price compares to the Galaxy S21 FE. The Galaxy S21 (8 GB + 128 GB) received a suggested retail price of 849 euros at launch. That is only 30 euros more than the Galaxy S21 FE with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.
Which phone in Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series appeals to you the most? Let us know in the comments below this article.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is available in the colors Green, Lavender, White and Graphite. The Galaxy S21 FE can be ordered from January 4 and will be in stores from January 11.
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (6GB/128GB) – Samsung, coolblue, Media Markt, Belly simple – 749 euros
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (8GB/256GB) – Samsung, coolblue, Media Markt, Belly simple – 819 euros
The Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus received a suggested retail price from 849 euros and 1049 euros, but have already dropped considerably in price. You can currently buy the Galaxy S21 (128 GB) from 727 euros and the Galaxy S21 Plus (128 GB) now costs 891 euros.
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 – coolblue, Media Markt, bol.com, Belly simple, mobile.nl, Vodafone, T-Mobile, KPN –
from 749 euros– current price - Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus – coolblue, Media Markt, bol.com, Belly simple, Mobiel.nl, Vodafone, T-Mobile, KPN –
from 1049 euros– current price
– Thanks for information from Androidworld. Source