Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Review

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) is a more affordable version of the flagship Galaxy S21 series, designed to offer premium features while keeping the price lower than its flagship counterparts. It retains much of the performance and appeal of the Galaxy S21, making it a compelling option for users who want flagship-like features without the flagship price tag. In this detailed review, we’ll go over the key features, performance, and overall experience with the Galaxy S21 FE, as well as its pros and cons.

Key Features of Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE follows a similar design language to the Galaxy S21, with a plastic back, an aluminum frame, and a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The front is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, and the phone is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, making it durable and resistant to accidental splashes and light submersion. The plastic back may not feel as premium as glass, but it’s lightweight, sturdy, and helps reduce the overall cost of the device.

The phone is available in various colors, including Graphite, White, Olive, and Lavender, giving users some stylish options to choose from. The design is sleek, with a smaller footprint than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, making it easy to hold and use with one hand.

Display

The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of the standout features of the Galaxy S21 FE. It offers Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. This combination ensures that everything from videos to games looks sharp and vibrant, with smooth animations and responsive touch. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and navigating through the interface fluid and enjoyable.

The display also gets quite bright, reaching up to 1000 nits, making it easily readable even in direct sunlight. Samsung’s AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and vibrant colors, making this a fantastic screen for media consumption.

Performance

The Galaxy S21 FE is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 chipset, depending on the region. Both processors deliver flagship-level performance, making the phone capable of handling demanding tasks such as gaming, multitasking, and media editing with ease. It’s available in two variants: 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. However, it lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage, so users will have to rely on cloud storage or manage their internal storage carefully.

Whether you’re switching between apps, streaming in high resolution, or playing resource-heavy games like Call of Duty: Mobile or Genshin Impact, the Galaxy S21 FE handles it all without significant lag or stuttering.

Camera System

The Galaxy S21 FE’s camera setup is very similar to the Galaxy S21. It features a triple camera system on the back, consisting of:

• 12MP main sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization)
• 12MP ultra-wide sensor
• 8MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom

The 32MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls exceptionally well. The rear camera system produces excellent images in various lighting conditions, with accurate color reproduction, great dynamic range, and minimal noise in low light thanks to Samsung’s Night Mode. The telephoto lens allows for decent zoomed-in shots without significant loss in detail, although it’s not on par with the zoom capabilities of higher-end Galaxy models like the S21 Ultra.

Video recording is also impressive, with the ability to shoot in 4K at 60fps. The phone features Super Steady mode for smooth video stabilization, making it suitable for shooting videos on the go.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S21 FE comes with a 4500mAh battery, which offers solid battery life. With moderate use, including browsing, streaming, and social media, the battery can easily last a full day. The phone supports 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. However, the fast charger is not included in the box, which may disappoint some users. Charging speeds are decent but not as fast as some competitors that offer 65W or higher charging capabilities.

Software and Features

The Galaxy S21 FE runs Samsung’s One UI 4.1 based on Android 12, offering a smooth and intuitive software experience. One UI is known for its customization options, user-friendly interface, and packed features like Samsung DeX, multi-window multitasking, and edge panels for quick access to favorite apps.

Samsung has also promised several years of software updates, including three major Android updates and four years of security updates, ensuring the phone remains up-to-date for a long time.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

1. Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED Display The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is one of the best in its price range, offering rich colors, deep blacks, and 120Hz refresh rate for an incredibly smooth experience whether you’re gaming, browsing, or watching videos.
2. Flagship-Level Performance Powered by the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 (depending on region), the Galaxy S21 FE delivers top-tier performance suitable for gaming, multitasking, and handling demanding applications. It offers a fast and responsive experience with little to no lag.
3. Great Camera Performance The 12MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP telephoto lens provide excellent photo and video quality. The Night Mode works well for low-light photography, and the 32MP selfie camera produces sharp and detailed shots, making this a strong contender for mobile photography enthusiasts.
4. Long Software Support Samsung’s promise of three major Android updates and four years of security updates ensures that the Galaxy S21 FE will stay current and secure for years, giving you long-term value for your investment.
5. IP68 Water and Dust Resistance The IP68 rating means the phone is protected from dust and can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, adding to its durability and making it a great companion for everyday use in all environments.
6. Solid Battery Life The 4500mAh battery provides all-day battery life with moderate use. It also supports fast charging and wireless charging, giving you multiple options for powering up your device.
7. Sleek and Lightweight Design The phone’s lightweight design and choice of trendy colors make it both stylish and comfortable to hold, especially for users who prefer a compact flagship experience.
8. Reverse Wireless Charging The reverse wireless charging feature allows you to charge other devices like earbuds or a smartwatch directly from the phone, adding extra convenience.

Cons of Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

1. No Charger in the Box Like most recent Samsung releases, the Galaxy S21 FE does not include a charger in the box. While it supports 25W fast charging, users will need to purchase a compatible charger separately, which adds to the overall cost.
2. Plastic Back While the plastic back helps reduce weight and cost, it doesn’t feel as premium as glass-backed smartphones. Users who value the premium feel of glass may be disappointed with the use of plastic on the S21 FE.
3. No Expandable Storage The Galaxy S21 FE does not have a microSD card slot, meaning users are limited to the internal storage options (128GB or 256GB). If you require more storage for apps, photos, or videos, you’ll have to rely on cloud storage solutions.
4. Average Telephoto Performance While the 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom is a nice addition, it doesn’t perform as well as higher-end telephoto lenses found in Samsung’s premium models. Zoomed-in shots may lack the clarity and detail of phones with more advanced zoom capabilities.
5. No 3.5mm Headphone Jack Like many modern smartphones, the Galaxy S21 FE lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, forcing users to rely on Bluetooth or USB-C headphones. This may be inconvenient for those who prefer wired audio devices.
6. Price Is Close to Regular Galaxy S21 While the S21 FE is supposed to be a more affordable version of the Galaxy S21, its price is often not significantly lower than the regular S21, especially when discounts and promotions are considered. This may lead some users to opt for the full Galaxy S21 instead, as the price difference may not justify the fewer features.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a fantastic option for users who want a premium experience without the full flagship price tag. It delivers excellent performance, a vibrant display, and great camera capabilities, all while maintaining a lower cost than the Galaxy S21. The plastic back and lack of expandable storage are minor trade-offs for an otherwise excellent device that performs well in day-to-day use, gaming, and photography.

For users who want a flagship-level device at a slightly lower cost, the Galaxy S21 FE is a solid choice, though those willing to spend a little more might consider the regular Galaxy S21, especially when discounts are available.