The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) 5G is a welcome addition to the tech giant’s vast smartphone lineup, and a long-anticipated sequel to a popular offering: In fact, Samsung told us that it sold more than 10 million units of the Galaxy S20 FE — the product’s predecessor and one of our favorite gadgets of 2020.
Key Specs
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
• 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120 Hz maximum refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility
• Triple camera with 12MP primary, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto with 3x zoom, 32MP selfie camera
• 6/8GB of RAM, 128/256GB of storage
• 5G, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity
• 4,500 mAh battery, fast wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
• Stereo speakers, IP68 waterproof
As its FE moniker suggests, the newcomer brings a few design and hardware tweaks at a lower price point than the Galaxy S21 5G. Starting at $699.99, the FE is the most affordable member of the Galaxy S21 family.
I’ve been testing the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE for over a week, and I liked it quite a bit. Except for the pricier Ultra 5G, this is the Galaxy S21 to buy. Here’s why:
DESIGN
Design-wise, the latest FE looks more understated than the pricier Galaxy S21 iterations. Instead of being part of its metal frame, the product family’s signature camera bump is integrated into its polycarbonate back cover.
While undeniably less premium than other S21 models, the arrangement is still instantly recognizable, so everyone will know that you're rocking a top-shelf Galaxy phone. You can choose from a quartet of colors: graphite, white, lavender, and olive.
Like the countless Galaxy S phones that precede it, the S21 FE is superbly crafted and durable. It is fully waterproof, and it has a display covered by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus — the toughest in the business.
DISPLAY
A vivid AMOLED display has been a Samsung Galaxy S series calling card for more than a decade, and the S21 FE is no exception. The device’s bright and crisp Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is one of the best in the business. Thanks to millions of individually backlit pixels, it delivers a top-tier viewing experience with vibrant colors and deep contrast that belies the product's sticker.
The screen of the latest Galaxy also has a high maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, guaranteeing that every interaction is smooth and enjoyable — from scrolling through emails and social media feeds to action-packed gameplay. This functionality has been standard on Galaxy S phones since 2020, so I expected nothing less from the S21 FE.
In terms of size, the FE’s 6.4-inch display slots between the 6.2-inch Galaxy S21 and the 6.7-inch Galaxy S21 Plus. Surrounded by slim bezels, it is plenty big, but not overbearing: I could crank out emails and quick messages without worrying that I might drop the phone. Not long ago, when screen bezels were much bigger on phones, handling devices with much smaller screens was a chore in comparison.
CAMERA
The FE is a solid camera phone because it packs similar hardware and zoom capabilities as the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Its triple camera can consistently capture photos and 4K video with stellar quality, including scenes with less-than-ideal lighting.
Samsung’s camera app has an intuitive interface and a ton of tools for making the most of its multiple onboard sensors. Some of the coolest bits include portrait mode for photos and video, a night mode for capturing poorly lit scenes without a flash, and dual video recording — just to name a few. You can even rearrange the photo layout to your liking.
It’s worth noting that (unlike its pricier S21 relatives) the FE cannot record 8K video. Considering that 8K resolution is far from becoming mainstream, I don’t think this is a dealbreaker.
PERFORMANCE
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S21 FE with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset that powers its high-end phones from 2021. Apps opened instantly, and switching among many of them was just as quick during my testing, even though I used an entry-level version with 6GB of RAM.
Overall, the gadget has enough oomph to conquer anything you throw at it. If you're constantly toggling around through a double-digit number of Android apps, consider spending extra on a model with 8GB of RAM.
While testing it, I always got a full day of use with 3-4 hours of screen-on time from the Galaxy S21 FE, without worrying about cutting down my interactions or disabling the 120 Hz refresh rate. The product’s battery, like its screen, is bigger than the Galaxy S21’s.
You can choose between fast wired or wireless charging to keep the Galaxy S21 FE going. Just be mindful that, like most top-shelf phones these days, the device doesn't ship with a charging adapter in the box. Reverse wireless charging is also available, just in case you need to power up another phone or pair of wireless earbuds in a pinch.
USER EXPERIENCE
The Galaxy S21 FE runs the latest Android 12, dressed in Samsung’s excellent One UI interface with intuitive customization tools. For example, you can choose between a bar with three buttons at the bottom of the home screen or swipe gestures for multitasking and navigating the interface.
Best of all, the S21 FE, like many other Samsung Galaxy phones, will get years’ worth of timely OS and monthly security updates. Such support ensures that your phone will deliver an up-to-date experience until the next upgrade.
WRAP-UP
I would pick the latest FE over the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus because it offers practically identical performance and user experience for considerably less. Before deciding which one to go for, keep in mind that Samsung will soon unveil the Galaxy S22 family. These Galaxy S21 replacements are rumored to be much pricier, so the FE will likely remain a strong option for value-seeking shoppers.
Dropping $700 will get you a Galaxy S21 FE with 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. Doubling the storage and bumping the RAM up to 8GB costs only $70 more, so I highly recommend doing so — especially if you use your phone often.
