Eric Zeman / Android Authority
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (“fan version”) is a telephone that feels out of time and place. Many anticipated the gadget to debut months and months in the past. Now, in January 2022, it lastly arrives bearing final 12 months’s title, final 12 months’s specs, and final 12 months’s design, leaving it barely out of step with Samsung’s lineup. Samsung hasn’t explicitly mentioned why the telephone didn’t present up in 2021, although it seemingly has one thing to do with the continuing international chip scarcity. Regardless of the causes, the S21 FE is right here now at CES 2022.
This mid-range gadget features a respectable set of capabilities packed right into a surprisingly easy piece of {hardware} that’s priced to promote. In Android Authority‘s Samsung Galaxy S21 FE hands-on, you’ll learn our first impressions of Samsung’s newest smartphone.
Extra information: The whole Samsung Galaxy S21 FE purchaser’s information
Design: Extra vanilla than killah
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
The Galaxy S21 FE blends the very best facets of the S20 FE and S21 design components in a means that makes it a extra engaging and cohesive smartphone than its predecessor.
As anticipated, the S21 FE has a Gorilla Glass Victus entrance panel, a steel body, and a plastic rear panel. The back and front panels are mainly flat, whereas the body is rounded generously. These elements are formed to resemble the bolder Galaxy S21 however in a means that’s barely muted. For instance, the digicam module of the S21 is nearly garishly massive. Samsung toned it down for the S21 FE, and the digicam bump has a a lot decrease profile.
Furthermore, the Galaxy S21 encompasses a two-toned look (on some colorways) because of the contrasting colours used for the body and the rear panel. The S21 FE is easier because of the only shade of the body and panel. Talking of colours, Samsung will promote the S21 FE in Olive, Lavender, White, and Graphite. Samsung lent us the Graphite shade. I just like the matte end.
The S21 FE is a snug dimension and form that balances out properly.
The scale is considerably shocking. Samsung diminished the display’s measurement by 0.1 inches in comparison with the S20 FE, permitting it to shrink the S21 FE’s footprint in each dimension. It’s shorter, narrower, and thinner, in addition to lighter, which all make it a pleasure to carry and use. It’s a comfy dimension and form that balances out in a pleasant trend.
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Samsung did effectively with the supplies and construct high quality. The entrance and rear panels are fitted into the body snugly. Nothing in regards to the telephone feels low cost, regardless of the plastics used for the again floor. This looks as if the suitable time to say that the telephone meets the IP68 score for cover in opposition to mud and water. It might deal with a 30-minute dunk in about 5 toes of water.
Practical components constructed into the body are stored to a minimal. The ability button and quantity toggle on the left edge are a bit skinny, however they ship good motion. There’s a USB-C port on the underside edge, which can be the place you’ll discover the SIM card slot. Sadly, the S21 FE loses microSD assist. Consider it or not, the telephone has stereo audio system, and so they sound fairly respectable on first cross. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack.
Extra studying: Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S20 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a little more vanilla than the standout S21, however that’s to be anticipated for a mid-range gadget. It’s a strong smartphone, even when it borders on boring.
Show: Characteristic to beat
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Samsung fitted the S21 FE with a superb show. Primarily based on what our eyeballs see, it’s a category chief for the value.
The S21 FE’s Dynamic AMOLED show measures 6.4 inches throughout the diagonal, a hair smaller than the S20 FE’s 6.5-inch panel. It carries over the identical FHD+ decision at 2,340 x 1,080. It boasts a 120Hz refresh charge for easy scrolling motion and a quick 240Hz response charge for gaming. There’s a punch-hole cutout for the selfie digicam centered close to the highest edge.
Additional studying: Show specs and phrases defined
Although these specs are largely carried over from final 12 months’s mannequin, the display is spectacular. The scale and backbone mixture works effectively, which means on-screen components similar to icons and textual content look crisp and sharp. Colours are boosted a bit, which is typical for a Samsung panel, however you’ve got loads of choices to customise the show’s vividness, brightness, and tone to fit your preferences.
Backside line, you’re getting a strong panel right here from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Sizzling or not?
102 votes
Efficiency and energy: A small bump
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Most of the core specs of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE are carried over from the S2o, although there’s one massive exception. The place the S20 shipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, the S21 depends on Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 888. The 888 is similar chip discovered within the S21 household. It was additionally the most well-liked SoC for flagships and high-end mid-range telephones all through 2021. Qualcomm has changed the 888 with a more moderen chip, although that silicon has but to ship in any shopper merchandise.
Past the processor, nevertheless, the S21 FE affords the identical reminiscence and storage choices as its predecessor. Meaning 6GB of RAM paired with 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM paired with 256GB of storage. In our restricted time with the telephone, it felt fluid and quick.
Then there’s the battery. It’s a direct carry-over from the outgoing telephone. The battery has a capability of 4,500mAh. It helps wired charging speeds of 25W (brick not included) and wi-fi charging speeds of 15W. We haven’t had a possibility to evaluate the S21 FE’s battery life, so keep tuned to our full assessment for these particulars.
Associated: The very best wi-fi chargers
5G is on board as effectively. Samsung says a single international model of the S21 FE is being bought, and it helps each sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G. The latter is mostly solely accessible within the US, however these of you in markets with sub-6GHz service must be effectively coated. We additionally count on to completely check the S21 FE’s 5G efficiency in our forthcoming assessment.
Cameras: Similar similar however completely different
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
Very similar to the core efficiency specs of the telephone, the S21 FE carries over the S20 FE’s trio of cameras. It has a 12MP main digicam, a 12MP wide-angle digicam, and an 8MP telephoto digicam. The 32MP selfie digicam is a duplicate as effectively. Primarily based on the specs sheet, the digicam association is strictly the identical because the outgoing telephone, all the way down to the aperture, field-of-view, and have set, similar to 3X telephoto and 30X Area Zoom. That’s a bit disappointing. I don’t want extra pixels, however it will have been good to see a change-up within the sensors or the lens capabilities, similar to improved apertures or altered fields of view.
The one facet of the S21 FE that ought to supply it barely higher imaging efficiency when in comparison with the S20 FE is, after all, the upgraded processor. The Snapdragon 888 has a greater picture sign processor on board, giving the S21 FE an edge over its predecessor. Furthermore, the S21 FE affords one extra characteristic: Twin recording. This lets you seize content material utilizing the entrance and rear cameras concurrently.
We’ll supply a full evaluation of the S21 FE’s cameras within the days forward.
Software program: A strong improve
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
If there’s one benefit the S21 FE has out of the field, it’s the software program expertise. The telephone is without doubt one of the first from Samsung to ship with Android 12 and its One UI 4 pores and skin from the get-go.
After utilizing the telephone for just some moments, we will say that the essential software program and its efficiency are fast. No bugs cropped up throughout our time with the gadget, and lots of the core components of Android 12, such because the mechanically generated shade palettes, are current and accounted for. There’s additionally the brand new Privateness Dashboard, which affords safety and privateness controls gathered in a single spot.
Associated: Every little thing new in Android 12
What’s extra, Samsung guarantees three years of OS updates and 4 years of safety updates for the telephone. Samsung has among the best improve commitments out there, and that’s excellent news for the Galaxy S21 FE.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE specs
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | |
---|---|
Show | 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ (2,340 x 1,080) 120Hz refresh charge 240Hz contact sampling in gaming mode |
Supplies | “Glasstic” again Gorilla Glass Victus entrance |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (US) or Unnamed Exynos processor |
RAM | 6GB or 8GB |
Storage | 128GB or 256GB No expandable storage |
Energy | 4,500mAh 25W wired charging 15W wi-fi charging Reverse wi-fi charging No charger in field |
Cameras | Rear: — 12MP main (ƒ1.8, Twin Pixel AF, OIS, 79-degree FoV) — 12MP ultrawide (ƒ2.2, 123-degree FoV) — 8 MP telephoto (ƒ2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS, 32-degree FoV) Entrance: |
Audio | Stereo Audio system Dolby Atmos assist No 3.5mm headphone jack |
Safety | In-display optical fingerprint sensor |
Sturdiness | IP68 score |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 NFC assist |
Networks | 5G: Non-Standalone (NSA), Sub-6GHz, and mmWave Enhanced 4×4 MIMO, as much as 5CA, LTE D/L Cat.19 (1.6Gbps) LTE U/L Cat.18 (211Mbps) |
Software program | Android 12 One UI 4 |
Dimensions and weight | 74.5 x 155.7 x 7.9mm 177g |
Colours | White, Graphite, Olive, Lavender |
General, there’s loads of promise
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung’s 2021 flagship lastly will get a “fan version”
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is similar to the vanilla Galaxy S21. Nonetheless, it pares issues down a bit with the intention to slash $100 from the MSRP.
It’s arduous to not really feel slightly let down by the Galaxy S21 FE. Certain, Samsung did a superb job updating the telephone’s look to match the bigger S21 household. It’s a better-looking telephone than its predecessor, little question. However the firm clearly held again when it got here time to outfit the gadget with its defining options. Apart from the processor, almost all the inner specs have been carried over from the older S20 FE telephone, which leaves the S21 FE coming throughout as outdated and doubtlessly unprepared for soon-to-be-released opponents.
First impressions apart, there’s loads of room right here for the S21 FE to stretch its legs and show its mettle. Keep tuned for our full assessment of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.