When I received the phone, it came in its regular factory box which is very thin, like I was concerned for a second that they just sent me a case, but nope! As for game wise, I play Genshin Impact, Colorful Stage/Project Sekai, Stardew Valley, Pokemon GO, and Fallout Shelter, and this thing runs them all like a BEAST.
I wouldn’t recommend getting the extra 2GB of ram in the bigger storage model since this phone can run pretty much anything you throw at it. Anyone who’s ever played Genshin Impact knows how heavy the game is, and it can run it at max settings just fine, the only problem, is that it gets INCREDIBLY hot. I do prioritize game functionality and speed over looks so I do play extremely comfortably in low-medium settings as it still looks great! The front camera is really good and I sometimes put it up to my head and angle it to make myself look like a goldfish and it’s super funny haha.
Now I do keep medium power saving mode on as I just don’t see too much to the use of allowing your phone to do any big background services when you’re not using it.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review: A great $700 phone that comes at an awkward time
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. A follow-up to Samsung’s previous midrange Galaxy S phone, the new S21 FE starts at $700 and launches on Jan. 11. Despite being $100 cheaper than the regular Galaxy S21, it has the same processor and comes with a larger screen, a triple-lens camera and support for both versions of 5G.
These attributes make the Galaxy S21 FE a promising option if you want a relatively affordable new Android 12 device.
However, the Galaxy S21 FE may end up feeling lost in Samsung’s lineup and the broader Android phone market. Although the Pixel 6 doesn’t have the S21 FE’s third camera lens, it’s loaded with Google-specific features that could make it more appealing for some.
Photos, games and news articles all look sharp and bold on the S21 FE’s screen. The Galaxy S21 does, however, have some design accents that make it feel like a more expensive phone, such as the glossy metallic finish on its camera module and sides.
Google’s $600 Pixel 6 has an eye-catching two-tone glass design with sharper corners that almost makes it feel similar to the Galaxy Note. The Galaxy S21 FE is sleek and lighter than the Pixel 6, and some might find it easier to use with one hand, but it doesn’t leave the same impression. There’s also an in-screen fingerprint reader and facial authentication for unlocking the device, which I generally found to be pretty reliable. That’s not too shabby, especially since I had the motion smoothness setting on high, which cranks the screen’s refresh rate up to 120Hz.
That chip is found in other high-end phones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the OnePlus 9 Pro, so the S21 FE should be able to keep up with those devices easily. Samsung also says the S21 FE supports a response rate of 240Hz, allowing for even quicker reaction times in game mode like the rest of the Galaxy S21 series. However, it scored slightly lower than both the regular S21 and Pixel 6 on a separate benchmark called 3DMark Slingshot Unlimited for testing graphics performance. The S21 FE’s images are rich in detail and color, and the camera performs well in different lighting conditions.
Some people might prefer Samsung’s more colorful shots, but Google’s images looked truer to their surroundings most of the time. (Note: I didn’t change the camera settings on either phone prior to testing other than to adjust the Pixel’s 6 crop ratio.)
Overall, I think the Pixel 6’s photos provided the best balance of consistency and accuracy, but it’s safe to say that both phones are capable of taking really great pictures. Photos taken on both phones looked the same in some cases, but the images below of a green bush really highlight the difference between Samsung’s and Google’s cameras.
The most notable distinction between the Pixel 6 and Galaxy S21 FE is that Samsung’s phone has an 8-megapixel telephoto lens in addition to a 12-megapixel wide and ultrawide lenses. While both phones produce similar images when photographing objects like street signs, the Galaxy S21 was able to capture more detail in other scenarios.
The Galaxy S21 FE isn’t very good at freezing moving subjects in frame when taking photos. It’s another sign that the definition of a high-end phone is starting to change as once-premium features like 5G, borderless displays and multilens cameras begin trickling down to more affordable devices.
Samsung typically launches its new Galaxy S phones early in the year, and rumors suggest the next generation could come with a 50-megapixel camera and faster charging. But the Pixel 6 has a more distinguished design and Google-specific goodies like the ability to have Google Assistant screen spam calls and wait on hold for you. CNET has the current best Samsung coupons and promo code offers, updated and verified daily.
What’s The Difference?
Keep reading to understand how they differ and the advantages of each model in our detailed comparison.
Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Factory Unlocked, 128GB, 120Hz Display Screen, Pro Grade Camera, US Version, White
It came with a noticeable scratch going across the top of the screen and some blemishes on the side of phone where the power/volume buttons are located. It leaves me wondering what a ‘good condition’ phone would’ve looked like and if it would’ve been worth getting instead for the extra savings.
Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Cell Phone, Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 120Hz Display, Pro Grade Camera, All Day Intelligent Battery, (Olive Green) (Renewed) : Cell Phones & Acces
When introduced the Samsung 21 FE 5G had many positive reviews with one major complaint, for its high price, considering it was supposed to be a value product. Among the many positives are the 120HZ screen response is a pleasure to use, battery life has been excellent lasting for more than a day for normal use including text, calls, email, YouTube and some streaming, terrific camera, good stereo speakers, charges very quickly with the supplied chargers but also with the 25W aftermarket chargers that I have for these phones. The only negative I can report is for the amount of Samsung bloatware and the numerous and annoying notifications, which can luckily be turned off. And the Amazon renewed program is a good and safe option for many purchases as it also includes a 90-day return policy if there is any dissatisfaction with the product.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (2023) (8GB 256GB Graphite) with Snapdragon 888 : Amazon.in: Electronics
The UI and overall experience of the phone is great as compared to OnePlus as it has custom Samsung tweaks everywhere (it was there in S7 as well with obviously little less features and refinement), which makes actually sense and makes you feel wow. One thing which personally do not like is the Samsung custom apps.
Note: There is a pixel less area sorrounding the front camera.
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