CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. SCORE Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe $290 at Amazon $390 at Walmart Pros Affordable price
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.
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. 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. Samsung’s new phone comes with the same processor as the Galaxy S21, which means the US version runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888.
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.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Is It the Right Choice for You in 2023?
While it has arrived as a lower-cost addition to the Galaxy S21 lineup, the question remains whether this handset is worth considering, especially when Samsung’s latest flagship device has already hit the market. So, if you also get stuck into such questions and wonder if Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is worth spending on, continue scrolling the page and find a complete review of this handset here. Speaking of performance, Samsung Galaxy FE offers identical hardware as the rest of the series, except for using the reversed chipset segmentation.
If we look at the camera, it appears like a copy-paste from the Galaxy S20 model, with a 12MP primary, 12MP for ultrawide photos, and an 8MP telephoto for 30x optical zoom.
Since Samsung has adopted a plastic-free polycarbonate approach for Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, there’s no guesswork about what material this phone is made of. However, what seems disappointing is that Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G doesn’t adopt the counter-cut design for housing the rear camera array.
Another drawback you should be aware of before spending on this flagship device is the missing microSD card slot. The 8MP telephoto lens is the biggest trade-off between the Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung’s standard flagship.
However, you make a trade-off from the rest of the Galaxy S21 lineup when buying S21 FE, as its base model only supports 6GB RAM, compared to 8GB in the standard S21. However, you can expect some improvement in battery life over Galaxy S20 FE, owing to its slightly smaller screen and a more power-efficient chipset. Don’t look further; scroll down the page to get a quick overview of the pros and cons involved with the purchase of this device. We hope our review guide will help you decide whether or not you should invest hard-earned cash in the final product of the S21 lineup.
What’s The Difference?
Keep reading to understand how they differ and the advantages of each model in our detailed comparison.
Galaxy S21 FE 5G Review | Snapdragon 888
It is time for me to review the Galaxy S21 FE 5G – 2023 Snapdragon Edition, in the “Royale” style! I received my unit from Samsung India, and I’ve been daily driving it for over a month now, so expect a properly organized review. It’s a 6.4 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, running at 1080p with 120 Hz refresh rate and 16M colour depth.
Display smoothness is top notch, and One UI optimization combined with 120 Hz makes it a great experience.
The display also houses an optical in-display fingerprint reader, which is pretty fast and accurate, although I would have appreciated it more if it were an ultrasonic one. The Telephoto lens does the job just fine most of the time, but is sometimes a bit unreliable, especially in low light (more on this in the actual review). C. Front Camera: Pretty happy with it and does the job fine (will elaborate in actual review). User Interface: The phone comes with One UI 5.1 out of the box with Android 13 at its base, which should give you a pretty good idea about the satisfaction that you’ll experience while using the device. It comes with almost all flagship features that you get with the Galaxy S Series, INCLUDING Good Lock support (Camera assistant and Expert RAW excluded).
Screen recorder, Link to Windows, Extra Dim and Enhanced processing, all are supported.
I guess the lack of an SD card slot is fine because the device comes with 256 GB of internal storage. Coming to gaming, I played Minecraft with render distance set to 16 chunks and it didn’t see any issues at all.
Above 16 chunks, the game is very much playable, but sometimes has minor stutters and frame drops, especially in long hours when the device gets warm. It has stereo speakers powered by Dolby Atmos and the audio balance between both are pretty amazing.
One final thing worth adding is that it has a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C port, which is really useful when transferring data from computers. Overall verdict, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is one of the best devices available in the 50,000 INR price segment, and has some major points that can blow the competition out of the water.
I hope Samsung finds a way to improve the battery life with software updates because where it currently stands, if you are a very heavy user, then this phone might not be for you.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review: Questionable value
It does those things, to some degree, but the timing of the phone’s arrival to market is off, as is the price point, and that leaves the Galaxy S21 FE standing in a strange spot. The phone is being supported widely by US carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as well as the usual slate of third-party electronics retailers. The US and European model ships with the Snapdragon 888 processor, though some global variants of the phone will pack the Samsung-made Exynos 2100 SoC instead.
Samsung took the one significant visual design characteristic of the Galaxy S21 — the raised corner camera module — and made sure the S21 FE featured it prominently.
I’d call it a bit of a step up from the Galaxy S20 FE, which wasn’t as cohesive in its looks. The phone is fairly light, too, which helps reduce or prevent hand fatigue during prolonged use.
The plastic backing gives me more confidence in carrying it around without a case, but surely some will feel better about wrapping it up in some protection (check out our picks at the link above.) The phone meets the IP68 rating for protection from dust and water, which is increasingly common for affordable flagships.
The smooth Gorilla Glass and metal frame go a long way toward giving the phone a better-than-mid-range appeal. The plastic rear panel in no way feels like glass despite Samsung’s marketing, but the matte finish works really well and helps prevent fingerprints from mucking it up. A small power button and stubby volume toggle populate the right edge of the phone. There’s no headphone jack, but you’ll encounter the USB-C port and SIM card tray on the bottom edge.
In sum, there’s absolutely nothing objectionable about the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE design and hardware. It passingly resembles the now-retired Galaxy S21 but doesn’t carry the same sex appeal. The Galaxy S21 FE’s AMOLED display measures 6.4 inches, with an odd 13:6 aspect ratio. This means scrolling behavior looks a bit smoother when using apps like Twitter and YouTube.
The S21 FE’s faster 240Hz touch sampling rate gives it an advantage over slower screens when it comes to gaming. You’ll find a proper number of advanced tools for controlling the screen’s behavior.
In addition to basics such as dark mode and blue light settings, the Galaxy S21 FE permits owners to choose from several pre-defined color profiles, as well as set their own white balance and even custom-tune red, blue, and green levels to get the look they want. We tested it with an Anker Nano II 30W charger and it usually took about 90 minutes to recharge fully — nothing to write home about, but not terrible either. The phone does offer reverse wireless charging for accessories, so you can power up your headphones or smartwatch when needed. Some mid-range devices from Motorola, however, handily beat the S21 FE with two-day battery life. I found the Galaxy S21 FE to be a smooth operator across the board no matter the task at hand, including more intensive 3D games such as Asphalt 9. We ran the usual set of benchmark apps, including AnTuTu, GeekBench, and 3DMark, and the phone put up respectable scores that stopped just short of being outstanding.
That means it handily outperformed the vast majority of entry-level and mid-range phones. It scored on par with competing Snapdragon 888 devices, such as the Galaxy S21 or OPPO Find X3. With our homegrown Speed Test G benchmark, the Galaxy S21 FE scored one minute 22 seconds, which is right on par for a Snapdragon 888 phone. Sure, the lenses may look bigger thanks to the revamped rear hardware, but the sensors themselves and their core capabilities are carried over from one generation to the next. The main camera has a 12MP sensor at f/1.8 with OIS and dual pixel autofocus — same as the Galaxy S21. Everyday shots you take outdoors during the day or indoors with good lighting turn out bright with that typical Samsung color boost. The camera defaults to auto HDR, and the tool manages to balance things out in decent fashion even in high-contrast scenes. Hopping to the ultrawide, which is at 0.5x zoom compared to the main camera, is fun when you want to squeeze more into the frame. Ultrawide shots are definitely softer than those taken from the main camera, but the color profile and exposure are about the same. HDR isn’t as effective with this camera and you’re more apt to get overexposed or underexposed spots in photos with overly bright or dark regions.
You’ll find 20x and 30x Space Zoom to be mostly worthless in terms of real-world results. It’s the same night mode available on other Samsung phones, which means it takes a longer exposure and you have to hold still when shooting.
Results vary widely depending on the light, what you’re shooting, and how still you hold the phone. The selfie camera does a fair job when it comes to color and exposure, but images are a bit soft in terms of focus. These all work the same as they have on most Samsung phones over the last few years and the selection strikes a nice balance between fun and functional. The high-res video footage I shot looked good on my 4K monitor, though contrast was a little flat. Bottom line, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a good camera for the price point, though it doesn’t quite match today’s leading devices. While the majority of people will be satisfied with the S21 FE’s camera, those looking for the best possible experience may benefit from going with a newer flagship. It was among the first phones from Samsung to ship with the current operating system from Google, and that’s a good start. For example, you’ll notice the new speaker/microphone alerts in the notification bar when the phone is using those features, as well as the precise/approximate location dialog box. One UI does a fair job of adopting Android 12’s automatic color palette feature, but the options aren’t quite as good as those you’ll see on the Google Pixel 6 devices. It was among the first phones from Samsung to ship with the current operating system from Google, and that’s a good start.
For example, you’ll notice the new speaker/microphone alerts in the notification bar when the phone is using those features, as well as the precise/approximate location dialog box. One UI does a fair job of adopting Android 12’s automatic color palette feature, but the options aren’t quite as good as those you’ll see on the Google Pixel 6 devices.
That’s better than any other phone maker at the moment, even Google, which means your S21 FE will remain up to date longer than most. So far, we’ve seen updates through the November 2022 security patch and Android 13 is just starting to roll out.
That’s better than any other phone maker at the moment, even Google, which means your S21 FE will remain up to date longer than most.
So far, we’ve seen updates through the November 2022 security patch and Android 13 is just starting to roll out.
There’s also a basic face recognition feature, though it’s not the super-secure type that relies on dedicated hardware. There’s also a basic face recognition feature, though it’s not the super-secure type that relies on dedicated hardware.
You’re not going to get the loudest, clearest sound in the world, but you’ll get enough volume to fill a small room and enough clarity to discern the highs from the lows, whether listening to music or watching videos. You’re not going to get the loudest, clearest sound in the world, but you’ll get enough volume to fill a small room and enough clarity to discern the highs from the lows, whether listening to music or watching videos.
Samsung provided a T-Mobile SIM card with our review unit and we were able to put the phone’s 5G to the test.
The Galaxy S22 has fully updated specs, a more appealing design, and higher performance parameters. This phone is legit $300 more than the S21 FE, but you’re getting a lot for your money with one of the best all-rounders in the market. The phone has an excellent camera, solid performance and some AI-powered perks, and a software commitment that’s almost as good as the Galaxy S21 FE.
Moreover, you get special Pixel-exclusive features directly from Google, such as Call Screening, Now Playing for music discovery, Live Caption, and others. The updated Tensor G2 chip also fixes a few of the flaws from the previous Pixel 6, making it even better for the same price of admission.
In other words, if the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE doesn’t quite float your financial boat, you’ve got options. The screen is very good, battery life is above average, and it delivers better performance than many phones in its price class.
Samsung managed to ship the phone with the latest version of Android (at the time), and it comes with the very best OS and security update commitment. Samsung shipped the phone with the latest version of Android at the time, and it comes with the very best OS and security update commitment.
The phone simply doesn’t have the price advantage it needs to stand apart from the Galaxy S22. Budget-conscious power users in regions where the Galaxy S22 has an Exynos chipset may be tempted by the Fan Edition, but most should still favor the real thing. The Pixel 7, in particular, is simply a better buy than the Samsung for the moment, especially if you care about camera results and software.
While the $100 between the S21 FE and the S22 is surely a lot to some potential buyers, it’s money well spent if you’re going with Samsung’s latest flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) Camera review: The better S21
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (“Fan Edition”) 5G (Snapdragon) offers many of the features, including the Snapdragon 888 chipset, of the standard S21 5G model, at a slightly more affordable price point. FE users can compose images on a large 6.4” Dynamic AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and power is supplied by a 4,500 mAh battery.
Let’s have a closer look at how the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) performs in the DXOMARK Camera tests and compares to its rivals. Primary: 12 MP sensor, f/1.8-aperture lens
About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. This article is designed to highlight the most important results of our testing. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, click here. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) 117 camera 119 Preview Preview 64 91 Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (91) 111
%s Outdoor Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux) BEST 160 Top score
%s Indoor Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux) BEST 132 Top score %s Lowlight Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux) BEST 149 Top score
%s Friends & Family Portrait and group photo & videos Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results.
While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G 102 116.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G 78 136. Xiaomi Redmi 12C 45 14th 14 Position in Premium Ranking 1.
Nice color in indoor and outdoor images Pretty accurate subject isolation in bokeh mode Accurate exposure, white balance and focus preview when zooming Good exposure in low contrast video
Accurate white balance and color in bright light and indoor video Good video stabilization for static scenes Cons Limited dynamic range results in highlight clipping
Ghosting, hue shift and color fringing artifacts Frame shifts and ringing artifacts in video The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) camera does a respectable job, earning itself a DXOMARK Camera score of 120 that puts it into a mid-field position in the Premium segment.
The score is one point higher than the S21 5G (Snapdragon), making the FE model a great alternative to the standard model for photocentric users. This said, with the S21 5G having been available at retailers for several months now its street price has come down to a level that is very close to the FE. Overall, the camera performs on a very similar level to the other models in the S21 series from Samsung.
This indoor image offers accurate color rendering without any casts. However, slight color fringing and huw shifts are noticeable. In this shot and the graph below, we can see that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE’s texture performance has been improved over the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Textures are slightly more refined in all light conditions. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), low light texture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: slight loss of texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), low light texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), stronger loss of texture, stronger noise Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), indoor texture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: slight loss of texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), indoor texture Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon), stronger loss of texture, more highlight clipping
Texture comparison: the S21 FE Snapdragon is very slightly improved over the S21 5G across all light levels. The preview image in bokeh mode is very close to the final capture. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), preview image Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: preview only slightly different to final capture Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), final capture in bokeh mode Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: similar bokeh effect to preview image
In bokeh mode, images can sometimes be slightly underexposed, but the simulated bokeh effect provides mostly accurate depth estimation, with only a few visible depth artifacts. Bokeh mode: good depth estimation When using the tele zoom, exposure is generally accurate and stable, but dynamic range is limited, which can result in highlight clipping in high contrast scenes. Our testers also observed a loss of detail at most tele and ultra-wide zoom settings, as well as some autofocus failures. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), long range zoom Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon), crop: good exposure but loss of detail In video mode, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon) records footage with good exposure in low-contrast scenes. However, in more difficult high-contrast conditions video clips tend to be underexposed. Our testers also observed some color and white balance instabilities but overall white balance and color rendering are generally accurate when recording in bright light or under typical indoor conditions.
In low light, an orange cast is more intrusive than on the comparison phones. Noise is quite visible in all conditions, it’s particularly strong in low light. We also noticed frame shift and ringing artifacts in all conditions.
Video stabilization does a good job in static scenes and is on a similar level as the competitors.
In this sample clip, we can see that at the start of the video the subject is slightly underexposed. Strong color and exposure instabilities are noticeable between 00:19 and 00:25 are visible. We can also see frame shifts and an exposure adaptation issue towards the end of the clip when the model turns around.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a fine mid-range phone, with adequate features like an attractive screen, powerful processor and capable cameras for those looking for a handy, less expensive mobile. However, the launch price is still far too high for what you get, not to mention issues like slow charging speed, laggy software and an unimpressive battery life.
This is purportedly the budget member of the Samsung Galaxy S21 range, offering features and specs from the main S21 family, but at a lower asking price because of a few select downgrades that average phone users likely won’t notice. You can pick up the Galaxy S21 – a now older phone with more impressive specs and features – for less (assuming you find a good, sub-$600 deal).
We also found the software to be rather laggy, and swiping between menus, closing and booting up apps, and simply unlocking the phone often took longer than it would have on another mobile. That’s a surprise given the phone’s processor, screen refresh rate and RAM, but this isn’t the first time we’ve found Samsung’s One UI to behave like this. To be clear, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE isn’t a bad phone, which is why we gave it a mixed score as opposed to a negative one. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE went on sale on January 11, 2022, after being unveiled at CES 2022 a week before, and retailers in the US, UK and Australia offered various incentives to encourage purchases, including free headphones or in-store credit. What’s more, many mid-range phones like the Realme GT, Moto G200, Pixel 5 and iPhone SE (2020) cost a lot less, and most come with comparable specs that make them more tempting mobiles.
You’d be forgiven for confusing the Galaxy S21 FE with its non-FE siblings, because other than its size, it’s a dead ringer for the vanilla and Plus members of its family.
That’s right, this is a plastic phone – or maybe we should call it Glasstic, which is Samsung’s marketing term for it, even though its similarities to glass (a common smartphone material) end with the name. Colors, contrast, and brightness all look great, and it made streaming TV shows or playing games on the phone a treat.
This telephoto snapper may be lower-res than the S21’s, but it’s actually paired with the same lens, which allows for 1.1x optical or 3x hybrid zoom; this seeming downgrade therefore won’t make a huge difference for most people. We found pictures taken on the main camera to be very colorful, which is pretty standard for shots taken on a Samsung phone – it’s apparent the brand’s scene optimization software has never heard of oversaturation.
Still, the main camera capabilities make shots look instantly social media-worthy, especially pics taken in well-lit situations. If we have a criticism, it’s that on the rear camera, the autofocus was a little iffy for close-up subjects, both ones that were very close like flowers, and ones taken at a medium distance like pets.
We took the phone for a spin playing games, and it performed admirably, with quick loading, top graphical options available, and no significant lagging or freezing. The RAM, processor and screen refresh rate should make navigating the FE’s menus a breeze, but in our experience, that wasn’t the case. We found that swiping between home pages, opening apps and unlocking the phone felt a little sluggish, especially when using gesture navigation. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has a 4,500mAh power pack – that’s a fairly standard size for a mobile – but we still found the battery life disappointingly lacking. With average use – that is to say, some social media browsing, music streaming and maybe the odd game and photo capture here and there, we found the battery just about limped to the finish line and barely survived a whole day between powering. That’s with the fastest-charging cables we had at home, but since a charger isn’t included in the box, you’ll have to power at the speed of whatever plug you already own or choose to buy.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has similar screen specs to its siblings, it sits at a nice middle ground between them in terms of size. We found the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE comfortable to hold in the hand, with a thin body and light weight, so if you don’t want a chunky device it’s a good option.
We often found we needed to augment our behavior to get the Galaxy S21 FE to last a full day between charges – if you want a reliable one-day-plus mobile, it’s not going to be great for you.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review
Why you can trust Tom’s Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you. After going on sale in January, the Galaxy S21 FE is available through both carriers and retailers as well as through Samsung’s own online store. While there is a bump holding that strip of vertically aligned lenses, it blends seamlessly into the side of the phone, making the array seem less prominent.
I wish the sides of the Galaxy S21 FE were a little bit more prominent, though — instead, they’re fairly slick, making the phone hard to hold on to.
An overlay that appears when the phone is locked makes the sensor easy to find, and I’ve certainly found it more responsive than the Pixel 6’s pokey unlocking feature. The smaller panel doesn’t feel particularly cramped, and I’d go so far as to say it probably makes the S21 FE easier to use with one hand than the previous model.
That means scrolling will look smoother on the Galaxy S21 FE’s display, which leads to a better overall experience with the phone. That said, it looks like you can only toggle between 120Hz and 60Hz manually; the other phones in the Galaxy S21 lineup have adaptive displays that adjust on the fly.
Both Samsung phones recorded Delta-E ratings of 0.29, so colors are just as accurate on the Galaxy S21 FE as they are on the more expensive model. The 8MP telephoto lens is easily the biggest trade-off between the Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung’s standard flagship. I don’t have either an S21 or S21 Plus on hand, but I imagine photos taken with either phone’s telephoto lens will look a little sharper than what you get from the Galaxy S21 FE. Considering those two devices rank among the best camera phones , it’s worth seeing how the Galaxy S21 FE’s photographic output measures up.
The cilantro leaves topping the tacos in the Galaxy S21 FE shot stand out a bit more distinctly, and the texture of the lime green wall in the background is more detailed. Moving outside to a covered vegetable stand, we see the Galaxy S21 FE exhibit a familiar trait for Samsung camera phones — it likes to amp up colors, even if the end result teeters on over-saturating the shot.
I think the Pixel 6’s warmer tones lead to a better composed shot — the tomatoes may not look as vibrant as they do in the S21 FE’s photo, but the overall image is balanced throughout.
Not that the S21 FE’s bias toward colors doesn’t pay off in some instances, like in this shot at a nearby marina with downtown Oakland in the background.
The bend seems more pronounced on the Galaxy S21 FE’s shot, but I think that’s partly because people are walking into the frame just as I hit the shutter button. Once again the Galaxy S21 FE has highlighted the colors, particularly the blue sky, but it’s washed out some elements of the movie theater’s art deco facade. The Galaxy S21 FE’s portrait mode does an adequate job blurring the background of shots to highlight your subject, even if it aggressively smooths out faces. Samsung says it improved the Night Mode on the Galaxy S21 FE, and I think that’s evident from this shot of a skeleton we have hanging in our basement workshop. The skeleton emerges clearly from the shadows in the Galaxy S21 FE shot, and Samsung’s phone even does a good job balancing the ambient lighting streaming in from the right side of the picture. On the bright side, the Snapdragon 888 is the same system-on-chip that powered the entire Galaxy S21 lineup, so you can expect comparable performance with those models. Samsung includes less RAM, with the 128GB base model of the Galaxy S21 FE sporting only 6GB to the 8GB found in the standard S21. I played PUBG Mobile on the Galaxy S21 FE, and the game ran smoothly without sacrificing any of the first-person shooter’s detailed graphics.
The Pixel 6, which is powered by Google’s Tensor silicon, lags the Galaxy S21 FE with a 2,696 multicore score. You get a 4,500 mAh battery inside the Galaxy S21 FE, which is the same size as the power pack in the phone’s predecessor. With a slightly smaller screen and a more power efficient chipset running the new phone, you’d be inclined to expect some improvement in battery life over the Galaxy S20 FE’s so-so performance. However, in our demanding battery test — we have a phone surf the web continuously over 5G until it runs out of power — the Galaxy S21 FE fell flat. Disabling that feature improves things considerably, with the Galaxy S21 FE lasting 9 hours and 15 minutes. That’s better than the Pixel 6’s time of 8 hours and 13 minutes with its 90Hz mode turned on, though it stinks that you have to disable a marquee feature to squeeze more battery life out of the Galaxy S21 FE.
There are perfectly sound environmental reasons for that move, but it puts the burden on consumers to already have a charger that can support the Galaxy S21 FE’s speeds or to buy one along with the phone. The delayed Galaxy S21 FE launch has a silver lining in one regard — you won’t have to wait for an update to Android 12.
Instead, the Galaxy S21 FE ships with Google’s latest software already installed, along with Samsung’s updated One UI 4.0 interface. One UI 4 introduces a number of ways to customize the look of your phone’s home screen, icons, wallpapers and more.
Samsung also adopted many of the privacy features Google built into Android 12, so that you can get alerts when an app tries to use the Galaxy S21 FE’s microphone or camera. Additionally, the launch of the Galaxy S22 has prompted Samsung to extend software support for its top phones to four years.
The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung’s S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. The tradeoffs you have to make to save $100 aren’t major ones, with the biggest sacrifice being the lack of an adaptive display as that can impact battery life.
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