The lineup of the first three devices was unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on 14 January 2021. The “Fan Edition” follow-up was unveiled at Samsung’s CES 2022 event on 3 January 2022. The Fan Edition maintains the majority of the specifications and design of the S21, with slight discrepancies to meet its lower price value. [8] The phone was originally planned to be released in October 2021 but was delayed due to the 2020–present global chip shortage.
The lineup comprises four devices, with the Galaxy S21 initially being the least expensive with a smaller screen size and a (plastic) polycarbonate back, which then is undercut later on by the Galaxy S21 FE with the same material minus the camera bump being also polycarbonate than metal. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has an even larger screen size, battery, and a host of other improvements over the other models, including a more advanced camera setup highlighted by its 108 MP main sensor with laser auto-focus and a higher resolution 1440p display.
[10] The S21 Ultra is also the first phone in the Galaxy S series to support the S Pen, albeit sold separately and with limited functionality. The Galaxy S21 series has a design similar to its predecessor, with an Infinity-O display containing a circular cutout in the top center for the front selfie camera.
[12] The rear camera array has been integrated into the phone body except for the S21 FE which is made out of reinforced poly-carbonate integrated instead on the back cover and has a metallic surround; the S21 Ultra has a carbon fiber camera surround for exclusive colors. [13] The U.S., Canadian, Chinese, and international (European) models of the S21 FE use the Snapdragon 888, while Korean, Indian, Brazilian and Australian markets use Exynos 2100. The phones also have the ability to charge other Qi-compatible devices from the S21’s own battery power, which is branded as “Wireless PowerShare,” at up to 4.5W. The S21 and S21+ have similar camera setups to their predecessors but benefit from improved software and image processing.
The S21 FE also has a similar camera setup to its predecessor but benefits from improved software and image processing. Users discovered that the Scene Optimizer included with Samsung Galaxy S21 and later phones use artificial intelligence to identify the Moon and add details that the camera is not capable of capturing, based on a library of existing moon photos. [20][21] However, this was debunked by Samsung, claiming that they have an AI enhancement algorithm that adds detail to your moon photos. [27] They all use Samsung Knox for enhanced device factory reset protection (FRP) security, and a separate version exist for enterprise use.
[29][30] Samsung added a “repair mode” to its Galaxy S21 on 28 July 2022, hiding users’ data when they entrust an ailing device to a technician. The One UI 5 update based on Android 13 began rolling out to S21 devices on 7 November 2022. The Verge’s review, by Dieter Bohn, praised the S21 Ultra’s punchy display, fast performance, long-lasting battery life and the general improvements to the camera system, likening the latter to that of the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s; however, Bohn did note that the phone’s glass back is slightly more susceptible to minor scratches. [34] Matt Sweder at Techradar gave a positive review noting its “mesmerizing design” calling it “Samsung’s best-looking phone ever” and how “phenomenally powerful” the camera is, but also went on to criticize the price and lack of microSD card slot, and questioning the stylus support, which is a separate purchase, with nowhere to put the S Pen on the phone itself.
Criticism has been aimed at the lack of a charger and memory card-expandable storage, the latter of which existed on the preceding Galaxy S20. Following Apple, Samsung decided not to include a wall charger or earphones when selling the Galaxy S21 series of smartphones, the reasoning being that “Samsung believes the removal of earphones and charger plugs from our in-box device packaging can help address the growing e-waste problem and unnecessary duplication of these items”. However, reaching the highest charging rate possibly requires a new charger with separate packaging and shipping with standalone environmental footprint.
Meet S21 FE 5G: Flagship Smartphone Designed for Fans of All Kinds
The S21 FE 5G is a smartphone that delivers select fan-favorite Galaxy S21 premium features in a well-rounded package to empower people to explore and express themselves. It is equipped with some of the most-loved aspects of the Galaxy S21 — eye-catching design, powerful performance, pro-grade camera, and seamless ecosystem connectivity.
So we applied the same approach with S21 FE 5G, equipping it with the premium features that matter most to our loyal Galaxy fans — because we’re focused on delivering a smartphone that meets their most important needs. It all starts with the iconic, fan-favorite Contour-Cut frame that seamlessly integrates with S21 FE 5G’s camera housing for a stylish, unified look.
Samsung is giving consumers even more ways to express themselves with four new, fashionable color options — Olive, Lavender, White or Graphite — all of which include a stylish haze finish. The Galaxy S21 is renowned for its industry-leading camera, and S21 FE 5G is equipped with the same pro-grade setup used to capture the world’s most vivid photos.
Thanks to Samsung’s intuitive One UI 4, you can design your ideal mobile experience — one that’s uniquely suited to your needs and allows you to express who you are, securely.
Meet S21 FE 5G: Flagship Smartphone Designed for Fans of All Kinds
The newest member of the Galaxy S21 family delivers fan-favorite S21 features — like powerful performance, pro-grade camera and seamless ecosystem connectivity — all in refined, iconic design The S21 FE 5G is a smartphone that delivers select fan-favorite Galaxy S21 premium features in a well-rounded package to empower people to explore and express themselves.
It is equipped with some of the most-loved aspects of the Galaxy S21 — eye-catching design, powerful performance, pro-grade camera and seamless ecosystem connectivity.
So we applied the same approach with S21 FE 5G, equipping it with the premium features that matter most to our loyal Galaxy fans — because we’re focused on delivering a smartphone that meets their most important needs.”
It all starts with the iconic, fan-favorite Contour-Cut frame that seamlessly integrates with S21 FE 5G’s camera housing for a stylish, unified look. Samsung is giving consumers even more ways to express themselves with four new, fashionable color options — Olive, Lavender, White or Graphite — all of which include a stylish haze finish.
And the S21 FE 5G features a sleek and slim 7.9mm-thick body, so it can easily slip into a pocket to keep up with any on-the-go lifestyle. The Galaxy S21 is renowned for its industry-leading camera, and S21 FE 5G is equipped with the same pro-grade setup used to capture the world’s most vivid photos.
Now, users can enhance low-light shots while out with friends at night and capture super-clear photos in the darkest conditions.
Thanks to Samsung’s intuitive One UI 4, you can design your ideal mobile experience — one that’s uniquely suited to your needs and allows you to express who you are, securely. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. Actual storage space availability may vary depending on pre-installed software and by country, model, file size and format.
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.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE release date, price and features
The Galaxy S21 FE comes with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, just like the previous Fan Edition model, but if you are hoping for a change in Samsung’s recent phone port and slot strategy, you are out of luck. We subtitled our Galaxy S21 FE Review “in the shadow of giants,” as it has become increasingly hard for it to stand out in the sea of midrange Androids like its predecessor did.
Another major difference is that this time around the 8GB RAM model is paired with the Snapdragon 888 processor, meaning that the top S21 FE version now also comes to the U.S. shores. The global chip shortage may have been behind the postponed Galaxy S21 Fan Edition launch, as Samsung unveiled it much later than its predecessor which was outed in October of 2020.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE buyer’s guide: Everything you need to know
That theory was proven wrong, though, when the company launched the phone during CES 2022. As usual, this “Fan Edition” model looks and functions much like its namesake, the Samsung Galaxy S21.
In this buyer’s guide, we’re going to give you all the information you need on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE! Please note: The Galaxy S21 FE is no longer the latest “Fan Edition” phone from Samsung. Samsung launched the Galaxy S21 FE on January 3, 2022, at the annual CES convention in Las Vegas. That includes a slightly weaker camera system, lower-grade build materials, and less RAM for the base model.
These trade-offs resulted in a slightly lower Galaxy S21 FE price, which started at $699. That means it offers a bit less overall in terms of specs and features, but it also costs less.
For under $600, you get one of the best mobile chipsets of 2021, a decent camera system, Android 12 out-of-the-box, and more. You can read our detailed thoughts on the device in our Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review. When you take into account that, even today, it’s only $100 more expensive than the Galaxy S21 FE, you have a tricky situation. For specific types of buyers, the Galaxy S21 FE might be a good choice.
In our review, we thought the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was a fine phone, giving it a score of 3.5/5 stars. However, we lamented that the phone landed at the wrong time, making it difficult to recommend. We appreciated the phone’s build quality, display, battery life, and performance. Like us, she loved the display and performance but thought the phone should cost less, considering how late in the cycle we were. Like us, she loved the display and performance but thought the phone should cost less, considering how late in the cycle we were. Once again, he loved the display, performance, and build quality, but didn’t much care for the price. Interestingly, Tom didn’t think the battery life was up to snuff, which is the opposite of how we felt about it. Once again, he loved the display, performance, and build quality, but didn’t much care for the price. Interestingly, Tom didn’t think the battery life was up to snuff, which is the opposite of how we felt about it. He lauded the performance and display, dinged the phone for a middling camera, and also experienced disappointing battery life.
The chart makes it clear that a huge chunk of our readers would be happy to give up wireless charging if it meant a lower-cost device. Once again, they won’t need to make this sacrifice since the Galaxy S21 FE has access to both Sub-6 and mmWave 5G networks.
Note that even though the selfie camera is a 32MP shooter as compared to the Galaxy S21’s 10MP sensor, this won’t necessarily result in better photos and video. Note that even though the selfie camera is a 32MP shooter as compared to the Galaxy S21’s 10MP sensor, this won’t necessarily result in better photos and video. Security: The Galaxy S21 FE has an in-display optical fingerprint scanner. This isn’t the same as the ultrasonic sensor in the Galaxy S21 and could result in slightly slower and less accurate performance. This isn’t the same as the ultrasonic sensor in the Galaxy S21 and could result in slightly slower and less accurate performance. On the front, the phone has a single 32MP sensor in a centered display cutout. It wasn’t even close to the best smartphone camera of 2022, but it will produce some good shots under ideal conditions. You’ll find the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset inside the Galaxy S21 FE in the United States and a few other countries.
It should be perfect for multi-taskers and even a good option for folks who toy with console emulation on their phones. Meanwhile, in many other areas of the world, the Galaxy S21 FE comes with the Exynos 2100, the same found in the global variants of the S21 series. This chipset is nice and powerful but doesn’t meet the same performance peaks as the Snapdragon 888. A note of caution we’ll make about performance, regardless of which chipset you get, is that the entry-level Galaxy S21 FE comes with 6GB of RAM.
Eric Zeman / Android Authority Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Samsung has become the best company out there when it comes to updating its large portfolio of Android phones.
Interestingly, this schedule gives the S21 FE a slight leg up over the rest of the Galaxy S21 family. This makes the Galaxy S21 FE the better buy if software longevity is a primary concern.
Since it has the same price as the Galaxy S21 FE while offering a longer update commitment, better specs, a better camera, and more, it is an easy choice over the 2022 model. ($599.99 at Amazon): The Galaxy S23 FE is now the latest “Fan Edition” phone in Samsung’s lineup.
Since it has the same price as the Galaxy S21 FE while offering a longer update commitment, better specs, a better camera, and more, it is an easy choice over the 2022 model. The Galaxy S23 will have better specs nearly across the board, with battery capacity being the only notable deficiency.
Of course, you’ll pay a lot more for this phone, but the upgrades will certainly be worth the premium if you can afford them.
The Galaxy S23 will have better specs nearly across the board, with battery capacity being the only notable deficiency. Of course, you’ll pay a lot more for this phone, but the upgrades will certainly be worth the premium if you can afford them. Google Pixel 8 ($699 at Amazon): For $100 more than the Galaxy S21 FE, you can get one of the most sought-after phones of 2023.
The OnePlus 11 offers a higher-caliber experience, though, with better camera hardware, a faster processor, and a much better display. The OnePlus 11 offers a higher-caliber experience, though, with better camera hardware, a faster processor, and a much better display.
However, third-party retailers, as well as Samsung’s usual carrier partners, will also sell the phone. If you do decide to move forward with the Galaxy S21 FE, the phone comes in four colors: white, Graphite, Olive, and Lavender.
In India, the phone will be available in the two 8GB RAM variants with the Exynos 2100 from major retailers starting at Rs. That means it offers a bit less overall in terms of specs and features, but it also costs less.
If you want a microSD card slot, you can always grab 2020’s Galaxy S20 FE instead, although that is also missing a headphone jack.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G review: The sequel is never as good
OnePlus graduated to full flagship status, LG is out of the game, and to put it politely, Motorola is targeting a different kind of audience. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. The Galaxy S20 FE launched at $699, a full $300 cheaper than its closest flagship sibling. In 2021, the Galaxy S21 series launched at $799, putting the S21 FE at just $100 less, and as already mentioned, $100 more than the Google Pixel 6. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. In short, I wanted to find out if the phone cuts the right corners to make it the same value as its predecessor despite the imminent launch of the S22.
In terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G doesn’t really break the mold compared to its siblings. Like the other flagships, the camera bump blends naturally into the back and side of the phone, but it lacks the S21’s two-tone approach, opting instead for a single housing.
There’s a single hole-punch at the top to accommodate the 32-megapixel selfie camera and the same reliable under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor at the bottom. I don’t blame Samsung for sticking with the Snapdragon 888, but I give it less of a pass given that the S20 FE came out with the top-of-the-line processor at the time.
This is a 6.4-inch 2400 x 1800 dynamic AMOLED panel that is just a touch smaller than the previous generation but keeps the same 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone is comfortable to hold and use one-handed, but I wouldn’t mind if Samsung shaved off another third of an inch or so.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since a lower resolution will help battery life considerably, especially when you have the phone running at its 120Hz refresh rate. Personally, I can rarely tell the difference between a 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rate; it simply doesn’t impress me when it’s there, nor does the lack of it bother me.
I usually increase the brightness so I can take in the rich detail of the games I play or the movies I watch, but with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, I simply didn’t need to.
I usually increase the brightness so I can take full advantage of HDR10+ and take in the rich detail of the games I play or the movies I watch, but with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, I simply didn’t need to. One aspect where Samsung continues to struggle mightily is touch rejection on the edges of the screen. This is a flat panel, but accidental touches on the edges are maddening, rendering games like Call of Duty Mobile virtually unplayable.
This is a 4,500 mAh power cell, and I regularly went to sleep with the phone hovering in the teens or single digits, percentage-wise. That’s after a day’s worth of bouncing between four email addresses, Twitter, Discord, Reddit, Kindle, and the full suite of Microsoft apps (Teams, Outlook, and more).
I had no problems with dropped calls nor spotty internet, which also didn’t manifest on my iPhone 13 Pro.
Portrait mode is one of the best I’ve seen, easily picking out the edges of your subject while blurring out the background. One subtle difference I noted was how the main camera seems to capture brighter colors at a warmer temperature than the other two sensors. Portrait mode is one of the best I’ve seen, easily picking out the edges of your subject while blurring out the background.
The Galaxy S21 FE is capable of hybrid zoom up to 30x, but you shouldn’t use it unless you’re looking for photos to use as models to practice your watercolor painting. Don’t get me wrong, the cameras are still very good, but they fall short of the greatness that can be found on the iPhone 13 or the Pixel 6.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is in such a weird place it’s hard to wrap my head around it. Depending on where the S22 series lands in terms of price and specifications, this may be a great deal, or it may be a questionable purchase where a little extra money can bring you a lot more phone.
To be frank, while this is a really good smartphone on its own at its price, Samsung probably would have been better off just not releasing it at all, or launching it directly next to the S22 as a “budget” alternative. Neither the Google Pixel 6 nor the iPhone 13 cameras have the optical zoom capability, so that’s one point for Samsung.
But both phones outclass the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G in many other ways including software, camera processing, and design.
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. If you can pick up the phone as part of a bundle, with price reduced in sales, refurbished or second hand, then you might discover the mobile is worth it. 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.
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.
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