The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A Worthy Successor or Just a Minor Upgrade?
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and its 5G variant were a resounding success for Samsung, selling over 10 million units globally. Naturally, the company wanted to capitalize on this momentum, and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G arrives as the highly anticipated successor, promising flagship-level specs and features at a more accessible price point. While its predecessor was already a powerhouse, the S21 FE 5G introduces subtle, yet significant, changes, particularly in design and processing power. We take a first look at Samsung’s latest value flagship and explore what this new iteration brings to the table.
A Familiar Feel with Subtle Design Tweaks
The premium unboxing experience continues with the S21 FE 5G, sporting a minimalistic, slim box reminiscent of its S21 series siblings. The contents, however, reflect the modern trend, ditching the charger and offering only the phone, a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, and a SIM eject tool.
While the S21 FE 5G doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel, it does boast a refined design compared to its predecessor. It embraces the contour-cut design for the camera module, a signature feature of the Galaxy S21 series, but this time opting for a plastic construction instead of metal. The back panel is also crafted from plastic, while the display benefits from Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced scratch protection. The metal frame feels robust, housing the power and volume buttons on the right and the USB port along with a dual-SIM tray on the bottom. Notably, the headphone jack is absent, mirroring the trend among flagship devices.
The phone boasts a slender profile at 7.9mm and feels notably lighter at 177g compared to the 190g of the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. While the Graphite color variant offers a subtle aesthetic, brighter options like Olive, Lavender, and White are available for those seeking a bolder touch. Two storage configurations are available: 128GB and 256GB, both paired with 8GB of RAM. Disappointingly, the SIM tray does not offer hybrid functionality, eliminating the possibility of storage expansion.
A Flagship Display & Powerful Performance
The 6.4-inch AMOLED display remains a key highlight, boasting a vibrant, bright canvas with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The display is flat on all sides and features relatively slim bezels. Housing the 32-megapixel selfie camera is a punch-hole cutout, while the in-display optical fingerprint sensor sits discreetly below. The display promises a delightful viewing experience with rich colors and sharp visuals, and the snappy refresh rate ensures a smooth user experience. The fingerprint sensor also impresses with its accuracy and responsiveness.
One of the most significant changes lies in the heart of the phone – the SoC. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G now features the Exynos 2100, the same chip powering Samsung’s flagship S21 series. While many hoped for the inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, especially considering the presence of the Snapdragon 865 in the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, the Exynos 2100 remains a formidable contender. It should deliver a top-tier performance, ensuring smooth multitasking and resource-demanding gaming capabilities.
Navigating the Interface with OneUI 4
The S21 FE 5G runs on OneUI 4, based on Android 12. This latest iteration incorporates minor refinement across the interface and menus, offering a familiar yet subtly enhanced experience. The user interface feels intuitive and responsive, ensuring an efficient and enjoyable mobile experience.
Carrying Over the Familiar Features
The Galaxy S21 FE 5G retains many features from its predecessor, solidifying its position as a feature-rich value flagship. It boasts IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, stereo speakers for immersive audio, Samsung Pay with NFC for contactless payment convenience, and even the Wireless Dex mode for a desktop-like experience. The battery remains unchanged, offering a 4,500mAh capacity paired with 25W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
Familiar Cameras, Promising Performance
The camera system also carries over, maintaining the same resolution as the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. It comprises a 12-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and an 8-megapixel telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom. While a comprehensive camera review is in order, initial impressions suggest that the cameras are capable and deliver decent image quality.
Price & Competition
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is priced at Rs. 54,999 for the 128GB variant and Rs. 58,999 for the 256GB model. Samsung has also announced a limited-time cashback offer of Rs. 5,000 for HDFC Bank cardholders, making the device even more appealing.
The S21 FE 5G faces stiff competition, particularly from its predecessor, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. Comparing these two will be crucial for discerning users. Other strong contenders in the market include devices such as the OnePlus 9, Google Pixel 6, and the Xiaomi Mi 11.
Final Thoughts: A Subtle, Yet Significant Evolution
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G doesn’t completely revolutionize the formula set by its predecessor. It focuses on refining the design and performance. The upgraded Exynos 2100 chipset and the refined design are positive additions. The removal of microSD card support might be a deal-breaker for some users, but the overall value proposition remains strong. A comprehensive review will shed more light on the device’s full potential, exploring its performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and software experience in detail. Stay tuned for the full review.
