Is the cheapest model in the Galaxy S21 series worth it? We found that out in our extensive review of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
He is Two million units were sold in the first month of sales They confirmed that Samsung’s strategy with the Galaxy S20 FE was successful. No one was surprised that the company got down to work on the second generation and focused on repeating the same elabora and continuing to thrive worldwide.
But then some He ran. The lack of shipments forced Samsung to indefinitely delay the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, leading to rumors that it might even be cancelled.
The first details of the S21 FE Galaxy became known in the summer of 2021. But that hasn’t happened until now January 2022 when Samsung decided to announce its new affordable móvil. Now, It is already among us and we created it.
And if I wanted to review that briefly History of the Galaxy S21 FE and the changes in plans that have evolved over the months, for in this case context is critical to understanding why the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE could be a much more attractive móvil inteligente than it is if it had simply hit the market a few months earlier.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, review and score
| Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE? | |
|---|---|
| In favor of |
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| versus |
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| Conclusions | Its high price makes the S21 FE mobile less attractive than the previous model. There are other big phones at a afín price point this year, so the advantage of the FE series spreads. Add that to the late-arriving and yet-to-be-launched Galaxy S22 and the case for the S21 FE becomes harder and harder to find. |
| punctuation | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Samsung is late for its own party |
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE price and where to buy it
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE cánido be buy in spain from the day January 11, 2022still official retail price 759 euros in its version of 6 GB of RAM with 128 GB of storage.
It perro be grabbed by the Official Samsung en línea storeAmazon and other authorized resellers.
There is a version of this 8gigas de memoria with 256GB storage space – the most important change in this analysis – is sold at a price of 829 euros.
Specification sheet of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
| Trains | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm 177 grams |
| Screen | 6.4-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display 2,340 x 1,080 pixels 120Hz Brightness up to 1,200 nits Corning Gorilla Glass Victory |
| processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G |
| R.A.M. | 6/8GB LPDDR5 |
| operating system | OneUI 4 based on Android 12 |
| storage | 128/256GB |
| cameras | back: – 12 MP f/1.8, OPIS, dual PDAF – Ultra wide angle 12MP f/2.2, fixed focus – 8 MP 3X f/2.4 phone zoom front: -32MP f/2.4, fixed focus |
| battery | 4,500miliamperio-hora |
| Other people | On-screen fingerprint reader IP68 protection USB 3.2 Type-C nfc wi-fi 6 Dual SIM (nanoSIM + eSIM) |
| departure date | January 11, 2022 |
| starting price | 759/829 € |
Where is the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE located?
The Galaxy S21 FE is the “affordable” model of the Galaxy S21 family. It’s part of Samsung’s “Seguidor Edition” line of devices, which is characterized by bringing together older specs from more expensive models and offering them at a slightly lower price point than flagship models.
However, it may be released that late some overlap Among Galaxy S1 Series Models: Today The Galaxy S21 FE is more expensive than the Galaxy S21 in some of its versions, although it’s clearly not a better device. Even the Galaxy S21+ is available for the same price as the original Galaxy S21 FE.
As if the above wasn’t enough, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE lands on the market just a few weeks before the launch of the Galaxy S22, models to bring along. major technical improvements, better cameras and an evolutionary designat a price not much higher than the model presented in this analysis.
Outside of the Samsung catalogue, the Galaxy S21 FE should compete with similarly priced models like this Google plus Pixel 6cheaper than the Korean model, but with Better cameras, more battery and more RAM; or the One Agregado 9. Another direct competitor could be the Xiaomi 11T Pro.
So it’s clear that unlike last year’s Galaxy S20 FE The Galaxy S21 FE is no longer such a unique terminalbut that the competition has done its homework and has successfully entered the upscale and affordable segment with recommendations so interesting like Samsung.
Samsung has again used plastic for the back of the Galaxy S21 FE / Image: Christian Collado
design
One of the biggest features that Samsung has improved on this Galaxy S21 FE compared to the previous generation the design.
From the sober – not to say boring – side of the previous model, we have now taken a closer look in the second part and back Although it is made of plastic, its matt surface offers a pleasant feel and a secure hold.
Samsung has also decided to equip the device with one of the distinguishing features of the S21 saga, such as: increased camera module from the back of the phone, which curves at the end to meet the brushed aluminum trim that runs around the entire side of the device.
Without having a metallic camera module, Elevation does not merge with an aluminum bezel as happened in the other S21. However, the execution is more than good and manages to give the phone one differential characteristicOtherwise, it could be a perfect fit for a Galaxy A series model.
While it’s not a small móvil inteligente, it’s more compact than models like this Pixel 6 or the OnePlus 9. It’s also slightly lighter than the Galaxy S20 FE, which combined with its reduced size and thickness makes it stand out A phone that is comfortable to hold and easy to use with one hand.
Samsung didn’t forget to provide the device IP68 protection which confirms its resistance to water and dust as it is a good member of the Galaxy S21 series.
AMOLED, Full HD+ and 120 Hertz; The Galaxy S21 FE’s screen is one of its strengths / Image: Christian Collado
Screen
He is Screen is he Another a function that is improved the most compared to the previous generation. It’s not that the panel on the Galaxy S20 FE was bad, but it was far from reaching the level of panels found in the rest of the S20 family in terms of brightness and color uniformity.
Not happening this year: The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE’s screen is one of the best you’ve seen on a high-end phone in the last few months, with a large maximum brightness level perro handle my Pixel 6 Pro’s phone, and goes even further, a few hundred bucks more expensive.
The screen it is flat and has a diagonal of 6.4 inches, so it is convenient to use and not difficult to find coincidente screen protectors. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, and there’s a hole at the top that houses the front camera – which, by the way, isn’t surrounded by a google chrome ring like the previous edition. The surrounding rims are tiny and fairly uniform in size, with the bottom rim being the only one that overhangs the rest by a few millimeters in width.
The screen of the Galaxy S21 FE is characterized by excellent sharpness and achieves a brightness that is far above that of the competition / Image: Christian Collado
There is a Full HD+ resolution which offers excellent sharpness for its size. Colors are vibrant – too vibrant even if you don’t enable Natural color mode in Settings – and viewing angles are perfect.
It is not an LTPO type screen, so it cannot take advantage of this technology at the level of energy consumption. However, it is possible to enjoy the plus fluid provided by the 120 Hertz renewal rate.
Below the screen is once again the fingerprint reader. It is not an ultrasonic sensor like the other models in the S21 family, but an optical one. This suggests The area of the screen covered by the sensor should be fully illuminated to be able to identify the unique characteristics of our search.
Apart from this, the performance is very goodwith great accuracy and speed when the fingerprint is
hardware and performance
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S21 FE with a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888like the Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra.
However, it has decreased amount of RAM be present in the basic version of the device 6GBa lot that could turn into a headache in the not-too-distant future.
The version I was able to test fits the Galaxy S21 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storageand I consider it to be more attractive option and the one that maintains better sustainable performance over time. However, it is also the most expensive and priced dangerously close to the top models from brands like Google plus or OnePlus.
He is Snapdragon 888 5G, 8gigas de memoria and Android 12 Creating a near-perfect mix, providing a Excellent performance under no circumstances and with the only downside of slight overheating what the 888 is already famous for. However, Samsung is still as firm This situation was handled better on their phones, preventing temperature from becoming an issue.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is equipped with a Snapdragon 888 5G processor / Image: Christian Collado
autonomy
He is Samsung Galaxy S21 FE battery capacity That there is no change compared to the previous model: it is still from 4500miliamperio-hora.
But by using a more efficient screen or a processor that perro manage resources better, the Independence is clearly better to last year’s model.
During these test days it was like that easy to achieve two days of use with the phone, more than in most cases seven hours of screen time.
Yes, the charge is not among the fastest on the market. Supports maximum performance 25W vía cable and up to 15W vía wireless charging. Also, you’ll need to use a charger you already have at home or buy one, as Samsung doesn’t include it in the phone’s box.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE supports 25W fast charging but does not include a charger in the box / Image: Christian Collado
programa and experience
He is Samsung Galaxy S21 FE It is the first Samsung móvil that it comes with an interfaz 4, the branding layer version is based on Android 12. Despite the use of applications such as Inware, it perro be concluded that the device shipped with Android 11.
Aplicaciones like Inware are suggesting that Android 11 will be the first version to run on the Galaxy S21 FE.
Android 12 on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a very different experience than on Google plus’s Pixel series teléfonos inteligentes. Many of the features aren’t there, and those that are are there Reinterpretations by Samsung with the aim of being somewhat afín to what Google plus offers with its programa.
Android 12 introduces several UI changes / Image: Christian Collado
An example is the system dynamic themes included in OneUI 4. As in the version of Android 12 included with Pixels, it emplees the wallpaper colors used to genera a color palette which is then applied to the Samsung aplicación icons on home screen already some of the preinstalled aplicaciones.
However, since it is not a native Android 12 system, Google plus aplicaciones don’t change their appearance based on the new color palette.
He is Home Screen Widgets They’ve changed a bit, with new styles and a more modern look. Also includes Android 12 features like Privacy Indicators Notify when an aplicación has access to the microphone or camera, or specify which aplicaciones to choose Site Access Permission Rough.
Otherwise, the differences for One UI are almost negligible functional and aesthetic. Unfortunately, those who expected a revolution as well as the arrival of One UI 4 will be a bit disappointed when they see the new version a little bit more of it.
Nevertheless, A usuario interfaz remains one of the most consistent levels and found stable today, with excellent performance in most cases, a multitude of functions and utilities of all kinds and some interesting customization options, such as B. the option to Change the style of the speech bubbles or the changes that the application allows Good green –not coincidente with One UI 4 yet, although I hope it won’t be for long–.
What hasn’t changed Samsung’s tendency to make bloatware a feature of its programawith a significant number of pre-installed applications, both own –Samsung Global Targets, Bixby, Samsung Members, Samsung Free, Samsung televisión Agregado or Galaxy Shop.– and third-party –Fb, Office or LinkedIn– .
Fortunately, many of the pre-installed aplicaciones cánido be uninstalled or at least deactivated. And Samsung’s own aplicaciones are easily replaced with better alternatives.
That’s perhaps the biggest problem with One UI, even in its current state Bad RAM management, which will particularly affect those who opt for the 6 GB model. some exams determine that Samsung is its brand more aggressive programa when it comes to closing applications running in the background Saving energy and resources without knowing that this cánido also have formal consequences Notifications that don’t come or music that suddenly stops.
With regard to the MiddleSamsung confirmed three years of programa updates and four years of security updates for your high-end devices, and the Galaxy S21 FE is no exception. So we perro assume that the device will be updated to Android 15.
There are other features that add to the experience that Samsung has improved over the previous generation. It is the first and the one that has changed the most vibration motor.
It is the head of this new model much more accurate and with a more solid response, very afín to what we cánido find in the Galaxy S21. It doesn’t reach the level found in the latest models in the Pixel family, and of course it’s nowhere near the level of the iPhone, but at least it’s not as bad as the Galaxy S20 FE.
He in turn sound generated by your stereo speakers good quality and achieves a high volume. Distortion is only noticeable at the highest levels.
cameras
The photo system of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is basically the same as the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE in terms of the sensors used.
It’s the same series of vía rear sensor from 12 megabytes one for the main sensor and the ultra wide-angle lens, and 8 megapixels in the case of the camera tele with 3x optical zoom.
Three cameras form the photo system of the Galaxy S21 / Image: Christian Collado
With this in mind, it is not surprising that the results are very afín to those that could be achieved with the previous generation, but composed of a classic Samsung “look”. bright photos, very colorful and with good dynamic range.
Its nighttime performance doesn’t reach the level of more expensive models, which is logical considering Samsung hasn’t fitted this model with new, larger sensors – which it will arguably use in the Galaxy S22, which is due to arrive in the coming weeks. -. Nevertheless, The camera experience is more than satisfactoryand the tele It offers plus flexibility that the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ cánido’t boast of since they don’t have this type of sensor. I have to say that the equivalent focal length provided by this sensor makes it a more suitable camera take portraits Thanks to its ability to generate blur of naturemore beautiful than the one offered by the portrait mode included in the camera.
also good Results when recording vídeos, as you would expect from a Samsung móvil. The clips stand out good stabilization, vivid colors and excellent dynamic range. It should be mentioned that in this case the Recording in 4K resolution at 60 FPS it is limited to the main sensor only; In order to record 4K vídeos with the three rear cameras, you have to complejo turístico to the 4K recording mode at 30 FPS.
your camera for autofotos it also does a good job in most scenes. Although it doesn’t have the same 10-megapixel camera as the other models in the S21 series, the results are comparable.
He is Google plus Pixel 6with its larger main sensor – made by Samsung by the way – perro take better photos than this Galaxy S21 FE Although it is a cheaper model. But we must not forget that the latest Google plus móvil was not sold in Spain today.
Photo series with the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
This device has been thoroughly tested Independently thanks to a move of the brand. The article contains purchase backlinks for which Andro4all may receive a commission. take part to the market channel Andro4all to find out about the best deals before anyone else.