Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Review

Key Features

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launched on January 7, 2022, offers a blend of flagship-level features at a more accessible price point. It boasts a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and comes with a versatile camera system, including a 12MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens, plus a 32MP front-facing camera. It also includes a 4500mAh battery, fast charging, and wireless charging capabilities. The device runs on Android 12, with potential upgrades up to Android 16. Other notable features include NFC, stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Display: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling.
• Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides excellent performance for gaming, multitasking, and general use.
• Camera System: Versatile triple-camera system with good image quality, including optical zoom and OIS. Excellent selfie camera with pixel binning.
• Software Support: Guaranteed software upgrades up to Android 16.
• Connectivity: Includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and comprehensive GPS support.
• Build Quality: The phone feels premium and solid with Gorilla Glass Victus protection.

Cons:

• No SD Card Slot: Limited storage options since there's no expandable storage.
• No Charger in Box: Requires a separate purchase for a charger, adding to the overall cost.
• Battery Life: Although 4500mAh is respectable, it's not the longest-lasting battery compared to some competitors, especially under heavy usage.
• Design: The design is quite similar to other S21 series phones, which might not appeal to everyone.
• Wireless Charging Wattage: Wireless charging is available but is limited to 15W which is slower than some competitors.

User Experience

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G provides a fluid and responsive user experience, thanks to its 120Hz display and powerful Snapdragon 888 processor. The One UI software is intuitive and offers many customization options. Gaming performance is smooth with the Adreno 660 GPU handling graphically intensive games without issues. The camera app is straightforward, delivering detailed images with good dynamic range. The phone’s size is comfortable for most users, and the weight feels well-balanced. However, battery life can be a concern for power users. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and the stereo speakers provide a decent audio experience.

Hardware & Design

The S21 FE 5G measures 155.7 mm in height, 74.5 mm in width, and 7.9 mm in depth, weighing 177 grams. It features a plastic back with a matte finish, which helps to minimize fingerprints. The frame is aluminum, adding to the phone's sturdy feel. The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 403 ppi and a 20:9 aspect ratio. It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering scratch resistance. The phone's design includes a hole-punch notch for the front camera and a triple-camera setup on the rear. Connectivity includes a USB Type-C port with OTG functionality. The device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Internally, it is powered by the 5nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset with an octa-core CPU, comprising one 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 core, three 2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and four 1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, and is paired with an Adreno 660 GPU. The device is available in multiple configurations with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The sensors included are fingerprint, proximity, light sensor, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, barometer, hall, and geomagnetic sensors. The phone features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and noise cancellation microphone. There are also audio features including Dolby Atmos. The device lacks a cooling system.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a strong contender in the medium price segment, offering many flagship-level features at a more reasonable cost. Its vibrant display, potent performance, and capable camera system make it a great option for many users. However, the lack of a microSD card slot, the absence of a charger in the box, and the merely average battery life are drawbacks to consider. The software support extends to Android 16 and the build quality is solid. Overall, if you're looking for a powerful phone with a good display and cameras in a mid-range price point, the S21 FE 5G is a worthwhile option.