The Galaxy S21 FE has already been presented by Samsung after a year of waiting. Because of the few differences, it presents compared not only to the Galaxy S21 but with the previous model, most users are wondering if it is worth buying such a model while waiting for the new Galaxy S22 to be presented. To answer this question, we have compiled the main differences between the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the Galaxy S20 FE.
Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE Datasheet
| Samsung Galaxy S21 FE | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.4 inches with Dynamic AMOLED X2 technology, Full HD + resolution, and 120 Hz refresh rate | 6.5 inches with Super AMOLED technology, Full HD + resolution, and 120 Hz refresh rate |
| Main Camera | – Main sensor with 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, f / 1.8 focal aperture, and 1.8 um pixels – Secondary sensor with 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, f / 2.2 focal aperture, and 1.12 um pixels – Tertiary sensor with an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, f / 2.4 focal aperture, and 1 um pixels | – Main sensor with 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, f / 1.8 focal aperture, and 1.8 um pixels – Secondary sensor with 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, f / 2.2 focal aperture, and 1.12 um pixels – Tertiary sensor with an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, f / 2.4 focal aperture, and 1 um pixels |
| Camera takes selfies | 32-megapixel main sensor, f / 2.2 focal aperture, and 0.8 um pixels | 32-megapixel main sensor, f / 2.2 focal aperture, and 0.8 um pixels |
| Internal memory | 128 and 256 GB of type UFS 3.1 | 128 and 256 GB of type UFS 3.1 |
| Extension | Not available | Yes, up to 1TB capacity |
| Processor and RAM | 5-nanometer Snapdragon 888 with eight 6 cores and 8 GB of RAM | 7-nanometer Snapdragon 865 with eight cores 7-nanometer Exynos 990 with eight cores 6 GB of RAM |
| Battery | 4,500 mAh with 25 W fast charging, 15 W wireless charging, and reversible wireless charging | 4,500 mAh with 25 W fast charging, 15 W wireless charging, and reversible wireless charging |
| Operating system | Android 12 on Samsung One UI 4 | Android 11 on Samsung One UI 3.1 |
| Connections | WiFi 4 × 4 MIMO, up to 7 AC, LAA, LTE Cat20 (up to 2.0 Gbps download and 150 Mbps upload) or 5G sub-6, Bluetooth 5.1, dual-band GPS (GLONASS, Beidou, SBAS, and Galileo), NFC and USB type C 3.1 | WiFi 4 × 4 MIMO, up to 7 AC, LAA, LTE Cat20 (up to 2.0 Gbps download and 150 Mbps upload) or 5G sub-6, Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band GPS (GLONASS, Beidou, SBAS, and Galileo), NFC and USB type C 3.1 |
| SIM | Dual nano-SIM | Dual nano-SIM |
| Design | – Combination of polycarbonate and metal with rounded edges – Colors: black, purple, white, and green – IP68 certification, water, and dust resistance | – Combination of polycarbonate and metal with rounded edges – Colors: white, red, orange, blue, and gray – IP68 certification, water, and dust resistance |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 millimeters and 170 grams | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 millimeters and 190 grams |
| Featured Features | AKG stereo sound On-screen fingerprint sensor Facial recognition using Samsung Dex software Reverse wireless charging | On-screen fingerprint sensor Facial recognition using Samsung Dex software Reverse wireless charging |
| Release date | Available | Available |
| Price | From $699 | From $500 |
No Apparent Differences in Design Except for Back and Weight
The main and most striking difference has to do with the design of the rear, which adopts the lines of the S21 series with a camera module that is now part of the chassis instead of being placed independently in the corresponding corner. Where we also find notable differences is in the overall dimensions of the device since it now reduces its diagonal by 0.1 inches (from 6.5 of the Galaxy S20 FE to 6.4).
This difference, a priori, insubstantial, allows you to save 20 grams of weight, plus 0.5 in thickness and 4 in height. Like its predecessor, it is made entirely of polycarbonate, weighing only 170 grams. The other aspects are practically identical, such as the water and dust certification thanks to the IP68 standard or the metal manufacturing of the edges. However, as a point in favor of the S21 FE, the screen now has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection compared to the third version of the S20 FE, less resistant to scratches and shocks.
A Multimedia Section with Small Improvements: Screen, Sound…
That’s right, starting with the screen. Beyond the diagonal reduction, the device now inherits the Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology of the S21, so the maximum brightness level reaches up to 1,200 nits, a value that almost doubles that of the Galaxy S20 FE. It also features a 120 Hz frequency, although Samsung has improved the touch response to 240 Hz. Unfortunately, both the S20 FE and S21 FE feature the same optical fingerprint sensor, which is placed in the display. That is, no ultrasonic sensors are available on both devices.
Another detail worth mentioning is that the sound is now signed by AKG, the sound company now owned by Samsung. Neither has a 3.5-millimeter headphone port, unfortunately.
Processor and Connectivity: Two Versions on the S20 FE and One on the S21 FE
Leaving aside the amount of RAM and storage on each model, which we’ll talk about later, the main difference between the Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE lies in the processor and connectivity. The 2021 model was launched in two variants with 4G and 5G: the first has an Exynos processor, while the second takes advantage of the famous Snapdragon 865. The 2022 model, meanwhile, is available in a single variant with 5G thanks to the Snapdragon 888 that mounts inside, the most powerful today from the hand of Qualcomm.
Where there are also notable differences is in the capacity: 6 GB of RAM and 128 storage for the S20 FE, while its successor has two variants with 6 and 8 GB and 128 and 256. It should be noted that the S20 FE has an expansion tray via micro SD cards, something that the new version can not boast. The rest of the connections associated with the processor are more or less similar: WiFi 6, NFC for mobile payments, Bluetooth 5.0 (the S21 FE has the 5.1 version), dual-band GPS. As expected, the S21 comes standard with Android 12 under One UI 3.1.
No Difference in Cameras or Battery
The new version does not update the photographic section if you look at the technical specifications of the sensors, sensors of 12, 12, and 8 megapixels that leverage angular, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses with up to three optical magnification. The front camera is also unchanged, with the same 32-megapixel sensor. Both the focal aperture and the pixel size are the same, so it is understood that they are the same variants. We will have to see how Qualcomm processing intervenes in this case.
And what about the battery? There’s a 4,500 mAh module again, which should perform better on the Galaxy S21 FE due to the difference in screen and processor. The charging capacity is also replicated: 25 W wired charging and 15 wireless, in addition to supporting reverse charging of other devices.
Pricing and Availability
After analyzing the main differences between the Galaxy S21 FE 5G and the S20 FE 4G and 5G, it is time to draw conclusions, which depends, to a large extent, on the price. The starting price of the Galaxy S21 FE is $699 on Amazon for the version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 storage. At the time of publication, that of the S20 FE on Amazon ranges from $500 for the 4G version to $599 for the 5G version.
- Buy Galaxy S21 FE
- Buy Galaxy S20 FE
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