If you're thinking about the Galaxy S21, it's also worth considering the Galaxy S20 FE. Both phones sit at the more affordable end of the flagship spectrum, but the Galaxy S20 FE is just that little bit cheaper than the recently released Galaxy S21 - and it's only a few months older. But what do you end up missing out on if you want to save some extra cash? Here's what you need to know about how the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE compare.
First, here are their specs:
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Galaxy S20 FE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED | 6.5-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1080p+ at 120Hz | 1080p+ at 120Hz | 1080p+ at 120Hz |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 64MP + 12MP | 12MP + 8MP + 12MP | 12MP + 8MP + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 32MP | 32MP |
| Processor | Exynos 2100 | Snapdragon 865 | Exynos 990 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | 6GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 4,500mAh | 4,500mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Back | Plastic | Plastic | Plastic |
| 5G | Yes | Yes | No |
| Price | From $1,249 | $1,149 | $999 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE Price
As you'd expect, price is a key difference between the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE, with the latter phone being the more affordable. Outright pricing for the devices is as follows:
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (128GB): $999
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G (256GB): $1,149
- Samsung Galaxy S21 (128GB): $1,249
- Samsung Galaxy S21 (256GB): $1,349
This pricing is also reflected in phone plans. When you buy a phone on a plan, the outright price of the device is simply divided by 12, 24, or 36 (depending on how many months you'd like to pay your phone off over) and popped on to the price of your base plan.
Every now and again, telcos offer discounts on handsets, but in short, the more expensive the outright price, the more expensive your phone plan will be. Sometimes promotions can skew the maths a little - we've already seen some providers offer temporary discounts on the Galaxy S21 - but rules tend to be rules for a reason.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE Camera
On paper, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE have pretty similar camera setups. Both have a 12MP primary lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. The key difference is the the Galaxy S21 has a 64MP 3x hybrid zoom telephoto lens, while the S20 FE has an 8MP 3x hybrid zoom lens. When it comes to the 3x hybrid zoom lens, the S21 easily gets better results.
It's not quite as clear cut when it comes to the other cameras, however. The S21 definitely has slight edge on both the primary lens and ultra-wide lens thanks to improved software and a new processor, but it's not a huge margin. Most of the improvements you'll find are in lowlight conditions, most prominently on the primary lens.
Unless you want a better zoom lens, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE are very close to on par when it comes to photography.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy S21. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE Design
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 FE are both pretty similar when it comes to design. Both have a polycarbonate back rather than glass, both have a flat screen, and both have a hole-punch selfie camera on the front.
There are a few differences, however. The Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch display, while the Galaxy S20 FE has a slightly larger 6.5-inch display. The Galaxy S21 display is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Galaxy S20 FE uses Gorilla Glass 3. This theoretically makes Galaxy S21 more resistant to drops and scratches.
In terms of the screen itself, both the Galaxy S20 FE and Galaxy S21 have 1080p+ displays with a 120Hz refresh rate. The smaller size of the Galaxy S21 screen means it's just a little bit sharper, but not too significant.
On the back of the Galaxy S21, you'll find Samsung's new camera bump design. Rather than floating on the back of the phone, it spills over the edge and touts a curved corner. It's a pretty unique look, and seems to be a bit love-it-or-hate-it. The Galaxy S20 FE back is a little more conventional, if you really don't like Samsung's new camera bump.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE Performance
On paper, the Galaxy S21 is the faster phone of the pair thanks to a newer processor. While this will certainly help with some more demanding tasks, we found the Galaxy S20 FE was a zippy, reliable smartphone in our testing. The difference in processor shouldn't be a deciding factor.
The Galaxy S21 has 5G out of the box, but you'll need to pick between a 5G and a 4G-only model if you're thinking about the Galaxy S20 FE.
Notably, the Galaxy S21 is available in both 128GB and 256GB options. The Galaxy S20 FE is only available in 128GB models. The Galaxy S20 FE does still however have expandable storage, whereas you're stuck with what you buy if you go for a Galaxy S21.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20 FE Battery
The Galaxy S20 FE has the bigger battery out of the pair, measuring in at 4,500mAh. For comparison, the Galaxy S21 has a 4,000mAh cell inside. When we were testing the Galaxy S20 FE last year, we found the battery lasted just a full a day per charge. Roughly between four and five hours of screen time with the 120Hz display and 5G switched on.
For comparison, we found the Galaxy S21 would only last around three hours with the 120Hz display and 5G both on, which is rather disappointing. For most, that won't be enough to last a full day per charge. Disabling the 120Hz display did however bring it up to around the five-hour mark, which makes it a lot more usable, and on par with the Galaxy S20 FE.
The Galaxy S21 doesn't have a wall charger in the box, while the Galaxy S20 FE still does. Samsung's wall chargers start at $29 if you need one.
Should I buy the Galaxy S21 or the Galaxy S20 FE?
If you're on the fence there's merits to both devices. If you're not concerned about missing out on 5G, the 4G-only Galaxy S20 FE is a bargain for $999. You're not really missing on much compared to the Galaxy S21, and you're gaining a bigger screen and a more reliable battery.
However, if you definitely want a 5G device, the Galaxy S21 is only $100 more than the 5G Galaxy S20 FE.
The Galaxy S21's subpar battery life our main concern with opting for the newer device. While you can remedy this by switching off the 120Hz display, it's not exactly an ideal fix, even if it doesn't undermine the overall experience. Of course, it still has a stylish design, capable camera, and speedy performance going for it.
Most will be served just as well by the Galaxy S20 FE, however, so if you want to save a little bit of cash - especially if you don't need 5G - the cheaper phone is a great buy.
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