Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: do you need to update? Which of the two devices is worth buying today? Let's see together how to face this difficult decision.
How to choose the perfect Samsung Galaxy Fan Edition?
The new S21 FE was unveiled today and has some improvements over the old model released in 2020. The new phone features a newer processor, an updated design and a newer version of Android. But are the improvements good enough to warrant an upgrade? Let's take a look at how the Galaxy S21 FE compares to the S20 FE.
Let's start with the design. The 2022 model uses a metal frame, glass front, and plastic back, just like the S20 FE, but has a more modern design, in keeping with the flagship S21 line-up. Other features, including IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, remain similar. However, the Galaxy S21 FE has a slightly lighter and more compact body.
If you want a more manageable phone, the Galaxy S21 FE should be your choice.
As for the screen, the S21 FE has a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED Infinity-O display with Full HD + resolution, HDR10 + and an in-display fingerprint reader. In comparison, the S20 FE has a 6.5-inch panel of the same type, but the new one has slightly thinner bezels. Most people won't notice any difference between them.
Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S21 FE with a newer processor (Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, depending on the region), 8GB of RAM and 128GB / 256GB internal storage.
Here you have two scenarios:
If you want a microSD card for storage expansion, you will be delighted to know that the Galaxy S21 FE does not have a microSD card slot.
Both phones feature Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, USB 3.2 Type-C port, Samsung Pay, Samsung DeX, 4,500mAh batteries, 25W fast charging, 15W fast wireless charging and wireless charging 4.5W reverse.
Samsung has not updated the cameras with the new terminal. Both phones have a 12MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. Both also feature a 32MP front snapper and the ability to record 4K video at 60fps using dual lenses.
So apart from minor optimizations, you won't see significant improvements in terms of stills or videos.
The newly released flagship gets another two years of software support.
The Galaxy S20 FE launched in late 2020 with One UI 2.5 based on Android 10. The phone received the update to One UI 3.1 and Android 11 earlier this year and the One UI 4.0 update based on Android 12 is already available in some countries. The update to Android 13 will be the last.
On the other hand, the S21 FE will come with an Android 12 based One UI 4.0 and will receive three more Android OS updates, which means it will also get Android 15. This is the main reason to upgrade from the Galaxy S20 FE to the Galaxy S21 FE.
As you can see, there is very little difference between the two devices. Both have similar displays, audio, connectivity features, and batteries.
If you're coming from the Exynos 990 variant of the Galaxy S20 FE, the Galaxy S21 FE might be a good upgrade. However, if you're running the Snapdragon version, the upgrade doesn't make much sense, unless you want those extra two years of software updates and don't care about the SD slot.
Meanwhile, we point out that S20 FE (Violet) with SD 865 is available on Amazon at € 479.99 with an immediate discount of over € 110. It is in LTE version. The new model will arrive in the days to come. We will notify you as soon as it is ready for purchase.
Source: SamMobile