Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Review
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Review
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE debuts a crucial feature in the US market: dual SIM card slots, enabling users to manage two cellular subscriptions simultaneously. Yet, beyond this standout trait, the phone struggles to justify its existence. Essentially, the Galaxy S21 FE is a modest variation of its predecessor, the $799.99 Galaxy S21, now available at a slightly reduced starting price of $699.99. However, given its striking resemblance to its forerunner and its proximity to the impending Galaxy S22 release, recommending it becomes challenging unless one specifically seeks a dual-SIM device.
A Familiar Face
Offering a palette of four appealing colors – dark gray, green, purple, or white – the Galaxy S21 FE embodies the elegant design language of its predecessor. Sporting a matte back panel and a camera bump seamlessly integrated into the upper right corner, it departs from the “floating” camera bump design of the Galaxy S20 FE while retaining the allure of the S21’s classic aesthetics.
Measuring at 6.14 by 2.93 by 0.31 inches (HWD), the Galaxy S21 FE slightly surpasses the dimensions of the standard Galaxy S21 (5.97 by 2.80 by 0.31 inches), yet remains more compact than the S21 Ultra (6.50 by 2.98 by 0.35 inches). Despite this, distinguishing it from either the S20 FE or the base-model S21 proves to be quite the challenge when viewed from the front
Equipped with an IP68 waterproof rating, the phone boasts a 6.4-inch, 120Hz display at 2,340-by-1,080 resolution, complemented by an optical fingerprint sensor underneath. Notably absent are an SD card slot and a standard headphone jack. Unlike its predecessor, the S20 FE, which featured a SIM tray with an additional SD card slot, the S21 FE replaces the SD slot with a second SIM tra
Premium Power
Similar to the Galaxy S21, the S21 FE is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and operates on Android 12, enhanced with Samsung’s customary extensions. Our variant comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while an alternate model offers 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage
The phone seems to exhibit a more pronounced thermal throttling behavior compared to other recent Samsung models we’ve evaluated. Initial benchmark tests yield results more akin to the S20 series rather than the S21 series.
When subjected to the CPU Throttling Test app, which stresses the CPU for 15 minutes, we observed that the S21 FE exhibited quicker and more aggressive throttling compared to both the S20 FE and the S21 Ultra. However, upon touching the back of the phone, it became evident that the issue wasn’t overheating; rather, the S21 FE’s firmware was actively managing temperatures to maintain cooler operation than both the S20 FE and the S21 Ultra. Consequently, such intense throttling tendencies may potentially be altered through firmware updates.
During real-life usage, we observed that the S21 FE exhibited noticeable warmth when running the demanding mobile game, Genshin Impact. Although the controls remained highly responsive, we perceived a slight jerkiness in the frame rate, indicating potential room for software optimization. It’s worth noting that these observations were made prior to the official release of the S21 FE, scheduled to hit store shelves on January 11
The phone’s robust power management, coupled with its 1080p screen, contributes significantly to its impressive battery life, even when operating at 120Hz screen mode. During our rigorous video rundown test, it delivered an impressive 11 hours and 40 minutes of playback time, ensuring a full day’s usage without needing to recharge. Additionally, the phone’s 4,500mAh battery supports both 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, providing users with convenient charging options.
Network Niceities
The Galaxy S21 FE introduces a notable feature uncommon in US-designed phones: a genuine dual-SIM slot, clearly labeled as SIM 1 and SIM 2. Identified by the model number SM-G990U1/DS, denoting a “US model, factory unlocked, dual SIM” in Samsung’s terminology, this variant is unprecedented. Samsung has verified the availability of the dual-SIM model in the US. Conversely, carrier-distributed models, identified as SM-G990U, lack the SIM 2 slot. While carriers assure the phone’s SIM capability, they caution that this functionality might not be immediately available at launch
However, despite having a SIM 2-capable model, the secondary SIM functionality remains inactive due to firmware restrictions. Within the settings menu, there’s no provision for configuring a second SIM card, nor is there recognition of a SIM when inserted into the secondary slot—effectively rendering it non-functional. Samsung has expressed its intention to activate this feature in the future, albeit without providing a specific timeline for its implementation
In terms of network capabilities, the S21 FE matches the S21 and then some. All variants now include millimeter-wave 5G, a feature previously limited to the S21 on AT&T and T-Mobile, which predominantly relied on mid-band and low-band 5G. However, the significance of this addition is diminished by the limited deployment of millimeter-wave 5G by carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.
In a recent comparison, we tested Google’s Pixel 6 Pro against the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, noting that both devices utilize the same Qualcomm modem as the S21 FE. Our findings revealed that the Qualcomm modem outperformed its counterparts in terms of signal quality and overall performance
In our recent benchmarking test, we pitted Google’s Pixel 6 Pro against the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, both equipped with the same Qualcomm modem found in the S21 FE. Our evaluation concluded that the Qualcomm modem exhibited superior signal quality and performance compared to its counterparts.
Regarding calls, the quality and volume remain consistent with Samsung’s other recent flagship devices. Once more, there are no notable changes or innovations in this aspect
A Clear Camera
The S21 FE maintains the same rear camera setup as the S21, featuring a trio of sensors: a 12MP 123-degree ultra-wide, a 12MP primary, and an 8MP 3x zoom lens. However, the front camera receives a significant upgrade, jumping from 10MP on the S21 to 32MP on the S21 FE. We conducted a comparison with the S20 FE to assess Samsung’s advancements, particularly for users transitioning from older devices
The camera interface of the S21 FE, particularly the seamless transition between cameras, offers a notably smoother experience compared to the S20 FE. This enhancement is attributed to the advancements in image signal processors integrated into the Snapdragon 888 chipset
In summary, photos captured under adequate lighting conditions appear indistinguishable between the S20 FE and the S21 FE. However, the S21 FE notably outshines its predecessor in low-light scenarios, particularly evident in the front camera performance. Selfies taken in low-light conditions with the S20 FE often result in blurry images, whereas the S21 FE produces significantly clearer results. Moreover, outdoor shots taken at night exhibit noticeably enhanced definition on the S21 FE compared to the S20 FE
Here’s an interesting observation: the same holds true for the S21 as well. Despite the S21 featuring a front-facing camera with fewer megapixels compared to the S21 FE, it also boasts similar enhancements in low-light performance. Moreover, with the imminent arrival of the S22, which promises potential improvements for a marginally higher price, the landscape might evolve even further—stay tuned for updates
Right Phone, Wrong Time?
The S21 FE is a solid device, yet its release timing and positioning are somewhat unconventional. The success of last year’s Galaxy S20 FE can be attributed to various factors. The initial Galaxy S20 series launch coincided with the onset of the pandemic, resulting in high prices and technical issues. The S20 FE rectified these shortcomings six months later by offering a competitively priced and reliable alternative.
However, the S21 series received acclaim, and the timing of the S21 FE’s release just before the launch of the S22 seems curious. The anticipated launch window for the Galaxy S22, rumored to introduce a base model priced at $799 with intriguing new features, is in February
In the upcoming months, Samsung will unveil not only the Galaxy S22 but also a range of new models including the budget-friendly Galaxy A33, A43, A53, and A73. This array of choices adds complexity to the decision-making process for potential Samsung buyers.
The FE model doesn’t seem to address many issues, as indicated by both our testing and the specifications. Essentially, the features of this phone are closely mirrored by a base-model S21, albeit in a slightly more compact form. The only notable differences lie in the inclusion of dual-SIM functionality and the presence of millimeter-wave 5G across all S21 FE models. However, it’s worth noting that millimeter-wave technology is uncommon outside of Verizon, where it’s already available in the S21 models
Samsung’s decision to discontinue the base-model S21 upon the S21 FE’s release hints at underlying factors such as intricate supply chain agreements and minimal profit margins, rather than a genuine push for innovation or enhanced user experience. With the imminent launch of the S22, it’s foreseeable that a surplus of gently used S21 models will flood the market, likely priced lower than the S21 FE. Given the absence of substantial advantages, opting for an S21 over the FE model appears to be a more prudent choice.
If you’re in the market for a Samsung phone and it’s January, our recommendation is to exercise patience and await the arrival of the S22. By doing so, you can assess the new features introduced with the S22 family and observe how prices for pre-owned S21 units may plummet, possibly dipping below the $699 price tag of the S21 FE. For those reading this later in the year, stay tuned for our Galaxy S22 review, which will provide more definitive guidance.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy S21 FE stands as a solid choice for a smartphone. Especially if you require the capability to use two lines simultaneously, it’s worth noting that currently, it’s the sole flagship model with dual-physical-SIM functionality tailored for US networks. This unique feature alone could be the deciding factor for some consumers
SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 FE SPECS
| Operating System | Android 12 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Dimensions | 6.1 by 2.9 by 0.3 inches |
| Screen Size | 6.4 inches |
| Screen Resolution | 2,340 by 1,080 pixels |
| Camera Resolution (Rear; Front-Facing) | 12MP, 12MP, 8MP; 32MP |
| Battery Life (As Tested) | 11 hours, 40 minutes |
PROS
- Two physical SIM slots
- Powerful front-facing camera
- Solid connectivity
CONS
- Processing power is aggressively throttled
- Not much of an improvement over the Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE $309.99 see it at amazon
