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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE or "Fan Edition" is perhaps one of the most anticipated Samsung smartphones this year after the excellent surprise that was the Galaxy S20 FE. While we wait for the handset's official launch, we have gathered all relevant news and rumors concerning its design, price, and technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE.
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- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: Just below perfect
Quick links:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Release date
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Design and look
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Price
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Specifications and rumors
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Expectations
- Rumors and leaks history
When is the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE expected to debut?
Back in 2020, Samsung announced that it would release an FE or Fan Edition version of its flagships every year. Hence, it makes sense that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE announcement would be closer to the release date of the 2020 model, which hit the market last September.
However, Samsung has yet to confirm the existence of the device or any Unpacked event that normally comes with a product announcement. To complicate matters further, the 2020/2021 processor shortage crisis fueled rumors that the model would be canceled, as published by news agency Bloomberg. Samsung did confirm that "while it cannot discuss details of an unreleased product, nothing has been determined regarding the alleged suspension of production". Now, all we have to do is to wait and see.
Certifications of the model and even the device's inclusion in the Google Play Console database suggest that Samsung hasn't given up on the device, but it remains to be known whether the Galaxy S21 FE will experience a global launch. What is certain is, most of the release estimates so far have been wrong, and the smartphone does not have a definite release date - yet. It is widely believed, however, that this will change by October.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: A familiar design
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE should logically follow the design language of the Galaxy S21 line. In April, the first 3D renders leaked by OnLeaks confirmed this assumption.
With dimensions that measure 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm, the smartphone would fall between the Galaxy S21 (151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm) and the Galaxy S21 Plus (161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm) in terms of size. With a more or less similar design, expect the camera module to merge with the chassis on one side. Check out the 3D render below:
Other leaks from Evan Blass on June 8 showed the Galaxy S21 FE in a variety of colors. The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE last year came in six different colors with very eye-catching shades.
This time around, the colors allegedly selected by Samsung for the upcoming Galaxy S21 FE look to be more sobering. However, it must be pointed out here that the 3D renderings do not depict the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE cost?
Concerning the price, we do know that the Galaxy F21 FE will supposedly straddle the middle ground between the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+, and has the difficult challenge of offering a value-for-money proposition just like its predecessor. Having said that, a report from HeraldCorp, in early June claimed that Samsung will market the Galaxy S21 FE between "700,000 and 800,000 Korean won" ($600-685). This price point is significantly lower than the 899,800 Korean won ($770) that Samsung recommended to sell Galaxy S20 FE when it was released last year.
It is worth remembering that the Galaxy S20 FE was priced at $699 in the US, featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space while those who want double the storage space will have to fork out $769.99.
This year, Samsung launched the Galaxy S21 series with a significant price drop compared to its 2020 models and arrived in the country's stores with a recommended retail price of $799. In due time, we expect to see the manufacturer doing the same with the next version of the FE line. Basically, we would like to see a price lower than $799.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: Hardware specification rumors
Initially quoted to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor, there are also other rumors floating around where supply-chain problems experienced by Qualcomm have forced Samsung to return to its strategy of releasing two different versions, featuring Snapdragon and Exynos processors by Qualcomm and Samsung LSI/Semiconductor, respectively.
Unlike previous years, however, the difference in performance and power consumption (and heat dissipation) is now much smaller. Which some sites attribute to the fact that both are produced with the same Samsung Foundry 5LPE process, not to mention using pretty much the same CPU configuration.
Both the Snapdragon and Exynos versions have already been spotted in Geekbench's benchmark databases, as well as the Google Play Console device catalog, carrying the respective codenames of r9q and r9s, as well as the product names SM-G990U/B and SM-G990E.
The suffixes in the product codes don't help much in predicting just which markets will receive the different versions, as the letter "E" is not generally used in its brand product codes. B and U on the other hand are more common, traditionally designating international and US versions, respectively. Will the Exynos model be an exclusive release in Europe?
When it comes to the Galaxy S21 FE's display, we should enjoy a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with Full HD+ resolution. Rumors also indicate that the display will have a 120 Hz refresh rate and an under-display fingerprint reader.
As for the cameras, we have information about 32 MP front camera and a triple camera setup in the rear. Here, we can expect a 12 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and an 8 MP or 12 MP telephoto lens.
According to SamMobile, the S21 FE will have IP67 certification for dust and water resistance. The user manual of the device leaked by the same website confirmed the design of the renders leaked months earlier, apart from not including references to the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack or a microSD card slot.
The Galaxy S21 FE should also have support (of course) for 5G networks, GPS, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and a USB Type-C port where connectivity is concerned. As for the battery, we can expect a capacity of 4,500 mAh.
Should I wait for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE?
Just like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE should not bring about new technological advancements, unreleased components, or performance leaps. What the manufacturer should offer is the same cost-effective recipe with high-end hardware in a less sophisticated package, which should not only allow it to occupy a price range between flagship and mid-range segments, but also accompanied by a price drop. This could be in the form of compromises made such as less RAM and less advanced cameras.
For those who do not need the latest and greatest technologies in a smartphone and are not in a hurry to change your current device, it is worth the wait for an official announcement of the Galaxy S21 FE. The hard part will be weighing the different smartphone options that are tipped for a late 2021 debut, including the Google Pixel 6, Xiaomi 11T, and of course, the iPhone 13.
Past rumors and leaks
- September 13, 2021: Exynos version (r9s) listed on the Google Play Console, with benchmarks indicating equal performance to the Snapdragon (r9q) version.
- September 2: Manual leaked with model listed on the Google Play Console that featured the Snapdragon (r9q).
- July 8: Renders and certification in China show the Galaxy S21 FE's look and partial specifications.
- July 1: Although originally expected to feature only the Snapdragon SoC, rumors about the Exynos version emerge.
So, what do you think of the Galaxy S21 FE so far? Of course, we don't have the official technical specifications to show you, but its listed hardware and price trend shows that Samsung is about to roll out another excellent device onto the market, don't you agree?
