Samsung’s Galaxy S21 isn’t all that different to the Galaxy S20 FE, so which is the best for you?
Fans of Samsung phones have more decisions to make than they used to with the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE more evenly matched than one would expect. While you might assume that the Samsung Galaxy S21 is the best of the bunch given the naming convention, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is also a surprise winner when it comes to what to buy in this price range. Bigger than the S21, it’s sure to appeal to those who like larger phones, although – on the other hand – the Samsung Galaxy S21 is easily the faster of the two devices. With plenty to compare between the two devices, we ask the big question — is the Samsung Galaxy S21 the best option for most people, or should you give the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE your time and money instead? The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE hit the shops on October 2 2020, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 came later on January 29 2021. Prices for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE start from $699/£699/AU$1,149 for a 5G model. Alternatively, there are 4G models available in the UK and Australia for £599 and AU$999 respectively, but we wouldn’t recommend those for anyone looking to future proof their purchase. The Samsung Galaxy S21 is slightly more expensive at $799/£769/AU$1,249 for a device with 128GB of storage or a 256GB variant for $849/$819/AU$1,349. That means the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is the more affordable option of the two, but there’s not a huge amount between them when you consider you’re likely to be investing in one of these phones for several years. You might think that the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is the smaller of the two phones, but it’s actually the opposite. It has dimensions of 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm which makes it larger than the Samsung Galaxy S21’s 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm. Logically then, it’s also a little heftier with an extra 19g of weight. None of that is likely to be a deal-breaker unless you’re incredibly passionate about the smallest phone you can get away with, but it’s something to consider. Expect the Samsung Galaxy S21 to be a little comfier to hold for extended periods than the alternative. There are no curved edges on the screen with both phones — something that Samsung has saved for the far more premium Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. That’s a shame as it makes both devices feel a little cheaper. That’s reinforced by their use of Glasstic — Samsung’s name for its material, which is somewhere between plastic and glass. It’s superior to a regular plastic back, but it’s nowhere near as good as a glass rear. Where the Samsung Galaxy S21 stands out over the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is its rearrangement of the camera array, which Samsung is calling its Contour Cut Camera feeling slimmer than the more conventional way that the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has plumped for. Both phones use the same resolution — 2400 x 1080 — and the same 120Hz refresh rates.
