The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE was a day late and a dollar short, but how does it compare to the original?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is finally out, arriving almost a year after the Samsung Galaxy S21, which kicked the whole series off. Given that considerable gap, it’s worth comparing the two phones. Did Samsung make any improvements during that time, or does the quality of the original Galaxy S21 still shine through? Our reviews will tell you that we rate the Galaxy S21 a little more highly than the Galaxy S21 FE, but context is king here. As we mentioned, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE arrived very late in the day – in January 2022. That’s a year after the release of the original Galaxy S21, which launched on January 29, 2021. Prices for the Galaxy S21 FE start at $699 / £699 / AU$999 for the 6GB RAM/128GB storage model, and rise to $769 / £749 / AU$1,099 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB version. When the Samsung Galaxy S21 first launched, it was $799 / £769 / AU$1,249 for 128GB of storage, and $849.99 / £819 / AU$1,349 for 256GB. Even a year later, those prices still technically hold true – at least on the official Samsung website – but you can expect to enjoy a healthy saving if you go through a third-party retailer. Indeed, if you shop around, you might just be able to get a brand new S21 model for a price similar to the Galaxy S21 FE. While the two phones are similarly priced right now, the difference in launch timing makes the Galaxy S21 FE feel more costly. As the name would suggest, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE lifts an awful lot from the Galaxy S21, and that includes its design. Both phones have ‘Glasstic’ bodies that feel a little cheap in the hand. Both, too, have that attractive ‘Contour Cut’ camera bump that flows around the side of the device. However, that bump is made of plastic in the FE, while the Galaxy S21’s is made of aluminum. There’s no shortfall in water and dust proofing with the new phone, as it enjoys the same IP68 rating as its more premium brother. The most consequential design difference here is that the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is larger than the Galaxy S21. It’s exactly the same thickness at 7.9mm, but it’s taller (155.7mm vs 151.7mm), wider (74.5mm vs 71.2mm), and heavier (177g vs 169g). It’s not difficult to understand why, but we’ll get into the FE’s larger display and battery a bit later. Given the similar specs and price, though, this difference could prove to be a crucial factor. The decision over which phone is best for you could come down to how large you want your phone to be. Another consideration is a purely aesthetic one. The Galaxy S21 FE comes in White, Graphite (black), Lavender (pink), and Olive (green). The Galaxy S21 gives you Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Pink, and Phantom Violet. In short, both are moderately attractive phones that fall just short of true flagship level in terms of hand feel, if not build quality.
