Samsung Launches the Galaxy S21 FE at $699

The long-delayed Samsung Galaxy S21 FE (“fan edition”) features a Snapdragon 888 process and a high refresh rate 6.4-inch display. It will be available on January 11.

“The S21 FE 5G is a smartphone that delivers select fan-favorite Galaxy S21 premium features in a well-rounded package to empower people to explore and express themselves,” the Samsung announcement notes. “It is equipped with some of the most-loved aspects of the Galaxy S21 — eye-catching design, powerful performance, pro-grade camera, and seamless ecosystem connectivity.”

There were no surprises during Samsung’s launch of this new handset, thanks to several months of leaks. But the foundation is solid enough: the Galaxy S21 FE provides 5G connectivity, 6 or 12 GB of RAM depending on the configuration, a modern, three-lens (12, 12, 8 MP) rear camera system, and a 32 MP selfie camera. It’s available in four colors: Olive, Graphite, Lavender, and White.

From a design perspective, it retains the basic look and feel of the rest of the S21 series, with very slim bezels, a hole punch for the selfie camera, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Samsung says the device delivers all-day battery life and it supports 25-watt fast charging capabilities that let users charge the battery by over 50 percent in 30 minutes. It comes with Android 12 and Samsung’s new One UI 4 interface.

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Conversation 10 comments

  • Daekar

    04 January, 2022 - 9:14 am

    <p>Why would the selfie camera be so much higher resolution than the main sensors? </p>

    • rm

      04 January, 2022 - 9:30 am

      <p>I don’t believe resolution is related to MP. I also think the 3 sensors work together to get you a better picture/video than the selfie camera. Someone else can verify this maybe.</p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        04 January, 2022 - 9:52 am

        <p>MP is literally resolution… The higher the resolution, the more mega-pixels you have.</p>

  • jordan_meyer

    Premium Member
    04 January, 2022 - 10:34 am

    <p fgid="7973"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" fgid="9297">It’s available in </span><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" fgid="9312">three </strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" fgid="9305">colors: Olive, Graphite, Lavender, and White.</span></p><p fgid="9339"><br fgid="9345"></p><p fgid="9320"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" fgid="9326">Should be 4 colors…</span></p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      04 January, 2022 - 10:38 am

      Yep, thanks!

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    04 January, 2022 - 10:46 am

    <p>Good Specs on Camera, Processor, Screen and Connectivity….Seems like a really great value at $699. </p><p><br></p><p>What am i missing?</p>

  • jordan_meyer

    Premium Member
    04 January, 2022 - 10:46 am

    <p fgid="11689">Higher MP (resolution) doesn’t always mean better quality. You also have to factor in the pixel size (measured in micrometers – larger pixels let in more light), aperture size and focal length. It could also be that the 12MP on the rear is really a 48MP but binned so that effectively every group of 4 pixels makes up 1 super pixel and lets in more light. In this case I doubt it because that is a high end feature and they would still advertise the raw MP number as such.</p><p fgid="13015"><br fgid="13021"></p><p fgid="13008">Also this is pretty typical now since we live in a selfie culture with Tik-Tok and Instagram and people take pictures or videos of themselves just as much as other people or objects.</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    04 January, 2022 - 1:17 pm

    <p>Just me or does it seem like the “sweet spot” for best value has crept up over time? I feel like it was $500 not long ago, and $300 before that. I guess flagships moving into $1100+ has pulled the whole market upward.</p>

    • solomonrex

      05 January, 2022 - 7:52 pm

      <p>Well, inflation is a thing. They do make cheaper phones.</p>

  • Belralph

    04 January, 2022 - 9:12 pm

    <p>Went from a Note 9 to the S20 FE 5G about a year ago and been very happy with it. I think it was cheaper even when it was new. Is it really $699?? My phone was about $530 from the Samsung website. I don’t see the S21 being worth $150 more. </p>

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