Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Samsung S21 FE to see if this phone still holds up in today's crazy competitive market. The Samsung S21 FE (Fan Edition) was initially released as a more affordable alternative to the flagship S21 series, packing many of the premium features into a more budget-friendly package. But with newer phones constantly hitting the shelves, does the S21 FE still offer enough to warrant your hard-earned cash? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality

Let's kick things off with the design and build quality of the Samsung S21 FE. Right off the bat, the phone feels good in the hand. Samsung went with a plastic back, which might sound like a downgrade compared to the glass backs of some other phones, but it honestly doesn't feel cheap. It's a high-quality plastic that's both durable and lightweight, making the phone comfortable to hold for extended periods. The matte finish is also a nice touch, as it does a great job of resisting fingerprints and smudges, which is always a plus. The phone's frame is made of aluminum, adding to the overall sturdiness and premium feel. The contour-cut design, where the camera housing seamlessly blends into the frame, gives the S21 FE a sleek and modern look that's in line with Samsung's flagship design language. The phone is also IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, meaning it can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. This is a great feature for those of us who are a little clumsy or live in areas with unpredictable weather. Available in a range of colors, including Olive, Lavender, White, and Graphite, the S21 FE offers something for everyone's taste. Overall, the design and build quality of the Samsung S21 FE strike a good balance between premium aesthetics and practical durability, making it a solid choice for everyday use. While it may not have the luxurious feel of a glass-backed phone, the S21 FE's design is still modern, functional, and appealing, ensuring it holds its own against competitors in its price range.

Display

The display is one area where the Samsung S21 FE truly shines. It boasts a vibrant 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. What does that all mean? Well, the Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology delivers stunning colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making everything from browsing photos to watching videos a visual treat. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures incredibly smooth scrolling and animations, which enhances the overall user experience and makes the phone feel more responsive. Whether you're gaming, scrolling through social media, or simply navigating the user interface, the fluidity of the display is immediately noticeable and appreciated. The display also gets plenty bright, making it easily visible even in direct sunlight. This is crucial for outdoor use, ensuring you can always see what's on your screen, regardless of the lighting conditions. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, the S21 FE's display is sharp and detailed, providing a crisp and clear image for all your content. The pixel density is high enough that you won't notice any pixelation, even when looking closely at the screen. The display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which offers excellent scratch and shatter resistance. This is a welcome addition, as it provides peace of mind knowing that your screen is well-protected against everyday wear and tear. The S21 FE's display also supports HDR10+, which enhances the dynamic range of videos and movies, making them look more vibrant and lifelike. Whether you're watching your favorite shows on Netflix or enjoying HDR content on YouTube, the S21 FE's display will deliver an immersive and captivating viewing experience. All in all, the display on the Samsung S21 FE is one of its standout features. Its vibrant colors, smooth refresh rate, and excellent brightness make it a joy to use for all your daily tasks and entertainment needs.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung S21 FE packs a punch when it comes to performance. Depending on the region, it comes with either the Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2100 chipset. Both of these are high-end processors that deliver exceptional performance for gaming, multitasking, and everything in between. Let's talk about Snapdragon 888 first. The Snapdragon 888 is known for its raw power and efficiency. It can handle demanding games with ease, running them at high frame rates without any noticeable lag or stutter. Multitasking is also a breeze, as the phone can seamlessly switch between multiple apps without slowing down. The Exynos 2100 is Samsung's own flagship processor, and it's no slouch either. It offers similar levels of performance to the Snapdragon 888, delivering smooth and responsive performance in all scenarios. Whether you're editing photos, creating videos, or simply browsing the web, the Exynos 2100 can handle it all with ease. The Samsung S21 FE comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which further enhances its multitasking capabilities. With ample RAM, the phone can keep multiple apps open in the background without any performance degradation. This is especially useful for power users who frequently switch between different apps. The phone also comes with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, providing plenty of space for your apps, photos, videos, and other files. However, it's worth noting that the S21 FE does not have a microSD card slot, so you can't expand the storage. This might be a concern for some users who have a large media library. In terms of software, the S21 FE runs on Samsung's One UI, which is based on Android. One UI is known for its clean and intuitive interface, as well as its extensive customization options. Samsung also provides regular software updates, ensuring that the phone stays up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. Overall, the Samsung S21 FE delivers excellent performance for its price. Whether you're a gamer, a power user, or simply someone who wants a phone that can handle everyday tasks with ease, the S21 FE is a solid choice.

Camera

The camera system on the Samsung S21 FE is versatile and capable, making it a great choice for photography enthusiasts. It features a triple-lens setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Let's break each one of them down. The 12MP main lens captures sharp and detailed photos in good lighting conditions. The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the dynamic range is excellent. The main lens also performs well in low light, thanks to its large aperture and effective image processing. The 12MP ultrawide lens is great for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. It offers a wide field of view, allowing you to fit more into the frame. The ultrawide lens also does a good job of correcting distortion, ensuring that your photos look natural and balanced. The 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom is perfect for getting closer to your subjects without sacrificing image quality. The optical zoom allows you to zoom in without any digital degradation, resulting in sharp and detailed photos even at a distance. The Samsung S21 FE also features a 32MP front-facing camera, which captures excellent selfies. The selfies are sharp, detailed, and well-exposed, making you look your best in every shot. The front-facing camera also supports portrait mode, which adds a beautiful bokeh effect to your selfies. In terms of video recording, the S21 FE can record videos in up to 4K resolution at 60fps. The videos are sharp, stable, and well-exposed, making them perfect for sharing on social media or capturing memories. The phone also supports features like super slow-mo and hyperlapse, allowing you to get creative with your videos. The Samsung S21 FE's camera app is easy to use and offers a wide range of features and shooting modes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, you'll find the camera app intuitive and enjoyable to use. Overall, the camera system on the Samsung S21 FE is excellent. It delivers sharp, detailed, and vibrant photos in a variety of lighting conditions, making it a great choice for anyone who loves to take pictures.

Battery Life

Powering the Samsung S21 FE is a 4,500mAh battery, which provides decent battery life for most users. With moderate usage, you can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. However, if you're a heavy user who plays a lot of games or watches a lot of videos, you might need to top up the battery before the end of the day. The S21 FE supports 25W fast charging, which can charge the battery from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. While this is not the fastest charging speed on the market, it's still relatively quick and convenient. The phone also supports 15W wireless charging, allowing you to charge the battery without plugging in any cables. Wireless charging is a convenient option for those who prefer to charge their phone overnight or at their desk. The Samsung S21 FE also supports reverse wireless charging, which allows you to use the phone as a wireless charging pad to charge other devices, such as your earbuds or smartwatch. This is a handy feature for those times when you need to charge your accessories on the go. In terms of battery optimization, the S21 FE offers a range of power-saving modes that can help you extend the battery life. These modes can restrict background activity, limit CPU speed, and reduce screen brightness to conserve power. Overall, the battery life on the Samsung S21 FE is decent. It's not the best on the market, but it's good enough to get you through a full day of moderate usage. The fast charging and wireless charging capabilities are also welcome additions, making it easy to keep the phone powered up.

Conclusion

So, is the Samsung S21 FE still worth it? Absolutely! Even with newer phones on the market, the S21 FE offers a fantastic combination of performance, features, and value. You're getting a powerful processor, a vibrant display, a versatile camera system, and decent battery life, all wrapped up in a sleek and durable design. If you're looking for a high-quality smartphone that won't break the bank, the Samsung S21 FE is definitely worth considering. It's a well-rounded device that excels in all the areas that matter most, making it a solid choice for anyone who wants a flagship-level experience without the flagship price tag. What do you think, guys? Is the S21 FE still a contender in your book? Let me know in the comments below!