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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Galaxy S21 FE comes down to a few key differences. The S21 FE has a slightly newer processor, possibly offering better performance, and it supports 4K video recording at a higher framerate which could matter if you record a lot of videos. It also has a marginally better camera quality overall, especially for video. On the other hand, the S20 FE has a slightly longer battery life, which might be more important if you're often away from a charger. Screen sizes are nearly the same, with the S20 FE being just a bit larger, and both phones have no headphone jack and support wireless charging. Both are quality phones at a midrange price; the best choice depends on whether you prioritize camera and video capabilities (S21 FE), or longer battery life and slightly larger screen (S20 FE). Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has only fair overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE offers a better photography experience than the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, particularly for selfie enthusiasts, due to its higher quality selfie capabilities. Additionally, the overall camera system on the S21 FE is more capable in handling diverse shooting conditions, offering improved low-light performance and dynamic range, along with more refined software experiences for both photo and video.
Photo Quality
6.3
6.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE both have only fair photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE takes better selfies than the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE due to improvements in its selfie camera performance, classed as good compared to the S20 FE's fair classification. Contributing factors to this difference are likely advancements in camera software experience, photo resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance that typically accompany newer models.
Battery
7.8 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has 7.8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$198
$600
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a price of $198 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
5.5
5.9
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE both have poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE delivers good video quality with effective video stabilization and a satisfying video software experience, while its successor, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, enhances the video experience by offering HDR10+ support and even better video software, ensuring more dynamic range and detail in various lighting conditions. Both phones capture sharp videos with high resolution and frame rates, and they have commendable microphone quality, but the S21 FE's advancements in video shooting capabilities create richer, more striking footage especially in challenging lighting scenarios.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S20 FE | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$198 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 2, 2020 | January 29, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 401 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD865 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.4/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.5/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4500 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.29" x 2.93" | 6.13" x 2.93" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.70 oz | 6.24 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 41, 66, 71 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Cloud Navy, Cloud Red, Cloud White, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavendar, Cloud Mint | Graphite, Lavender, Olive, White, Navy Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | March 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a fine phone. The flat display glass may turn off some, but the 120Hz refresh rate turned me on. I really liked the overall size and usability of the phone, and the six different colors mean you’ll likely find a version to suit your personal style. Other pros include solid performance, excellent battery life, and straightforward software."
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | March 2022
"The Galaxy S21 FE is a fine addition to Samsung's S21 lineup, retaining the very best features of those flagship phones for a more modest price. This is a solid phone, matching the performance of the top Android flagships from a year ago and delivering photos that hold their own against some of the best camera phones we've tested."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE or the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
144,600
Recommendations made
81,940
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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