The Galaxy S21 FE appears to be a terrific worth to this point.
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This story is a part of CES, the place CNET covers the most recent information on essentially the most unbelievable tech coming quickly.
Samsung is as soon as once more launching a extra inexpensive model of its fashionable Galaxy S telephone with the Galaxy S21 FE, which begins at $700 (£699) and launches on Jan. 11 following its CES 2022 reveal. It’s $100 cheaper than the common Galaxy S21 and comes with a bigger display screen, the identical processor, a triple-lens digicam and help for each flavors of 5G. I’ve solely spent a few days with the Galaxy S21 FE, however it appears to examine all of the containers most individuals would anticipate from a contemporary telephone. The efficiency is snappy, it takes nice pictures and the battery life is pretty spectacular to this point.These attributes make the Galaxy S21 FE a promising possibility if you need a comparatively inexpensive new Android 12 system. You will not get among the pricey extras discovered on extra premium telephones — like a fourth digicam lens, a crisper telephoto lens or an excellent subtle design — however you are additionally not compromising by going for Samsung’s cheaper possibility.
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At the identical time, the Galaxy S21 FE could find yourself feeling misplaced in Samsung’s lineup and the broader Android telephone market. We’re anticipating the Galaxy S22 to launch imminently, and if the rumors are true, it might have a brand new 50-megapixel digicam and quicker charging. Plus, the $600 Pixel 6 is barely cheaper than the Galaxy S21 FE and was named one in every of our favourite telephones of 2021.We’ll be updating this story as we spend extra time utilizing the Galaxy S21 FE, however listed here are my impressions to this point.A glossy however primary design that appears loads just like the Galaxy S21The Galaxy S21 FE has a 6.4-inch display screen.
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The Galaxy S21 FE seems to be virtually an identical to the Galaxy S21 from the entrance. It measures 7.9 millimeters skinny identical to the usual Galaxy S21, even supposing it has a bigger display screen. For me, the S21 FE’s 6.4-inch show and light-weight construct present the precise stability of display screen area and ease of use: It’s larger than the 6.2-inch Galaxy S21 however only a hair smaller than the 6.5-inch Galaxy S20 FE, Samsung’s previous-generation midrange telephone. The Galaxy S21 FE’s display screen makes use of Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED know-how and has an FHD+ decision identical to the Galaxy S21. The pixel density, or variety of pixels per inch, is decrease than the Galaxy S21’s for the reason that S21 FE’s display screen is bigger, however the distinction is not noticeable. Photos, video games and information articles all look sharp and daring on the S21 FE’s display screen. It has a flat edge display screen identical to the Galaxy 21 and Galaxy S1 Plus, which I really choose over the pricier Galaxy S21 Ultra’s barely curved sides.On the again, you may discover the identical digicam bump because the Galaxy S21. Both telephones even have a matte end that appears extra elegant and would not choose up fingerprints as simply as Samsung’s older telephones (though it nonetheless does get smudgy, so you may need to use a case). The Galaxy S21, nonetheless, does have some design accents that make it really feel like a costlier telephone, such because the shiny metallic end on its digicam module and sides.
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE seems to be virtually precisely just like the Galaxy S21
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Though it is a good sufficient telephone for $700, the true drawback is that Google has raised the bar for what’s anticipated of a midtier telephone. Google’s $600 Pixel 6 has a beautiful, two-tone glass design that makes it really feel rather more costly than it really is. The Galaxy S21 FE is glossy and light-weight, however it would not go away the identical impression.There’s additionally an in-screen fingerprint reader and facial authentication for unlocking the system, which I usually discovered to be fairly dependable. You will not discover expandable storage on this mannequin as was the case with the Galaxy S20 FE, however Samsung is promoting its new telephone in one other variant that comes with 256GB of storage (the bottom mannequin has 128GB).A giant battery and strong efficiencyThe Galaxy S21 FE has the identical processor because the Galaxy S21.
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Battery life was a spotlight for the Galaxy S20 FE, and the Galaxy S21 FE appears to observe in its footsteps to this point. Like the Galaxy S20 FE, the Galaxy S21 FE comes with a 4,500-mAh battery, which is bigger than the common Galaxy S21’s 4,000-mAh battery. The Galaxy S21 FE nonetheless had 32% of its battery left after a full day and a half’s price of utilization. That’s not too shabby, particularly since I had the movement smoothness setting on excessive, which cranks the display screen’s refresh charge as much as 120Hz. That leads to quicker scrolling but additionally usually means shorter battery life. Samsung’s new telephone comes with the identical processor because the Galaxy S21, which suggests the US model runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. That chip is present in different high-end telephones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the OnePlus 9 Pro, so the S21 FE ought to be capable to sustain with these gadgets simply.
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Using the Galaxy S21 FE actually feels zippy and fluid, particularly with movement smoothness turned on. The interface is slick, video games run with out a hitch and the digicam launches inside just some seconds. Samsung additionally says the S21 FE helps a response charge of 240Hz for even faster response occasions in sport mode, however I have never spent sufficient time gaming on it but to inform if this actually makes a distinction.The Galaxy S21 FE scored about the identical as Galaxy S21 however increased than the Pixel 6 on Geekbench 5, a benchmark take a look at meant to evaluate the telephone’s efficiency basically duties. However, it scored barely decrease than each the common S21 and Pixel 6 on a separate benchmark referred to as 3DMark Slingshot Unlimited for testing graphics efficiency. Check out the outcomes beneath. Geekbench 5 Single Core
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Higher scores are higher.
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
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Higher scores are higher.
3DMark Slingshot Unlimited
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Higher scores are higher.
A triple lens digicam just like the Galaxy S20 FE’sThe Galaxy S21 FE has a triple-lens digicam.
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Samsung’s new telephone comes with a triple-lens digicam that is similar to the Galaxy S20 FE’s digicam setup. There’s a 12-megapixel ultra-wide digicam, a 12-megapixel broad digicam and an 8-megapixel telephoto digicam with a 30x digital zoom. You may document with the entrance and rear cameras on the similar time on the Galaxy S21 FE just like the Galaxy S21. But not like the common S21, you’ll be able to’t toggle between the three rear lenses when utilizing the digicam on this mode. I have never had a lot time to check out the digicam. But based mostly on the few take a look at pictures I’ve taken, the Galaxy S21 FE actually appears to carry its personal towards the Pixel 6’s 50-megapixel digicam and customary Galaxy S21. The S21 FE’s photos are wealthy intimately and coloration, and the digicam appears to carry out nicely in several lighting circumstances. We’ll have extra element on digicam efficiency in our full evaluate, however for now try the samples beneath.A photograph taken with the Galaxy S21 FE’s essential digicam.
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Another picture taken with the Galaxy S21’s essential broad digicam.
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A photograph taken with the Galaxy S21 FE’s zoom lens. It’s zoomed in at 10x.
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The backside lineThe Galaxy S21 FE is launching simply earlier than we’re anticipating to see the Galaxy S22.
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There is not a lot to say concerning the Galaxy S21 FE aside from that it is a strong telephone for $700. It’s one other signal that the definition of a high-end telephone is beginning to change as once-premium options together with 5G, borderless shows and multilens cameras start trickling all the way down to extra inexpensive gadgets. I can not situation a full verdict till I’ve spent extra time testing the Galaxy S21 FE. But for those who’re an Android person seeking to improve an older telephone with out spending an excessive amount of, I can not think about you may be disenchanted with it. That being mentioned, I’d advocate ready till Samsung pronounces the Galaxy S22 lineup earlier than making a choice. Samsung usually launches its new Galaxy S telephones early within the yr, and rumors counsel the following era might include a 50-megapixel digicam and quicker charging. Even for those who do not want these upgrades, you would possibly as nicely wait in an effort to make a extra knowledgeable alternative.Samsung can also be going through a number of competitors within the midrange telephone area. While I’ve been having fun with utilizing the Galaxy S21 FE to this point, I additionally really feel that Samsung might be doing extra to make this system stand out, particularly towards the $600 Pixel 6. Although the Pixel 6 is not excellent, Google has completed an excellent job of differentiating its telephone with particular options constructed across the Google Assistant, similar to the power to have the assistant display screen calls and wait on maintain for you.Check again quickly for extra particulars and our full tackle the Galaxy S21 FE.