The Galaxy S21 FE appears to be a terrific worth to date.
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This story is a part of CES, the place CNET covers the most recent information on probably 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 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, 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 count on from a contemporary telephone. The efficiency is snappy, it takes nice photographs and the battery life is pretty spectacular to date.These attributes make the Galaxy S21 FE a promising possibility if you’d like a comparatively inexpensive new Android 12 system. You will not get among the expensive extras discovered on extra premium telephones — like a fourth digicam lens, a crisper telephoto lens or a brilliant refined 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 all 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 date.A modern however fundamental design that appears rather a lot just like the Galaxy S21The Galaxy S21 FE has a 6.4-inch display.
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The Galaxy S21 FE seems virtually equivalent to the Galaxy S21 from the entrance. It measures 7.9 millimeters skinny similar to the usual Galaxy S21, even though it has a bigger display. For me, the S21 FE’s 6.4-inch show and light-weight construct present the appropriate stability of display area and ease of use: It’s greater 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 makes use of Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED know-how and has an FHD+ decision similar 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 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. It has a flat edge display similar to the Galaxy 21 and Galaxy S1 Plus, which I really desire 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, nevertheless, does have some design accents that make it really feel like a dearer telephone, such because the shiny metallic end on its digicam module and sides.
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE seems virtually precisely just like the Galaxy S21
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Though it is a good sufficient telephone for $700, the actual downside is that Google has raised the bar for what’s anticipated of a midtier telephone. Google’s $600 Pixel 6 has a stunning, two-tone glass design that makes it really feel far more costly than it really is. The Galaxy S21 FE is modern 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).An enormous 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 comply with in its footsteps to date. 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 value of utilization. That’s not too shabby, particularly since I had the movement smoothness setting on excessive, which cranks the display’s refresh charge as much as 120Hz. That ends in quicker scrolling but additionally sometimes means shorter battery life. Samsung’s new telephone comes with the identical processor because the Galaxy S21, which implies 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 only a few seconds. Samsung additionally says the S21 FE helps a response charge of 240Hz for even faster response instances 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 greater than the Pixel 6 on Geekbench 5, a benchmark check meant to evaluate the telephone’s efficiency typically duties. However, it scored barely decrease than each the common S21 and Pixel 6 on a separate benchmark known 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 extensive digicam and an 8-megapixel telephoto digicam with a 30x digital zoom. You may file with the entrance and rear cameras on the identical time on the Galaxy S21 FE just like the Galaxy S21. But not like the common S21, you may’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 check photographs I’ve taken, the Galaxy S21 FE actually appears to carry its personal towards the Pixel 6’s 50-megapixel digicam and normal Galaxy S21. The S21 FE’s photos are wealthy intimately and colour, and the digicam appears to carry out effectively in numerous lighting situations. We’ll have extra element on digicam efficiency in our full evaluate, however for now take a look at the samples beneath.A photograph taken with the Galaxy S21 FE’s fundamental digicam.
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Another picture taken with the Galaxy S21’s fundamental extensive 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 in regards to the Galaxy S21 FE apart 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 like 5G, borderless shows and multilens cameras start trickling all the way down to extra inexpensive gadgets. I can not problem a full verdict till I’ve spent extra time testing the Galaxy S21 FE. But if you happen to’re an Android consumer trying to improve an older telephone with out spending an excessive amount of, I can not think about you may be disillusioned with it. That being stated, I’d advocate ready till Samsung pronounces the Galaxy S22 lineup earlier than making a choice. Samsung sometimes launches its new Galaxy S telephones early within the 12 months, and rumors counsel the following era might include a 50-megapixel digicam and quicker charging. Even if you happen to do not want these upgrades, you may as effectively wait in an effort to make a extra knowledgeable alternative.Samsung can also be going through a whole lot of competitors within the midrange telephone area. While I’ve been having fun with utilizing the Galaxy S21 FE to date, I additionally really feel that Samsung may very well be doing extra to make this system stand out, particularly towards the $600 Pixel 6. Although the Pixel 6 is not good, Google has finished a great job of differentiating its telephone with particular options constructed across the Google Assistant, corresponding to the flexibility to have the assistant display calls and wait on maintain for you.Check again quickly for extra particulars and our full tackle the Galaxy S21 FE.