What’s taking place
Samsung launched cheaper “Fan Edition” variations of its flagship telephones for the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21. But a rumor suggests the Galaxy S22 FE might have been canceled.
Why it issues
Samsung’s smartphone lineup already has loads of choices, making the Galaxy S21 FE appear misplaced within the shuffle. It ought to concentrate on its flagship Galaxy S and midtier Galaxy A telephones as a substitute.
What’s subsequent
Samsung is anticipated to introduce the Galaxy S23 lineup in early 2023.
Samsung provides all kinds of Galaxy telephones, and the corporate’s choice is anticipated to develop on Feb. 1 on the subsequent Samsung Unpacked occasion. From the large Galaxy S22 Ultra to the pocketable Galaxy Z Flip 4, there’s already plenty of choices to contemplate if one is in search of a brand new Samsung telephone. But there’s a technique Samsung might simplify issues: Skip the Galaxy S22 FE.Don’t get me flawed; the Galaxy S21 FE (brief for “fan edition”) has loads going for it. When I reviewed the telephone final 12 months, I used to be impressed with its respectable battery life and stable digicam for its $700 value. However, it risked getting misplaced in Samsung’s lineup as soon as the Galaxy S22 launched. And I used to be proper. If Samsung does have a successor to the Galaxy S21 FE within the works, rebranding it as a extra premium Galaxy A telephone can be a wiser transfer.Samsung beforehand launched its FE telephones within the fall or January. However, with Samsung weeks away from its presumed Galaxy S23 occasion, we have but to listen to an official phrase from Samsung on whether or not there might be a successor to the Galaxy S21 FE. A rumor from the weblog SamMobile printed this summer time suggests Samsung might have canceled the Galaxy S22 FE, and I can perceive why. Between the $800 Galaxy S22 and $450 Galaxy A53 5G, it was too arduous for the Galaxy S21 FE to face out. With the Galaxy S23 lineup probably proper across the nook, a Galaxy S22 FE might face the identical destiny. The Galaxy S20 FE.
Juan Garzon/CNET
The Galaxy S21 FE lacks what made the Galaxy S20 FE so particularThe 2020 Galaxy S20 FE had a serious benefit that the Galaxy S21 FE lacks: a large hole in value in comparison with Samsung’s Galaxy S telephone. The Galaxy S20 launched at $1,000, making the $700 Galaxy S20 FE really feel like a major discount. It earned a CNET Editors’ Choice in 2020, with Andy Lanxon writing that its “great balance of performance and value” makes it a greater worth proposition than the S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra. There are a few the explanation why the Galaxy S21 FE did not strike the identical chord. Samsung’s lineup and the broader smartphone panorama had been totally different in 2020. While 5G help, a number of digicam lenses and screens with increased refresh charges had been beginning to trickle all the way down to cheaper gadgets, these options had been thought of premium only one 12 months earlier in 2019. Remember the Galaxy S10 5G? Samsung’s first 5G-ready telephone commanded a excessive value of $1,300 when it launched via Verizon in spring 2019.
Things modified the next 12 months in 2020. Every gadget within the Galaxy S20 lineup supported 5G, however that additionally meant the next beginning value of $1,000. With that in thoughts the 5G-equipped S20 FE, which additionally has a triple-lens digicam and speedy processor, was an amazing various for cost-conscious customers that did not need to make huge sacrifices on high quality. In different phrases, the Galaxy S20 FE got here at simply the suitable time and the suitable value. I am unable to say the identical for the Galaxy S21 FE. It launched roughly one month earlier than Samsung launched the Galaxy S22, which provides superior digicam high quality, a extra refined design and a more recent processor. The Galaxy S20, then again, debuted in September 2020, which meant it had an extended runway earlier than the Galaxy S21’s arrival in January 2021. Samsung additionally now faces elevated competitors from Google, which has been pricing its Pixel telephones aggressively in comparison with Samsung. Google’s primary flagship telephone, the Pixel 7, launched at simply $600 in October. At the identical time, the Galaxy S21 FE does have benefits over the S22, notably for individuals who want bigger telephones. But the variations aren’t drastic sufficient to stop it from being overshadowed by the S22 and telephones from rivals like Google.Pricing is one other essential issue. It’s nice that Samsung dropped the worth of the S21 in comparison with the S20, however the issue is that it did not decrease the Galaxy S21 FE’s value to match. The Galaxy S20 FE was $300 cheaper than the Galaxy S20, whereas the S21 FE prices solely $100 lower than the Galaxy S21 did at launch. The Galaxy S21 FE feels extra like an A-series telephoneSamsung’s Galaxy A53 5G (left) and Galaxy S21 FE (proper).
Samsung
The Galaxy S21 FE would really feel proper at residence in Samsung’s lineup of midrange and funds gadgets, aka the Galaxy A sequence. These telephones are normally considerably cheaper than these within the Galaxy S line and inherit sure options like massive shows, a number of cameras and 5G, whereas compromising elsewhere. It’s an method that is seemingly paid off to this point. Samsung’s $180 Galaxy A12 was one of many world’s top-selling telephones in 2021, in response to Counterpoint Research. No telephones from the Galaxy S sequence made the listing. Separate information from Counterpoint Research offered to CNET additionally suggests A-series telephones accounted for 58% of Samsung’s smartphone gross sales final 12 months.
If the Galaxy S21 FE launched at a barely cheaper value — maybe priced round $600 — it might have made an amazing upper-tier Galaxy A telephone. Both the Galaxy S21 FE and A53 5G have huge screens, very related designs, common and ultrawide digicam lenses and excessive decision entrance cameras, making them really feel like they’re aimed toward an identical viewers. The Galaxy S21 FE has an edge in efficiency and digicam high quality, making it a stable selection for many who want greater than the Galaxy A53 has to supply at a lower cost than the S22. Dropping the worth to $600 would additionally put the telephone proper between the $450 Galaxy A53 5G and $800 Galaxy S22. If it had been branded as an A-series telephone, the Galaxy S21 FE may very well be a worthwhile various to the Galaxy A73 in markets the place that gadget is not accessible. The Galaxy A73 5G is the Galaxy A sequence’ top-tier telephone with a 108-megapixel digicam, nevertheless it’s solely accessible in choose areas equivalent to Australia and India.Samsung hasn’t shared particulars about its future smartphone plans, so it is unclear whether or not it can proceed the FE line. But dropping the FE’s value and probably transferring it over to its Galaxy A sequence might go a good distance in boosting its enchantment. It would not be the primary time Samsung has merged two of its telephone manufacturers lately. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, for instance, has basically changed the corporate’s earlier Galaxy Note telephones, which stood out for his or her big screens and included stylus.Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 FE might find yourself like Samsung’s present “fan edition” telephone and wrestle to seek out its place.
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE seems nearly precisely just like the Galaxy S21
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