Overall Review Summary
Expert Rating: 8.3/10
Galaxy S21 FE
Pros
- Premium design
- Powerful performance
- Flagship level AMOLED display
- Wireless charging supported
Cons
- Battery life is average
- No charger in the box
Table of Contents
Expert point of view
Samsung 'Fan Edition' (FE) series is really a fan edition? Our evidence for that was the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, which proved pretty great value. The same applies now to its successor, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G. But the S21 FE 5G played it safe. While a fine phone worldwide, that's not enough of an upgrade over the S20 FE 5G to wonder: Should you really spend the cash on this instead or just jump for its predecessor (if still available)?
The S21 FE 5G appears to be an evolutionary tweak in initial takes. This thing probably inherits the unimpeachable core strengths of its predecessor, so it would likely be a safe bet. This involves a bunch of great features such as, quality display camera performance and last but not the least chipset (based on region).
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Specs
Feature |
Details |
| Display | 6.4" FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh, HDR10+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 |
| RAM & Storage | 6GB/128GB or 8GB/256GB (no SD slot) |
| Battery | 4500mAh, 25W fast charging |
| Camera | Rear: 12MP + 12MP + 8MP, Front: 32MP |
| OS | Android 13/14 with One UI 5.x/6.x |
| IP Rating | IP68 Water & Dust Resistant |
| Other Features | Wireless charging, stereo speakers |
Design and Display
The name may get the "Fan Edition" ("FE") distinction, but the biggest alteration is in fact its look. The aesthetics and practical aspects of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G
The likeness of the Galaxy S21 series to mimic its flagship peers cannot be disregarded onthe Galaxy S21 FE 5G The rear camera module is neatly integrated into the phone's back : it comes in its signature "contour-cut" design, and that does indeed hide those big lenses better. But the FE's camera housing is made of plastic, not metal like it was on the S21 series. This option provides a few major benefits. One, by keeping the weight low overall and on a larger size unit it makes the device easier to carry. Firstly, plastic is not as hard to break as glass - and will offer more strength in the case of a tumble.
Display
The eye candy is a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 2340 x1080 resolution at its heart of hearts, The AMOLED screen has a pixel density of 411ppi, which means it approaches the Retina Display level category. Text displays as razor-sharp and other details on the screen are rendered vividly, be it about browsing through webpages, reading ebooks or even watching videos.
Where the display really excels though is its refresh rate. It has a fluid 120Hz refresh rate, which indicates that the image changes everytime over every second. This results in very smooth scrolling, animations and transitions. So if you are gaming, scrolling through various apps or your social media feeds, the display offers a far more responsive experience as compared to typical 60Hz displays. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also benefits from LTPO tech, as does the OnePlus Nord CE and Google Pixel 6.
When it comes to brightness, the display on this Galaxy S21 FE 5G is indeed bright. The tablet can top out at 1300 nits and will be readable outdoors in the sunlight for most use cases. During the presentation it was said that this is especially good for those customers who often use a smartphone on the street or in places with bright ambient light. Plus, the screen is capable of produce colors covering 100% DCI-P3 coverage.
Camera
Its camera system is largely unchanged from the one found on its predecessor, and while that's not a bad thing - as it means you're getting another inoffensive generation of images here too well-suited to mid-range devices Samsung could have made some improvements. Read on for our hands-on (well, eyes-on) S21 FE 5G review.
On the back, for photography, there is a quad-camera setup inside S21 FE 5G of which consists of a main / primary (wide) camera sensor: 12-megapixel lens having an f/1.8 aperture with optical image stabilization OIS support. It is paired with an 8-megapixel telephoto camera that gets you up to 3x optical zoom, a wide-angle ultrawide lens (12 megapixels when not in Ultra HD), and a selfie snapper at the front as well.
Ultra-Wide
Out back, an ultra-wide has a 12-megapixel sensor with (naturally) an even wider field of view than the main camera for when you need to cram more into your shot. It is a little less detailed than the main camera though. It makes sense that Sony ditched the autofocus with an unorthodox lens such as this new ultra-wide, but it can be restrictive for close-up shots on a macro level.
Front Camera
Below is a look at the capability of this camera among other features...UI (Specs): 32 MP front-camera selfies were great. Daytime shots reveal some great detail and accurate colors in general. While in low-light conditions, the selfies taken from this camera are still quite serviceable: even exposure and colours as well a nice amount of detail.
Video Recording
The S21 FE 5G is a good video camera as well. Front and rear cameras can both record video in 4K at 60 FPS, providing some good range for content creators or the everyday user. The stabilizer itself works well, adding only a minimal amount of jello or shake to high movement shots even in dim light. Clear, crisp audio recording that ensures your videos sound every bit as good they look.
Performance and Software
The same Exynos 2100 SoC (System on Chip) comes to the heart of it, that also powers the flagship S21 series. Being as powerful a chip, and given its good track record of butter-smooth performance improvements even with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G running Android 12.
But there is a catch for Indian users. While the global variant comes powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, India gets the Exynos version. Some fans may have been expecting the Snapdragon 888 but were left disappointed with this decision.
Benchmarks continue this theme of performance prowess. It scored 7,28,951 points in AnTuTu benchmark and managed to score decently well
Software
It's powered by Samsung One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 out-of-the-box This works to create a design that feels familiar, and positively unique. However, One UI also comes with a number of shortcuts and customization features peppered throughout the smartphone campus to help you make this phone truly your own.
First the software, which includes HDR10 video playback for high-dynamic-range content. The menus and widgets are impacted by some subtler aspects of Google's Material You design language, as well. But that One UI veneer is still omnipresent, lending the experience a quite different feel from what you'd find on one of Google's very own Pixel devices running stock Android 12.
Battery life
The S21 FE 5G has 4,500mAh battery. However, the battery luep results were not as promising. The phone managed to push through 11 hours and 44 minutes of continueos HD video watching. The previous Snapdragon 865-wielding Galaxy went beyond 18 hours in the same test. Even the 4G S20 FE with Exynos 990 only made it through almost 13 hours.
While the benchmark may not be particularly exciting, in real-world mixed usage we found that the S21 FE 5G was pretty much up to task. Throughout my normal day-to-day life of gaming a bit, using social media and taking photos here and there, I could easily make it through an entire day without any issues.
Galaxy S21 FE 5G Gaming Performance
The Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers an excellent gaming experience, driven by its flagship-grade Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset, 120 Hz AMOLED display, and ultra-responsive 240 Hz touch sampling, perfect for players of Mobile Legends, Pokémon Go, and Genshin Impact
It handles COD Mobile and Asphalt 9 smoothly at maximum settings, often maintaining 58–60 fps with minimal frame drops
However, during long sessions, thermal throttling may occur-especially on the Exynos variant—with some gamers reporting frame dips in intensive titles like Genshin Impact . In short: top-tier for casual and most mid-range gaming, though hardcore sessions can heat it up.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G AI Features
- Single Take Video (AI-powered) - Captures up to 20 seconds and automatically selects best shots for Reels/TikTok
- 120 Hz + 240 Hz touch & blue light control - AI-driven blue light reduction ensures comfortable viewing during extended sessions
- Circle to Search - Highlight text or images to trigger instant Google search—included via August 2024 update
- AI “Suggested Edit” - One UI 6.1 adds smart recommendations in the Gallery app to improve photos and videos
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Security Features
- Knox Vault & Root of Trust – Hardware‑based, tamper-resistant secure enclave for encryption keys and biometrics
- Real‑Time Kernel Protection & Secure Boot – Blocks kernel tampering and unauthorized boot code
- Secure Folder – Encrypted sandbox for apps/files, unlockable via PIN/biometric
- Biometric data secured in Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) – Fingerprint/face data encrypted and isolated
- 5-Year Security Updates & Knox Matrix (One UI 7) – Ongoing protection from software threats
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Customer Feedback
⭐⭐⭐⭐“Nice and handy phone with 6.4 display… Camera is mind blowing” - Selvi
⭐⭐⭐⭐“An amazing well rounded phone. Pros–Amazing top‑notch screen… Great Camera. Cons–Battery sometimes needs to be charged twice per day.” - Amar
⭐⭐⭐⭐“UI is smooth and snappy… I still get a solid 10 hours [screen‑on‑time] on Wi‑Fi.” - kayal
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“It's been 2½ Years and i think this S21 FE is an incredible mid budget Phone under 30,000 Rs. I am very Much Satisfied with it.” - laxshmi
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Ultimate Buying Guide
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S21 FE
- Tech Enthusiasts
- Casual Gamers
- Content Creators
- Students & Professionals
- Samsung Fans
Who Should NOT Buy It
- You need best battery life
- You want expandable storage
- You’re on a tight budget (below ₹25K)
- You want the latest flagship
- You’re concerned about heating
Conclusion
Enter the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G -- here to bring some worth into today's landscape of overpriced flagship smartphones. This review lays out its pros and cons to rate whether it's worth the praise or not.
The Galaxy S21 FE 5G brings a great overall package that makes it an easy recommendation as the "value flagship." With a very efficient processor, the device delivers excellent overall performance by handling multitasking as well as heavy applications smoothly. Samsung also isn't skimping on essential features. You also get wireless charging, a premium feature often absent from phones at this price. And with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, the phone is also splash- and spill-proof.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "FE" stand for in Galaxy S21 FE?
"FE" stands for Fan Edition, which means it’s a more affordable version of the flagship Galaxy S21 with slightly trimmed specs but similar experience.
What processor does the Galaxy S21 FE use?
It comes with either the Exynos 2100 (India/Global) or Snapdragon 888 (USA), both powerful flagship-grade processors.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G compatible?
Yes, it supports 5G connectivity, including both sub-6GHz and mmWave bands, depending on the region.
How is the camera quality on the S21 FE?
It features a 12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 8MP telephoto setup, delivering excellent photos with 3X optical zoom and 30X Space Zoom.
What is the Galaxy S21 FE battery capacity and screen-on time?
It has a 4500mAh battery, which typically gives 5–6 hours of screen-on time, enough for all-day use.
Does the Galaxy S21 FE support wireless charging?
Yes, it supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for accessories like Galaxy Buds.
What is the display quality of the S21 FE?
It boasts a 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support-excellent for media and gaming.
Is there a microSD card slot in the S21 FE?
No, the Galaxy S21 FE does not have a microSD card slot, so you must rely on internal storage (128GB/256GB).
How many Android updates will the Galaxy S21 FE receive?
Samsung promises 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the S21 FE.
Is the Galaxy S21 FE waterproof?
Yes, it has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dustproof and can survive underwater up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
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This content was last updated on 14/07/2025.
