Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into the Samsung S21 FE (Fan Edition) to see if it still holds up in today's crowded smartphone market. Released as a more affordable alternative to the flagship S21 series, the S21 FE promised to deliver essential features without breaking the bank. But with newer phones constantly hitting the shelves, is it still a smart buy? Let's break it down.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung S21 FE boasts a sleek and modern design that's instantly recognizable as a Samsung device. It features a contour-cut camera housing that seamlessly blends into the phone's frame, a design element borrowed from the S21 series. The phone's body is constructed from a combination of a premium aluminum frame and a durable plastic back. While some might miss the glass back found on more expensive phones, the plastic actually makes the S21 FE more resistant to accidental drops and scratches. It also helps keep the phone lightweight and comfortable to hold for extended periods. The matte finish on the back panel not only looks great but also does a fantastic job of repelling fingerprints and smudges, keeping your phone looking clean and pristine. Available in a range of vibrant colors, the S21 FE allows you to express your personal style and stand out from the crowd. The phone feels solid and well-built in hand, exuding a sense of quality that belies its more affordable price tag. The buttons are tactile and responsive, providing a satisfying click with each press. The IP68 rating for water and dust resistance offers peace of mind, knowing that your phone can withstand accidental splashes and exposure to the elements. Overall, the S21 FE's design and build quality strike a perfect balance between aesthetics, durability, and ergonomics, making it a pleasure to use on a daily basis.

Display

The display is, without a doubt, one of the Samsung S21 FE's standout features. It sports a vibrant 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This combination results in a visually stunning experience with rich colors, deep blacks, and incredibly fluid animations. Whether you're browsing social media, watching videos, or playing games, the S21 FE's display delivers exceptional clarity and detail. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and swiping feel incredibly responsive, enhancing the overall user experience. The display also gets incredibly bright, making it easy to see even in direct sunlight. Viewing angles are excellent, ensuring that colors remain accurate and consistent regardless of how you hold the phone. The S21 FE also features a built-in blue light filter that reduces eye strain, making it more comfortable to use for extended periods. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which offers excellent scratch and shatter resistance. The slim bezels surrounding the display maximize screen real estate, providing an immersive viewing experience. The punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera is small and unobtrusive, minimizing distractions. Overall, the S21 FE's display is a true pleasure to use, offering a combination of vibrant colors, smooth animations, and excellent clarity that rivals even more expensive smartphones. It's a display that you'll love looking at every day.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung S21 FE packs a serious punch when it comes to performance. Depending on the region, it's powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2100 chipset. Both of these processors are incredibly powerful and capable of handling even the most demanding tasks with ease. Whether you're gaming, streaming videos, or multitasking between multiple apps, the S21 FE delivers a smooth and responsive experience. The phone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which further enhances its multitasking capabilities. Apps launch quickly, and switching between them is seamless. The S21 FE handles graphically intensive games with ease, delivering smooth frame rates and stunning visuals. The phone also features a sophisticated cooling system that prevents it from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 888 variant is known for its slightly better gaming performance, while the Exynos 2100 variant offers slightly better power efficiency. However, both processors are more than capable of handling any task you throw at them. The S21 FE also supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to take advantage of the lightning-fast download and upload speeds offered by the latest generation of cellular networks. Overall, the S21 FE's performance is excellent, providing a smooth and responsive experience that will satisfy even the most demanding users. It's a phone that can handle anything you throw at it, from gaming to multitasking to streaming videos.

Cameras

The Samsung S21 FE boasts a versatile camera system that's capable of capturing stunning photos and videos in a variety of conditions. It features a triple-lens rear camera setup, consisting of a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This combination of lenses allows you to capture a wide range of perspectives, from sweeping landscapes to detailed close-ups. The primary lens captures sharp and detailed images with vibrant colors and excellent dynamic range. The ultrawide lens is perfect for capturing group photos or expansive scenes. The telephoto lens allows you to zoom in on distant subjects without sacrificing image quality. The S21 FE's camera system also features a variety of advanced features, such as Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and Single Take. Night Mode enhances low-light performance, allowing you to capture bright and clear photos even in dark environments. Portrait Mode creates a beautiful bokeh effect, blurring the background and making your subject stand out. Single Take captures a variety of photos and videos with a single tap, allowing you to choose the best shot. The 32MP front-facing camera captures excellent selfies with plenty of detail and accurate skin tones. The S21 FE can also record video in up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. Overall, the S21 FE's camera system is excellent, providing a versatile and capable tool for capturing all of your favorite moments. It's a camera that you can rely on to capture stunning photos and videos in any situation.

Battery Life

The Samsung S21 FE is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which provides decent battery life. With moderate usage, you can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. However, if you're a heavy user who spends a lot of time gaming or streaming videos, you may need to top up the battery before the end of the day. The S21 FE supports 25W fast charging, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery. It also supports 15W wireless charging, which is a convenient way to top up the battery without having to plug in a cable. The S21 FE also supports reverse wireless charging, which allows you to use your phone to wirelessly charge other devices, such as earbuds or smartwatches. Battery life can vary depending on your usage habits, screen brightness, and network connectivity. However, in general, the S21 FE's battery life is adequate for most users. If you're concerned about battery life, you can enable battery-saving mode, which will limit background activity and reduce screen brightness to extend battery life. Overall, the S21 FE's battery life is decent, providing enough power to get you through a full day of moderate usage. However, heavy users may need to top up the battery before the end of the day.

Software and Features

The Samsung S21 FE runs on Android with Samsung's One UI on top. One UI is known for its clean and intuitive interface, as well as its wide range of features and customization options. The S21 FE comes with a variety of pre-installed apps, but most of them can be uninstalled if you don't need them. Samsung also provides regular software updates, ensuring that your phone is always up-to-date with the latest security patches and features. One UI offers a variety of useful features, such as Edge Panels, Bixby Routines, and Secure Folder. Edge Panels provide quick access to your favorite apps and contacts. Bixby Routines allows you to automate tasks based on your location or time of day. Secure Folder provides a secure place to store your private files and apps. The S21 FE also features a built-in fingerprint sensor for secure authentication. The fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, allowing you to quickly and easily unlock your phone. Overall, the S21 FE's software and features are excellent, providing a smooth and user-friendly experience. One UI is packed with features and customization options, allowing you to tailor your phone to your specific needs.

Price and Value

The Samsung S21 FE was originally launched at a mid-range price point, making it an attractive option for those looking for a flagship-level experience without breaking the bank. However, with the release of newer phones, the S21 FE's price has dropped, making it an even better value. At its current price, the S21 FE offers an excellent balance of features, performance, and price. It's a phone that can compete with even more expensive smartphones. The S21 FE offers a premium design, a vibrant display, a powerful processor, a versatile camera system, and decent battery life. It also comes with a variety of useful software features. If you're looking for a high-quality smartphone that won't break the bank, the Samsung S21 FE is definitely worth considering. It's a phone that offers excellent value for money. However, it is worth comparing it to newer models in the FE series and competitor phones in the same price range before making a purchase.

Conclusion: Is the Samsung S21 FE Still Worth Buying?

So, is the Samsung S21 FE still worth buying? In short, absolutely! While it's not the newest phone on the market, it still offers a compelling package with its powerful performance, excellent display, and versatile camera system. If you can find it at a good price, the S21 FE remains a fantastic option for anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience without the premium price tag. Just be sure to compare it with other phones in its current price range to make sure you're getting the best deal for your needs. Happy shopping, guys!