Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review: The perfect introduction to Samsung’s flagship…
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G, análisis: la gama alta de Samsung busca nuevos usuarios jugando la baza del precio
Los smartphones con precio alrededor de los 600 euros, con gran empuje en los últimos años, han estado escapando a las grandes marcas de siempre. Al menos en el momento del lanzamiento de un nuevo terminal sin precios promocionales.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE es la propuesta del gigante coreano para cubrir un sector complicado como pocos. Su intento más serio viene con el nombre de la gran familia de gama alta de Samsung, mucho de su espíritu pero a un precio más asequible. Veamos en nuestro análisis del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE si realmente merece la pena apostar por él.
Ficha técnica del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
6,5″ Super AMOLED 2.400 x 1.080p (20:9) 120 Hz, Gorilla Glass 3
Samsung Exynos 990 (4G) Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (5G)
128 GB micro SD hasta 1 TB UFS 3.1
Android 10 Samsung One UI 2.5
4.500 mAh Carga rápida Carga inalámbrica
Principal: 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS Gran angular: 12 MP, f/2.2 Teleobjetivo: 8MP, f/2.0, OIS
5G (NSA), Sub6 / mmWaveLTE 4×4 MIMO, Cat.19 (1,6 Gbps),Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4G5GHz, HE80, MIMO, 1024-QAMBluetooth 5.0, USB tipo C, NFCGPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou
Lector de huellas bajo pantalla, resistencia al agua y al polvo IP68
Samsung Smartphone MÓVIL Galaxy S20 FE Cloud Navy. 6.5’/16.5CM. CAM (12128)/32MP. OC. 128GB. 6GB RAM. Android. Dual SIM
La versión que nosotros hemos analizado en Xataka es la que incluye conectividad 5G, con el Snapdragon 865, así como 6 GB de RAM y 128 GB de memoria interna.
Si quieres conocer dónde queda este Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G respecto al resto de la familia S20, aquí tienes una tabla resumen de todos ellos:
Dynamic AMOLED 6,5 pulgadas FullHD 120 Hz
Dynamic AMOLED 6,2 pulgadas QHD HDR10 120 Hz
Dynamic AMOLED 6,7 pulgadas QHD HDR10 120 Hz
Dynamic AMOLED 6,9 pulgadas QHD HDR10 120 Hz
Exynos 990 Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (versión 5G)
12 MP 12 MP ultra gran angular 8 MP teleobjetivo, zoom 3x
12 MP 12 MP ultra gran angular 64 MP telefoto
12 MP 12 MP ultra gran angular 64 MP telefoto ToF
108 MP 12 MP ultra gran angular 48 MP telefoto ToF
5G, SA/NSA, sub-6 LTE Cat20 hasta 2 Gbps Wi-Fi ac 4×4 MIMO
5G, SA/NSA, sub-6 LTE Cat20 hasta 2 Gbps Wi-Fi ac 4×4 MIMO
5G, SA/NSA, sub-6 LTE Cat20 hasta 2 Gbps Wi-Fi ac 4×4 MIMO
5G, SA/NSA, sub-6 LTE Cat20 hasta 2 Gbps Wi-Fi ac 4×4 MIMO
Acabado de nivel. en plástico
¿Más de 600 euros por un teléfono con acabado de plástico? Probablemente sea una pregunta que muchos consumidores tengan marcada en fluorescente entre los pros y contras para la compra de un terminal como el Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. ¿O es que no soléis hacer esa lista con dos columnas antes de comprar un smartphone nuevo?
Sí, has leído bien. El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE tiene un acabado en plástico, aunque en mano no lo parezca. No es mérito de este terminal pues ya hay bastantes teléfonos en los que, con los diferentes tratamientos a metal, cristal y plástico, cuesta asociar un material de fabricación con el 100% de seguridad sin mirar su ficha técnica.
Sea como fuere, a nivel de diseño, el acabado en plástico le sienta bien al Galaxy S20 FE, con buenos detalles como la curvatura de la trasera y la unión con el marco. Ya queda a nivel personal poner en la balanza aspectos positivos y negativos de esta elección. En Mi caso, a estas alturas y visto en primera persona cómo queda en mano el Galaxy S20 FE, que su cuerpo no sea de cristal o metal, no es un elemento que decante la balanza hacia ningún lado, ni tan siquiera fijándome en la etiqueta del precio.
Que un terminal esté fabricado en plástico, con las texturas y niveles de acabado de teléfonos como este Galaxy S20 FE, ya no debería suponer un punto negativo si nos deja otras ventajas
El diseño del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE me gusta, tiene un gran acabado (con certificación IP68), cuidado por los detalles y atractivo visual; parece que será resistente y gana algo de ligereza (190 gramos) y precio menor. Lo compro.
El frontal no esconde muchos secretos, hablaremos de él cuando toque en la sección dedicada a la pantalla. Y en la trasera, el módulo de cámara tiene todo el papel protagonista. Sobresale bastante a nivel de tacto, pero no es un problema para usar el terminal cuando lo tenemos sobre una mesa.
La familia de los nuevos Galaxy S20 FE presume de varios colores disponibles, todos ellos bastante atractivos. Hay desde sobrios y elegantes como nuestro azul marino (Cloud Navy oficialmente) a tonos más atrevidos pero sin estridencias como el lavanda o un naranja apagado. Todos ellos son colores mate para darle un extra a la apariencia que creo que no tienen los acabados brillantes por muy espectaculares que resulten a primera vista.
Ese acabado en mate, además de otorgarle un extra visual y acercarlo más a otros materiales más nobles, disimula de una manera más efectiva las huellas en la carcasa, al menos en el terminal con acabado azul marino que hemos probado nosotros. El tratamiento no evita que las huellas se asienten en la trasera pero hace bastante difícil que éstas sean visibles en un primer vistazo natural del terminal.
En cuanto al agarre, el ser bastante estrecho y alargado favorece sujetarlo con seguridad. No me ha parecido que sea un teléfono que tenga la tendencia a escaparse de las manos con facilidad.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE es un smartphone de gran diagonal pero cómodo de usar, bastante pulcro y sin tendencia a escapar de la mano
Los controles físicos se concentran en el lateral derecho. A la altura justa del pulgar aparece el botón de encendido, y justo encima, el control de volumen. En dos casos me han parecido que tienen un recurrido ideal pero un poco de exceso de resistencia a la activación.
El borde superior queda reservado para la bandeja SIM (con espacio para una microSD) y el inferior nos ofrece sitio para el puerto USB-C y un altavoz a su derecha, que se complementa con el superior para conseguir un sonido estéreo discreto. Para lo que no hay sitio es para la salida de auriculares clásica de 3.5 mm.
¿Y el lector de huellas? Este elemento queda reservado para la pantalla. En este Samsung Galaxy S20 FE es de tipo óptico, aunque la iluminación necesaria para que funcione es de las menos molestas que he visto en el mercado. Funciona correctamente (preciso y rápido, aunque no de los que más en su gama de precio) y combinado con la identificación de rostros es una dupla que hace que no eche de menos el lector ultrasónico si con ello puedo reducir el coste del teléfono.
FullHD y 120 Hz, equilibrada apuesta en la pantalla
La pantalla del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE no sacrifica demasiado respecto a las que encontramos en sus hermanos mayores. Es cierto que hay que conformarse con resolución FullHD pero mantenemos un panel SuperAMOLED de calidad, certificación HDR, frecuencia de refresco de 120 Hz y una pantalla sin curvatura alguna en los bordes. Aquí, de nuevo, entran en juego las experiencias previas y preferencias de cada usuario con las pantallas curvadas en los extremos. En Mi caso no me importa esta ausencia.
La pantalla del Galaxy S20 FE ofrece una diagonal de 6.5 pulgadas con resolución de 2400x1080p, formato 20:9 y protección Gorilla Glass 3. A nivel de nitidez, para muchos usuarios esta resolución será suficiente pero para contenidos multimedia sí que se puede echar de menos ese extra de un panel WQHD al que tan acostumbrados nos tiene Samsung en sus terminales más ambiciosos.
La pantalla del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE opta por una resolución contenida pero apuesta por una frecuencia de 120 Hz que mejora la experiencia
El gran acierto de esta pantalla del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE es no renunciar a la frecuencia de refresco de 120 Hz. A estas alturas y jugando prácticamente en la gama alta de las pantallas, es un elemento que marca la experiencia con un terminal a nivel de fluidez y visualización cómoda de todo lo que ocurre en el teléfono, especialmente en la interfaz.
En este teléfono no hay gestión compleja o condicional del uso de la tasa de refresco. Solo podemos decidir directamente si queremos frecuencia de refresco de 60 o 120 Hz. En los dos modos la única resolución posible es la nativa.
En el Samsung Galaxy S20 FE los marcos no desaparecen literalmente como en los Galaxy S20 mayores, pero mantienen una ratio pantalla-frontal entre las mejores del mercado en su gama de precio. Ahí tenemos también el agujero para la cámara, centrado y que, una vez acostumbrado a su presencia, pasa bastante desapercibido y no resulta molesto independientemente de lo que estemos haciendo o visualizando en el terminal.
Estando ante un smartphone Samsung y encima de buen nivel, la pantalla se posiciona pronto como uno de sus principales valores. Es un panel con el espectacular contraste de la tecnología Super AMOLED y un brillo muy alto que facilita la visualización de contenidos en entornos muy luminosos, especialmente en exteriores. También la reproducción del color es acertada, siempre dentro de las peculiaridades de los paneles AMOLED del fabricante coreano, que tiene tendencia a la “espectacularidad”.
La capa OneUI de este Galaxy S20 FE admite algunos controles sobre la experiencia de visualización del panel. Podemos escoger entre el modo intenso o el natural, no quedando de serie ninguno de los dos con un equilibrio perfecto. Es cuestión de gustos y necesidades pero el modo natural me parece que queda en desventaja frente al intenso por mucho que su saturación sea un poco elevada y algo fría.
Podemos controlar la temperatura de color y el balance de blancos con ciertas limitaciones hasta encontrar el punto de comodidad que buscamos. También hay modo oscuro gestionable en las opciones y por supuesto, un completo Always On con FaceWidgets para controlar y tener información en la pantalla bloqueada, así como opciones amplias que nos permiten desde cambiar el estilo del reloj hasta decidir en qué condiciones de muestra la pantalla activa (siempre, al tocar o en un horario programado).
La experiencia con la pantalla queda justamente acompañada por el sonido. No hay doble altavoz principal pero sí sonido estéreo no muy potente ni tampoco nítido, al menos para lo que debemos exigirle a este tipo de teléfono y su enfoque en el mercado.
Un Galaxy S20 “asequible” con Snapdragon 865
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, en su versión 5G que hemos analizado, llega al mercado español esgrimiendo en su ficha técnica contar con el procesador Snapdragon 865. Es sin duda uno de los puntos fuertes del terminal.
Lo acompañan 6 GB de memoria RAM, una cifra sensiblemente inferior a la cantidad de RAM que encontramos en los modelos S20 superiores en precio. Como memoria interna contamos con una capacidad de 128 GB UFS 3.1.
Dependiendo del mercado podemos encontrar versiones con hasta 8 GB de memoria RAM y 256 GB de almacenamiento. En todos ellos podemos ampliar esa capacidad con tarjetas microSDXC.
Con esta combinación de procesador y RAM, el comportamiento del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE a nivel de fluidez es excelente, máxime con el apoyo de la frecuencia de refresco de la pantalla y la “rebaja” de resolución de la misma.
One UI 2.5 se mueve ligero, sin retrasos ni sensación de necesitar más especificaciones ahora mismo. Si nos dejamos llevar por los datos de las pruebas habituales, todo sigue encajando.
| Exynos 990 | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 865 | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 855 | Snapdragon 855 | Kirin 990 | Apple A13 Bionic |
| 12 GB | 8 GB | 6 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 12 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| 522.873 | 361.365 | 577.401 | 315.066 | 361.293 | 376.968 | 463.513 | 409.070 |
| 943 / 2.527 (5.0) | 753 / 2.539 (5.0) | 892 / 3058 (5.0) | 3.507 / 10.948 (4.4) | 3.153 / 11.143 (4.4) | 720 / 2.698 (5.0) | 758 / 2.894 (5.0) | 5.475 / 13.232 (4.4) |
| 10.426 | 8.948 | 12155 | 9.364 | 8.649 | 9.991 | 8.712 | – |
Este gran rendimiento del equipo no tiene demasiado efecto en el calentamiento del terminal en el día a día. En nuestras variadas sesiones de uso el Galaxy S20 FE se ha mostrado como un teléfono que apenas se calienta y en ningún caso supone molestia alguna.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE que hemos analizado en Xataka llega al mercado bajo Android 10 y la capa One UI 2.5 del fabricante coreano. Quizás un esfuerzo para haber salido directamente con Android 11 hubiera sido un punto muy a su favor. Pero no estará lejos dicha actualización tanto de la versión base de Android como de la interfaz de Samsung sobre ella (One UI 3).
En OneUI 2.5 sobre Android 10 encontramos una capa madura, limpia y con muchas opciones para que el usuario deje el sistema a su gusto aceptando las peculiaridades del ecosistema de Samsung, que en este Galaxy S20 FE apenas llega con software preinstalado.
Tenemos a nuestro alcance muchos accesos directos simplemente desde el panel de notificaciones y ajustes rápidos. Si estamos dentro del ecosistema de Samsung, el sentimiento de acogimiento es grande y agradable.
Llama la atención que Samsung mantenga el panel lateral de accesos directos aunque aquí no hay curvatura en la pantalla que nos invite o facilite ese gesto. Y no faltan aplicaciones propias para la gestión del equipo, información sobre la batería o el consumo responsable en el equipo.
Ver galería completa » Capturas ONeUI (12 fotos)
Como veremos más adelante, el apartado de la cámara es uno de los más cuidados por Samsung en sus terminales, algo que contrasta con lo que pasa con otros fabricantes.
Salvados por la pantalla
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE ha sido dotado de una batería con capacidad de 4500 mAh, cifra acorde con su pantalla, interior y el objetivo de no pasar apuros de autonomía cuando buscamos el objetivo de un día de uso.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE agradece la resolución contenida para alcanzar una autonomía de algo más de un día de uso, pero viene sin cargador rápido de 25 W
Nuestra primera batería de pruebas con el Samsung Galaxy S20 FE se centró en no limitar el uso de los 120 Hz. Con ese modo de pantalla activo, el cual viene por defecto, el día de uso en modo intensivo es posible. En realidad estamos hablando de algo más de 25 horas de uso del teléfono, eso sí, con una media de solo 5-6 horas de pantalla activa.
Esas cifras pueden mejorarse fácilmente si optamos por recortar prestaciones en la tasa de frecuencia. Forzando al terminal a trabajar a máximo de 60 Hz, las horas de uso del teléfono se disparan a más de 30, con unas 7 horas de pantalla activa.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE es un terminal preparado para la carga rápida de hasta 25 W, pero el cargador de serie es de solo 15 W. Eso nos dejó unos tiempos de carga en nuestras pruebas de alrededor de 35 minutos para pasar de un 10 al 50% de batería (siempre con la conectividad activa), mientras que la carga completa de la batería de 4500 mAh se llevó a cabo en casi una hora y cuarenta minutos.
Triple cámara al poder
Apple, Huawei, Samsung. Samsung, Huawei, Apple. en los últimos años, hablando siempre en la gama alta, estas tres compañías se han ido repartiendo la excelencia a nivel de fotografía con un smartphone. Cada cual con sus particularidades y centrado en aspectos concretos donde destacar.
El Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, por apellido y ficha técnica, es un terminal que no nos va a defraudar a nivel fotográfico. Es en cierta media una garantía (no absoluta) que adquirimos al fijarnos en su apellido.
La configuración de cámara del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE está compuesta por tres sensores: el principal de 12 MP (1/1.76″) con OIS y f1.8 (26 mm), un gran angular también de 12 MP (1/3.0″) y f2.2 (13 mm), y para acabar, un teleobjetivo (zoom óptico 3X, 73 mm) con OIS que baja su resolución a 8 MP (1/4.5″).
La interfaz es completa y personalizable en los modos que aparecen en el carrusel, así como su organización. De serie viene con el extra superficial del modo Disparo Único (durante 10 segundos hace fotos y luego aplica filtros y modificaciones libremente), así que poder quitarlo del carrusel y añadir otros mucho más interesantes como el Pro (con guardado en RAW) o el Noche es de agradecer.
La cámara del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE nos ofrece grandes resultados en casi todas las situaciones, tanto en colorido como en nivel de detalle
En el modo Foto, y siempre que sea posible, aparecen las opciones para escoger entre el teleobjetivo o el gran angular. Entre las opciones en los menús de ajuste tenemos la activación o no de ayudas como el seguimiento AF, el HDR, sugerencias de composición o corrección de distorsión cuando disparamos con el gran angular. Ojo porque algunas de ellas vienen activas por defecto y quizás no es lo que busquemos.
Como ya OS he adelantado un poco, la cámara principal del Samsung Galaxy S20 FE nos da una gran seguridad en su uso. Que no haya que pensar mucho para conseguir buenas fotos.
El sensor principal nos da en las fotos un nivel de detalle muy bueno, no muy artificial y pese a ser un sensor tremendamente luminoso, no hay graves fallos con la medición, ofreciendo un rango dinámico muy bueno también. El enfoque es muy rápido y preciso, incluso con poca luz.
Ese comportamiento a plena luz del día se mantiene en sitios más cerrados o con luz controlada. Y hay margen de maniobra para un desenfoque natural.
Ver galería completa » Muestras Galaxy S20 FE (33 fotos)
Salvo algún desencuentro ocasional con un HDR algo descontrolado (sigo prefiriendo hacer la elección con un botón directo en la interfaz principal), los resultados con este modo nos invitan a tenerlo en automático siempre.
Pero para Mi, el gran aliciente de este Samsung Galaxy S20 FE está con el modo noche. Salvo en escenas donde la luz es más que suficiente, obtendremos mejores fotos nocturnas con este modo, aunque para ello hay que tener paciencia, pues se toma unos 2-3 segundos en hacer la foto y otros tantos en mejorarla.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review: The perfect introduction to Samsung’s flagship range
The ideal entry point into Samsung’s premium range, packing in all the best features of the Galaxy S20 while also cutting the superfluous features that only serve to increase the price. It offers solid performance from the camera, all the benefits of Samsung’s OneUI, and a screen that can’t be beat. Whether you’re new to Samsung, or upgrading from an older handset, this is the device for you.
- Incredible screen that owes a lot to the 120Hz refresh rate
- Premium specs, including a top-tier chipset
- All the best parts of the S20 for a slightly lower price
- No Bixby Button
- – Premium price, far from what you’d consider “affordable”
- – Battery life not best in class
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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review. Specs
Dimensions: 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) Weight: 190g (6.7 oz Screen: 6.5-inch, HDR10, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400, 20:9 ratio CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 GPU: Adreno 650 RAM: 6GB/8GB Storage: 128GB/256GB Rear cameras: 12MP, 8MP, 12MP Front camera: 32MP Battery: 4,500 mAh OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5 5G: Yes
Samsung produces a lot of phones, but apparently, they hadn’t quite covered the whole market just yet. There are still people to target, would you believe. So here we have the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, a phone with flagship-tier specs but at a lower price point than we’ve come to expect from premium devices.
This is a phone that looks fantastic on paper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s everything it’s cracked up to be. In this review of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, we take a deep dive to find out if it is actually worth spending your cash on.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Design Screen
Samsung likes to do Android its own way, making them instantly recognisable.- especially from a software perspective. The S20 FE is no different, and is about as on-brand as you can expect from a Samsung flagship.- whether that’s the presence of OneUI 2.5 or the rectangular rear camera array that debuted on the S20.
The screen is, as you might have expected, the S20 FE’s crowning achievement. While the resolution is limited to FHD, rather than the S20’s QHD, the 120Hz refresh mate makes it one of the nicest phone screens out there. The silky smooth motion is what really makes things work, and I’ve never seen Avenger’s Endgame look so good. And that includes watching it in 4K and at the cinema. HDR would have been nice, but that’s on Disney not Samsung.
The 6.5-inch display is a bit of a tricky one. It skips the curved Edge display of most premium Samsung phones, which I’m always in favour of, but there’s still a touch more bezel than you’d expect. It’s only a few millimetres around the phone, but that’s enough to be noticeable if you’re looking carefully. Of course the holepunch camera is very small, the smallest Samsung has apparently, and that means you’re able to take great selfies without losing much screen space.
Some criticism has been levelled at Samsung for swapping glass backs for a type of transparent glass called ‘glasstic’. While it’s true glasstic doesn’t feel as glossy and premium as actual glass, it doesn’t seem to make much difference in the grand scheme of things. Sure it would be nice for premium phones to go all in with the best features, but unless you’re really looking you won’t be able to notice much difference.
Galaxy S20 FE Review. Faux Flagship For Everyone!
Glasstic looks fine, it just feels and looks more like the matte surface that it is. rather than the glossy casings of more expensive Samsung phones.
The only thing I’d change is the thickness of the camera bump, and the lack of a headphone jack. But that’s true of all phones, and isn’t going to change anytime soon.
Long gone are the days of TouchWiz hell, and Samsung’s OneUI is an absolute joy to use. It’s smooth, responsive, and it’s very easy on the eyes. It’ll be an adjustment for anyone used to a different flavour of Android, but it’s not so different that it’ll take that long to master all the changes. As for long-time Samsung loyalists, there’s nothing you won’t already be familiar with. which is exactly the point of OneUI.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Camera
One of the more unique features on the S20 FE is the 30x hybrid zoom feature.- the same as that on the S20 and Note 20. It’s not surprising that the S20 FE doesn’t offer the same level of zoom as the Ultra S20 and Note 20 phones, but it’s worth mentioning that 30x zoom is still a very long way.
Long enough for the picture quality to seriously degrade at any rate, which seriously limits what you’ll actually be using the zoom feature for. As you can see in the images below, which took a picture of this solo country tower at various degrees of zoom.
Poorer weather didn’t help things either, which is worth keeping in mind as we head towards winter.
Of course if you do want Hyper-zoomed in shots, Samsung still has the on-screen viewfinder to help you find what you want to photograph. Because it is incredibly easy to accidentally shift and lose your shot, and without it the feature would be impossible to use.
Standard camera images work out a lot better, provided you limit yourself to the 3x zoom afforded by the telephoto camera lens. You can’t complain about the final quality, whether we’re talking about wider-landscape shots, close-ups of the trees, or even the stuff decorating the shelves in my office. But that shouldn’t be a surprise, since the S20 FE’s camera is almost identical to the one in the standard S20. which we had very nice things to say about in our review.
As for the selfies, there’s nothing to worry about where the foreground is concerned. Smaller details in the background come out a bit worse for wear, but since you’ll be the FOCUS then that’s not such a dealbreaker. The foreground is as good as you could expect, but isn’t anything particularly special. Still that’s not a bad thing, whatever your selfie needs are.
K Video at 60 FPS
There’s no 8K video recording this time round, another consequence of the lower price, but unless you already shelled out for an 8K TV then this won’t be a huge issue. Especially not since it can record in 4K at 60 frames per second, and as you can see from our comparison video, that’s seriously better than a bog-standard FHD 30FPS shot.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Hardware
Any phone that is designed to cost less will inevitably compromise on the hardware in some way. The S20 FE has those compromises, but not when it comes to the internal hardware. The 5G model comes with the Snapdragon 865 which, while not as new or powerful as the recently released 865, is still one of the best chipsets on the market.- and the same as the one in the rest of the S20 range. It also comes packing the Adreno 650 GPU, the same as the S20 and Note 20 ranges, and 6-8GB of RAM, depending on which model you buy.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE full review
In other words, Samsung hasn’t been doing much in the way of downgrading, and your performance experience is identical to the other Samsung flagships.
The hardware isn’t completely identical, but not in the ways that really matter. The S20’s ultrasonic fingerprint scanner has been replaced with an optical version, though it still works exactly as you’d hope from any fingerprint scanner. It’ll still have trouble if your fingers are dirty or not precisely placed, but that’s true of any optical scanner out there.
All of that is great, but none of it matters if the phone’s battery is terrible. Thankfully it holds up rather well, even with the power-draining features like the 120Hz refresh rate switched on. The S20 FE is powered by a 4,500 mAh, which sits right in the middle of the standard S20’s 4,000 mAh and the S20 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh, and it seems to hold up fairly well to heavy use.
Playing Pokémon Go for 90 minutes, at full brightness with the 120Hz refresh rate switched on, led to a 20% loss in battery life. At first glance that seems like a lot, but multiply it and you wind up with around seven and a half hours of usage. Pokémon Go is a notorious battery drain, so being able to get that much playtime out of it was a surprise. Not that many people could stomach playing it for that long anyway.
That said, not having a terrible battery isn’t the same as having a great battery. The S20 could get you to and from work on a single charge, even with mid-level usage, but you’re going to have to plug it in for any evening activities. You can always switch off some batter-raining features, like the 120Hz refresh rate, but it seems counter-productive to buy a phone with premium features if you’re going to keep them switched off.
Corners have to be cut to meet certain price points, but battery life should never be compromised in favour of something superfluous.
One minor point to note is that the Galaxy S20 FE 5G does not support all 5G standards. Or rather it does not support the superior mmWave 5G that offers higher bandwidth.- and thus higher potential speeds. It’s not so much an issue in the UK, since there’s no mmWave coverage there, but if you’re in a country that does (such as the US) then you should know what you’re buying.
Of course mmWave coverage is very limited, especially compared to the more common sub-6 5G that the S20 FE does support. So you’re not really missing out on very much.
Finally, the most important change between the S20 FE and the rest of the S20 range is the loss of the Bixby button. Like the Note 20 range, Samsung has opted to let you summon Bixby by holding down the power button instead. That said if you don’t want to use Bixby, at all, you can reprogramme that gesture to open up the power menu. just like every other Android phone.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Verdict
The Galaxy S20 FE has an incredible amount to offer, taking the best parts of the Galaxy S20 range and packaging them into a slightly more affordable handset. Emphasis on slightly, though, because it is still considerably more expensive than other “affordable” phones from rival phone makers.
But the fact is that the compromises that have been made aren’t particularly serious, so this is a phone designed for people put off by the more extravagant features (and pricing) on S20 and Note 20 handsets. Improvements could always be made, but that’s true of any phone.
So if you’re looking for a premium phone that skips a lot of the fluff, and the resulting price inflation, the Galaxy S20 FE might be for you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-time Samsung user or you’re just looking for a change of scenery.
Check our Samsung discount codes to save on your order.
Everything you’d expect from a modern flagship without the modern price.
Android Central Verdict
The Galaxy S20 FE offers nearly everything you’d find on Samsung’s more expensive models, with high-end specs and impressive cameras. The screen is totally flat, which means fewer accidental touches, and the back of the phone is made of sturdy plastic.
Pros
- Flat 120Hz display is terrific
- All-day battery life
- Promised three years of software updates
- Impressive cameras with 3x optical zoom
- Sturdy design with fun color options
Cons
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For years, there’s been a stigma around using plastic designs in high-end, expensive phones. Consumers have come to expect more luxurious materials like metal and glass, which, despite being more fragile than plastic, typically have a more “premium” feel.
I’m definitely guilty of shying away from devices whose spec sheets feature the word polycarbonate. I was reluctant to try the Galaxy Note 20 for precisely that reason. But once my review unit came in, my concerns surrounding creakiness and a cheap in-hand feel disappeared. Build quality, in general, has massively improved since the days when plastic flagships were commonplace, and the Note 20 felt just as solid as any other phone I’d tested in recent memory.
The story is similar to the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition — better known as the S20 FE. This phone is the latest in Samsung’s crusade to dominate every pricing tier with a well-rounded device that makes the appropriate sacrifices while maintaining the company’s standards for quality and performance. In short, it’s like any other phone in the S20 lineup, save for a plastic back and a flat display that brings it to a significantly lower price.
The Galaxy S20 FE has since been supplanted by the Galaxy S21 FE. But right up until the newest Fan Edition arrived, we still considered the S20 FE one of the best Android phones that we’d recommend to just about anyone. Now the flagship killer is a bit out of date if you want to buy a new phone; but if you can snag a used or new model at a low price, it’s absolutely still worth using.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: Pricing availability
The Galaxy S20 FE launched on October 2, 2020, with a single configuration in the U.S. offering 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM for 699.99. It’s gone on sale several times since its launch, often reaching as low as 600. Additionally, Samsung sometimes offers generous trade-in promotions, knocking hundreds off of the phone’s total cost depending on your existing device and its condition.
There are six color options available: Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Orange, Cloud Red, and Cloud White. Specific colors like Cloud Red are getting harder to find as stock runs out, but you’ll always find some models available if you aren’t picky about colors.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: What I like
Anyone who’s used an S20 series device before will feel right at home on the S20 FE. It’s slightly larger than the baseline Galaxy S20, but it’s still a reasonable size with roughly the same footprint as the S20 and a nearly identical design language. Of course, the main difference is the polycarbonate (read: plastic) backing, which features a matte texture and comes in a variety of vibrant, almost pastel colors.
Just like the on the Note 20, Samsung also ditched the curved glass on the front of the S20 FE, instead opting for a totally flat display that, while a bit less flashy, is a massive functional improvement if you ask me. This means slightly larger bezels around the perimeter of the screen, but in exchange, you’ll experience zero accidental touches. Like the rest of the S20 series, the FE features a 120Hz refresh rate that makes every action on-screen feel buttery smooth.
| Android 11 / One UI 3.1 |
| 6.5 inches, 20:9 aspect ratio, 2400×1080 (407 PPI) resolution, Super AMOLED |
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| 6GB RAM |
| 128GB |
| Yes (up to 1TB) |
| 12MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.8μm (wide)12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm (ultra-wide)8MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.0μm (telephoto) |
| 32MP, ƒ/2.2, 0.8μm |
| Optical fingerprint sensor |
| 4500mAh |
| IP68 |
| 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm |
| 190g |
| Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Orange, Cloud Red, Cloud White |
There’s only one specs configuration of the S20 FE, at least in the States, with 128GB of expandable storage and 6GB of RAM, though Verizon sells its own variant (with the totally consumer-friendly name of Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW) that’s optimized for its Ultra Wideband network. I think 128GB is totally fine for most people, especially since you can expand it with microSD, though it’s worth noting that the 6GB of RAM is a slight step down from the 8GB and up on the rest of the S20 series.
It’s quite remarkable how much Samsung was able to make the Fan Edition fit in with the rest of the S20 lineup, despite a starting price that’s 300 below the retail value of its peers. You get the same Snapdragon 865 processor, the same One UI 3.1 and Android 11 experience, and the same gorgeous Super AMOLED display tech.
I’ve spent a lot of time with Samsung devices this year, and this one feels no different from the rest; performance is top-notch, and there are plenty of software perks like Edge Panels and even Wireless DeX — a relatively new feature that first debuted on the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra.
Battery life proved great on the S20 FE, as well. In the 10 days I’ve tested the phone, the 4500mAh cell was more than enough to last through each day without a problem. In addition, it averaged about 5 to 7 hours of screen-on time. The S20 FE supports 25W Fast Charging, though Samsung only includes a 15W brick in the box.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: Cameras
The S20 FE features three rear cameras in the de facto standard grouping of wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. The main sensor is the same one found on the standard S20: a 12MP ƒ/1.8 camera with all of the typical Samsung qualities you’d expect, both good and bad. Deeply saturated colors, a strong tendency to lift shadows, and a preference for warm tones.
Unsurprisingly, that means that it’s great for the most part, and the vast majority of users will love the photos it takes. If you’re a pickier photographer, you might take issue with the often very harsh haloing effect in bright outdoor lighting or the strong HDR effect that overly flattens daytime shots, but of course, you can take a bit of control over these problems by switching over to a manual shooting mode if you prefer.
Samsung seems to have changed up its telephoto lens choice with every new release this year, and on the S20 FE, that means an accurate 3X sensor that can reach up to 30X through Space Zoom, Samsung’s coined term for its combination of optical and digital zoom.
Of course, the telephoto sensor isn’t quite as sharp as the main one, but I’ve still been very happy with it overall. It’s great for snapping a closer shot without a second thought, and of course, digital zoom on the primary sensor helps fill out the 2X gap between cameras.
The ultra-wide seems to be nearly identical in performance to that of almost every other high-end phone Samsung has released this year — which isn’t a bad thing by any stretch. The S20 FE does a great job at minimalizing barrel distortion, though haloing is even worse on the ultra-wide.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: What I don’t like
It’s impressive just how much the S20 FE feels like any other S20 model, but it isn’t without its faults. The reduced 6GB of RAM is plenty for most tasks, but it can hang up at times when you’re running multiple heavy apps in split-screen view. I’ve also found that the S20 FE is relatively slow to launch the camera and always seems to lag a bit for the first second or two. That may not sound like much, but a second is all it takes to miss your shot.
It’s a bit odd that the S20 FE only includes a 15W charger in the box, as well. Even the maximum supported 25W is a bit slim by today’s standards (though it’s in line with the rest of Samsung’s selection), but I’m doubtful that there was indeed a massive cost savings in reducing the in-box charging speeds.
Of course, if you’re a fan of glass backs and curved screens, the S20 FE will feel like a downgrade in that regard from even the baseline S20. I think most people will be pleased with the build quality of the S20 FE, though. Switching over from devices like the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold 2, I never once found myself wishing the S20 FE had used different materials.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: The competition
If you compare the Galaxy S21 FE vs. the Galaxy S20 FE, you’d be surprised how well the older phone holds up to scrutiny. Both phones have a 120Hz AMOLED display, with the S20 FE’s 0.1-inch larger. They share the same cameras, base 6GB of RAM, 4,500mAh battery, IP68 protection, and in-display fingerprint sensor. Plus, only the S20 FE offers a microSD slot for expandable storage. But because it launched with Android 10, it’ll lose support at Android 13. Whereas the S21 FE launched with Android 12, giving the newer phone an extra two OS updates for much better longevity and trade-in value. Plus, of course, it has a revamped processor in the Snapdragon 888 for slightly improved performance.
Of course, we’ve also seen the recent arrival of the Galaxy S22, with cutting-edge processing speed, improved camera sensors, and a new iPhone-esque design with a glass back. While the S20 FE falls short in many ways, you’ll certainly prefer saving hundreds on the price, and its larger display, expandable storage, and much larger battery (4,800mAh vs. 4,000mAh) could put the older phone on top for select shoppers.
The Galaxy S21 takes considerable inspiration from the Galaxy S20 FE, featuring a similar polycarbonate design and flat Full HD display for just 100 more. We’ve compared the S21 vs. the S20 FE, and while they’re pretty evenly matched, the Galaxy S20 FE is still the cheaper option, especially since you don’t need to pay extra for more storage thanks to its microSD slot. It also has a larger display and battery. But the Galaxy S21 has a more powerful processor, 2 extra GB of RAM, more pixels per inch, and one more planned OS update. The Galaxy S21 tends to sell out more frequently, making the S20 FE a good alternative.
The S20 FE’s aggressive pricing puts it in direct competition with devices like the OnePlus 9 and the Pixel 6. However, in terms of pricing and carrier incentives, the S20 FE has a distinct advantage over the OnePlus 9 with its overall better cameras, faster updates — man, the tables have turned in that department, haven’t they? — and wider availability in the U.S., but the OnePlus 9’s OxygenOS still appeals to many over One UI 3.1 on the S20 FE.
The Pixel 6 could be the S20 FE’s most deadly competitor, much newer but costing 100 less at launch. Its new Google Tensor chipset gives the Pixel 6 snazzy AI tools, powerful camera processing, and more Android support. In terms of raw performance, the S20 FE’s Snapdragon 865 and Pixel 6 Tensor are probably on par with one another. And the S20 FE has a larger and brighter display, plus a telephoto camera (which the Pixel 6 lacks).
You should buy this if.
You don’t need fancy build materials
The Galaxy S20 FE is a fantastic phone at a great price, but if you’re after a curved glass design like Samsung’s higher-end models, you won’t find it here. The S20 FE instead uses polycarbonate for its back panel, though it still relies on an aluminum frame for durability.
You want the S20 experience without spending four figures
Samsung designed the S20 FE as a flagship-tier device for a slightly tighter budget. However, you’ll still get all of the same great features you’d expect on an S20, including great cameras, 5G support, and a gorgeous 120Hz display, without having to spend an arm and a leg to get there.
You want all-day battery life
The S20 FE comes equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which is more than enough to provide all-day longevity, even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled. Of course, you’ll need to provide your own charger to reach the full 25W charging speeds, but the 15W brick included in the box will keep you topped up without a problem.
You should not buy this if.
You want the best of the best
There are few compromises with the S20 FE, but at nearly half the price of the Note 20 Ultra and S21 Ultra, it’s still missing some premium features like S Pen support, Samsung’s massive new cameras, and even foldable display tech.
You want something that’ll last you 3 years
The Galaxy S20 FE is a fantastic 2020 phone, but we’re well into 2022 now. If you own the S20 FE, you should be able to use it happily for another year or two; but new buyers may want to look elsewhere unless they’re not particularly invested in keeping their phone updated with the latest tech.
All in all, the Galaxy S20 FE makes few concessions to reach its lower price point, offering the same level of quality and performance you’d expect from a modern Samsung device. It’s a fantastic value, priced hundreds below Samsung’s other flagship devices, and even with the Galaxy S21 out for only 100 more, the S20 FE offers a better value and a bigger screen for less.
The six colors also give you some vibrant style, which you can take even further with the best Galaxy S20 FE cases for a Samsung experience that’s bold and unique, inside and out. So while the S21 FE might be on the horizon, the S20 FE remains one of the better smartphone deals from Samsung.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: What’s the difference?
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S20 FE is a frustrating game of spot the difference. Despite launching over a year apart, Samsung hasn’t changed that much between these two entry-level flagship phones.
The changes that have been made are still important to look at though. The Galaxy S21 FE offers a lighter design, new camera improvements and features and better performance. But other aspects have remained the same, such as the display, battery, charging and price.
Our Galaxy S21 FE review is still in progress, so don’t be alarmed if you come back to this page later and find some of our conclusions have changed. For now, though, this is our current breakdown of Galaxy S21 FE vs. Galaxy S20 FE.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: specs
| Galaxy S21 FE | Galaxy S20 FE |
| 699 | 699 |
| 6.4-inch FHD AMOLED (2400×1080) | 6.5-inch FHD AMOLED (2400×1080) |
| 60Hz/120Hz, fixed | 60Hz/120Hz, fixed |
| 12MP main (ƒ/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2); 8MP telephoto (ƒ/2.4) with 3x optical zoom | 12MP main (ƒ/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2), 8MP telephoto (ƒ/2.4) with 3x optical zoom |
| 32MP (ƒ/2.2) | 32MP (ƒ/2.2) |
| Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 865 |
| 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB |
| 128GB/256GB, non-expandable | 128GB/256GB, expandable up to 1TB |
| 4,500 mAh | 4,500 mAh |
| 25W wired, 15W wireless | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.31 inches | 6.3 x 2.9 x 0.33 inches |
| 6.2 ounces | 6.7 ounces |
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE officially launches on January 11 for 699. The Galaxy S20 FE currently has the same price, but we would expect a price reduction once the S21 FE goes on sale. Our guess is 100 off but we’ll see.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: design
You’d struggle to tell the difference between these phones from the front. The pair of them both use rounded corners, and feature a central punch-hole camera at the top of the display.
The backs are still similar, but you can at least tell them apart. The Galaxy S21 FE has a redesigned camera bump compared to the Galaxy S20 FE, which reflects the “contour cut” camera block of the normal Galaxy S21. Both phones still use a plastic back, a feature that helps lower the price of components.
Perhaps as a result of its smaller 6.4-inch size, the S21 FE is also a little lighter at 6.2 ounces (177g) compared to the 6.5-inch S20 FE (6.7 ounces/190g). This could be good news for those users who like smaller, lighter devices either for comfort or practicality.
Samsung’s shrunk the available color options of the S21 FE to four, compared to the S20 FE’s six. The S21 FE is available in black, white, olive green or lavender. Meanwhile, the S20 FE can be found in navy, lavender, mint, red, white and orange, although you may not be able to find every color available from every carrier or retailer.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: display
There’s a very slight size difference between the two FE phones. The Galaxy S20 FE had a 6.5-inch display, while the Galaxy S21 FE has a 6.4-inch one. Both use FHD OLED panels with 120Hz maximum refresh rates, but that refresh rate can only be toggled manually.
The most meaningful difference for these display is what they’re made of. On the Galaxy S21 FE, you get a Gorilla Glass Victus panel, one of the strongest smartphone materials out there right now. The S20 FE uses Gorilla Glass 3, an older standard. That means that the S21 FE’s screen should be able to better withstand scratches and other damage.
The S21 FE’s display has a few other enhancements over the S20 FE’s. It was slightly brighter in our testing, averaging at 700 nits compared to 679 nits. It also is slightly more color accurate, with a delta-E score of 0.29 compared to 0.3 (lower numbers are better).
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: cameras
There appears to be absolutely no difference between the camera packages on these phones, at least in terms of specs. On the back, both use a 12MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. On the front, both have a 32MP selfie camera.
The real changes come in the software. New to the S21 FE’s arsenal is an improved Night Mode for low-light shots, simultaneous video recording for the front and rear cameras, and Zoom Lock for steadier telephoto images.
We have yet to put the S21 FE’s cameras through their paces, so check back later when we have some images to show you the difference between these phones.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: performance and 5G
Here lies the biggest update between the S21 FE and the S20 FE. Samsung uses the Snapdragon 888 in the S21 FE, but the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 5G, or an Exynos 990 chipset in the 4G version available in certain markets. Either way, the S21 FE does better on the benchmarks as a result of its newer chipset. It scored 3,199 on the Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark, while the S20 FE 5G managed 2,928.
Depending on the specs, these phones can have 6GB or 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, or with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. However, in the S20 FE’s case, you can expand that storage with a microSD card, something you can’t do on the S21 FE.
Both phones support 5G, but it’s not a given on the S20 FE. There is a 4G version of this phone sold in Europe, where it acted as a cheaper option alongside the same S20 FE sold in the rest of the world. There’s no such difference this time; the S21 FE is 5G-ready around the world, with no 4G option. In fact, you can use two 5G SIM cards in the S21 FE since it has a double-sided SIM tray. This won’t be useful for everyone, but it can be a benefit for users who need to regularly use two different phone numbers and want a single device to manage both.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: battery and charging
Both phones use 4,500 mAh batteries with 25W wired charging and 10W wireless charging, although only the Galaxy S20 FE comes with a charger in the box (albeit a 15W one). The S21 FE ships without a charger, so you’ll have to dig out a spare or buy one separately.
We’ve yet to test the Galaxy S21 FE with our custom battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over 5G networks until the power runs out. We’re hoping that it does a lot better than the S20 FE, which managed a disappointing sub-9 hour result.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: software
There’s a big difference here. The Galaxy S20 FE launched with Android 10 (in the form of One UI 2), the standard for 2020 when it arrived, and can now be upgraded to Android 11. But by launching much later than predicted, the Galaxy S21 FE is arriving with the Android 12-based One UI 4. This gives it lots of new features, including new widget designs, enhanced privacy and greater customization for how the different parts of your phone’s interface look.
It’s likely that Samsung will eventually introduce the Android 12 version of One UI to the S20 FE. However, as an older phone, Samsung will abandon big OS updates for it sooner than it will for the freshly launched S21 FE. You’ll still get security updates to keep the S20 FE safe after this point, but you’ll lose out on whatever Samsung or Google’s software teams cook up for future editions of One UI and Android.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: bottom line
When it launched, we called the Galaxy S20 FE a “value triumph.” That’s less the case for the S21 FE, which doesn’t change that much while still remaining the same price.
There are still good reasons to pick up the newer phone. In the S21 FE’s favor, you’ve got a more powerful chip, new photography abilities, more recent Android 12 software and a more compact, lighter body. On the other hand, the S20 FE matches the S21 FE for camera hardware, battery size and charging and 5G support. It’s also likely going to get much cheaper once the S21 FE goes on sale, assuming you can find it in stock.
This is one of those phone comparisons where the differences are simply not that great. However, it’s disappointing to see a Samsung phone from 2020 match up so closely to one that’s only just arriving now in 2022.
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