Samsung S21 FE 5G 6.4" 8/256GB Snapdragon888 IP68 4500mAh Review
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a decent phone trapped in a terrible deal. At $634, you're paying flagship money for last-gen tech that's been surpassed by cheaper rivals.
The 30-Second Version
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a three-year-old phone masquerading as a new deal. At $634, it's an overpriced time capsule you should avoid.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a phone that's trying to be a flagship but feels like it's running late to the party. It's a decent phone, but for $634, you're paying for a name and a spec sheet that's been outclassed by newer, cheaper rivals. The one thing to know? This is a 2021 phone being sold at a 2024 price, and that math just doesn't work in your favor.
Performance
The performance is fine. It's got a Snapdragon 888 chip and 8GB of RAM, which lands it in the 74th percentile in our database. It'll handle most games and apps without a hiccup. What surprised us, though, was how average everything else feels. The battery life is in the bottom half of phones we track, and the camera scores are frankly disappointing for a Samsung at this price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- That 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is still beautiful and smooth. 80th
- You get a solid 256GB of storage, which is plenty for most people. 72th
- The IP68 rating means you don't have to panic about a little rain.
- It's unlocked and works on all major 5G networks.
Cons
- The camera performance is weak for the price, sitting in the 37th percentile. 12th
- Battery life is mediocre at best, ranking in the bottom 40%. 14th
- It's running an old version of Android (12) out of the box.
- For $634, you're getting last-gen tech and missing out on newer features.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.4 |
Performance
| RAM | 8 MB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
Design & Build
| OS | Android 12 |
Value & Pricing
Not worth it. At $634, this phone is a terrible value. You're buying a phone that's several generations old, with middling battery and camera scores, for the price of a current-generation mid-range champion. It's the tech equivalent of paying full price for last season's sneakers.
vs Competition
This is where it gets ugly for the S21 FE. The Google Pixel 8a gives you a vastly superior camera, years of guaranteed software updates, and a similar price. The OnePlus 12R smokes it in performance and battery life for less money. Even the Motorola Moto G offers 90% of the experience for half the price. The S21 FE is stuck in no-man's land, outclassed by newer phones in every direction.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Samsung S21 FE still a good phone in 2024?
It's an okay phone, but it's not a good *buy*. The hardware is dated, the software is old, and the price is way too high for what you get.
Q: How's the battery life on the S21 FE?
Not great. Our data puts it in the 39th percentile, which means most phones last longer. You'll likely need a charge by dinner time.
Q: Should I buy this or a Google Pixel?
Buy the Pixel, full stop. A Pixel 7a or 8a will give you a better camera, newer software, and a similar price. It's not a close call.
Who Should Skip This
If you care about camera quality, software updates, or getting good value for your money, this isn't it. Go get a Google Pixel 8a or a OnePlus 12R instead. They're better phones that cost the same or less.
Verdict
We can't recommend buying the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE at this price. It's not a bad phone, but it's a bad deal. Unless you find it for under $400, your money is better spent elsewhere. Samsung makes great phones, but this particular model is a relic being sold at a premium it no longer deserves. Skip it and look at the competition.