Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD: Pros and Cons

Android OS v12.0
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Adreno 660
6 GB / 128 GB
6.4 inch (1080 x 2400 px)
12 + 12 + 8 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization

Samsung announced the launch of the Galaxy S21 FE SD smartphone in 2021. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 6.4 inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, and 6 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S21 FE SD series was launched with Android OS v12.0 pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 6.4 inch AMOLED displays has fast response times. The Galaxy S21 FE SD has a multi-camera setup. The lens offers versatility. It lets you capture a wide range of subjects and scenes from different perspectives. Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD / 1

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD specifications

BrandSamsung
NameGalaxy S21 FE SD
ModelSM-G990B
Release date2021

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.24 oz
Dimensions6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 inch
Colorsblack, olive green, violet, white
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD is about 6.24 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM).

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v12.0
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 888
CPUOcta-core, Single-core 2.84 GHz Kryo 680, Triple-core 2.4 GHz Kryo 680, Quad-core 1.8 GHz Kryo 680
GPUAdreno 660

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD comes with Android OS v12.0 out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeAMOLED
Screen size6.4 inch
Resolution1080 x 2400 px
Multitouch supportyes

AMOLED displays enable an Always-On Display feature. A part of the screen remains active to display the time, date, and notifications. The 6.4 inch display should be big enough for your needs. It will make viewing comfortable. This is true whether you're reading, browsing, or watching. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD / 1

Memory, storage

RAM6 GB
Internal storage128 GB
Memory card slotno

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD comes with 6 GB of RAM, which is considered to be sufficient for most users' needs. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. The Galaxy S21 FE SD has 128 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for their needs. The internal storage of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE SD (6 GB) cannot be expanded.

Cameras, flash

Main camera12 + 12 + 8 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus, optical image stabilization
FlashLED
Selfie camera32 MP

Multiple cameras or depth sensors can help the smartphone. They can make its portrait mode effects more appealing. The main camera of Galaxy S21 FE SD has optical image stabilization (OIS). It counters camera shake.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G / 5G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv5.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphoneno

The 5G networks use advanced technologies. These include millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies, massive MIMO, and network slicing. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Galaxy S21 FE SD smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The Galaxy S21 FE SD smartphone does not have 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of Galaxy S21 FE SD isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, barometer, compass, fingerprint, geomagnetic, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCertified IP68 dustproof and waterproof, Corning Gorilla Glass, Dual SIM, Fast charging, Wireless charging

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The Galaxy S21 FE SD phone has a fingerprint scanner. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

The IP68 rating indicates that Galaxy S21 FE SD smartphone is resistant to water ingress. The fast charging technology comes in handy when you need quick juice on your device. Wireless charging uses an electromagnetic field. It transfers energy between two objects through electromagnetic induction. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Samsung phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.

Pros

  • AMOLED display
  • appropriate screen size
  • adequate memory
  • generous internal storage
  • multicamera setup
  • optical image stabilization (OIS)
  • 5G support
  • Dual SIM support
  • IP68 certified protection
  • wireless charging
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • non-expandable storage
  • no headphone jack
  • low-capacity battery
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Lucas Bradley I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.
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