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The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the newer, smaller and lighter phone; the Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a slightly larger display and documented microSD expansion in its US specification sheet. Both offer 120Hz screens, a 4,500mAh typical battery and similar camera-resolution layouts. There is no verified current price difference: the often-cited $699 figure was the S20 FE 5G’s US starting price at launch in 2020, not a present-day listing.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs S20 FE 5G: specifications
The comparison below uses Samsung’s published specifications. Processor, storage expansion and pricing details can vary by country or model, so check the exact regional variant before buying.
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| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Unveiled 4 January 2022; availability began 11 January 2022 | Revealed 23 September 2020; availability began 2 October 2020 |
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz; 6.5 inches full rectangle and 6.4 inches with rounded corners |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100, depending on region and operator | Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 in Samsung’s comparison; the US 5G datasheet specifies Qualcomm SM8250 |
| Rear cameras | 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide with OIS, 8MP 3x telephoto with OIS | 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide with OIS, 8MP 3x telephoto with OIS |
| Front camera | 32MP | 32MP |
| Battery capacity | 4,500mAh typical | 4,500mAh typical |
| Charging | Up to 25W wired, 15W wireless; Wireless PowerShare | Up to 25W wired, 15W wireless; Wireless PowerShare |
| Internal storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB |
| Expandable storage | Not listed in the consulted Samsung materials | MicroSD up to 1TB in the US 5G datasheet |
| Dimensions and weight | 74.5 × 155.7 × 7.9mm; 177g | 74.5 × 159.8 × 8.4mm; 193g |
| Water and dust resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Historical launch price | A US launch price was not established by the consulted announcement | US 5G version started at $699 in 2020 |
Specifications and launch dates are from Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE and S21 FE comparison, S21 FE 5G announcement, S20 FE announcement and the US Galaxy S20 FE 5G datasheet. Samsung Ireland’s side-by-side comparison was last updated 21 December 2022; the datasheet describes a US variant.
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Screen size and handling
The S20 FE 5G has the larger full-rectangle screen diagonal, while both phones are specified at 120Hz and FHD+. The S21 FE is 4.1mm shorter, 0.5mm thinner and 16g lighter according to Samsung’s dimensions and weights. That makes it the more compact option on paper; the S20 FE 5G gives slightly more screen area.
#1 Best Overall
- The Galaxy S21 FE sports a sleek polycarbonate back with a premium matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels smooth in hand, giving it a stylish yet practical design.
Processor and performance
The S21 FE uses a newer chipset generation, but there is no single processor configuration that applies to every market. Samsung lists Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 for the S21 FE depending on region and operator; the S20 FE 5G also varies by market. Confirm the exact model number and chipset for the phone being sold. These specifications alone do not establish a real-world speed or battery-life advantage.
Cameras
The rear-camera resolution arrangement and 32MP front-camera resolution are the same in Samsung’s specifications. Samsung says the S21 FE improves Night Mode compared with the S20 FE, a manufacturer claim rather than an independent camera test. Megapixel counts do not, by themselves, show which phone takes better photos.
Rank #2
- The Galaxy S21 FE sports a sleek polycarbonate back with a premium matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels smooth in hand, giving it a stylish yet practical design.
Battery and charging
Both are rated at 4,500mAh typical and support up to 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare. Matching capacity does not prove matching runtime; no directly comparable battery-life test is established here. Samsung’s S21 FE specification sheet says its charger is not included, so check the box contents of the specific offer rather than assuming an adapter comes with either phone.
Storage
Both are listed with 128GB and 256GB internal-storage options. The US S20 FE 5G datasheet additionally documents microSD expansion up to 1TB. Samsung’s consulted S21 FE materials do not list expandable storage, so do not assume the same card support; verify the exact regional variant if removable storage matters.
Rank #3
- The Galaxy S21 FE sports a sleek polycarbonate back with a premium matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels smooth in hand, giving it a stylish yet practical design.
What is the price difference?
A current price difference cannot be stated from Samsung’s launch announcements. Samsung said the US Galaxy S20 FE 5G started at $699 in September 2020. That is a historical launch price, not a current price for new-old-stock, refurbished or used units. Samsung India announced an effective INR 49,999 launch price for the S21 FE 5G in India in 2022; that market-specific effective price should not be compared directly with the US S20 FE launch price.
To calculate a meaningful difference, compare offers in the same country and match storage capacity, condition, carrier lock, warranty and seller type. A used S20 FE 5G and a new S21 FE, for example, are not like-for-like offers merely because both are phones in the FE line. Samsung’s regional announcements document launch pricing, not current retailer stock or asking prices: Samsung US S20 FE announcement and Samsung India S21 FE announcement.
Rank #4
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is jam-packed with features that help you get more out of whatever you're into, including an All-Day Intelligent Battery, a powerful processor, a smooth and strong display, a triple-lens camera and more.
Which phone should you choose?
- Choose the S21 FE 5G if a later model, lower weight and more compact body are your priorities, and its verified local price and processor variant suit you.
- Choose the S20 FE 5G if the larger full-rectangle screen or the documented microSD support in the US datasheet is more valuable to you, and the exact model meets your carrier and software needs.
- Compare offers before deciding if price is the deciding factor. A historical launch price is not evidence that either model is cheaper today.
Software support: check the current status
Samsung’s S20 FE launch announcement promised three generations of Android OS upgrades. That historical promise does not establish either phone’s remaining security-support period today. Samsung’s support period can depend on model and market, so check the current Samsung product support information for the exact model number before treating software longevity as a deciding factor.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Both phones carry an IP68 rating in Samsung’s specifications. The rating is not a guarantee against damage, and a rating alone does not establish the condition of a particular used or refurbished device.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
