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Olive, Graphite, Lavander, White
Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G

8.3/10 UpPhone score

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers flagship-caliber features at a more accessible price, pairing a vivid 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor and a capable triple-camera system.

Storage
Screen
6.4"
Chip
Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm), Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 680), Adreno 660
Camera
6.4 MP
Battery
288 hours
Water
Yes (IP68 Rating)
The verdict, & two little voices

Should you actually get the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G?

The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
UP
Our takeEditorial
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G hits a genuine sweet spot for shoppers who want proven flagship performance without paying flagship prices. The Snapdragon 888 remains a powerful, capable chip, and the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is a genuine pleasure for media and everyday use. The 32-megapixel selfie camera is a standout advantage. The trade-offs — no expandable storage, no wireless charging, and 6 GB of RAM — are real but manageable for most users. At its price point, particularly when found on sale, the S21 FE 5G offers excellent overall value for performance-focused buyers.
UpPhone Team
The Optimist
“OH. MY. GOODNESS. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the most criminally underrated phone on the market, and I will absolutely die on this hill! Snapdragon 888?! That's FLAGSHIP SILICON, people! On an FE phone! The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X is so gorgeous I cried a single perfect tear looking at it. And don't even get me started on that 32-megapixel front camera — I've never looked this stunning in a selfie, and I'm including my wedding photos. IP68 water resistance, Wi-Fi 6, 5G, fast charging — this phone does EVERYTHING. Samsung basically handed us a golden ticket wrapped in Olive or Lavender and said 'here, have a flagship on us.' Every single person who doesn't own this phone is making a deeply questionable life decision.”
— the angel on your shoulder
The Cynic
“Ah yes, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G — Samsung's valiant attempt to sell you slightly-aged flagship specs at a price that still gives your wallet whiplash. Let's be real: 6 GB of RAM in 2022 was already feeling a little tight, and no expandable storage means you'll spend quality time deleting apps like it's a hobby. No optical zoom? Just the humble 30x digital zoom that turns your vacation photos into modern art — specifically the abstract variety. No wireless charging either, which is rich coming from Samsung, who practically invented the feature. Bluetooth 5.0 instead of 5.2? The horror. Sure, you get Snapdragon 888, but congratulations, you're carrying yesterday's flagship today. At least the colors are pretty, I suppose.”
— the devil in your other ear
Our take

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G delivers flagship-caliber features at a more accessible price, pairing a vivid 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor and a capable triple-camera system.

Samsung's Fan Edition philosophy has always been about democratizing premium experiences, and the Galaxy S21 FE 5G makes a compelling case for itself. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset — the same silicon that drove flagship performance in its launch year — it handles everything from heavy multitasking to gaming with composure. Combined with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, daily workflows stay smooth and responsive.

The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display produces punchy, saturated colors at 403 pixels per inch, making media consumption and outdoor visibility genuinely enjoyable. The panel's refresh rate keeps scrolling buttery, and HDR content pops with the kind of contrast depth that only OLED can deliver. Whether you're binging a series or editing photos on the go, the screen holds its own against much pricier competition.

Rounding out the package is an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, 5G connectivity via 802.11ax Wi-Fi, fast charging support, and a 32-megapixel front camera that makes video calls and selfies look polished. Available in Olive, Graphite, Lavender, and White, the S21 FE 5G offers a refined aesthetic in a slim 7.9mm frame that weighs just 177 grams.

What we love
  • Snapdragon 888 delivers flagship-tier processing power well above the price point
  • 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is vivid, sharp at 403 PPI, and a joy for media
  • 32-megapixel front camera produces exceptionally detailed selfies and crisp video calls
  • IP68 water and dust resistance provides genuine peace of mind around water
  • 5G connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) ensures fast, future-proof wireless performance
  • Fast charging keeps downtime short when you need to top up quickly
What we don't
  • 6 GB of RAM can feel limiting when juggling many heavy apps simultaneously
  • No expandable storage means 128 GB is the ceiling you'll have to manage around
  • Digital zoom tops out at 30x with no optical zoom, so distance shots can lose detail
  • No wireless charging support, which competing devices at this tier sometimes include

Full specifications

Display
Size6.4"
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution1080 x 2340 px
PPI403
Performance
ChipQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm), Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 680), Adreno 660
RAM6 GB
Storage128 GB
OSAndroid
Cellular5G
Camera
Rear camera6.4 MP
Rear camera 212 MP
Front camera32 MP
VideoYes
Battery
Standby288 hours
Talk time37 hours
Design
Dimensions155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm
Weight177
ColorsOlive, Graphite, Lavander, White
Water ratingYes (IP68 Rating)
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4G+5GHz
Bluetooth5.0
USB3.0, Type-C 1.0 (reversible)
Networks5G: n41, n66, n71, n260, n261; LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71; LTE Roaming: 1, 3, 7, 13, 19, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48
SIMNano-SIM
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G

What kind of display does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G have?

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G sports a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel resolving 1080 x 2340 pixels at 403 PPI. Samsung's AMOLED technology delivers deep blacks, vibrant color saturation, and excellent contrast that makes HDR content shine. The screen-to-body ratio is generous, making it ideal for widescreen content, and the display remains readable outdoors thanks to the panel's brightness capabilities.

At 7.9mm thin and with a relatively lightweight 177-gram build, the phone is comfortable for extended single-handed use despite its 6.4-inch footprint. The Infinity-O punch-hole cutout keeps bezels minimal while the flat panel design avoids accidental edge touches.

What kind of camera does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G have?

The S21 FE 5G features a rear camera system anchored by a 12-megapixel primary sensor alongside a 6.4-megapixel ultrawide lens. For everyday photos the combination captures well-exposed shots with Samsung's characteristic color processing — warm, saturated, and social-media ready straight out of the camera app. Digital zoom extends reach up to 30x for distant subjects, though quality naturally softens at higher zoom levels.

On the front, the 32-megapixel selfie camera stands out as a genuine highlight. It resolves finer facial detail than most competitors at this price tier and performs admirably in portrait mode and during video calls. The front camera supports video recording, making it a strong choice for content creators focused on self-facing content.

What is the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G?

Samsung rates the Galaxy S21 FE 5G for up to 37 hours of 3G talk time and 288 hours of standby, translating to solid all-day endurance under typical mixed usage. The battery supports fast charging via the USB-C 3.0 port, which significantly shortens charging sessions compared to standard speeds — useful when you need to get back to full power quickly.

What processor does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G use?

Inside the S21 FE 5G sits the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm), paired with the Adreno 660 GPU. The octa-core configuration peaks at 2.84 GHz on its prime core, with mid and efficiency cores at 2.42 GHz and 1.80 GHz respectively. This is flagship-generation silicon that handles demanding apps, console-quality mobile gaming, and 5G multitasking without breaking a sweat — a rare advantage at the Fan Edition price point.

How much storage does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G have?

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with 128 GB of internal storage paired with 6 GB of RAM. Storage is fixed with no microSD card slot, so managing your media library and app installs is important over time. Samsung's built-in storage management tools help identify large files, and cloud backup via Samsung Cloud or Google One can ease the limitation for users with heavy photo and video habits.

What kind of speakers does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G have?

Audio output on the S21 FE 5G comes from its built-in speaker. For media consumption, phone calls, and casual listening, performance is functional. The USB-C port handles wired audio accessories, and Bluetooth 5.0 provides reliable wireless audio pairing with headphones and speakers.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G support fingerprint or face unlock?

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G uses an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The sensor responds quickly for unlocking and app authentication, and Samsung's implementation is reliable for everyday use. The in-display placement keeps the back of the phone clean and provides a natural unlocking motion when picking the phone up.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe 5G water-resistant?

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G carries an IP68 rating, certifying it as dust tight and water resistant when submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. This level of protection is genuinely reassuring for day-to-day scenarios — rain, splashes, and accidental sink drops are covered. It's a feature that sets the S21 FE 5G apart from many phones at its price range that offer only splash resistance.

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