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The Galaxy S21 FE is the newer, smaller and lighter phone; the Galaxy S20 FE 5G gives you a slightly larger display and documented microSD expansion on the US variant. Their headline specs are close: both list a 120Hz FHD+ display, a 4,500mAh typical battery, IP68 resistance and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. There is no verified current price difference here: the available price figures are historical launch prices, not today’s market offers.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs S20 FE 5G: key specifications
| Specification | Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Unveiled January 4, 2022; availability began January 11, 2022 | Revealed September 23, 2020; availability began October 2, 2020 |
| Display | 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz; Samsung lists 6.5 inches full rectangle and 6.4 inches with rounded corners |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100, depending on market and operator | Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 in Samsung’s comparison; 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, 8MP 3x telephoto; Samsung’s US datasheet specifies OIS for the main and telephoto cameras |
| 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 S21 FE materials | MicroSD up to 1TB listed 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 |
Specifications are manufacturer-published and can vary by regional model. Samsung’s side-by-side comparison was last updated December 21, 2022; its US Galaxy S20 FE 5G materials describe a US variant. Confirm the exact model and carrier compatibility for your country before buying.
Which phone is easier to handle, and which has the larger screen?
The S20 FE 5G has the larger full-rectangle display diagonal at 6.5 inches, versus 6.4 inches for the S21 FE. Both are FHD+ and support 120Hz refresh rates, so the practical choice is screen area versus a more compact body—not a difference in advertised refresh rate.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe S21 FE is 4.1mm shorter, 0.5mm thinner and 16g lighter according to Samsung’s comparison. Both are 74.5mm wide. If you want a phone that takes up less space and weighs less, the S21 FE has the specification advantage; if a slightly larger screen matters more, consider the S20 FE 5G.
#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.
How do their performance and cameras compare?
Processor variants depend on the market
The S21 FE moved to the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 generation, while Samsung’s comparison lists Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 options for the S20 FE. The US S20 FE 5G datasheet identifies Qualcomm SM8250. These names are not a universal configuration for every country or carrier, so check the model number or listing details for the specific handset.
The specifications establish a newer processor generation in the S21 FE, but they do not establish a real-world speed difference or benchmark result. Performance can also depend on the exact variant and the phone’s condition.
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.
Similar camera resolutions, with a Samsung Night Mode claim
Both phones list 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide and 8MP 3x telephoto rear cameras, plus a 32MP front camera. Samsung says the S21 FE’s Night Mode improved compared with the S20 FE. That is Samsung’s manufacturer claim, not an independent camera test; matching megapixel counts also do not by themselves show that photo quality is equal.
Does either phone have better battery life or charging?
Both list a 4,500mAh typical-capacity battery, up to 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare. Equal rated capacity does not prove equal runtime: no comparable battery-life test is established by these specifications. Samsung’s S21 FE sheet says the charger is not included, so check the box contents of the particular offer rather than assuming an adapter comes with either phone.
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.
Is storage different on the S20 FE 5G?
Both phones are listed with 128GB and 256GB of internal storage. The meaningful distinction is expansion: Samsung’s US S20 FE 5G datasheet documents microSD support up to 1TB, while the consulted S21 FE materials do not list expandable storage. Treat that as a documented advantage for the US S20 FE 5G variant; verify the exact regional model if a memory card is important to you.
What is the price difference?
A current price difference cannot be stated from the available figures because they are launch prices, not live retailer listings. Samsung announced a US starting price of $699 for the S20 FE 5G in 2020. The S21 FE launch announcement consulted here does not establish a US launch price. Samsung Newsroom India reported an effective S21 FE 5G launch price of INR 49,999 in India in 2022, a figure tied to that market and launch offer structure; it should not be directly compared with the US S20 FE launch price.
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.
To decide which is better value today, compare offers in the same country and match storage capacity, condition, warranty, carrier lock and seller type. A used S20 FE and a new or refurbished S21 FE are not like-for-like prices, even when their listed storage is the same. Samsung’s launch information is available in its S20 FE announcement and S21 FE announcement.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose the S21 FE if you prioritize the later model, a shorter and lighter body, or its newer processor generation. Check the market-specific processor and current price before deciding.
- Choose the S20 FE 5G if a slightly larger display or microSD expansion on the US variant is more useful to you, and the particular phone is compatible with your carrier.
- Compare the exact offers if price is the deciding factor. The launch figures above cannot establish which model costs less now.
What about software support and durability?
The S20 FE launch announcement promised three generations of Android OS upgrades. That launch promise does not establish how much support either model has remaining today. Check Samsung’s current support information for the exact device and region before buying an older handset.
Both phones carry an IP68 rating in Samsung’s specifications. This is a published resistance rating, not a guarantee that a phone is damage-proof or immune to wear, prior repairs or liquid damage. For a used device, condition matters alongside the original specification.
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.
