Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: A Well-Rounded Low-Cost Flagship

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE (LTE), which launched final yr, has to this point been a stable contender within the low-cost flagship section. While it carried out effectively in most of our checks, there have been some drawbacks. It did get a bit heat beneath stress, and its battery life was simply common; each issues that the OnePlus 8T (Review) dealt with higher on the similar worth degree.

In 2021, Samsung selected launching the 5G model of the Galaxy S20 FE (Review) in India, and it is referred to as the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. It is mainly the identical telephone, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor (and X55 5G modem) as an alternative of the Exynos 990. Does the change to a Qualcomm processor care for the shortcomings we skilled with the LTE variant? More importantly, does investing in a smartphone with a year-old processor at this worth degree make sense in 2021? Let’s discover out!

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G worth in India

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is priced at Rs. 47,999 in India. Unlike the 4G mannequin, it’s accessible in a single 8GB RAM + 128GB storage configuration. Buyers can select between Cloud Navy, Cloud Mint, and Cloud Lavender finishes. With a aggressive worth, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G takes on the OnePlus 9 (Review), ASUS ROG Phone 5 (First Impressions), and Vivo X60 Pro (Review), all of that are priced beginning at round Rs. 49,999.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G design

There aren’t any beauty modifications between the 4G and the 5G fashions of the Galaxy S20 FE. The telephone seems an identical to the 4G mannequin and has the identical button placement, with the facility and quantity buttons on the correct. The main speaker is positioned on the backside, subsequent to the USB Type-C port and the mic. The earpiece speaker is hidden in a tiny slit on the high finish of the show, and doubles up because the second speaker to supply stereo sound which is loud and clear.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G’s general design is clear and minimalist

The general design seems clear and minimalist, with a colour-matched digital camera module that hardly protrudes from the rear panel. The Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a steel body that is sandwiched between a sheet of show glass on the entrance and a plastic panel on the again. The rear panel is curved to fulfill the body on all 4 sides and has a easy matte end that feels premium. The glass masking the show is flat, which could have appeared like an odd selection final yr, however feels at dwelling subsequent to the premium Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ (Review) smartphones which even have flat shows in 2021.

My assessment unit got here within the Cloud Mint end, and it showcases a light yellow gradient when considered at an angle. The matte texture is non-slippery and is sweet at rejecting fingerprints, however picks up mud fairly simply.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G, identical to the 4G mannequin, can be rated IP68 for mud and water resistance, which is an enormous deal on condition that a number of competing smartphones (which can be priced a bit increased) don’t supply this.

Samsung Galaxy S20 specs and software program

Compared to different telephones accessible at this worth degree right this moment, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G’s processor is mainly a yr previous. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor was introduced in 2019 and began displaying up in smartphones within the first half of 2020. It was the flagship processor utilized by practically all smartphone producers who have been trying to push out the primary wave of 5G smartphones in India.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G encompasses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC

While a year-old SoC is not an enormous deal for the informal consumer, the leap from the Snapdragon 865 processor to the Snapdragon 888 is kind of massive by way of efficiency, and different producers supply the latter for under an extra Rs. 2,000.

Still, Samsung can justify its pricing as a result of the Galaxy S20 FE 5G presents options that different smartphones on this worth section don’t. The IP68 score will allow you to take your smartphone for a dip in a pool, and 15W wi-fi charging is kind of handy. You may even reverse cost different smartphones or equipment at 4.5W. While these options won’t depend as requirements for many customers, they do enhance the premium smartphone expertise.

One UI 3.0 contains a number of Samsung-branded apps

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G runs Samsung’s One UI 3.1, which relies on Android 11. Combined with the 120Hz refresh charge show, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G felt fairly fluid in each day use. I felt no hiccups in anyway when working native apps, third-party apps or switching between the 2. There are loads of preinstalled Samsung apps. The telephone additionally comes with just a few third-party apps from Microsoft and Facebook, however these together with a number of Samsung apps (like Samsung Shop, Samsung Members, Samsung Global Goals, Notes, Internet and so on.) could be uninstalled if not wanted. During the assessment interval, I used to be not bombarded with adverts or promotional notifications. I did obtain the occasional notification from the Galaxy App Store, however these could be turned off within the system settings.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G efficiency and battery life

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 could also be a yr previous, but it surely’s no slouch and presents dependable flagship-grade efficiency relating to common duties and gaming. The telephone carried out loads higher than the Exynos 990-powered Galaxy S20 FE in our checks (though some scores won’t be instantly comparable because of benchmark updates).

AnTuTu reported a rating of 6,41,038, whereas Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core outcomes have been 560 and three,136 respectively. These are increased than what the Exynos-based mannequin managed (4,62,330 in AnTuTu; 517 and a couple of,573 in Geekbench) however are decrease than the efficiency figures we have seen from Snapdragon 888-powered smartphones in the identical worth section.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE within the Cloud Mint end

Asphalt 9: Legends ran easily, with the graphics set to High Quality and 60fps mode enabled. The telephone warmed up a bit throughout gameplay however didn’t get sizzling.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 can be fairly able to dealing with a recreation like Call of Duty: Mobile by way of graphics. The recreation ran at Very High graphics and body charge with out a hiccup. However, I observed some contact sensitivity points and that dampens the expertise in video games that require a excessive diploma of accuracy. There was noticeable lag when taking part in Call of Duty: Mobile and it seems that the 120Hz show (with a 180Hz contact sampling charge) couldn’t sustain with my fingers. With this incapability to precisely purpose at a goal, I ended up shedding a lot of the matches that I performed in the course of the testing course of.

The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED show showcases oversaturated colors when utilizing the default Vivid display mode. Switch it to Natural and the colors look fairly uninteresting however I discovered this loads higher. I want there was a preset between the 2 modes which might have delivered colors that have been a bit extra restrained, particularly for watching films or reveals.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G encompasses a hole-punch show

The FHD+ decision delivers a crisp 407ppi, which meant that every little thing from textual content to pictures and movies appeared fairly sharp. While the brightness was adequate indoors, the show was barely legible outdoor beneath the afternoon solar. Samsung doesn’t point out HDR in its spec sheet, but it surely appears to be supported.

In the show settings, one can modify the display’s refresh charge, however it will possibly solely be set to 60Hz (for longer battery life) or 120Hz (for a smoother expertise). During the assessment interval, I often saved the show working at 120Hz.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G clocked 18 hours and 22 minutes in our HD video loop battery take a look at, which is kind of good for a premium smartphone. The Exynos mannequin, with the identical 4500mAh battery capability, ran the identical video loop take a look at for 12 hours and 44 minutes, which is a bit low. In unusual use, which included working social media apps, checking emails, an hour of calls and an hour or two of gaming with the show set to 120Hz, I often ended the day with about 20-30 % left, which is kind of spectacular.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G presents higher battery life than the Exynos-based Galaxy S20 FE

In 2021, it’s a bit stunning to discover a premium Android smartphone with solely a 15W charger within the field. Still, charging occasions weren’t too unhealthy, with the battery charging as much as 33 % in half-hour, 51 % in an hour, and 100% in 1 hour and 38 minutes. The smartphone does help 25W charging, however you’ll have to buy your individual charger.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G cameras

While the digital camera setup stays the identical as on the LTE mannequin, the processor swap from an Exynos 990 to a Snapdragon 865, might result in minor variations in photograph processing and subsequently the tip end result. So, I made a decision to place the Galaxy S20 FE 5G’s cameras by way of their paces. As anticipated, the outcomes weren’t too completely different from what we noticed in our assessment of the 4G mannequin.

The rear module consists of a 12-megapixel f/1.8 wide-angle digital camera, an 8-megapixel f/2.4 telephoto digital camera (3X optical zoom) and a 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide digital camera. Selfies are dealt with by a 32-megapixel f/2.2 digital camera that shoots 8-megapixel binned photos.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G’s digital camera setup stays the identical as on the LTE mannequin

The digital camera interface stays the identical as on every other premium Samsung telephone working One UI 3.1. There are simply accessible controls that allow you to modify the facet ratio, timer, and flash, and change between cameras. The checklist of default modes is customisable and the slots could be swapped and personalised as per a consumer’s necessities.

The video mode allows you to change the video decision with simply two faucets, which is kind of handy. The again panel close to the digital camera module does get a bit sizzling when protecting the viewfinder on for about 10 minutes, however cools down shortly when you exit the digital camera app.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G daytime photograph samples. Top to backside: Ultra-wide, customary, 3X zoom (faucet to see full measurement)

Photos shot in daylight got here out vibrant, vibrant, and fairly saturated. Whether you’re taking pictures flowers, fruits, and even surroundings, the colors pop fairly a bit, which is typical of most Samsung smartphones. The dynamic vary is kind of good, however HDR processing does go overboard at occasions, leading to a dreamy impact. The sharpness and particulars in pictures are fairly spectacular for a smartphone on this worth section. Image high quality and white steadiness stay constant even when switching between cameras.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G daytime photograph samples. Top: 1X zoom, backside: 3X zoom (faucet to see full measurement)

The smartphone encompasses a telephoto digital camera with 3X optical zoom, which shoots crisp photos in daylight. The similar digital camera additionally doubles up as a macro shooter because it allows you to get nearer to the thing in comparison with the first digital camera. This is vital, as there isn’t any devoted macro digital camera.

Portrait pictures come out fairly clear with good edge detection, however the Galaxy S20 FE 5G falters at occasions (with a noticeable halo), when the topic will not be nonetheless.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Night Mode digital camera samples. Top: Wide (1X), backside: Ultra-wide (0.5X) (faucet to see full measurement)

Post sundown, pictures got here out a bit murky with barely decreased dynamic vary within the shadows, however they nonetheless appeared fairly good. The Night mode takes care of those minor shortcomings and retains streetlights and vibrant spots from getting overexposed, whereas bumping up the brightness and particulars. The telephone shot crisp pictures in low-light scenes when Night mode was used with the first wide-angle digital camera, however delivered solely satisfactory pictures when used on the ultra-wide-angle digital camera.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G selfie samples. Top: Auto mode, backside: Night mode (faucet to see full measurement)

Selfies in the usual and portrait modes got here out fairly sharp and clear with good edge detection in daylight, however turned out murky and lacked depth in low-light taking pictures eventualities. The night time mode can be accessible on the entrance digital camera and did a very good job of sustaining element and giving a way of depth to the selfies.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G guarantees loads by way of video, and surprisingly delivers by way of high quality as effectively. Videos shot at 1080p and 4K (30 and 60fps) with the first rear digital camera got here out crisp and filled with element, and have been additionally effectively stabilised when strolling. My solely gripe was with the ultra-wide-angle digital camera, because it tended to overexpose scenes. The selfie digital camera additionally managed movies fairly effectively and presents 1080p and 4K recording choices. 4K video shot with the selfie digital camera lacked stabilisation and appeared fairly jerky. In low-light eventualities, movies shot at any decision got here out blurry and a bit noisy, however stabilisation was first rate.

Verdict

To the informal consumer, Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE 5G won’t look like a lot of an improve on condition that it solely provides 5G help to the spec sheet. This would have been high quality if this telephone had been launched alongside the 4G mannequin in India in 2020, prefer it did in different elements of the world.

We have reviewed the 4G mannequin and it is easy to inform that the Snapdragon 865 silicon makes fairly a distinction by way of efficiency, and likewise does not warmth up as a lot as Samsung’s personal Exynos SoC.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G is likely to be probably the most full low-cost flagship providing by way of options in the meanwhile, on condition that it presents optical zoom, wi-fi charging, and an IP68 score. These options, together with its vibrant OLED show, nice cameras, good battery life and stable on a regular basis efficiency make it a compelling possibility. However, it is exhausting to advocate to a gamer given its contact sensitivity points.

If you’re in search of efficiency, there are smartphones just like the Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro (Review) and the iQoo 7 Legend that get you the Snapdragon 888 processor and quicker charging from Rs. 39,990. If you possibly can stretch your funds by Rs. 2,000, there’s the OnePlus 9 (Review), which presents the Snapdragon 888 processor, a wonderful show that may deal with vibrant daylight, quicker charging, and no contact sensitivity points when gaming.