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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is an affordable version of the original S20. The Samsung Galaxy S20 series was released in 2020, and the Galaxy S21 lineup followed in 2021, while the Galaxy S20 FE 5G was launched in late October of 2020 and was one of the top-rated devices of the year. Thanks to its incredible value for money, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G remains an attractive choice.
With the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Samsung aims at providing all of the best features that the regular Galaxy S20 lineup offers but without the flagship price. FE stands for Fan Edition, and we can confidently state that the device is a fan favorite. Whether you love clicking HD pictures, lag-free gaming, or smooth scrolling and surfing, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has something for everyone. Its flagship-level features include a full HD AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, triple rear cameras, longer battery life, regular security updates, etc. Our comprehensive Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review will cover everything you need to know about the smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G arrives in a beautiful white box with the S20 name emblazoned on its front, similar to other Samsung devices. As you look closely, you’ll also find an emoji-like pattern on the box, which is unique to this device. The edge of the packaging has the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G branding, and the back of the package lists what’s inside with other important information.
Opening the package reveals the Samsung phone and another box containing a quick reference guide, specs sheet, and the terms and conditions. There is also a SIM ejection pin. The smartphone screen is covered with a screen protector. Below the cell phone, you can find a 15W charging adapter and USB Type-C cable.
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At first, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G might appear similar to the Galaxy S20, but there are a few differences. On the front, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a 6.6-inch screen with slim bezels, whereas the Galaxy S20 has a 6.2-inch screen with even thinner bezels. The display is flat, so there are fewer chances of accidental touches when the device is in the hands or pockets. There’s a small punch hole selfie camera cut out on the top.
The smartphone comes in six stunning colors, giving you the freedom to pick the one that best speaks to your style; Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange, and Cloud White. We received the Cloud Navy variant.
Samsung has ditched the glass back on the original S20 for a polycarbonate back with a matte finish for the S20 FE 5G, also called Glasstic. This makes it durable and less prone to fingerprints. However, as most people use phone covers anyway, fingerprint magnetism is not a primary concern. Like the Galaxy S20, a rectangle-shaped camera panel with curved edges on the rear top left houses the triple cameras and an LED flash. Samsung branding appears near the bottom edge. There is no fingerprint sensor on the back since it’s embedded in the display.
Dimension-wise, the device measures 6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 inches, making it somewhat similar to the Samsung Galaxy S20+. We didn’t have any problem using it with one hand. The volume rocker and power button are on the left edge. The microphone, USB Type-C charging port, and speaker are left to right on the bottom edge. The SIM card tray/microSD card slot is on the top. The best part? This smartphone is IP68-rated. As per Samusng.com, IP68 certified means the phone can survive underwater submersion for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1.5 meters.
See more of the action and less of the bezel with Infinity-O Display. The 6.5-inch screen has a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution. Instead of LCD, the device uses an AMOLED display that delivers true-to-life colors with less power consumption. Besides, the screen refreshes at 120Hz, double the rate of standard displays, making scrolling and gameplay super smooth.
During our time spent watching episodes of The Witcher, Samsung’s AMOLED display performed flawlessly. When Yennefer set the army ablaze, the action felt realistic as the screen glowed with vibrant colors, including hues of yellow, red, and orange.
The device has an Always-On display that you can activate through the lock screen settings. This feature lets you view the time, date, battery level, or priority tasks on screen while the phone is sleeping. The display is also protected by Gorilla Glass 3, a tough glass that makes the device scratch-resistant, enhancing durability. Overall, we have no complaints against Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G’s display.
Say goodbye to power worries as the Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes packed with a 4,500mAh battery that can easily last a day, even on a busy schedule. It is slightly bigger than the 4,000mAh battery pack on the Galaxy S20. Samsung claims that the battery is intelligent and saves fuel for your priority tasks.
Flagship-level features include super-fast charging to restore 50% of the battery in 30 minutes using a 25W charger, wireless charging 2.0 to charge the device whenever you put it to rest, and reverse wireless charging to fuel up other devices or wireless earbuds. However, the device comes with a 15W charger out of the box, so you will need to buy the 25W charger separately.
Storage-wise, the device is available in two variants – 128GB and 256GB. The storage is further expandable to 1TB with a microSD card slot. 128GB of internal space is sufficient for users to store hundreds of photos, videos, files, and apps. Avid users who love playing games and photography can go for the 256GB variant.
Featuring the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset as the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G is a powerhouse. There are two variants available – 6GB RAM and 8GB RAM. Users who enjoy playing games and use many apps should opt for the 8GB variant, whereas others can stick to the 6GB version.
We didn’t face any stutter or lag while running apps, scrolling social media, and doing day-to-day tasks. Several games, including Alto’s Odyssey and Asphalt 9, ran smoothly. It also stays cool throughout heavy use and maintains a comfortable temperature even after an hour of gaming. 5G connectivity further enhances the experience as you gain access to ultra-fast browsing and streaming.
Out of the box, the device runs Android 10 with features similar to those on the S20 lineup. Currently, the Android 12 update is also available for the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. It’s also bound to receive the Android 13 update soon.
Samsung’s interface is streamlined and user-friendly. There are a ton of customization options. For instance, you can modify the themes, fonts, app drawer, etc., to add a personalized touch to the device. Other great features include Samsung DeX, which helps you connect to a TV. Similarly, Quick Share allows you to send files quickly. Overall, we’re pleased with the performance of Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE 5G.
Samsung takes its flagship phone features and delivers a compelling value in the Galaxy S20 FE 5G. While the competition is tough among flagship phones, the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition remains tough to beat. This device meets the needs of users with basic requirements as well as those with higher demands. Its 120Hz display, solid performance, triple cameras, and 5G support make it a great deal for consumers. In our opinion, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is a reliable mid-range smartphone to consider.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE was announced in September 2020 and later released on October 2, 2020.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is available in the following six colors; Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange, and Cloud White.
The Galaxy S20 FE 5G has a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S20 has a 6.2-inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6. The Galaxy FE 5G is available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants, whereas the Galaxy S20 is available in 8GB only.
FE stands for Fan Edition.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G doesn’t come with headphones.
Yes, the Fan Edition Samsung Galaxy S20 model supports both wireless and reverse charging.
Samsung Galaxy S20 5G Fan Edition comes with a 6.5-inch AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, whereas Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with a 6.4-inch AMOLED screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor. On the other hand, the Galaxy S20 FE 5G comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G features an in-display optical fingerprint sensor, unlike the under-display ultrasonic sensor found in Galaxy Note 20 series.
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