Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Release Date & Price - Starting at $699

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE 5G: A New Approach to Flagship Value

Generally speaking, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) doesn't typically showcase a large number of new phone releases. This is particularly true for Samsung, who usually reserves major mobile announcements for the Mobile World Congress, occurring a month or two later.

However, in recent years, Samsung has strategically utilized CES to unveil its more affordable flagship model. This launch precedes the release of its primary, high-end S series devices.

The Evolution of Samsung’s “Fan Edition”

Samsung has experimented with different naming conventions for this product line over time. Initially using terms like “Lite,” the company ultimately settled on “FE,” which stands for “Fan Edition.”

The success of the previous model is noteworthy. Samsung reports that the Galaxy S20 FE achieved sales of 10 million units within just over a year following its Q4 2020 launch, establishing itself as one of the company’s top-selling Galaxy smartphones.

The company likely determined that the “Lite” designation inadvertently emphasized the product’s reduced specifications. Therefore, the “Fan Edition” positioning emphasizes delivering a premium experience with select features, while managing costs.

Pricing and Positioning

The newly released Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a starting price of $699. This price aligns with the previous year’s S20 FE and represents a $100 premium over Google’s Pixel 6, a competitor in the affordable flagship segment.

According to TM Roh of Samsung, the company observed a strong positive response to both the Galaxy S20 FE and the Galaxy S21 series. This feedback informed the development of the S21 FE 5G, which incorporates the most sought-after features by loyal Galaxy customers.

Key Specifications of the Galaxy S21 FE 5G

The device features a 6.4-inch display boasting a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor, preceding the rollout of the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in other flagship devices.

The camera system includes a triple-lens setup: a 12-megapixel main sensor, a 32-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens.

Configuration options include 6 or 8GB of RAM, coupled with either 128 or 256GB of storage. A robust 4,500mAh battery provides power, and 5G connectivity is, naturally, supported.

Design and Availability

The design of the S21 FE draws inspiration from the standard S21 model. However, the premium materials have been replaced with a more cost-effective plastic construction.

The Galaxy S21 FE will begin shipping on January 11.