Look, I’ll be honest with you right from the start, I felt I had to do a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review as it is such a great phone, I thought it was pretty good. But after using it for months and watching all these new phones come out? I’m convinced this thing is still the one to beat.
I know that sounds bold, especially for a phone that’s nearly a year old now. But hear me out. Whether you’re shopping today, in six months, or even a year from now, I genuinely think the S20 FE offers the best all-around package you can get from Samsung. Best value, best features, best specs – the whole deal.
So yeah, those are some pretty strong claims. Let me explain why I’m so sold on this phone in this comprehensive Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review, how it compares to Samsung’s newer releases, and what my actual day-to-day experience has been like.
Why the S20 FE Was a Game-Changer (And Still Is)
Here’s the thing – the S20 FE became massively popular last year, and it wasn’t some marketing fluke. Samsung did something pretty clever (or crazy, depending on how you look at it). They basically took about 95% of what made the flagship S20 great, stuffed it all into the FE, and then slashed the price by roughly 30%.
The result? They created this incredible value proposition while accidentally making their own flagship S20 look overpriced and… well, pointless. I mean, once the FE launched, why would anyone pay more for the regular S20? They basically killed their own phone after just six months on the market.
But it wasn’t just Samsung feeling the impact. I think this phone made other manufacturers sit up and rethink their entire strategy. Because sure, flashy flagships are cool and all, but you know what’s cooler? Giving people a solid, feature-packed phone without all the unnecessary gimmicks, at a price that doesn’t make them wince.
And the best part? Right now you can grab the S20 FE on Amazon for around $500. When you consider what you’re getting for that price, it’s honestly kind of ridiculous.
What’s It Like to Hold and Use?
First Impressions
Okay, so when you first pick up the S20 FE, it’s not going to blow your mind or anything. It looks and feels like… a Samsung phone from the last couple of years. Nothing revolutionary. But once you start digging into the details, you realize there’s more going on here than meets the eye.
Size and Build
Let me throw some numbers at you:
- Screen: 6.5 inches
- Weight: 190g (feels pretty comfortable, not too heavy)
- Dimensions: 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Now, I know what you’re thinking – plastic back? On a phone this good? Yeah, I was skeptical too. But honestly, Samsung did a great job with it. The matte finish looks good, doesn’t attract fingerprints like crazy, and it actually feels pretty premium. Plus, it’s more durable than glass if you’re a bit clumsy. And if you do manage to crack the screen somehow, Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review feedback suggests screen repair costs are reasonable compared to all-glass flagship phones.
Colors That Actually Pop
The color options are genuinely nice:
- Cloud Navy (my personal favorite)
- Cloud Lavender
- Cloud Mint
- Cloud Red
- Cloud White
- Cloud Orange
These aren’t boring colors either. They’re vibrant and fun without being obnoxious.
Water Resistance – Yes, Really
Here’s something a lot of mid-range phones skip: proper water resistance. The S20 FE has IP68 rating, which means it can handle being dunked in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. That’s flagship territory right there. Spill your drink? Drop it in the sink? You’re probably fine.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review – That Beautiful Screen
The Display Specs
- Type: Super AMOLED (the good stuff)
- Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
- Sharpness: 407 PPI
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Protection: Gorilla Glass 3
How It Actually Looks and Feels
So last year, the 120Hz screen was a huge selling point. Now? Pretty much every phone has it, even some budget options. But here’s the thing – it’s still fantastic to use every single day.
The Super AMOLED panel is bright enough to see outdoors, colors pop like you’d expect from Samsung, and that 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through apps feel buttery smooth. Once you get used to it, going back to 60Hz feels weird and sluggish.
Is it special anymore? Not really. Is it still great? Absolutely. And at this price point, you’re definitely not getting cheated.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review – Performance it Really Shines
What’s Under the Hood
This is where things get interesting:
- Processor: Snapdragon 865 5G (some regions got the Exynos 990, but let’s not talk about that)
- Graphics: Adreno 650
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB (mine has 8GB)
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Expandable Storage: microSD card slot (up to 1TB – yes, they kept it!)
- 5G: Yep, it’s here
Real Talk About Speed
Look, on paper this thing destroys anything in the $400-600 range. It’s not even close. But what really gets me is when you compare it to 2021 flagships costing $800-900. Sure, those are faster. But are they $300-400 faster? Not even close.
This is the same processor Samsung put in their $1,000 phones in 2020. And it’s still more than fast enough today. I’m talking smooth multitasking, games run great, apps open instantly – all that good stuff. And honestly? This chip will keep performing well for another 2-4 years easily.
The Elephant in the Room
I need to be upfront about something. Some people have reported overheating issues or performance problems with their S20 FE. I haven’t experienced any of that myself, even when I’m really pushing it hard. And from what I’ve seen, Samsung has released several updates that seem to have fixed most of these issues for people who were having them.
But if you’re one of the folks still dealing with problems, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. I’m genuinely curious about how widespread it actually is.
With Android 12 coming to this phone plus ongoing security updates, I really do think buying this today means you’re set for the next few years minimum. That’s what makes this Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review so positive even months after launch.
Battery Life – The Unsung Hero
The Numbers
- Capacity: 4,500 mAh
- Fast Charging: 25W wired
- Wireless Charging: 15W
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Yes (you can charge other devices with your phone – pretty cool)
- Port: USB-C 3.2
How Long Does It Actually Last?
Battery life has been solid for me. With normal use – you know, scrolling social media, some photos, messaging, maybe some YouTube – I easily make it through a full day. Heavy users might need a top-up in the evening, but that’s true for most phones.
The 25W fast charging is decent. Not the fastest out there, but you can get a good chunk of battery back in 30 minutes. And having wireless charging at this price? That’s still kind of a luxury.
Oh, and that reverse wireless charging lets you be the hero when your friend’s phone dies. Or charge your earbuds. It’s one of those features you don’t think about until you need it.
One thing worth mentioning – if you ever need a battery replacement down the line (though with 4,500 mAh, it should last a good while), Samsung’s service centers and third-party repair shops are pretty accessible since this model is so popular. That’s a nice peace of mind factor.
Camera Setup – Better Than It Has Any Right to Be
What You’re Working With
Back Cameras:
- Main: 12MP, f/1.8, with optical image stabilization
- Ultra-Wide: 12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree field of view
- Telephoto: 8MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS
- Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama
Front Camera:
- Selfie: 32MP, f/2.2
Video:
- 4K at 30fps or 60fps
- 1080p up to 240fps for slow-motion
- HDR10+ support
How the Photos Actually Look
I’ve done a bunch of camera tests with this phone, and honestly? It’s been fantastic. Having three lenses – ultra-wide, regular wide, and telephoto – gives you so much flexibility. It’s the perfect combination.
The main 12MP camera takes sharp, detailed photos in good light. Colors are punchy (classic Samsung style) without being over-the-top. The ultra-wide is great for landscapes or when you’re trying to fit everyone in the shot. And that 3x optical zoom is genuinely useful – no weird digital artifacts or blurriness.
Low-light performance is solid too, thanks to Night Mode. Not the absolute best out there, but definitely good enough for most situations. And that 32MP selfie camera? Takes excellent shots with tons of detail.
Video quality is smooth, especially at 4K 60fps. If you’re into making content, this phone won’t hold you back.
The Little Things That Add Up
Security
The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. Definitely faster and more accurate than what you’ll find on Samsung’s A-series phones. It’s positioned well too, right where your thumb naturally lands.
Sound
Dual stereo speakers that actually get pretty loud and sound clear. No headphone jack though, which is a bummer if you’re still rocking wired headphones. Welcome to 2021, I guess.
Connectivity
- 5G (finally useful in more places now)
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC for contactless payments
- All the usual GPS stuff
What’s Missing
Let’s be real – no phone is perfect. The S20 FE doesn’t have:
- A headphone jack (I know, I already mentioned it, but it still stings)
- MST for Samsung Pay (only NFC, so it won’t work on older card readers)
But honestly? That’s a pretty short list of complaints.
How Does It Stack Up Against 2021 Phones?
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review: Comparing to the Galaxy A52 5G
Samsung’s A52 5G is their current mid-range champ, retailing for about $500. But here’s the thing:
- Weaker processor
- Slower fingerprint sensor
- No wireless charging
- Not-as-good cameras
If you can find the S20 FE for a similar price (or less), it’s the obvious choice. You’re basically getting last year’s flagship specs instead of this year’s mid-range specs.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review: S20 FE vs. Galaxy S21
Now the S21 is legitimately better in some ways:
- Newer Snapdragon 888 processor (marginally faster in real-world use)
- Slightly better cameras
- More premium design with metal back
But it costs $800+. Is it $300 better? Not to me. The S20 FE does like 90% of what the S21 does for way less money. That math just makes sense.
So… Should You Actually Buy This Thing?
Here’s my take after all this time with the S20 FE: it’s still really, really good. Maybe even a little too good when you start comparing it to what else is out there right now.
What Makes It Worth Buying:
- You get 2020 flagship performance for mid-range prices
- That 120Hz AMOLED screen is gorgeous
- Cameras are versatile and deliver quality shots
- IP68 water resistance (still rare at this price)
- Wireless charging (both ways!)
- 5G for future-proofing
- microSD card slot (Samsung started removing these, so appreciate it)
- Samsung will support it with updates for years
Who Should Get It:
- Anyone who wants flagship features without the flagship price tag
- People who want a phone that’ll last 3-4 years minimum
- Samsung fans who don’t need the absolute latest model
- Smart shoppers who care about value
Who Might Want Something Else:
- If you absolutely need the best camera available
- If you want the latest and greatest no matter the cost
- If you had one with the heating issues and they never got fixed
My Final Thoughts
I don’t usually recommend year-old phones over current models from the same company. It feels weird. But the S20 FE is just different. It’s still competitive with anything Samsung has released in 2021, and when you factor in the lower price, it’s honestly kind of a no-brainer.
Samsung took a risk with this phone. They probably cannibalized some flagship sales. But they also created what I genuinely believe is the best value Android phone you can buy right now.
Getting one today makes sense for the next 3-4 years, minimum. And honestly? I think it’ll still be a solid recommendation six months from now. That’s rare in a market where new phones come out every other week. Plus, with its popularity, finding accessories, cases, and even affordable screen repair or battery replacement services is easy – the repair ecosystem around popular phones like this is strong.
This Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review has covered everything from performance to cameras to real-world usability, and my verdict remains clear: it’s still an excellent choice.
My Rating: 9/10
The Good:
- Unbeatable value for what you get
- Flagship-level performance that’ll last years
- Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
- Solid triple camera setup
- IP68 water resistance
- Wireless charging (both directions)
- 5G connectivity
- Still has a microSD card slot!
- Software support for years to come
The Not-So-Good:
- Plastic back (though it’s well done)
- No headphone jack (RIP)
- Some users had heating issues (mostly fixed now)
- 120Hz isn’t special anymore
What about you? Have you been using the S20 FE? Does your experience match mine, or am I being too enthusiastic about this phone? And if you’ve had those performance issues, are they still happening? I trust you enjoyed my in-depth Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Review, drop your thoughts in the comments – I’d love to hear what you think!
. If you need a screen repair, drop in for to DrFixit Brislington
