The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G arrived as the Fan Edition follow-up to the flagship S21 line, delivering a Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset, a 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and IP68-rated durability in a lightweight 177 g body. It targets users who want flagship-class performance and a versatile triple camera setup without paying full flagship money.
Years after its January 2022 launch, the S21 FE 5G has become one of the most affordable ways to step into Samsung’s premium ecosystem, with current street prices starting around $129.99. With One UI 8 support and up to four major Android upgrades, it remains a relevant pick in 2026 for buyers shopping the value-flagship segment.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 – International |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 29, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – USA | |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – International |
| 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – USA | |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
Launch
| Announced | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
Body
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
Display
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
Platform
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) – Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – Version 2 |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) – Version 1Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – Version 2 |
| GPU | Adreno 660 – Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 – Version 2 |
Memory
| Card slot | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
Sound
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio |
Comms
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC | Yes |
| Radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Features
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) |
Battery
| Type | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Price | € 185.00 / $ 129.99 / £ 148.00 |
Our Tests
| Performance | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display | 792 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 92h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €185, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of May 26, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $215
- Japan: ¥34,226
- United Kingdom: £160
- Australia: A$300
- Canada: C$297
- Taiwan: NT$6,768
- Denmark: kr1.380
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼808
- South Korea: ₩325,819
- Germany: €185
- Brazil: R$1.079
- Vietnam: ₫5.625.669
- Kenya: KSh 27,916
- India: ₹20,511
- Indonesia: Rp 3.816.942
- Nigeria: ₦292,950
- Pakistan: ₨60,004
- Philippines: ₱13,206
- Bangladesh: ৳২৬,৪২৫
Why the Galaxy S21 FE 5G Still Makes Sense in 2026
The S21 FE 5G sits in a sweet spot that few mid-range rivals can match: genuine flagship silicon, IP68 sealing, wireless charging, and Samsung DeX, all at sub-$150 second-hand pricing. For shoppers who care about long-term software support and premium features rather than the newest chipset, it is one of the smartest value buys Samsung has ever produced.
Design and Build Quality
Samsung kept the FE recipe deliberately practical. The frame is aluminum, the front is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and the back is a matte plastic that resists fingerprints and shrugs off light drops. At 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm and 177 g, it is noticeably easier to handle than the larger S21 Ultra. IP68 dust and water resistance (up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes) is a rare inclusion at this price.
Display Experience
The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel runs at 120Hz with HDR10+ support and a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340, ~403 ppi). Measured peak brightness reaches 792 nits, which is enough for confident outdoor visibility. Colors are punchy in Samsung’s Vivid profile and accurate in Natural mode, making the screen a strong all-rounder for media, gaming, and reading.
Performance and Gaming
Depending on region, the phone ships with the Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) or Exynos 2100 (5 nm). Both chipsets remain capable in 2026, with AnTuTu scores around 566,529 (v8) and 719,696 (v9), plus a GeekBench 5.1 result of 3,049. GFXBench delivered 56fps in ES 3.1 onscreen tests, meaning popular titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile still run smoothly at balanced settings. UFS 3.1 storage keeps app loading snappy.
Camera System
The triple rear setup combines a 12 MP f/1.8 main sensor with dual pixel PDAF and OIS, an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto offering 3x optical zoom (also stabilized), and a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide with a 123-degree field of view. Video tops out at 4K 60fps with HDR10+ and gyro-EIS. On the front, a 32 MP f/2.2 selfie camera also shoots 4K video, a feature still uncommon in the mid-range.
Battery Life and Charging
A 4,500 mAh Li-Ion cell powers the S21 FE 5G, earning a 92-hour endurance rating in extended testing. Charging tops out at 25W wired with PD3.0 support (around 50% in 30 minutes), plus 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging – a feature usually reserved for pricier phones.
Software and Long-Term Support
Originally launched on Android 12, the S21 FE 5G is now eligible for One UI 8 with up to four major Android upgrades. That puts its software ceiling well beyond most contemporary mid-rangers and on par with Samsung’s flagship support promise, making it a safer long-term investment.
Connectivity and Extras
5G (Sub6 globally, mmWave in the USA) is paired with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, USB Type-C with OTG, and full GNSS support including GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. Stereo speakers and 32-bit/384kHz audio output partly make up for the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung DeX adds desktop-style productivity over a wired or wireless display.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S21 FE 5G
This phone fits buyers who want a compact, water-resistant flagship experience with wireless charging, a 120Hz AMOLED, and a flexible triple camera, all on a tight budget. It is less ideal for users chasing the fastest charging speeds or expandable storage, since the S21 FE 5G has no microSD slot and 25W wired charging now looks modest next to rivals offering 80W+.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G remains a remarkably balanced package in 2026: flagship silicon, a 120Hz AMOLED, IP68 protection, wireless charging, and One UI 8 support, wrapped in a comfortable 177 g body. If you want long-term Samsung software support and premium features without the flagship price tag, the S21 FE 5G is one of the easiest value recommendations on the market today.
