So Samsung finally released its high-end entry-level Galaxy S smartphone for its Galaxy S21 lineup this year. However confusing that may sound, well, that’s exactly what has happened.

The new Galaxy S21 FE is meant to be the bridge between the base Galaxy S21 and the high-end mid-range Galaxy A72.

In terms of pricing, the device will set you back by US$700 and it’s expected to launch by Jan. 11th after the conclusion of the CES 2022 – a period when the device was also unveiled.

Compared to the flagship-tier Galaxy S series, the Galaxy S21 FE is US$100 cheaper than the base Galaxy S21 smartphone and even though their features are nearly close, there are some subtractions because of the price point of course.

Speaking of the nice features you’ll be getting on this device, it comes loaded with a triple rear camera system, nice display, and support for 5G of course.

While it’s still a pretty new device, the new Galaxy S21 FE checks some important boxes that most people would expect from a premium mid-range smartphone in 2022.

While I’ve not had a long time with the device, the short overview showed that the device won’t be so bad for those that are opting for it after all.

Even at that, never forget that Samsung will also debut its next-gen flagship, the Galaxy S22 series soon and the devices will certainly offer some 2022-related features and specs that might make you question your decision for purchasing the Galaxy S21 FE.

The most interesting is the fact that rumors have it that the base price of the Galaxy S22 will be about US$600 which is in fact US$100 cheaper than the S21 FE.

Looks similar to Galaxy S21

Samsung is great at designing smartphones and even though this is a base model, the Galaxy S21 FE looks just like your regular Galaxy S21 especially when you flip it around.

Its thickness is about 7.9mm just like the Galaxy S21. Its display size is about 6.4-inch which is slightly bigger than the Galaxy S21’s 6.2-inch display.

In terms of specifications, the device comes with Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution – just like the Galaxy S21 of course.

However, its pixel density is lower compared to that of Galaxy S21 because its screen is quite larger even though the differences might never be noticeable.

Another thing is that the display is flat – so if you hate the curved displays on the Galaxy Note series, then you may just opt for this version instead.

As for the camera layout, it’s the same camera system you’ll get on the Galaxy S21 – a triple setup with a single LED flash. Even the camera module design is very similar.

4,500mAh battery and best performance

Samsung is surely one of the best smartphone makers with great batteries and powerful performances.

That’s exactly where the big 4,500mAh battery comes in. The battery is also quite bigger than the one on the Galaxy S21 – 4,000mAh.

Even though this post isn’t a direct comparison between the Galaxy S21 and S21 FE, there are some close similarities between both devices that makes them inseparable to some point.

Powering the Galaxy S21 FE is the powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset – the same found in other high-end Samsung devices such as the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy S21 Ultra and so many more.

This explains why the device is buttery-smooth and has no lag whatsoever. Launchign apps, games and anything else you might want to run on the device often work without any unnecessary effort.

Triple rear camera system

Behind the new Galaxy S21 FE are three camera sensors and the vertical layout is quite familiar. It’s so familiar that even the next-gen Galaxy S22 will likely have this same arrangement.

The cameras on the Galaxy S21 FE are 12MP ultra-wide lens, another 12MP wide-angle lens, and finally, an 8MP telephoto lens with a 30x digital zoom support.

Another cool feature the device has is the ability to record using both front and back cameras at the same time.

While I’m expecting the camera to perform great despite not having too much hands-on experience with the device, one thing we know about Samsung is the output of their cameras thanks to their advanced post-processing capacity built within their camera software.

Images taken by CNET correspondents showed some promising results. In a good lightning condition, you’ll get the best outcome and details on whatever object you point the camera at. The only thing you won’t be able to do on the Galaxy S21 FE unlike the Galaxy S21 is the ability to switch sensors.

Below are some sample photos taken using the Galaxy S21 FE.

Should you buy the Galaxy S21 FE?

Samsung just like Xiaomi continues to flood the smartphone market with its numerous smartphone lineups and that will not cease in 2022.

For US$700, some may wonder why they need to spend so much on the Galaxy S21 FE if they could get the Google Pixel 6 at US$100 less or even the rumored Galaxy S22 base model.

For those who have already made their minds up about this device, you’ll certainly enjoy all the Galaxy goodies that comes with the device.

High-end performance thanks to its premium-tier chipset, lots of storage – 128GB of internal storage for the base model, powerful 4,500mAh battery, 5G network support, powerful 6.4-inch AMOLED display and a good camera.

Even though this is an inconclusive verdict because of the period spent with the Galaxy S21 FE, this device will certainly not disappoint if you don’t have your hopes too high for it.

But if you’re still having a doubt about purchasing the Galaxy S21 FE, then it might be worth the wait since the next-gen is expected to come with better specs such as a 50MP primary camera and fast charging support.

It will also reportedly come at a cheaper price point which is another thing to look out for.

Samsung obviously improves on their devices every year and so there shouldn’t be so many boring features of gimmicks on the Galaxy S22.