I don’t think the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE should exist — here’s why

I don't remember the Samsung Galaxy S21 Atomic number 26 should exist — hither's why

(Image credit: Hereafter)

We're approaching the end of summertime and that ways information technology's iPhone thirteen flavor, having but encountered Samsung's new foldables, the Milky way Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. But Samsung may not accept had its last discussion on phones for 2021, equally many expect the phone make to still reveal the long-rumored (and likely delayed) Galaxy S21 Iron.

This device that we've seen leak time and time again by at present ought to exist a stripped-downwards, more affordable Galaxy S21. Some rumors say Samsung volition shave $100 off the base Milky way S21's price for the new Atomic number 26. And while we all similar paying less for devices, that doesn't answer the question equally to whether the Galaxy S21 Atomic number 26 is even necessary at this betoken.

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I'd argue that it's not. If Samsung hadn't cutting the S21 series costs past $200 from the Galaxy S20 family'due south starting prices, I'd call back differently. After all, a lower cost was the whole signal of the Milky way S20 FE, which showed that Samsung learned from its mistake with the S20 series. The company carried that lesson over to the S21, meaning that a Milky way S21 Iron is no longer needed. Not really.

It'southward all about the price tag

The Milky way S21 starts at $799, and rumors suggest that Samsung will launch the Galaxy S21 FE at $699. From what we've seen so far, the just noticeable difference between the S21 and S21 FE is that the latter might have 2GB less RAM. Another specs could be scaled back from the S21 as well.

My colleague Philip Michaels staked a claim that the Galaxy S21 Atomic number 26 is, in fact, needed, given the new foldables' costs and drawbacks. He argued that the S21 FE could stand for a "flagship features for less" attribute, cartoon in consumers who otherwise can't afford flagship phones. In 2020, that was true when the base model Galaxy S20 started at a ludicrous $999. No one hither is saying that the Galaxy S20 Fe shouldn't have existed, considering information technology very much needed to.

While $799 is all the same a lot of money for many people — particularly with then many however struggling financially from the COVID-nineteen pandemic — is $699 that much improve? In that location'due south no universal reply to that question. It depends on you and your situation, and what y'all want out of a smartphone.

The Galaxy S21 is an excellent telephone in many regards, and Samsung is taking its phones seriously lately when it comes to updates. At $799, the S21 remains i of the all-time phones for the money — even better than the $729 OnePlus 9.

But Samsung's portfolio has become very crowded with the midrange Galaxy A series, which deliver plenty of value in their ain right. The Milky way A52 5G is a pretty feature rich phone, and its $499 cost is less than what many expect the Galaxy S21 FE to cost.

From a business organization standpoint, is the Galaxy S21 Fe worth potentially cannibalizing the Milky way S21's sales potential? And for yous the consumer, the better question to ask when the Galaxy S21 FE finally does (theoretically) country, why not expect for the Galaxy S22 that volition likely come up out a mere couple of months later? Rumors say that Samsung will release the S21 FE in late October and the S22 could come up as soon as Jan 2022.

Milky way S21 FE outlook

Had the Milky way S21 FE launched earlier in 2021, or fifty-fifty alongside the Galaxy Z phones, I'd all the same be skeptical every bit to the need for it, but the phone would at least have some time in the spotlight earlier information technology's immediately made obsolete. At present, I recollect that the Galaxy S21 Fe is too footling too late. However, Samsung seems intent on getting this phone out. How information technology turns out, and what value proposition it makes, remains to be seen.

More: Samsung Galaxy S22 volition probably miss this large smartphone photographic camera upgrade

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom'south Guide, roofing all things phone-related. He's written near phones for over five years and plans to continue for a long while to come up. He loves naught more than than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Hashemite kingdom of jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Hashemite kingdom of jordan tends to lurk on social media, merely you tin can best attain him on Twitter.