Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Key Highlights

The Galaxy S21 FE arrived after months of delays, and after using it as my daily driver for a week, I finally understand where it truly stands. At launch, many criticised it for being overpriced and too close to the Galaxy S22 lineup. I shared that sentiment. But with updated pricing across markets and real-world usage, the S21 FE has managed to change my perspective more than I expected. At its core, the S21 FE mirrors much of what we saw in the Galaxy S21 and S21+, which themselves didn’t drastically differ from the S20 series. So yes, you’ll experience a familiar Samsung flagship vibe. Still, that’s exactly what positions the S21 FE as an ideal “in-between” device—neither a full flagship nor a budget flagship killer, but something that mixes the best of both worlds. Call it a value flagship or a not-quite-flagship flagship; either way, it fits perfectly into Samsung’s ecosystem. Priced from ₹27,990 in India (as of Nov 16, 2025 on Amazon), the S21 FE suddenly feels far more competitive. And with specs and features that hold up even today, it becomes easier to justify choosing it over pricier alternatives. Rumors had long hinted at the S21 FE’s launch, and its early appearance on Samsung Mexico’s website fuelled excitement. Although Samsung offered no official confirmation at that time, the anticipation around the Fan Edition remained strong. Living up to the ‘FE’—Fan Edition—tag is not easy, yet the S21 FE makes an admirable attempt. Out of the box, Android 12 with One UI 4.0 delivers a polished and customizable experience. From colour palettes to redesigned widgets and a richer emoji and GIF library, everything feels thoughtfully refined. Even third-party app performance seems smoother, giving the phone a premium feel despite its accessible pricing. In short, the Galaxy S21 FE strikes an impressive balance—premium where it matters, affordable where it counts, and surprisingly satisfying after real-world use.