Samsung’s Galaxy S20 series of flagship phones were released in early 2020 to much fanfare. Later that year, Samsung introduced the Galaxy S20 FE (which stands for Fan Edition) as a more affordable alternative to the S20 lineup.
But how does the S20 FE compare to the regular S20? Let’s take an in-depth look at the similarities and differences between these two great smartphones.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE |
| Display | 6.2″ QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.5″ FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Design | Glass & metal | Plastic back |
| Rear Camera | 64MP telephoto, 30x Space Zoom | 8MP telephoto, 3x optical zoom |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 32MP |
| RAM | 12GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Price | $999 launch, now ~$700 | $699 launch |
Overview And Design
The standard Galaxy S20 and S20+ feature metal and glass builds with nearly bezel-less displays and hole-punch front cameras. The S20 FE sports a similar aesthetic, albeit with a plastic back instead of glass. The FE is also slightly larger than the S20 due to its bigger 6.5” flat display (Vs. the S20’s 6.2″ curved screen). All three phones have attractive designs with smooth finishes, great ergonomics, and top-notch build quality.
In terms of colors, the S20 is available in Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cloud White, and Aura Red. The S20 FE sticks to more playful colors like Cloud Red, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, and Cloud White. With fun color options and a robust polycarbonate back, the FE targets younger audiences who want a durable and eye-catching device.
The S20 phones boast IP68 water resistance, allowing them to withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes in up to 1.5 meters of water. Unfortunately, the S20 FE only has an IP68 rating, meaning it can only handle being submerged up to 1 meter deep.
Also Read: Is OnePlus 11 5G Better Than Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Display
As mentioned previously, the S20 sports a 6.2” Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with a crisp pixel density of 563 ppi. It also supports a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations. The S20+ has a larger 6.7” screen while the S20 Ultra bumps it up to a massive 6.9” display.
On the other hand, the S20 FE has a 6.5” FHD+ Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 407 ppi. While not as sharp as the S20 lineup, the FE’s display still provides brilliant colors and deep blacks. It also supports the 120Hz high refresh rate for a great viewing experience.
In terms of brightness, the S20 series reaches up to 1300 nits for better outdoor visibility compared to the 800 nits maximum on the FE. However, the S20 FE’s screen is larger and flat compared to the smaller curved displays on the S20 and S20+. This makes content look more immersive and reduces accidental touches on the curved edges.
Performance And Battery Life
All models in Samsung’s S20 family utilize the same 7nm 64-bit Octa-Core Exynos 990 processor (Snapdragon 865 in USA and China). This chip delivers blazing fast speeds and excellent energy efficiency. The phones also pack large batteries with 25W fast charging capabilities.
Here’s a quick overview of the performance specs:
- Galaxy S20 – 4000 mAh battery, 128GB/512GB storage, 12GB RAM
- Galaxy S20+ – 4500 mAh battery, 128GB/512GB storage, 12GB RAM
- Galaxy S20 Ultra – 5000 mAh battery, 128GB/512GB storage, 12GB/16GB RAM
- Galaxy S20 FE – 4500 mAh battery, 128GB/256GB storage, 6GB/8GB RAM
As you can see, the S20 FE has a slightly smaller capacity RAM and storage compared to its siblings. However, performance is still excellent thanks to the fast processor and robust battery. During everyday use, you’d be hard pressed to notice any stuttering or sluggishness on the FE.
Also Read: Differences Between Samsung Galaxy S22 And Google Pixel 7.
Camera
The camera systems on the S20 phones are phenomenal for capturing stunning photos and videos in any lighting conditions. Here’s an overview:
- Galaxy S20 and S20+ – 64MP telephoto lens, 12MP wide and ultrawide lenses, 3x hybrid optic zoom, 30x super resolution zoom, and Space Zoom up to 30x. Can record 8K video.
- Galaxy S20 Ultra – 108MP wide, 48MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide lenses. A periscope lens enables incredible 100x Space Zoom capabilities. Also shoots 8K video.
- Galaxy S20 FE – Same 12MP ultrawide and 12MP wide lenses as S20/S20+. Telephoto lens reduced to 8MP, 3x optical and 30x digital zoom. Max video resolution lowered to 4K 60fps.
While the S20 FE doesn’t have the most megapixels or Space Zoom skills, its versatile triple camera system still takes fantastic shots. Unless you need next-level zoom or super large prints, the FE’s photography prowess will impress.
Unique Features
All four phones offer cool features like Wireless PowerShare (reverse wireless charging), IP68 water resistance, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, WiFi 6, 5G connectivity, DeX integration to use your phone as a desktop computer, great stereo speakers, Samsung Pay, and microSD expandable storage. The S20 series also boasts UWB technology for augmented reality apps.
Some features are only available on the more premium S20 models, like 100x Space Zoom, 8K video recording, 40MP selfie cameras, and glass builds. Ultimately, the S20 FE retains the core functionality of its siblings at a more affordable price. Unless you require max specs for media creation, the FE won’t leave you wanting.
Software Experience
The Galaxy S20 phones shipped with the intuitive One UI 2.5 skin on top of Android 10. The FE launched with Android 10 and One UI 2.5 as well. In late 2020, an update brought Android 11 and OneUI 3.0 to all devices, delivering new features like improved notifications, media controls, privacy options, and more.
Samsung pushes out regular security patches too. And since all four phones were released the same year, they’ll continue receiving major Android OS and One UI updates for the foreseeable future.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The S20 FE is very similar to the S20, albeit with the following key differences:
Plastic build instead of metal/glass
Larger 6.5” flat display Vs. 6.2” curved screen
Lower screen resolution (FHD+ Vs. QHD+)
Smaller telephoto camera: 8MP Vs. 64MP
Lower IP67 water resistance Vs. IP68
Less RAM (6GB/8GB Vs. 12GB)
No 8K video recording
However, the S20 FE retains the fast Snapdragon 865 processor, ample battery life, 120Hz display, great triple lens camera system, and robust feature set at a cheaper price point.
The Galaxy S20 has a superior rear camera system, boasting a 64MP telephoto lens and 8K video support Vs. the 8MP telephoto and max 4K video on the FE.
However, both phones take fantastic photos and videos in most settings. Unless you need to crop way in or print giant photos, the S20 FE’s camera prowess will satisfy all but professional photographers.
Some drawbacks of the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE compared to the S20/S20+/S20 Ultra include:
Plastic construction feels less premium than glass/metal builds
Lower screen resolution and max brightness
Smaller telephoto lens with only 3x optical zoom
Maximum FHD 4K video capture instead of 8K
Lower RAM configurations
Lesser IP67 water resistance rating
However, the FE makes up for this with its large vibrant screen, excellent battery life, slick performance, fun colors, and wallet-friendly price point. For most users, the FE provides tremendous value and ticks all the right boxes for a flagship experience.
FE stands for “Fan Edition” in Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE. The Fan Edition model provides many of the premium features from the flagship S20 series at a more affordable price point. For buyers who don’t require every bell and whistle, the S20 FE delivers a fantastic overall experience and value, appealing to Samsung’s loyal fan base.
Overall, the Galaxy S20 FE succeeds in bringing flagship-level performance, display quality, photography, and design down to a budget-friendly price point. Unless you require max resolution, zoom, build materials, and bleeding edge specs, the S20 FE should readily meet or exceed the needs of many smartphone shoppers.
Also Read: Is Motorola Edge Better Than Moto G Stylus?
The Verdict
The Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, and S20 FE all have unique strengths and value propositions:
- Samsung Galaxy S20 – Best suited for: People who want an easy-to-handle premium phone with a gorgeous display and fantastic cameras. Starting price: $799.
- Samsung Galaxy S20+ – Best suited for: Users who want a bigger screen and battery in a high-end package. Starting price: $999.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra – Best suited for: Photography enthusiasts and people who demand max performance and cutting-edge camera tech. Starting price: $1,399.
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE – Best suited for: Budget-conscious shoppers seeking great hardware and specs without breaking the bank. Starting price: $599.
The S20 FE brings many of the S20 series’ coveted features in an affordable package. Unless you must have 100x zoom, 8K video, or premium glass and metal builds, the S20 FE is a superb value pick.