Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review
- Jacek
- Sqr
- 21 Oct 2022
I bought mine, as a long sought HTC U11 replacement, in mid September 2022 for 419 euro. 6/128 variant in Red colour, manufacture date T6 (June 2022).
Build quality, performance:
It feels sturdy, plastic back is fine, better than glass back which is slippery and can crack. Reassuringly heavy and a tad bigger than HTC U11, but I can still fit it into trouser's pocket and I'm able to sit without crushing the phone or hurting my leg. Performance is top notch, everything works like a breeze and the phone gets barely warm, although I don't play demanding games. NFC, BT and GPS work flawlessly with the latter one being very precise, both in showing the position and speed.
Screen:
Scrolling is very smooth, even with 60 Hz setting. 120 Hz setting reduces smearing but I prefer longer run times, so I switched back to 60 Hz. Touch input seems to be working flawlessly. My old HTC U11 had 1440 LCD screen, so colors are now over-the-top saturated and I see a noticeable drop in ppi (noticeable when watching YT videos). Also my previous 2017 HTC U11 had Gorilla Glass 5 and Sammy here has Gorilla Glass 3 (some say 3+, no info about it on Samsung website), so it's a downgrade, I guess. Though I've heard that GG3 is more scratch resistant but less shatter resistant than the newer versions. AOD settings are sparse, I thought there will be more options to customize it to replace the funcionality of now gone notification LED.
Battery:
Easily lasts 24 hours with moderate-to-heavy use. I'm using 85% max charge battery care option plus 60 Hz refresh rate and I usually end up the day with 30-10% left in the tank (battery save mode kicks in at 20%). I'm getting 7-8 hours SOT and still recharge it in the morning, before work. I'm using 25W PD charger (super fast charging kicks in) or 15W EP-N5200TBEGWW wireless charger. Phone gets barely warm when charging at 25W. Bad that you have to buy 25W charger separately (bundled adapter is 15W only).
Carrier Aggregation:
LTE+ shows up sometimes, download speed varies from 30 Mb/s to 90 Mb/s (Orange Mobile carrier). I'm not using 5G.
Fingerprint scanner:
It's hit or miss, so I'm using face ID, which is also hit or miss. HTC U11's fingerprint scanner was much, much better. And you could register 5 fingerprints, but Sammy can register only 3 - that's a big downgrade.
Stereo sound and call reception:
Very good sound with Dolby Atmos and equalizer, if you're into tweaking. You can talk in the car using hands free mode and both sides can hear and speak without any problems. When making a call HD or HD+ sign appears and voice quality is excellent but sometimes there is no HD and it sounds like an old telephone box from '80... I don't know about this, maybe it's carrier dependent? Also you can't set individual sounds for incoming sms as the sms sound is integrated with all other notification sounds. For me it's a serious drawback, as I text a lot and I like to know who is texting me back before checking the screen.
Cameras:
3 back cameras are very good, although there is no proper macro mode (you have to use telephoto lens instead) and AF hunts and misses sometimes when taking flash pictures in complete darkness (HTC U11 was better in that regard). If you want to turn off shutter sound you have to use Bixby Routines as this option was removed from camera settings. Also Sammy has only 2 microphones and it's easy to accidentally cover them during a recording (HTC U11 had 3rd mic on the back). Selfie camera has silver ring around it (some may find it distracting) and takes decent photos in good lighting conditions. No AF is a serious ommision though.
Bixby Routines:
You can program your phone to do certain things in certain moments and the idea is great. But sometimes preprogrammed routines won't turn on and it's a little frustrating.
Taking screenshots:
A shortcut (Home+Power key) I used for taking screenshots with HTC U11 is not working here. You have to either use a weird gesture (palm swipe - believe me, I tried like 20 times and I managed to take 3 screenshots, very frustrating) or press Power key+VOL Down (which is impossible to do with one hand and you sometimes end with a screenshot with a volume bar... also quite frustrating). But I've found a workaround. There is an option called Edge Panels and you can add a screenshot shortcut there.
- V
- Venkat
- 2SN
- 20 Oct 2022
Battery backup is very low. It is a failure model
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- Paulwallrus87
- Y92
- 20 Oct 2022
Anonymous, 23 Sep 2022You can get a adapter that plugs into charge port for Head ... moreGet you some airbus. They're cheap on Amazon. I hated working out with those wires in the way when lifting and running. The airbuds sound quality was mu h better than I ever expected. The quality of bass in such a small speaker is pretty impressive
- H
- Hi sandyy
- Dkb
- 03 Oct 2022
I brought this phone on and get delivered on 30 sep i am facing heating issue from the start of the hours on day one and even I feel battery backup is very low I have to charge 3 time as I use online social media not doing any gaming and all. I am lil disappointed with this battery life. 10% + battery percentage get down in 1 hours of normal use may be u r using WhatsApp. I have updated and visited care store also..
- A
- Avinash
- XZ{
- 02 Oct 2022
Kiwi, 09 Aug 2022This is the first time I'm hearing about this issue. For me the same experience.. purchased on 29th September and facing black screen on 1st October...only 1 day effectively .
- ?
- Anonymous
- qKt
- 23 Sep 2022
Catriley, 06 Aug 2022No earphone Jack and no bluetooth earphones I'm the bo... moreYou can get a adapter that plugs into charge port for Head phones
- S
- Sagar
- yZw
- 22 Sep 2022
5g brand sports samsang galaxy s20 Fe
- K
- Kiwi
- fCK
- 09 Aug 2022
Onevic, 09 Apr 2022I bought this phone in February 22. Last week the screen we... moreThis is the first time I'm hearing about this issue.
- C
- Catriley
- 7Wg
- 06 Aug 2022
No earphone Jack and no bluetooth earphones I'm the box either. But no problem as I have Sony M3 headphones that work with my S20 FE. Screen is lush. Works like the best of all the Samsungs. Maybe I'll get an S22 when I upgrade.
- ?
- Anonymous
- swt
- 03 Aug 2022
You forgot the most important con, the Corning Gorilla glass 3 front screen. Cracked mine 4 times in a year, can't even be dropped from pocket-height without cracking. Reminds me of the early Iphone years. I give 1 out of 10 on durability. To be fair, the screen "feels" more like glass to the touch and is nicer while it is not cracked. Until it cracks, which it will.
- a
- ali
- mxT
- 24 Jul 2022
hi is this dual sim ?
- S
- Smeet limbani
- t5{
- 19 Jul 2022
Display is not good not eye friendly dangerous for eye
In vivid mode
- G
- Gaurav Mathur
- Hkr
- 11 Jul 2022
Anonymous, 06 Jun 2022Hi everyone! I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that ... moreDefinitely you can go with samsung galaxy s20 fe 5g
- G
- Gaurav Mathur
- Hkr
- 11 Jul 2022
I m using this phone since a month. Here is my verdict
Pros:
Stunning display
Good battery life
No heating issue
Clean UI
Good screen to body ratio
Not bulky
Cons:
Above average camera quality (front and back)
Slightly long (not easy to use by one hand)
- U
- Umar
- 6p{
- 29 Jun 2022
Anonymous, 06 Jun 2022Hi everyone! I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that ... moreI'd suggest either the s20 fe 5g or the findx5 lite
- U
- UNKNOWN soldier
- LcY
- 26 Jun 2022
Anonymous, 06 Jun 2022Hi everyone!
I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that ... moreI sell phones
Go for s20 fe 5g
If u can a bit more expensive s20 plus 5g
Both come with everything in the box both have extended SD card and both have a super screen ESPECIALLY s20 plus 5g
Last month I bought my mom a oppo a94 5G got a super deal on it great phone all around even comes with a screen protection and case really amazing
From Portugal peace
- S
- Sid
- XSt
- 12 Jun 2022
Anonymous, 06 Jun 2022Hi everyone!
I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that ... moreGo for the s20fe 5g mate.
I think it's the best among the phones you mentioned.
but it's also one of the best phones out there.
great value for money considering the current price.
- ?
- Anonymous
- BpT
- 11 Jun 2022
Anonymous, 06 Jun 2022Hi everyone! I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that ... moreS20 Fe 5G (Not 4G) 100%
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- Anonymous
- BnF
- 06 Jun 2022
Hi everyone!
I'm leaving my old Huawei P20 lite that lasted 3,5 years and I'd appreciate some help choosing between Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G vs. Oppo Find X5 Lite/Reno 7 5G.
I'm from Europe, I've read all 3 reviews and some comments about each, but I still can't decide. I need a phone with a good camera, good memory and RAM and a fine processor as I use my phone for work very much.
Is the Snapdragon from S20 that good that justifies +100€ vs. the Find X5 Lite/Reno 7, for example?
Thank you so much!
- O
- Oussama Djekboub
- CDB
- 06 Jun 2022
Anonymous, 05 May 2022But mine didn't come with the earbuds It doesn't come with anything, just the charger..