Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Perfect Balance of Power and Price

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is everything you need and nothing else. Samsung pared down its flagship S20 series to a more palatable price, and the result is a value-minded standard-bearer to properly face up against the forthcoming iPhone 12 line. With fast performance, solid cameras, and often substantial discounts at major wireless providers, the S20 FE 5G becomes our default Android phone recommendation for 2020 as well as our Editors’ Choice.

- SASCHA SEGAN

SO MANY OPTIONS, SO MUCH TIME

Samsung has a ton of phones out right now, but the two you should keep in mind are the Galaxy S20 FE 5G and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra ($1,299). These two models offer flagship and super-flagship performance; the S20 FE will satisfy most people, while the Note 20 Ultra adds an even better screen, an S Pen stylus, and the best phone camera we’ve tested.

They’re also a reset from Samsung’s strategy earlier this year. While we recommended the $1,199 Galaxy S20+ as our Editors’ Choice for several months, the $999-and-up S20 lineup is overpriced for our struggling pandemic economy. The FE gives you more value for less money.

REFINED DESIGN

At 6.29 by 2.93 by 0.33 inches (HWD) and 6.67 ounces, the S20 FE is almost exactly the same size as the S20+. That means it isn’t a small phone, but it’s on par with most of the flagships on the market.

The phone comes in six colors—lavender, mint, navy, orange, red, or white. Overall, there’s a humble feel to it. With its flat front and matte-metal surfaces, the S20 FE doesn’t try to scream “luxury object” the way curved-glass phones do. It’s also a bit more usable, and you don’t have the accidental-touch problem people often have with curved-screen phones. In addition, the matte back does a much better job of repelling both fingerprints and scratches than the S20’s glass back does.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

PROS

Fast processor. Excellent cameras. Long battery life.

CONS

No Space Zoom. Not the absolute best lowlight camera performance.

BOTTOM LINE