Samsung Ought to Overlook the Galaxy S22 FE. Here is Why

Samsung already has a dizzying number of telephones to select from. There’s the super-sized Galaxy S22 Extremely, the pocketable Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the wallet-friendly Galaxy A sequence. However there’s a technique Samsung might simplify issues: Skip the Galaxy S22 FE.

Do not get me incorrect; the $700 Galaxy S21 FE (quick for “fan version”) has loads going for it. Once I reviewed the telephone in January, I used to be impressed with its first rate battery life and strong digital camera for the value. Nevertheless, it risked feeling misplaced in Samsung’s lineup as soon as the Galaxy S22 launched. And I used to be proper. If Samsung does have a successor to the Galaxy S21 FE within the works, rebranding it as a extra premium Galaxy A telephone can be a wiser transfer. A rumor from the weblog SamMobile suggests Samsung could have canceled the Galaxy S22 FE, and I can perceive why. Between the $800 Galaxy S22 and $450 Galaxy A53 5G, it is too laborious for the Galaxy S21 FE to face out. 

The Galaxy S21 FE lacks what made the Galaxy S20 FE so particular

The 2020 Galaxy S20 FE had a significant benefit that the Galaxy S21 FE lacks: a large hole in worth in comparison with Samsung’s Galaxy S telephone. The Galaxy S20 launched at $1,000, making the $700 Galaxy S20 FE really feel like a major discount. It earned a CNET Editors’ Selection in 2020, with Andy Lanxon writing that its “nice stability of efficiency and worth” makes it a greater worth proposition than the S20 Extremely and Word 20 Extremely. 

There are a few the explanation why the Galaxy S21 FE did not strike the identical chord. Samsung’s lineup and the broader smartphone panorama have been completely different in 2020. Whereas 5G assist, a number of digital camera lenses and screens with increased refresh charges have been beginning to trickle all the way down to cheaper units, these options have been thought of premium only one 12 months earlier in 2019. Keep in mind the Galaxy S10 5G? Samsung’s first 5G-ready telephone commanded a excessive worth of $1,300 when it launched by Verizon in spring 2019. 

Issues modified the next 12 months in 2020. Each machine within the Galaxy S20 lineup supported 5G, however that additionally meant the next beginning worth of $1,000. With that in thoughts the 5G-equipped S20 FE, which additionally has a triple-lens digital camera and speedy processor, was an excellent different for cost-conscious customers that did not wish to make massive sacrifices on high quality. 

In different phrases, the Galaxy S20 FE got here at simply the fitting time and the fitting worth. I am unable to say the identical for the Galaxy S21 FE. It launched roughly one month earlier than Samsung launched the Galaxy S22, which presents superior digital camera high quality, a extra refined design and a more moderen processor. The Galaxy S20, however, debuted in September 2020, which meant it had an extended runway earlier than the Galaxy S21’s arrival in January 2021.

On the identical time, the Galaxy S21 FE does have benefits over the S22, significantly for individuals who desire bigger telephones. However the variations aren’t drastic sufficient to forestall it from being overshadowed by the S22 and rivals like Google’s cheaper Pixel 6. 

Pricing is one other essential issue. It is nice that Samsung dropped the value of the S21 in comparison with the S20, however the issue is that it did not decrease the Galaxy S21 FE’s worth to match. The Galaxy S20 FE was $300 cheaper than the Galaxy S20, whereas the S21 FE prices solely $100 lower than the Galaxy S21 did at launch. 

The Galaxy S21 FE feels extra like an A-series telephone

The Galaxy S21 FE would really feel proper at residence in Samsung’s lineup of midrange and price range units, aka the Galaxy A sequence. These telephones are often considerably cheaper than these within the Galaxy S line and inherit sure options like massive shows, a number of cameras and 5G, whereas compromising elsewhere. 

It is an method that is seemingly paid off thus far. Samsung’s $180 Galaxy A12 was one of many world’s top-selling telephones in 2021, in line with Counterpoint Analysis. No telephones from the Galaxy S sequence made the checklist. Separate knowledge from Counterpoint Analysis offered to CNET additionally suggests A-series telephones accounted for 58% of Samsung’s smartphone gross sales final 12 months. 

If the Galaxy S21 FE have been barely cheaper — maybe priced round $600 — it could make an excellent upper-tier Galaxy A telephone. Each the Galaxy S21 FE and A53 5G have massive screens, very related designs, common and ultrawide digital camera lenses and excessive decision entrance cameras, making them really feel like they’re geared toward an analogous viewers. 

The Galaxy S21 FE has an edge in efficiency and digital camera high quality, making it a strong alternative for individuals who want greater than the Galaxy A53 has to supply at a lower cost than the S22. Dropping the value to $600 would additionally put the telephone proper between the $450 Galaxy A53 5G and $800 Galaxy S22. If it have been branded as an A-series telephone, the Galaxy S21 FE may very well be a worthwhile different to the Galaxy A73 in markets the place that machine is not out there. The Galaxy A73 5G is the Galaxy A sequence’ top-tier telephone with a 108-megapixel digital camera, but it surely’s solely out there in choose areas corresponding to Australia and India.

Samsung hasn’t shared particulars about its future smartphone plans, so it is unclear whether or not it can proceed the FE line. However dropping the FE’s worth and probably shifting it over to its Galaxy A sequence might go a good distance in boosting its attraction. It would not be the primary time Samsung has merged two of its telephone manufacturers not too long ago. The Galaxy S22 Extremely, for instance, has basically changed the corporate’s earlier Galaxy Word telephones, which stood out for his or her large screens and included stylus.

In any other case, the Galaxy S22 FE might find yourself like Samsung’s present “fan version” telephone and wrestle to search out its place.