Samsung·phone
Galaxy S21 FE
Based on 34 credible posts from YouTube, Bluesky & Hacker News. 51 filtered out as bot-like or off-topic.
Medium confidenceA solid sample; expect small shifts as more owners post. How we score
Scored November 11, 2026
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Owner reviews
Overall owner mood
Most owners are happy with it: 65% of 34 reviews are positive and 18% negative. Praise centers on display and price & value. The most common complaint is performance (2 owners). Owners are divided on battery & charging. Owners with 6+ months of use feel about the same (56% positive).
What owners like
Display praised by 8 owners (1 disagree)
“6.4 inch screen, 4500 mAh battery, plastic back and no glass, very nice in the hand, smooth and sleek.”
Price & value praised by 6 owners (2 disagree)
“Certainly worth it for me!”
What owners complain about
Performance raised by 2 owners (1 disagree)
“I've been using Firefox mobile browser on my not that old Samsung Galaxy S21FE for one year or more, and I can confidently say that the performance is awful.”
Software & AI raised by 2 owners (1 disagree)
“My Fold 3 "folded" after a Tmobile update so I had to find a new phone.”
Owners are split on
- Battery & charging 3 like it · 4 don't
Worth reading the reviews on these if they matter to you.
What owners talk about
- Display8 praise · 1 complain
- Price & value6 praise · 2 complain
- Battery & charging3 praise · 4 complain
- Performance1 praise · 2 complain
- Software & AI1 praise · 2 complain
- Camera1 praise · 1 complain
Built from the reviews themselves — every quote links to the owner who wrote it.
Every credible owner review, most detailed first. Bots, off-topic comments, and ones that say nothing about using it are left out.
I've been using Firefox mobile browser on my not that old Samsung Galaxy S21FE for one year or more, and I can confidently say that the performance is awful. [...] It often glitches and flashes white when opening/closing the on-screen keyboard and it blinds me for a second if using at night. [...]
[...] Battery life is great (I only 'slow' charge, and only charge to 80%. If I'm on vacation or something, and need to charge fast before leaving the hotel, I'll fast charge and up the charge % up to 95%). [...] Huge difference in speed and camera quality. [...] Faster in every way, and camera better. But the S21 FE is so fast and has a really great camera, I can't see any upgrade these days being a big "WOW". [...]
[...] I bought mine in February last year and a year didn’t even go by before it started overheating. In December last year it overheated and didn’t turn on until today. Sent it back to @Samsung for repairs and they told me that the warranty won’t cover it. [...]
I just bought one Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, 8/256GB, used for 2 years in perfect condition for $265. [...] 6.4 inch screen, 4500 mAh battery, plastic back and no glass, very nice in the hand, smooth and sleek. [...] Great flagship phone for low price. [...] I have had S8, S9, S10 and S21 FE is the best one so far.
[...] The 120hz display is amazing and the most noticeable difference. I really have nothing bad to say about it, especially considering the price I got it at.
Recently got mine at 600usd ish (after conversion), as I want the bigger screen, so didnt take s21 into account and s21+ is way over my budget, its honestly really lovely and I love it on 60hz. 120 kills battery a little faster than how I would like, and doesn't really makes a difference.
[...] This phone is nice and it's literally the perfect size screen. [...] Lastly, yes the price may be a little on the high side, but most people will never pay that regular price. [...]
I got this phone yesterday, love the looks feel and performance of this device. I have the 8bg version, the phone flys, screen looks better then my other phone iPhone 13 pro, love the plastic on the back no case needed nice not slipery texture. [...] And and it is still less expensive the the rest of the S line, unlocked new.
Still the perfect size and weight if you prefer slightly compact screens. Screen is superb, everything works well. The cameras are not great though compared to the mainstream S series - in fact pretty poor. I'm not sure if they downgraded then during the last few updates.. [...]
[...] Can't fine much to complain, other than the less than impressive battery. Fun fact, where I'm from they haven't drop the price of the s21. [...] But today all shops sell you the s21 and the s22 at the same price. [...] So got the fe, and with the discount this one did have, and trade in, I got it unlocked for like 300 bucks. [...] Cheap phone options are pretty much Motorola and xiaomi. [...]
I hate this phone I had it since July 20, 2023 Now it has poor battery man. I wish one day I had an upgrade
I've had myn since it first came out 5 years is the longest I've ever kept a phone lol.
Have you thought about getting a used legacy iPad? Sometimes its better to get an old high end device than a new low-mid range one (I got a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S21 FE last year instead of the S24)
Had my s21 fe 4 about 7 months now. I love it. Great phone. Didn't really shop around, and I'm not really a tech person, but ur video really opened my eyes. Thanks. Keep the videos coming. Have a great day
standard MKBHD, this phone isn't out yet, I've been using it from last year <3
I got this phone in 2022, battery life struggles these days after 4 years of heavy use but it holds up still for the most part
[...] I've had it for 3 months, and it does irritate me not having that. [...] This FE doesn't make any sense with the non-FE the same price.
[...] And you sayd that one ui 7 is last update , that is not true , i just update it to one ui 8 and it works fine . [...]
I just bought the 21 FE. It is a used one, but it feels actually like new. It was $150 here in Germany where I live. Very happy with the phone so far.
Oh goody, just found out it doesn't have a calculator either. Seriously? no calculator? Am I the only one massively disappointed in this phone?
okay i just bought a new (secondhand) LCD for my Galaxy S21 FE and i plan to repair my phone by myself once it arrives (with the power of isopropyl alcohol, hairdryer and fuckass tools) but now it kinda burned a hole in my pocket so who wants to donate to a struggling queer with a broken phone 💔💔💔💔
I've been having problems with my Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. [...] Which I got a new Sim card a couple of days ago. [...]
I got this phone for $390 during sale. I don't think any other phone will beat it at this price. 😁
s21fe is in a great position now.with great offers and pixel 6 plagued by software issues and no s22fe,it's the best of it's price range.just got mine when had a hundred off on amazon.i recommend everyone shopping in that price range to consider it an option.
[...] It charges at 25 w, not just 15. [...]
[...] My Fold 3 "folded" after a Tmobile update so I had to find a new phone. I got the 21FE in a pinch for $450 from Best Buy. [...]
Got this phone for my dad, and I honestly like it more than my S21. Bigger screen, and better battery life.
[...] I agree that at that price, there are other (better) options and if your phone is working well, it's not worth the upgrade. [...] I just ordered my s21 FE because of a crazy trade-in deal, education discount, and instant rebate Samsung was offering that essentially dropped the price of an unlocked 256 GB s21 FE 5G from $639.49 to $260.40 with sales tax. [...] Certainly worth it for me!
Great phone especially since I was able to get it for 350 from Verizon, definitely a price cut since S22 is hitting the shelves well tomorrow. I upgraded from the S10E so this phone is a big change and Samsung does make some beautiful screens. 😍
[...] At that Price, the S21 FE is an excellent phone.
I got this phone and so far I really enjoy this I switched from and iPhone 11 and I'm happy with the decision
Just got one of these as an upgrade. So far I really like it. 👍
I was on my Samsung Galaxy S21FE (Snapdragon 888), on the latest version of the Firefox browser for Android (138.0), on One UI 6.1 (Android 14). It is possibly the most powerful device I own, that's why I was concerned.
Just got this phone from having an s8. I will always keep my old phone for the headphone jack. I got this phone on the weekend and the s22 literally came out today 😂
Galaxy S21 FE long-term: how it holds up
When problems show up
- Battery & chargingtypically around 3 years · 2 reports
- Performancetypically around 1 year · 2 reports
The claims, and the evidence
What the brand claims
No published claims on file for this product yet.
What owners report
“[...] Battery life is great (I only 'slow' charge, and only charge to 80%. If I'm on vacation or something, and need to charge fast before leaving the hotel, I'll fast charge and up the charge % up to 95%). [...] Huge difference in speed and camera quality. [...] Faster in every way, and camera better. But the S21 FE is so fast and has a really great camera, I can't see any upgrade these days being a big "WOW". [...]”
after 4 yearsView on YouTube“[...] The 120hz display is amazing and the most noticeable difference. I really have nothing bad to say about it, especially considering the price I got it at.”
“[...] I bought mine in February last year and a year didn’t even go by before it started overheating. In December last year it overheated and didn’t turn on until today. Sent it back to @Samsung for repairs and they told me that the warranty won’t cover it. [...]”
after 1 yearView on YouTube“[...] Can't fine much to complain, other than the less than impressive battery. Fun fact, where I'm from they haven't drop the price of the s21. [...] But today all shops sell you the s21 and the s22 at the same price. [...] So got the fe, and with the discount this one did have, and trade in, I got it unlocked for like 300 bucks. [...] Cheap phone options are pretty much Motorola and xiaomi. [...]”
Common Galaxy S21 FE problems
Problems most owners who mention them agree on, plus ones owners are split on.
- Battery & chargingOwners split: 4 complain, 3 happyView on YouTube
“I hate this phone I had it since July 20, 2023 Now it has poor battery man.”
- Performance2 owners report this (1 disagree)
- Software & AI2 owners report this (1 disagree)