Opinion
Opinion: Why Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is a lot better choice than any other Android smartphones
When we talk about a ‘flagship smartphone’ only one thing comes to our mind, which is the Price! According to the tradition, smartphone makers nowadays start their flagship smartphone with a price tag of at least $999.
Recently, Samsung has introduced a new rival of the entire flagship smartphone segment with the launch of Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE). This phone not only offers a premium design and attractive color options but also packs with power-user features that compete directly against a flagship at costs you just $599.
On the flip side, by receiving a massive response from customers, Samsung has decided to launch a Fan Edition version of its flagship models every year.
The South Korean smartphone maker first used the Fan Edition branding with the Galaxy Note 7 FE. Three years later, the company brought back the branding for the Galaxy S20 FE. You can also call the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE a ‘Lite’ variant to Galaxy S20 and a successor to the Galaxy S10 Lite.
The Galaxy S20 FE is available in 4G and 5G variants. Inside the phone, the 5G variant is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC while the 4G variant has Samsung’s own Exynos 990. As usual, Galaxy S20 FE buyers in India or any European country will get the 4G variant equipped with Exynos 990 SoC.
It is interesting that Samsung has revealed the 5G Galaxy S20 FE with only 6GB of RAM. On the other hand, the 4G variant comes in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants.
Let’s talk about its qualities which make Galaxy S20 FE a better choice over any other Android smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition has an interesting design, which makes it look identical to the front side of Galaxy S20. However, the display bezels of this smartphone are larger than the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.
For an affordable flagship, the lack of something like Gorilla Glass 6 is a sore omission and a similar feel comes from Galaxy S20 FE. On the other hand, the hole punch front camera is smaller compared to the Galaxy M51, and the front punch hole in OnePlus 8 Pro.
The Galaxy S20 FE comes with a flat display and this is a plus point for the consumers who want to install any type of case and cover and don’t like curved edges.
The side panel of the device looks like glass but it polished with aluminum. The aluminum frame is well curved on all sides. On the rear, you will get a triple rear camera setup which is placed on the top left corner, and the design makes it look similar to the Galaxy Note 20 series. Still, the back panel of this device is disappointing because it made with matte plastic.
Samsung will give 3 major Android OS updates to the Galaxy S20 FE:
Samsung launched Galaxy S20 Fan Edition with Android 10 and this device will get updates up to Android 13.
Want to send us Tips, Update Screenshots, or a Message? connect with us here:
- [email protected]
- Message us on Twitter
Complete specs of Galaxy S20 FE:
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE sports a 6.5-inch flat FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O Display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device has a triple rear camera setup including a 12MP ultra wide-angle camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera. On the front side, you’ll find a 32MP front camera for selfies.
With the Galaxy S20 FE, users can access ultra-fast speeds thanks to its full 5G band compatibility. With 5G connectivity and access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can enjoy an advanced mobile gaming experience. From the battery perspective, it packs a 4,500mAh All Day Battery and Super Fast Charging.
Samsung is offering the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition in six vibrant color variants including, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, and Cloud White. While the Galaxy S20 FE starts at $699 for the 5G variant in the United States.
Google has just released the first Developer Preview of Android 16, hinting at an earlier rollout compared to what we’ve seen before. Google is pushing this update to ensure that device manufacturers can adopt it quickly.
While Google is moving ahead with Android 16, Samsung appears to be taking its time with the One UI interface. Typically, Samsung rolls out One UI updates together with Google’s Android releases, but Android 15-based One UI 7.0 is yet to reach the beta stage.
It looks like Samsung is still working with One UI 7 internally, as indicated by several CheckFirm screenshots posted on social media.
This delay could be frustrating for Samsung Galaxy users, particularly as competitors begin updating their devices to newer Android versions. Samsung might be dedicating extra time to perfect One UI 7, focusing on stability, new AI, and security enhancements.
With Google preparing its Android updates, Samsung might need to rethink its update strategy. If Android 16 comes out in the second quarter of 2025, Samsung might have to decide whether to rush One UI 7 out or perhaps move directly to One UI 8 for some eligible Galaxy users, skipping a version to keep pace with Google’s timeline. It’s a common move in tech to skip an update when necessary.
Samsung Galaxy users may need to wait a bit longer, but when One UI 7 or potentially One UI 8 arrives, it’s likely to bring a set of features that continue to differentiate Samsung in the competitive smartphone market.
What’s the current status of One UI 7.0?
Samsung Galaxy users were eagerly awaiting news on One UI 7 during the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 held on November 21st in Korea, but the event passed without any official announcements or insights into its progress.
Previously at SDC 2024 in the US, Samsung had mentioned that One UI 7 would be available for developers by the end of the year, suggesting that while not publicly announced, work on One UI 7 is still ongoing. There were numerous rumors that Samsung might be preparing to unveil or at least start a beta program for One UI 7 around this period.
We have already seen hands-on videos and leaks suggesting that One UI 7 will bring significant UI changes, new animations, and enhanced customization features, although these leaks are from older One UI 7 builds since the software is evolving quickly.
While the Galaxy fans were left without a clear update from SDC Korea, the silence doesn’t necessarily mean a delay. Samsung might be planning a different approach for revealing One UI 7 or could be saving the announcement for a later, more perfect moment. Stay tuned to Sammy Fans for all the latest on this front.
I love Samsung phones and always look forward to its new models. The Galaxy S25 Ultra was something I was really looking forward to. However, recent developments have introduced a significant amount of caution into my usual enthusiasm for Samsung’s flagship devices.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s latest chipset for smartphones, was expected to set new benchmarks in smartphone performance. Based on early reports, the smartphones running the latest chipset are getting hot. When phones get too hot, they slow down to cool off, which means they don’t work as well as they should. This could be a big problem for the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
This isn’t the first time chips have caused such overheating issues. Remember the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1? It had the same thermal problem, but they made it better later on. This makes me hope they’ll fix the new chip too.
Google’s Tensor chips have also encountered overheating issues. They’re trying to make them better with the next version (G6), focusing on not making them too hot. This approach might be something Samsung considers if the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s heat issues persist.
Samsung usually does a lot of testing to make sure its phones work well. But since they use Qualcomm’s chips for the top models, the company might have to deal with this heat issue too. I’m worried about how this will affect using the phone every day.
There’s always a chance they can fix some of this with software updates. Qualcomm says they’re working on it, but this might just be a quick fix, not a real solution. The effectiveness of these updates will be crucial in determining my decision to upgrade.
The recent chipset issues with both Google’s Tensor and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon series have made me more aware of the potential pitfalls in adopting the latest technology without some proven reliability.
I still want the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but now I’m a bit worried. I hope Samsung can make it work without getting too hot.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (Source – Sammyfans)
Disclaimer:
It’s worth noting that all discussions here are based on rumors, leaks, and my own expectations as a tech consumer. There’s no official word yet on the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s chipset or its performance. The final product might well address these concerns, but for now, the excitement comes with a side of skepticism.
As we near the end of 2024, people who love Samsung Galaxy phones are really looking forward to the new software update called One UI 7.0. The latest version of One UI is built on the newest Android 15 and will have lots of new stuff. But the question on everyone’s mind is: will we see the beta version in November 2024?
There’s been a lot of excitement building up about One UI 7.0 because of numerous leaks, most notably from Android Headlines, which recently shared what appears to be promotional material for One UI 7.0. This leak showcased new icon designs, lock screen customizations, and a revamped notification bar, making Samsung fans and tech lovers excited.
Well-known tech influencers like @SamsonSirJi on X have hinted at a November rollout for the One UI 7.0 beta. The Galaxy users on the internet are also talking about it more because leaks are happening more often, including a notable hands-on video by a random YouTuber who got early access to the beta on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which suggests that Samsung might be close to opening up the beta program to the public.
Why November 2024?
Historically, Samsung has used beta programs to refine its One UI updates before the official stable release. If we look at previous years, Samsung typically begins its beta phase a few months before the next flagship Galaxy S series launch, which introduces the stable version of the new One UI.
The recent surge in leaks points towards Samsung’s readiness to enter the beta phase. Companies often allow leaks to build hype just before a release.
After SDC, Samsung usually accelerates the rollout of new software updates, which could mean we’re on the cusp of a beta release. The stable Android 15 is already live for Google Pixel devices, though several others have already started the Android 15 beta program.
Given that Samsung has officially confirmed the stable One UI 7.0 will accompany the Galaxy S25 series early next year, starting the beta in November 2024 would give sufficient time for testing and feedback.
Based on the pattern of Samsung’s beta programs, the timing of SDC Korea 2024, and the strategic release of promotional material, there is a strong case to be made that Samsung might indeed start the One UI 7.0 beta in November 2024.
Disclaimer
It’s important to note that while there are strong indications of a November beta release for One UI 7.0, Samsung has not officially confirmed any specific date for the beta program. The company has only shared an estimated timeline pointing towards the end of 2024.