Samsung Galaxy S20 FE review
The S20 FE suits everyday users and photography hobbyists who value OLED smoothness and zoom reach over raw performance or the latest features. Skip it if you game seriously or prioritize fast charging—the Snapdragon variant is notably better for the former, but neither version charges briskly by modern standards."
This review is written with AI assistance from Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Galaxy S20 FE is a 2020 Android phone that packages a 120Hz AMOLED display, solid optical-zoom camera, and all-day battery into a lighter frame than the main S20, making it sensible for everyday use on a budget. The Exynos variant lags behind the Snapdragon version in games and heavy tasks, and 25W charging is now pedestrian, but the phone holds up well for messaging, calls, and casual photography.
Design & Build
At 190g and 8.4mm thick, the S20 FE is noticeably slighter than the standard S20, and the plastic back feels less premium but resists fingerprints better than glass. The front is Gorilla Glass 3, which is not top-shelf by 2020 standards—it scratches easier than the hardened glass on pricier flagships—and the aluminum frame feels sturdy enough for daily bumps. IP68 water resistance to 1.5m for 30 minutes is a genuine perk, useful if you're caught in rain or drop it near a sink. The colored finishes (Mint, Lavender, Navy) are cheerful without being loud. Overall, it feels like a mid-range phone made to last, not a stripped flagship.
Display
The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen at 1080p and 407 ppi is where the S20 FE actually punches above its price. 120Hz scrolling looks smooth—noticeably smoother than the standard 60Hz phones most rivals offered in 2020—and the vibrant OLED blacks and colors make everyday apps and photos look lively. HDR10+ support is nice for streaming, though Netflix and YouTube's HDR compression are what you notice more than the spec itself. At this size and density, text is sharp enough for reading without strain, though the 1080p resolution is not cutting-edge for a 6.5-inch display by 2024 standards. Still, for a mid-range phone, the smoothness and color are genuine strengths.
Performance
Here the regional variant matters. The Exynos 990 (European and Asian versions) throttles in sustained gaming and heavy multitasking; the Snapdragon 865 (some US and global variants) is significantly faster. With 6GB or 8GB RAM, either chip handles everyday apps, messaging, and light gaming without lag, but do not expect maxed-out settings in PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact—medium to high is the realistic ceiling. Switching between apps is snappy, and One UI 5.1 (after the Android 13 update) is clean and mostly bloat-free. The shared microSD slot is a convenience for extra storage, though by 2020 expansion was already becoming rarer.
Software
The phone shipped on Android 10 and received updates through Android 13, plus security patches through 2024 or so depending on region. One UI is Samsung's overlay, and it has mellowed over the years into something genuinely usable—it no longer drowns the phone in junk apps and settings menus. The under-display fingerprint sensor works reliably, though it is slightly slower and less consistent than newer optical sensors. Software support for a 2020 mid-ranger is now aging; do not count on major updates beyond what is already here, and security patches will thin out within a year or two.
Camera
The 12MP f/1.8 main sensor with OIS is the real camera workhorse—it keeps handheld shots steady in normal light and does not oversaturate colors the way some Samsung flagships used to. The 3x optical zoom telephoto is genuinely useful for framing distant subjects without moving, though it crops quality noticeably compared to the main lens (as all digital crops do). The 12MP ultrawide at 123° is an extra, nice for landscapes but softens at the edges. The 32MP front camera is overkill for video calls and selfies; those pixels mostly just bloat file size. In low light, the main sensor struggles to hold noise at reasonable levels—not terrible, but behind what flagship sensors manage. Video stabilization is present but not buttery; it is functional.
Battery & Charging
The 4500 mAh battery lasts about a day with moderate use—about 5 to 6 hours screen time if you stream video or game, stretching to evening on a lighter day of messaging and calls. 25W wired charging gets you to full in about 60 to 75 minutes, which is fine but no longer quick by 2020-2021 standards when rivals were hitting 65W and 100W. The 15W wireless charging is a nice-to-have for desk time or overnight, and reverse wireless charging (4.5W) is a gimmick that barely charges other devices. The battery itself does not swell or degrade unusually, though by 2024 it is visibly diminished from factory performance.
Value & Verdict Context
At 390 EUR on launch (now lower used or refurbished), the S20 FE was a sensible alternative to the pricier S20, and it remains a honest mid-ranger for buyers who want OLED, optical zoom, and water resistance without flagship pricing. The Exynos version is a gotcha—if you are in a region with the Snapdragon variant, the phone feels faster and is worth seeking out. The lack of 5G is not a deficit for 2020 (5G networks were patchy), but it feels archaic now that 5G is routine. For global-south buyers, the used market is thick with S20 FE units, and a secondhand example can be a bargain if the battery is not spent and the plastic back has not cracked.
Verdict
The S20 FE suits everyday users and photography hobbyists who value OLED smoothness and zoom reach over raw performance or the latest features. Skip it if you game seriously or prioritize fast charging—the Snapdragon variant is notably better for the former, but neither version charges briskly by modern standards."
- 120Hz AMOLED display—smooth scrolling and vibrant colors that outshine flat LCD rivals in the same price band
- Optical 3x zoom camera with OIS—lets you frame distant subjects sharply without digital crops
- Plastic back and lighter weight—durability and ease to hold, plus less slippery than glass
- IP68 water resistance—survives submersion and everyday spills better than many competitors at this price
- Exynos 990 variant (common in Europe and Asia) throttles in sustained gaming and multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 865 sibling
- 25W charging speed is middle-of-the-road for 2020 and feels slow by today's 65W-and-up standards
- Gorilla Glass 3 scratches more easily than the hardened glass on flagship competitors
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2020, September 23 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio), Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Version 1Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - Version 2 |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, PD3.015W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless |
| Software | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy S20 FE support 5G?
No. The Galaxy S20 FE tops out at GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Galaxy S20 FE use?
The Galaxy S20 FE runs on the Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Version 1Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - Version 2.
What display does the Galaxy S20 FE have?
A 6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy S20 FE battery?
The Galaxy S20 FE has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 25W wired, PD3.015W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless.
Does the Galaxy S20 FE have NFC?
Yes, the Galaxy S20 FE has NFC.
Is the Galaxy S20 FE water resistant?
The Galaxy S20 FE carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the Galaxy S20 FE support a microSD card?
Yes, the Galaxy S20 FE supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the Galaxy S20 FE have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy S20 FE does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy S20 FE isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy S10 Lite
Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Galaxy Note20 Ultra
iPhone 12 Pro Max
