S20 FE, who's thinking about it?

[THEPRFCT10]

Got mine yesterday on a deal that I just couldn't refuse. Tmobile had a deal where if you add a line you get one of these for free. So I added a line to my account (had been thinking of doing that anyway) and now I have a $700 5G phone for free.

Here are some thoughts after using it for a day;
I do like it, having come from a Pixel 3a and many phones prior to that. It's a phone with great reception, and good call quality. It's snappy, has an awful lot of customization possibilities (what Samsung doesn't). I do not regret switching from the Pixel 3a which I actually loved, but now I have a 5G phone with wireless charging capability.
Do I have any criticisms? Yes...I don't feel the AMOLED screen is all it's cracked up to be. To me, it seems a bit washed out, looking a bit more like an LCD screen to me (not sure why). I have it set to vivid and when I set it to normal, it looks even worse. I've seen much better. Also, I disabled the Samsung keyboard which I thought was absolutely awful and am using the Google gboard instead. I'd highly recommend this to anyone with a Samsung phone. Same for Bixby, but I am sure this is nothing new that anyone is hearing here. I've also disabled Samsung Daily as I see it as an unnecessary bunch of bloatware.
So far, the battery seems to last more than a day, but I did lower the refresh rate to 60 as I really can't tell any difference between that and 120. Though admittedly I did not want a phone to play video games on, so I probably am not appreciating the potential difference.
The in screen fingerprint sensor seems to be working great, even a lot better than I had anticipated. So far in 2 days of heavy use, I have only had it miss maybe 2 or 3 times. I have not tried facial recognition, though I do like the fact that I can choose either method. Coming from the Pixel whose fingerprint sensor is on the back, I did have some reservations as the one on the Pixel is wonderful. But I must say that at this point so far, I am preferring the Samsung one in the display as it is easier and quicker to access.
I suppose 5G will still take some time and get even better, but I am getting download speeds over twice what I was getting on 4G. I'm happy with this.
By the way, my T-Mobile branded one did come with the screen protector (or at lease something that looks like it can be left on). Not sure if it's meant to but it seems more permanent than the normal plastic they put on new phones.
All in all, a good experience and I highly recommend this phone to anyone contemplating it.

I see what you're saying about the washed out look I'm comparing it to my s9 plus and the dark seem to be grayed-out a little bit

 

[californiajay]

Yes. Some apps look better than others, so I am wondering if it has to do more with the app than the screen...but my Pixel 3a does show more vibrance using the same apps, so I am not sure.

 

[californiajay]

I also noticed this version of Gboard for this phone does not allow for faster typing -- there's no option within the settings to download the faster engine.

I don't know anything about that, but can honestly say that no matter what settings I had the Samsung keyboard set at regarding spelling corrections and such, I was making more mistakes that I ever had prior to using this phone. I decided to replace it with the Google gboard keyboard and I now rarely make a mistake at all. I don't type all that fast using it so I may not be seeing nor understanding exactly what you mean by faster typing being allowed. When you say "this version of Gboard," are you actually talking about the Samsung keyboard? The stock keyboard is not a Gboard, it is a Samsung.

 

[bkdodger2]

I don't know anything about that, but can honestly say that no matter what settings I had the Samsung keyboard set at regarding spelling corrections and such, I was making more mistakes that I ever had prior to using this phone. I decided to replace it with the Google gboard keyboard and I now rarely make a mistake at all. I don't type all that fast using it so I may not be seeing nor understanding exactly what you mean by faster typing being allowed.

By chance did you check your settings on Samsung keyboard? There were settings not enabled on the keyboard such as prediction and others ..

 

[californiajay]

By chance did you check your settings on Samsung keyboard? There were settings not enabled on the keyboard such as prediction and others ..

Yes I did. I'm just not sure why, but the google keyboard works for me and the Samsung doesn't. It might be just familiarity, but whatever the reason, I'm happy using the google keyboard.

 

[bkdodger2]

Yes I did. I'm just not sure why, but the google keyboard works for me and the Samsung doesn't. It might be just familiarity, but whatever the reason, I'm happy using the google keyboard.

That's cool.. I use Gboard.. SwiftKey and Samsung lol

 

[X1tymez]

Wow glad I ordered some when I did! The reviewers said they came with protectors pre-installed--so I hesitated to order. I think the brand in stock was dmax armor and I think they're coming tomorrow.

I prefer the wet apply soft plastic protectors. In my experience, they stay on better (had this one on for almost 4 years now). They're also self healing. Glass feels nice, but I've had to change them frequently in the past. One even shattered in my pocket somehow (noticed after getting out of my car... No clue) better than nothing though.

I tried Dmax armor and it was no go. The glass is smaller than the phone, you can see rainbow effect on the side.

Let me know if you need recommendation. I'm very OCD when it come to my screen lol.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I didn't go this route. You needed to add new line for free phone, I did get S20 FE for free though. I can't complain. Might sell my massive s20 ultra lol.

Got for "free" by letting my sister switch from AT&T to my T-Mobile account.

If I needed another, I would just add an unused line to my account. I have an unlimited everything veteran plan with 6 lines and any extra lines are just $10/mo, So, $240 at $10/mo.

 

[BotanicalStig]

I tried Dmax armor and it was no go. The glass is smaller than the phone, you can see rainbow effect on the side.

Let me know if you need recommendation. I'm very OCD when it come to my screen lol.

I've never seen one that DID fit properly. I'll probably just use it until the tpu ones come out.

 

[theregulator]

Anyone know if the TMobile Insider program is still going, or did it end on 9/30?

 

[david61983]

I've had the FE for 3 days now. I've got to say I'm not impressed with the screen. It's not nearly as good as my S10+ was and I always had the resolution at FHD. The screen on my ZTE Blade 10 is just as good .

 

[californiajay]

OK so more observations on day 3;
The screen protector that was on the phone out of the box is not a permanent one but it actually could be left on if so desired. What is nice about it is that there is a cutout over where the fingerprint sensor is, so it is very easy to see where to put one's finger to wake the phone up and get right through the security from a blank screen. I did get myself a glass one though and actually once I got used to exactly where the fingerprint sensor is, I found out that it's not really an issue that the glass one does not have that cutout. For that matter, if there is a cutout there, it may allow that area to collect dust and other debris.
Not having owned a Samsung phone for a few years, I forgot how much time it takes to actually set up and customize one to one's liking. I really wish Samsung didn't have so many choices, options and settings. Lots of the menu options are named differently than the standard google names and it's a chore to have to dig into these menus to find things and then to have to come back to the same places later. One thing I had some trouble with was that on a phone call, I noticed several times that if I had the dialer still showing on the screen and put the phone up to my ear, I'd press one of the numbers on the dialer by just touching the phone to my cheek. Never had this issue with any other phone I've ever owned. Thankfully, Samsung has a setting to delay the pressing of any key so I played around with this setting a bit to get the right combination of delay when putting the phone up to my ear and not having it press a number on the keypad, and also not creating too much of a delay because doing so had an affect on the volume keys on the side. If I set this setting too high, I had to long press the volume keys and thus wait for them to change the volume. Kind've a silly problem to have to deal with really. It's nice that Samsung has the option to change the delay, but I have never had this problem with any other phone, and never saw this kind of option on any either. Why Samsung has this issue is beyond me.
As I mentioned earlier, the screen is not as impressive as it should be, but after 3 days I think I have found that just the right brightness level does a good enough job at maximizing it and making it look pretty decent. I have the brightness set at about half way and the adaptive brightness turned off. Not sure if it's just this setting that is making it look decent or if maybe, just maybe the screen might have a tendency to "burn in" after a few days and just start to look better (or if I have just gotten used to it). At any rate, the screen is fine really. Some apps do appear to look better than others, so perhaps it's THEY that need some tweaking.
I love how the audio is able to be tuned and tweaked. This is the loudest sounding phone I have ever owned and I really do appreciate that.
I purchased a usb to 3.5 audio adapter and both phone calls and music sound wonderful through my B&W headphones. Really no need for an audio jack on the phone, the adapter serves its purpose and works fine, and I just keep it plugged into the plug on my headphones.
I mentioned earlier that the fingerprint sensor has impressed me. I was wondering about this before purchasing the phone but I am very surprised and impressed by its performance. It rarely misses my fingerprint. I had tried out a Motorola Edge 5G prior to purchasing this phone and that one missed on I'd say a 10% average. This one has rarely missed at all.
Haven't tried the camera yet, even though I am a professional photographer. Guess I don't have much use for cell phone cameras, but I will get around to it soon out of curiosity.
I just did a speedtest and got 110 down and 74 up. I live in Southern California and it's 2:15pm right now. On 4G, I'd usually see less than 15 down at this time of day. So I'd say that while 110 for 5G isn't all that impressive, for T-Mobile this time of day, it sure is.
As I said the other day< I am happy with this purchase (and I am very picky when it comes to my cell phones). Anyone on the fence...I highly recommend it.

 

[jhickin]

I got mine in the mail last week from T-Mobile (got the mint color). I had an LG V30 before this one and this phone is a big step up. Comparatively, the screen is fantastic, the cameras are like night and day, the haptic feedback/notification vibration is super strong, and the overall performance is fantastic. So, if you're coming from an older phone and not sure if you should get this one, I say go for it.

 

[Morty2264]

I'm still waiting to actually see it in person. Very interested and can't wait for more reviews but will not buy it. Still loving my S10!

 

[GrooveRite]

I have an S10+ that has a battery that isn't holding its charge well anymore. Interested in getting the FE but don't want to sacrifice screen quality and RAM so may just end up getting N20U. Only thing bothering me about N20U is its size. I'll have to visit my TMO store and take a look at the FE. Decisions, decisions.

 

[bkdodger2]

Good choices folks..definitely give it a look see ...I'm loving this phone right now ..plenty good things with it ..

 

[sopclod]

I've owned a few different Samsung phones and somewhere along the way the settings menus became very convoluted. I've always preferred browse to search; I want to see all the choices and not miss anything. UI design in general has been going in the opposite direction for years though.

tl;dr: try searching for the setting you want, should be much faster.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

The UPS truck with mine on it should be a block away heading to his first delivery soon. Unfortunately, I'm last on the route (unless someone in the few houses between me and the main road have a delivery today) so should have it ~11 hours from now.

 

[bigpapa7272]

Im very unhappy with my samsung shop experience so far too many multiple shipments and they told me the watch in my shipment was going to ship by friday last week. No tracking no nothing ive contacted support chat several times same song and dance they keep saying ill recieve by October 7.

then today i get an email that they dont know when the 45 mm watch 3 lte in black is delayed and no ship date at this time... Im beyond pissed. their customer service sucks.

 

[BotanicalStig]

Got mine about 2 hours ago... Yikes. So much to set up! This is gonna take some time.

First thought on the screen... Why is it so BLUE? Even adjusting the color temp doesn't correct it. Oh well, just something to get used to I guess.

Also, the dmax armor glass doesn't fit very well. Better than nothing.