s20 vs. s20 FE: If the price is the same...?

[Loren Terveen]

I see that I can get an s20 through Google Fi for $699 right now, which coincidentally is the same as the s20 FE currently is going for. Given they're the same price, which one do folks think would be better (specifically for a teenager)?

 

[Kizzy Catwoman]

I would go for the regular s20. It has gorilla glass 6 which is stronger than the gorilla glass 3 on the FE. Overall the S20 is the flagship version and the FE is a lite version. It has most of the features, but not all of them. For the same money go for the flagship. The phone will be in a case anyway.

 

[KPMcClave]

When I was considering my options to upgrade from my Pixel 3 XL, I had landed on the Note 20 as the likely choice (even though the S pen wasn't that big a deal to me)...until the S20 FE specs were announced. I look at the S20 FE as a hybrid of the basic note 20 and the S20, for much less money (usually). I had a chance to buy an S20+ for only $50 more than I got the S20 FE, but still chose the "lesser" FE.

The first thing that comes to mind for a teen is the plastic back on the S20 FE. More durable than the S20's glass back. I also like that it isn't a glossy fingerprint magnet with its more matte finish.

I'm so over curved displays. The S20 siblings have one and the FE has a flat screen.

I figured that the battery would probably last a little bit longer with the FE than any of the other S20 handset. At any rate, I'm happy with battery life after 12 days.

When I want to shoot "important" photos, I use my DSLR, so the phones differing camera arrays aren't a huge deal to me. I do still use the phone camera sometimes, and would like the photos to be good quality, but the level of difficulty isn't going to be too great. If someone only uses their phone for photos, then any differences are probably important. Choose the one that fits the style of photos the person prefers.

I guess it came down to good battery life (that I expected to be better than the more expensive S20s with their higher specs), a flat screen, a matte back that is more durable, and cameras that are very good for the times I need them. The things that would be better for more money weren't worth slightly more money to me, but I'd make the same choice at the same price, too.

 

[Loren Terveen]

Yes, I had wondered whether battery life and durability (plastic back) might not actually put the FE above the plain s20.

 

[Mike Dee]

It depends on what value most but I'd go for the Standard S20. You would not be making a wrong decision either way.

 

[Theot]

I just got rid of an S20, trying Samsung again for the first time since the S7. It's beautiful hardware but I confirmed what I always thought. I don't like curved displays and so I am considering getting an S20 FE. It's solid specs for sure. Just not sure if it's worth jumping from my Pixel 4XL for though they do have similar specs the FE might be the better experience in the end due to the 4XL's shortcomings.

We'll see what the OnePlus 8T brings tomorrow. I have a feeling if the price is close I may end up with an 8T.

 

[BotanicalStig]

Ouch! I figured the fe would stay at $599. For $700 Id pass. Pixel 4a or 4a5g would get my money at that point.

If it has to be Samsung flagship (lucky kid!) I'd say the regular s20 for the better GG, display, and ram.

 

[X1tymez]

Been using S20 FE for couple days now. I would recommend regular S20. You'll be future proof. I felt 6gb of ram won't cut it, no offense to people still using older generation. Flat screen is great and samsung should put this in their flag ship lines. Plus, there won't be a trade in option for lite version if you want to use credit for new phone.

Overall, good budget phone if you need it.

 

[KPMcClave]

Been using S20 FE for couple days now. I would recommend regular S20. You'll be future proof. I felt 6gb of ram won't cut it, no offense to people still using older generation. Flat screen is great and samsung should put this in their flag ship lines. Plus, there won't be a trade in option for lite version if you want to use credit for new phone.

Overall, good budget phone if you need it.

What has the lower RAM caused issues with for you?

 

[X1tymez]

What has the lower RAM caused issues with for you?

My main is scrolling website and apps. I notice it. I can't even play game since the screen cant register my fingers.

 

[BotanicalStig]

^None of those issues here.... My old phone had 4 gb of ram and had 0 gaming issues. Just couldn't keep YouTube, Chrome, and games open together. Multitask works great on this phone.

 

[KPMcClave]

My main is scrolling website and apps. I notice it. I can't even play game since the screen cant register my fingers.

I have noticed some iffy touch issues, but they certainly aren't RAM related in my case. Things like long pressing a widget, or drag and dropping an icon seem to be sort of wonky. they won't register.

Maybe the game play issue you're having has the same underlying cause?

 

[Stanley Kubrick]

That is not a battery issue...do a search for S20 FE screen issues. 6 GB ram is plenty for the vast majority of people.

 

[X1tymez]

I have noticed some iffy touch issues, but they certainly aren't RAM related in my case. Things like long pressing a widget, or drag and dropping an icon seem to be sort of wonky. they won't register.

Maybe the game play issue you're having has the same underlying cause?

Decided to throw it on the market, not for me.