Samsung's foldable phone launch proves there's still a need for the Galaxy S21 FE

Samsung'south foldable telephone launch proves there's notwithstanding a need for the Milky way S21 Iron

(Epitome credit: 4RMD)

It was certainly a large week for Samsung, which rolled out ii new foldable phones that — at first glance, anyway — seem to be improvements over their predecessors. Our Milky way Z Fold 3 review and Galaxy Z Flip 3 review remain in progress as of this writing, but two phones addressed concerns about the durability of folders, added some welcome new features and — oh yeah — debuted at lower prices than the devices they're replacing.

Great for a day's product launch and we haven't fifty-fifty talked about the Galaxy Picket 4 and Galaxy Buds 2 that also enjoyed a big rollout at last Wednesday's Galaxy Unpacked. And yet, even with four products making their debut during an event that lasted about an hour, you could even so contend that at that place'southward a hole in the Samsung mobile product line.

A Galaxy S21 FE-sized hole, to exist exact.

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Long rumored but never officially confirmed by Samsung, the Galaxy S21 FE could yet make its debut this year, Samsung watchers say. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models that embrace foldable designs, the S21 FE would be a more conventional smartphone. Like concluding year's Milky way S20 FE, information technology would have many of the summit features from Samsung's flagship Galaxy S21 lineup and include them in a slightly less expensive bundle.

Why foldable phones aren't enough for Samsung

There's still a need for that kind of device in the wake of the foldable-focused Galaxy Unpacked consequence, even with Samsung dropping prices on this yr's models. The Milky way Z Fold 3 starts at $,1799 — a $200 drop from the Galaxy Z Fold two's astronomical debut toll. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 does event better, dropping to a starting price of $999 — the first fourth dimension a foldable dropped below $i,000.

galaxy z fold 3 and galaxy z flip 3 — (Image credit: Samsung)

It's all part of Samsung'due south stated goal to make foldable phones appeal to a broder audience. You lot could contend that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 pulled off that feat — to a point.

"More appealing is relative," said Tuong Nguyen, a senior principal analyst at market place research business firm Gartner. "The improvements and lower pricing practice make the new foldables more appealing, but we're still talking about a very small base to begin with."

The improvements and lower pricing do brand the new foldables more appealing, but we're still talking about a very minor base to begin with.

— Tuoung Nguyen, Gartner

The jury's withal out if that base will broaden thanks to the Milky way Z Fold three and Galaxy Z Flip, which are both bachelor for pre-order in advance of going on sale August 27. Afterward all, Samsung made plenty of moves to alleviate concerns well-nigh the durability of foldables. Both devices now feature IPX8 water resistance ratings as well as screens that are less prone to scratching. Samsung'southward also working to get more foldable optimized apps out there, and it's adding features like S Pen support for the Z Fold 3 (though as an optional accessory).

Still, hurdles remain that will keep people from embracing foldable phones. The Galaxy Z Fold iii's starting price may have fallen, but $1,799 is notwithstanding a lot to pay for a phone. And then too is $999 for the Milky way Z Flip three, when you realize that device lacks a telephoto lens. And the visible pucker in the Flip'south brandish still remains.

"Samsung has led the charge in launching foldable telephone technology, overcoming early missteps with impressive iterations and revealing a strong, high-end pairing in the Fold 3 and Flip 3 at its latest Unpacked event," said Ernest Doku, a mobile devices expert at Uswitch.com. "Nevertheless, Samsung's cadre customer base continues to be those aspirational smartphone consumers. Pairing premium S-series capabilities with fun flourishes such as array of color variants and mid-tier pricing means the Atomic number 26 range has proven to be a dynamite combination."

What needs the Galaxy S21 FE could accost

That's where the Galaxy S21 FE could enter the flick. The rumored device may lack some of the innovation of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, only it would be able to deliver a dependable experience at a lower price — at least based on what people are saying near the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE renders — Galaxy S21 Fe renders (Prototype credit: Evan Blass / Twitter)

And last twelvemonth's Galaxy S20 FE tin can offer some clues, besides. While that phone lacked the more than impressive zoom features of premium Galaxy Due south flagships, information technology still had a telephoto lens — something the more expensive Milky way Z Flip 3 can't offering. Presumably, the Milky way S21 Atomic number 26 would follow suit.

As for the Milky way Z Fold 3, its under-display camera may exist a first for Samsung, but that 4MP resolution tin can make for some sketchy shots. The Milky way S20 Iron used a more than conventional dial-hole cutout for its selfie cam, but it featured a more robust 32MP sensor.

"Conventional" may not be a bad word when talking about phones like a rumored Milky way S21 Iron. Certainly, Samsung has pulled off some keen engineering feats to make the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip expand into larger displays, but it's clear that a segment of smartphone shoppers isn't necessarily looking for that, especially if it means a lower price.

"I think consumers who tin can't afford flagship phones — aka most people — appreciate having flagship features without the flagship toll tag," Nguyen said.

Galaxy S21 Fe outlook

And that could be the biggest feature of all for the Galaxy S21 FE. Rumors point to the telephone coming in at less than the $799 Milky way S21, possibly at $699. That would be $300 cheaper than the Galaxy Z Flip 3 — the nearly affordable foldable phone in Samsung's lineup.

Speculation around the Milky way S21 FE points to a telephone that will look a lot like the S21 models that came out earlier this year, mayhap in a brighter array of colors. Similar the S20 FE last year, the S21 Iron would feature the same processor as the rest of its pricier siblings — in this instance a Snapdragon 888 — though it would calibration dorsum in other areas like pattern.

"The FE devices have proved incredibly pop for Samsung, with the Galaxy S20 FE and its 5G analogue existence our best performing devices from the Korean manufacturer over the by few months," Uswitch.com's Doku said. In that location's no reason Samsung wouldn't want that to go along with the Galaxy S21 Iron — new foldable phones or not.

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Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom'south Guide. He has strong opinions about Apple tree, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.