Samsung Galaxy S20 FE vs S20: what are the differences?

Basic version or fan edition?

Are there differences between the Samsung S20 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE? We’ll go over the details in this article, but in short: the differences between these two smartphones aren’t many! 

The Samsung S20 FE has two different models: one with 5G and one without. All three devices were released in 2020 – hence the name S20 – and are thus still quite young and capable.

It's easy to lose track of new models these days, as manufacturers' release cycles continue to shrink. We at Back Market are not big friends of this, and we work every day to ensure that devices are in use for as long as possible. At Back Market, you can find refurbished Galaxy S20 models with an extra 12-month warranty.

Here is a first overview of the differences between the Samsung Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S20 FE:

Design and size difference in the Galaxy S20 FE

The Galaxy S20 FE is the fan edition of the Samsung Galaxy smartphones, in which the most requested wishes of the fans were integrated. 💚 As seen in the table above, 5G and more storage were included in the S20 FE. Whether the size was also on the fans' wish list is unknown to us, but one thing is certain, the Galaxy S20 FE is also bigger than the base model. 

• Galaxy S20 FE Size: 159.80 x 74.50 x 8.40  with a 6.5 inch screen

• Galaxy S20 Size: 151.70 x 69.10 x 7.90 with a 6.2 inch screen

🔥 The slightly wider display edges on the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the larger OLED display are also noticeable. 

If you turn the devices over, you’ll notice a different design as well: the S20 is equipped with a high-quality glass casing, where the Galaxy S20 FE is made of polycarbonate (plastic).

The glass outfit looks sleeker, but many people use a phone case anyway. Both devices feature Gorilla Glass, so hopefully nothing should happen to the display if the phone is dropped. 

👉 Read more in the Galaxy S20 series comparison.

Are different colours available with the S20 FE?

Yes, there definitely are!

The Galaxy S20 colours are limited to the three usual Samsung colours: 

1. Cosmic Grey

2. Cloud Blue

3. Cloud Pink

With the S20 FE, you have twice the choice: 

1. Cloud Navy

2. Cloud Lavender

3. Cloud Mint

4. Cloud Red

5. Cloud Orange

6. Cloud White

Performance differences with the S20 FE

In terms of battery power, Samsung has thankfully improved the S20 FE a bit too. Instead of 4,000 mAh like in the S20, there's 4,500 mAh battery on the Galaxy S20 FE. This makes it the same size as the Galaxy S20 Plus and Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. 

With the Galaxy S20 FE, users can opt for a 5G or 4G model. We found that the battery life of the Galaxy S20 FE 5G lasts a little longer, despite 5G networks needing more energy. We assume this is due to the more efficient Snapdragon 865 processor instead of Samsung's Exynos 990 which is installed in the S20 FE 4G and the regular Galaxy S20. 

When it comes to RAM and internal storage, here's your choice:

• Galaxy S20: 8 GB RAM with 128 GB storage space.

• Galaxy S20 FE 5G/4G: 6 or 8GB of RAM with 128 or 256GB of storage.

The biggest S20 FE upgrade: the camera

Both the S20 and the S20 FE have a triple camera system on the back. The main camera in both is also the same, so you can take photos with a wide-angle 12 MP, f/1.8 lens on both models.

However, on the Galaxy S20 FE, you additionally get an 8 MP telephoto lens that lets you zoom in three times optically.  With the Galaxy S20, you get a digital zoom in return which zooms in far but sacrifices image quality. 

If you often make video calls with your phone or take lots of selfies, then it's worth buying the Galaxy S20 FE instead, as the front camera has a whopping 32 MP. 

👉 See how similar Galaxy smartphones’ cameras perform in our Samsung S10 vs S10 Plus comparison.

What is the Galaxy S20 FE price?

The Galaxy S20 FE price for 128 GB in "Good" condition is about £220 at Back Market (as of October 2022). The Galaxy S20 with 128 GB costs £269 in “Good” condition. All devices at Back Market have been refurbished, which means that they have been thoroughly checked and cleaned by experts.

So the price for both is under £300. For a device with such features, it is an absolute bargain and a better choice for the environment.

Does the Galaxy S20 FE have 5G?

As mentioned, the Galaxy S20 is not available with 5G, you would have to opt for the Galaxy S20 Ultra instead. For the Galaxy S20 FE, Samsung launched two models: one with 5G and one without. As explained above, these two FE models also have different processors.

If you decide to buy a refurbished S20 FE, that does not change the technical specifications of the devices compared to buying new.

👉 Take a look at a direct comparison of the two smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S20 vs S20 FE

The conclusion of the S20 FE comparison

• The Galaxy S20 FE is available in 5G and 4G 

• The Galaxy S20 FE is bigger and more powerful than the S20.

• The Galaxy S20 FE comes in six colours, instead of just three.

• The Galaxy S20 FE refurbished is currently cheaper to buy than the S20

Why is a refurbished S20 FE better than a used Galaxy S20? When you buy a used smartphone, whether from a friend or an online marketplace, you don't have a warranty if there's something wrong with the device. If you see a notice that it’s been refurbished or reconditioned, you can be sure that experts have looked at the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and checked its functionality. In the event of defects, the parts will be repaired before being sold. The battery must always be above 85% or it will be replaced. 

🔥 Now nothing can stand in the way of your refurbished Galaxy S20 FE purchase! 🔥

👉 Interested in reading which Galaxy is the best cheap Samsung smartphone?