My S20 FE 5G Experience

ThatOneGuy01 on 25/12/2020 - 09:54
Last edited 25/12/2020 - 12:34

Hello fellow bargainers,

Here's how my experience went with a phone that's got a notorious rep here. My daily driver has been the s9+ for a while now, the exyonos variant. As expected, the experience isn't the best, but disappointing since I use a lot of chrome, twitter and maps which is janky and there's mini stutters or messy scrolling (specially web pages)

Not an avid gamer any more but I did play tons of games on my phone for esports (Clash Royale/CRL). But gaming performance doesn't matter on most modern phones within the last 5 years imo. My Exyonos 9810 can get a stable 30fps on Genshin impact, but at low+some mediums

The crux of the story is the s20 FE i bought after i saw it for sub 700, which seemed like a lot of phone for so little money (Samsung education was needed tho). I was really eyeing the 120hz refresh rate but mainly the snapdragon 865 and not the god awful thermal throttling 990. I was well aware of the touchscreen issues but decided to try my luck. And I must say….there has been 0 issues so far. The main reason I avoid Chinese phones at a cheaper price, is Samsung Pay+Samsung Pass with Secure folder integratio, which is seamless and very effective now (along with useful apps like S note, but obviously wish Samsung didn't preinstall junk like members or even bixby which is inferior to google assist)

Now I'm not vouching for what others will receive, but I ordered the phone after lengthy consideration on the 21st and received it by the 23rd. I've been using it for 2 days now and there has been 0 issues

I've tested with the app "screen touch" and I'll provide some basic benchmarks further below

Real world (very early impressions):

Battery: Amazing, got 7/8 hours of SoT at 120hz (early battery cycle)
Performance: 0 frame drops, excellent ram management
Screen: Rather low pixel density, blurry, but 0 touch screen issues
Camera: Same as s20 imo, YouTube it
Ram: 6gb is fine(maps, chrome, game all kept on memory), 8gig not essential

Overall: Very satisfied and I thought this might reassure whoever has bought through the last set of deals and let them know it could possibly be fixed or better now. But no excuses to Samsung for sending faulty devices period

Pros:
3 years of guaranteed os updates
Future proofed SoC
5g
120 Hz
Value

Cons:
Screen is somewhat low dpi
No headphone jack (yes I still use some)

Link to results:
https://postimg.cc/SJLzxk6k
https://postimg.cc/crGnWr8F
https://postimg.cc/w3mmnh3t

TLDR: Touch screen works with no issues on my batch, and maybe its better now. I also have some benchmarks and real world (early use) impressions and discuss how the phone feels

Hope this helps someone, still considering the purchase and may luck be with you for better or worse

Cheers

Mobile Mobile Phone Samsung Android

Comments

  • errorius on 25/12/2020 - 10:05

    You are not doing your touch screen test right. I can tell just by looking at the screenshots.
    You have to do it faster and alternate fingers - left, right, left, right and so on.

    • bert-lifts on 25/12/2020 - 10:23

      This is why I can't take people seriously when they say they have no screen issues. Most aren't doing it correctly.

      With that being said, outside of gaming. You're really not going to be doing those sort of touches/finger movements in any normal day to day use which is why most people say they don't have issues. Maybe quick movements with pinch to zoom in/out you may experience it. But outside of that, probably not.

      • ThatOneGuy01 on 25/12/2020 - 11:30

        Very quick to assume I did not do it right. I didn't screenshot when I tested extensively, that was a quick one I did before making the post. Here's two more I did now. As far as I can tell, there's no ghost touches

        https://postimg.cc/G9h2MsZR
        https://postimg.cc/8s9ShJGt

        And yes, fingers did alternate and it was done very rapidly.

        • ATTS on 26/12/2020 - 09:12

          Just wondering, how do you fix "Ghost touches" where a section of the phone becomes completely unresponsive to your touch for 1 hour length, occurring every couple of months

      • ThatOneGuy01 on 25/12/2020 - 11:30

        Ps: double posted by mistake

    • ThatOneGuy01 on 25/12/2020 - 11:28

      That's what I did. Maybe this will please you, I did it again

      https://postimg.cc/G9h2MsZR

  • [Deactivated] on 26/12/2020 - 08:40

    How are you finding the vibration/haptics of the S20FE, are they flagship quality and can they be adjusted?

    • ThatOneGuy01 on 26/12/2020 - 10:42
      +1

      Haptics are quite good, flagship for sure, I have a pixel and iPhone Xs for reference (iPhones feel slightly better than Android to me tho). Haven't used a s20 regular but I think it's same haptics, but don't quote me as I've never used one

  • fd9 on 26/12/2020 - 09:50

    Thanks for writing out the review. I was on the fence about this vs the s21 - I think now that I read low dpi screen I will wait for the s21 - I enjoy having a premium feeling phone that makes me want to use it (I use the phone for a lot of study and reading).

    • ThatOneGuy01 on 26/12/2020 - 10:50

      Actually the low dpi isnt as big an issue in real life use. Its better panel than the s9+, iPhone XS at 1080p

      Its just not HDR10+ but HDR10.it only goes upto 1080p but mainly missing quad hd

      I'll be honest though, in my years of owning the s9…I've never used quad hd in real life. Since the battery was meh and quad killed it faster than I could watch any videos

      It's a great panel, infact better than the s9 and iPhone XS Imo with the white balance for my personal preference. But if you want the highest end stuff, id recommend wait for s21 (which might not even get snapdragon in Australia)

      https://postimg.cc/jLPztJq9

      • fd9 on 26/12/2020 - 10:52

        Thanks for the picture. Interesting, haven't seen an XS in real life but the 11 Pro screen was sufficient.

        I had the s20+ and honestly couldnt tell the FHD vs QHD difference AT ALL.

        But the OnePlus 8 Pro really spoiled me and I can't unsee it.
        The QHD setting on their is simply gorgeous … Every time I look at it I am amazed how sharp, clear and beautiful it is.

        Had to return it due to various other problems, but it's always hard to go back to something lower…. so yea I am waiting for the s21 :)

        • ThatOneGuy01 on 26/12/2020 - 10:56

          Leaked benchmarks show exyonos 2100 being as good as Sd888 so far. If you don't care about emulation like dolphin or citra

          The s21 at a reasonable price may be a steal. Specially with the app named "Samsung drivers" on play store that have upgradable drivers on any s20/note 20 phone (both snapdragon and mali)

          Its always the awful battery life on exyonos and terrible drivers for emulation that made it a huge no go for me. No excuse at premium prices

          https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.ga…

          (This increases fps by 2 or so average, whilst lowering power draw. Good stuff no gimmick)

          • fd9 on 26/12/2020 - 10:59

            @ThatOneGuy01: Didn't know about this app. Thanks for sharing.
            Yea! Performance isn't a huge issue for me as I don't game, and I am sure any flagship chip will be sufficiently snappy in normal use.

            As you mentioned, battery life will be the deciding factor for me.

            Unfortunately that means waiting a week or 2 after launch to buy it, when real world screen on time figures start coming out on whirlpool, ozbargain etc.

            Otherwise was considering the WondaMobile S20's, but with the new S20 FE deal can't really justify paying almost double.

  • TheRandomWizard on 26/12/2020 - 11:20

    Are you having any option for eSIM in your S20 FE 5G?

    • ThatOneGuy01 on 26/12/2020 - 11:25
      +1

      I don't think the aus stock has esim. I checked my settings and nothing

      You can maybe root or do something. But definitely not worth tripping knox, losing secure folder and voiding warranty, maybe check XDA for any possible hack

  • JDKC on 27/12/2020 - 23:00

    Glad your battery life was better then mine.

    I was getting 4hrs max SOT with basic browsing, and everything pretty much turned off.

    Factory reset twice in the short period I owned it, the second time I didn't install any apps and within a few days still lost 10% overnight with airplane mode on

    This was the fancy SD version

    Couldn't get rid of the phone quick enough tbh

    • yummycoot on 29/12/2020 - 16:27

      you bought from samsung online store? how was the return process?

      If you wish to return a Hand Held Product (such as a phone, wearable or tablet) that you have directly purchased from Samsung Online Store, we are happy to offer an exchange or refund within 14 days of purchase provided the product is un-used, in a re-sellable condition and the packaging is un-opened, not damaged and seal is intact. See here for more information on the change of mind policy.

      this is their policy apparently, found on voucher email.

      • JDKC on 29/12/2020 - 17:09
        +1

        Nah, Jbhifi

    • ThatOneGuy01 on 29/12/2020 - 17:27

      Very weird and faulty then. I get 1% idle drain every 3-4 hours. SOT has been 6+ hours always with my galaxy watch and buds+ always connected and moderate use id say. Lasts the day with 40% remaining on my use case

      Hopefully return was easy for you then

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