Was browsing Samsung Partner Store for a TV and spotted the freshly announced S21 FE already up for sale. And no you do not get the Buds2, but I figure some will actually prefer the $200 discount like me. + 50% off Samsung Care and $50 off Accessories.
UPDATE: Bonus $100 for trade-in.
Yeah they removed the card slot which is a shame. We also unfortunately don't get the SD chip if i'm not wrong. However my sister likes the color. Plus the screen + battery are slightly bigger so there's that.
Yes the deletion of the SD card slot with the S21 series, and if all future Samsung phones are similarly afflicted, means the S20 FE will unfortunately be my last Samsung phone.
Sony next? Rather pricey and for basic camera use it's disappointing. Also only 2 years of updates. Alternatively, Asus has had quality/software issues. It's almost like Apple is the most compelling option, despite the high upfront cost.
@Techie4066: So go for an iPhone which has no SD card slot because Samsung does not do SD cards anymore?
@Rimas: Yes, switch to the better alternative now that the differentiating feature is gone. iPhones work out to be a good price if you keep it well and resell, or keep it for years longer due to the extended software updates.
Forgot to mention Google Pixel, but the constant hardware issues and meh battery life isn't for me.
@Techie4066: Well, Samsung phones do last a good 3-4 years after which you can pay around 400 bucks to upgrade to their latest flagship using their trade-in bonus campaign, and rinse and repeat. That seems a lot more appealing to me than paying around 2 grand for an iPhone and keeping it for say 5 years.
@Rimas: Well, I don't think it works out exactly that way in practice, as much as I like Samsung phones. Yes, it's 3 years Android and 4 years security updates, but they're often delayed and older lineups are forgotten about. Samsung trade-in is best for 2 generation old flagships (such as the S10 trade-up offer), hence taking in 2 year old phones, not exactly 4 years old. Their trade-in program can be problematic, undervalue phones, hard to receive support for, and isn't guaranteed to continue. Side note - the equivalent iPhone 13 Pro in terms of cameras, and definitely superior regarding performance, is $1.7K, even the $1.5K 12 Pro would do. Additionally, they really seem to last longer compared to what turns into LagUI, and retain value better if that's a consideration.
@Rimas: Just had a squiz, value is $5 for a mint condition phone 🤣🤣
And it'd be fairly laggy by now.
@Techie4066: Mate, they up that by another 500. That's an ongoing campaign and you can get another 150 dollars from the chat and newsletter, so receiving 655 for a 5 year old S8 is insane. It's a free market, so please be my guest and buy an iPhone, but for me, Samsung delivers the best value.
@Rimas: Hmm, I had no idea they were accepting any age phones. That's rather incredible. Who knows why they want someone's disposed e-waste.
Doing a bit of reading, Asurion looks like a bit of a pain to deal with.
Had another look, and it seems you can keep the bonus without sending the device in. Typical Samsung.
@Techie4066: It is indeed incredible. They do not want your e-waste. They just want to keep you in their eco-system so they pay you to stay. I have done a trade-in with them and they have been super easy to deal with. You literally install the trade up app on your old phone and receive a voucher for the phone value instantly. You can apply that at checkout and you will automatically get the bonus 500 bucks or whatever it might be. They will send you a pre-paid envelop to send your old phone to them, which I did because I did not need that brick anymore. But I have heard rumors that you may choose not to do so and no one will realise. So you won't deal with anyone here, just an app to install and that's all.
@Grandslam: Samsung Australia online store. Currently gives you 500 bonus trade in if you buy the s21 plus.
@Techie4066: So who said iPhones are better than Samsung/Android. I have been using Androids for years. Got a iPhone from a friend to try and see the hype. Found that there are so many Android features that are missing in iPhones which I cannot live without.
Always on display, split screen multi tasking, notifications are much better in Android etc etc etc.
I am happy with the updates Samsung is offering. Which is 3-4 years. I also like where Android is going.
To switch from Android, I need a better and more feature rich system which IOS/iPhone isn't ….sorry
@anismistry: I agree with you. Hence why I have only used Android smartphones. I see those features you mention as a niche I don't use, but I just enjoy the way Android functions and downloading external apps.
But what Android makers are putting out there just get more and more same-same every year, in terms of their evolution, and the offerings across brands. The same has happened within the iPhone lineup, but the value proposition just seems to stack up better when everything just works and lasts without the need for upgrades anymore - due to a lack of appealing new options released each year, slowing performance improvements, and the fact phones are fast enough to continue being fast for years.
@Techie4066: Have used exclusively Samsung S/Note flagships since the S4, and can understand your opinion. The parts lacking from iOS (file explorer) have been somewhat fixed, and most common apps are optimised better for iOS. Still hanging onto my Note 10+ because I can't decide what to do next. If iPhone had USB C it would be a no brainer for me.
See how the Note series pans out with no sdcard slot and my last upgrade from a Note 10 Plus will be a secondhand Note 20 Ultra, got to draw the line somewhere hopefully Samsung comes to there senses
@Italkdigital: There is no more Note series. It's been merged into the S22 Ultra now. S22 Ultra = Note 22.
And no SD Card unfortunately.
If you are going for a Note 20 Ultra, make sure you get the Snapdragon version from the grey importers. They are slightly more expensive and less warranty, but worth it overall because it's quicker.
@bchliu: Hard to say if it's definite the S22 Ultra is the Note 22 or even if either won't have an sdcard slot but yes sadly it's leading more towards not having one for all high end Samsung mobile phones
I prefer warranty over speed so would aim buying an Australian version and we'll the Australian version S22's/Note 22 should have this new Exynos chip which supposedly has the AMD graphics built into it and might be as good or better then snap dragon version (either way Exynos is getting better over time), we can only hope,. (Anyway I also usually buy second hand when the price drops to more then half off new price, so I'll move from my 5G Note 10 plus 512gb to a 5G Note 20 Ultra 512g which still has an sdcard slot,. I think?, and I'm very happy holding onto my Note 10 plus longer right up to to last monthly security update, I'm sick of paying full new price, prices are getting ridiculously high)
Time will tell for all above to happen 😝
@Italkdigital: S22 Ultra (Note 22) info here:
https://www.phonearena.com/news/samsung-s22-ultra-note-22-fc…
100% unless they start offering 256mb as a minimum and make 512gb+ only very minorily more expensive ($50 extra for 512 & maybe $150 for 1tb nothing more) I think I'm in the same boat.
I have an S10+ and mostly the 128gb had been enough but in a few important occasions I've needed that extra 128gb from the SD card and I rarely take photos, with data getting cheaper people watching higher quality content, apps using more and more data & for anyone who takes a decent amount of video/photos you simply can't be selling phones that aren't expandible without offering substantial included storage and let's face it, it's costs then very very little to put in 512gb instead of 128mb even if they add extra 2gb memory to support it I seriously doubt it would cost them much more than $20 to do so.
I HOPE YOU ARE LISTENING SAMSUNG! LOTS OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY LIKE EXPANDIBLE MEMORY AND TO A SLIGHTLY LESSER EXTENT (although Bluetooth headsets are now getting pretty good battery/fidelity) HEADPHONE JACK!
Anyone else dreaming of a Nexus Comeback? Imagine a S23 Nexus with expandible storage and a headphone jack? ;P
@Clarky77: I'm trying to evaluate this for my personal situation too. My Note 20 Ultra (SD865+) is 256GB onboard and I have a 1TB Micro SD inside. The 1TB stores tons of stuff and is fantastic for me to play Emulation and have tons of Documents, Media, music, books / manga and stuff on it. I got the Fold 3 5G recently with 512GB onboard just to see how much I can live without the extra capacity. In short, I can.. barely. But have to rely more on the network and cloud storage if I want to put more things in.
IF the Fold 3 had the lens/camera setup of the S21 Ultra along with a MicroSD slot and the S-Pen inbuilt, then I think that would be the winner for me. Lol.
@bchliu: How you finding the crease on your Fold3? Seen a Fold2 in action I only could see the crease if light reflects in the right direction and impossible too see if using the phone in a dark room and it is a promenade crease even when fully unfolded
OPPO has managed to have practically no crease (when fully unfolded) on there new Fold mobile,..
interesting how they did it,..
Oppos Fold has few great hardware features and high end specs but usual lack on there os/software, (yupz I need an S-Pen so still will be Samaumg Note/maybe Fold with inbuilt S-Pen for me)
YouTube review here,…
https://youtu.be/LTQ1bqpoFSc
@Italkdigital: The Crease problem is overrated by haters. Lol. Seriously though, when you are using it with the backlit and all, you barely notice it.
The front screen aspect ratio is a bit weird - but acceptable if you don't want to open it to do certain things.
Would I want the Oppo instead? hell no. I use Samsung DEX as my laptop replacement for work. So this is perfect for what I need it for. lol.
@Clarky77: I think maybe Samsung removing the sdcard slot from most of there high end phones could be cause of there association with Microsoft onedrive as being Samsungs cloud service (to keep Microsoft happy), well if there budget to midrange phones can fit an sdcard slot why not for all there high end range phones, especially when Samsung makes there own memory, so can't see it being a cost saving or excuse they can't fit an sdcard slot in there high end phones, same happened with the Note 5's with no sdcard slot then they brought it back on the Note 7's
Saying that as my Note 10 is a 512gb varient also I probably could live without an sdcard slot if I get the Note 22 512gb/1TB version, I just like having as many options as possible on a phone, would love the infrared port back for example, funny the infrared eye scanner on my Note 9 triggers my TV's standby
Even still I have a Note 9 with 512gb storage and both served me well for downloading large torrent files 24/7 off my only internet large 4G/5G Optus plan (I don't have home NBN internet), I certainly saved on electricity costs not running my PC 24/7, well it's certainly great having features all on the one mobile device (what I expect from the Note series) that doesn't cost a fortune running 24/7 and is mobile with me also 24/7
Let's see what Samsung does, time will tell 👍😁
Edit: yupz no headphone jack I'm ok with that, as yes the Samsung bluetooth buds have great battery life and sound great and integrate software wise well with there mobile phone range
Also (for those that don't want to pay for cloud services),.. 2x cloud services that I use that offer free large storage capacity,..
Degoo with free 100gb storage my favourite as there Android app is awesome and Terrabox with free 1TB of free storage, I use both to have backups of backups, plus numeroius onedrive and google drive accounts
@Italkdigital: repost so it stands out for everyone,..
Degoo with free 100gb of cloud storage
(my favourite as there Android app is awesome)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.degoo.andr…Terrabox with free 1TB (1024gb) of free cloud storage
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dubox.driv…I use both to have backups of backups, plus numeroius onedrive and google drive accounts)
Also Android app CX File Explorer can hold/login numerous cloud accounts in the one app and can have multiple accounts from the same cloud company i.e. more then one onedrive/gdrive/terrabox etc account so basically unlimited free cloud storage within the one app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cxinventor…
Please let us know which other company's phone you will be using that offers SD card in today's time. It's foolish to think anyone decent offers that.
Lol I wonder how many Ozbargainers got free S20 FE's from JB
How???
what have i missed fml
Username checks out.
Was this the telstra deal?
Free? You had to pay the Early Termination Charge, but it ended up $750 for the 128GB 5G version. Total. No plan or strings attached. And when sales started, it came with Galaxy Buds, which when sold brought it to $600 for the 5G.
A lot of people that cancelled same day reported that they never received a bill from Telstra for the early termination
@Benjamin7711: That is true. But you still owe the total cost of the plan, and that record remains with your Telstra account - some people were banned after using it 5 times I heard. I believe they soon after removed this loophole after it was exploited.
It was $0 upfront for the 4G, $150 for the Snapdragon 5G. More again for the 256GB 8GB 5G.
I never paid an early termination fee lol
I never had to pay ETC and I know plenty of other people who didn't either
@Jamiea: I heard. I just didn't want to be chased up at a later date. Very lucky! Perhaps it was because your new Telstra account had no billing info.
🖐️
What is the RRP?
$999/$1099
Not worth it imo considering S22 is just around the corner and S21 is already selling around these prices
Any news on when S22 is expected? I thought Sept/Oct?
The S22 should be announced in the next month or so.
The Sept/Oct release that you are thinking is when the Note series used to be announced. Now, that slot is for the Fold/Flip.
Thanks
Well that was quick. Be aware this is a highly incremental upgrade to the S20 FE. I just wish it had higher res cameras.
Beats the S21 in Snapdragon form when it comes to battery life and performance. You can see that clearly play out in battery life tests (look at GSMArena for example).
Edit: is Snapdragon not available here?
Doesn't seem to use the snapdragon like the s20fe 5g did last year, a bit disappointing.
Yep. Not to mention that the sd card slot is gone. Samsung are going very the way of the white company.
So damn disappointing, they're consistently finding ways to remove features which help to differentiate themselves from competitors.
They still have a lot of nice software features, but my next upgrade won't be clear as it has been in the past
Likewise, as of now, I have my last samsung phone. Their cameras on the phone have been great, but without adequate storage, a bit hard to take full advantage of such quality images and effectively forget about the raw images. I don't want my stuff in the cloud. I have a 1Tb card in my phone atm for that reason.
and you don't get a charging brick like you did with the s20fe
That's pretty shit. I am now trying to figure out what the best phone is for the money. POCO or something else? Fast charging is a major thing for me.
POCO X3 PRO has the USB C the 3.5mm headphones and expandable storage ;)
@JesseN9: I have an S10 currently and feel a bit underwhelmed by the newer models. X3 Pro might be a minor improvement (-the camera). S21Fe? not sure.
It seems like everyone is focusing on folding phones which I could care less about. I can't seem to access my partner account any more so this discount is now irrelevant. I will just keep going without bothering to upgrade. Samsung seems to stand out less each time I look into current offerings though.
@m0b1liz3: We (S10+ for me but all S10 series) still have at least another Android update to 12 so until 13 comes out (probably S23 models and to earlier supported later that year) I'm in no rush. Phones just don't improve enough to warrant replacing every year or 2 anymore. So for me if S23+ is amazing I'll probably buy it (better have at least 512gb at a reasonable price not extra $300) otherwise I'm not sure. Kinda dad Samsung is ditching expandible storage, I'm still sad this is probably my last phone with a headphone jack even though I mostly use Bluetooth now I still like having the option when my battery runs out or I wanna play music on an old stereo using an aux cable. They are trying to plug everything soon no Sim tray and I imagine the USB will go wireless soon after maybe with a magnetic connection otherwise the plug will be totally sealed kinda like toothbrush charging if they can get data transfer and high speed charging to work that way. Kinda cool but kinda not if it means it's way more expensive and all your existing kit doesn't work anymore.
S10s really were a step up from s9 but since then nothing other than maybe ultra if you are really info photography using your phone I guess.
And I don't see how my comment just one above is making a different point. Exynos is still a lesser chipset. People jumped on a downvote bandwagon.
this phone is 3 months too late
More like 6 months late
s20 fe 5g is better
Who the hell would get this when you could've gotten the Ultra cheaper with trade in and coupons?
If this is a SD888 version, it should outperform the S21 with Exynos
Buying a S21 FE over an S21 Ultra?
Yes. It's a great idea, having used Snapdragon and Exynos Galaxys alike.
@shaibankek2: Never said it was. We don't know what might be to come to our market, it was only announced on the 4th.
Keep the downvotes coming though.
@Techie4066: You're making no sense. There's no justifiable reason to have an S21 FE over a previously cheaper S21 Ultra…
@shaibankek2: There is, actually, without an FE Snapdragon option that would beat the Exynos Ultra on battery life. A flat screen. Shatter-proof back. Much lighter. Not ridiculously tall. And a simpler design that may well last longer. Not to mention your key phrase: "previously cheaper".
And over the original FE it has stronger glass (GG Victus vs GG3).
@Fobsessive: Why is this upvoted? The ultra has a bigger battery anyway, and other reasons to go for it (camera)
@superroach: Just maybe because people have different priorities when shopping for smartphones? That can't be, could it? We all MUST heed your inclinations by wanting curved screens and glass backs.
You won't get it for $800 now, nor would the bigger battery be an advantage given the Snapdragon FE being made available here. As it is across US, Europe and India for the first time. Besides, the Ultra's heavy discounts show it was overpriced to begin with - and the "discounts" were a total faff to reach through trade-ins of old flagships and vouchers that are never sent out. This is the FE's starting price, only 2 days after announcement!
@Techie4066: Snapdragon ain't gonna be available in AUS mate, sorry to break it to you but you gotta stop taking the copium
@shaibankek2: Uh huh so that's why last year Samsung went out of their way to make a new 2021 version of the 4G S20 FE with the SD865.
Seems I'm talking to the expert here!
@Techie4066: Mate, every Australian source says the S21 FE in Australia is Exynos. Last years model has no bearing on a new modal.
@shaibankek2: Good for that. It's never not a possibility, heck India never received Snapdragon and now they do.
As I outlined there are other benefits to this FE.
@Techie4066: It's not a posibility because every source says it's Exynos in Australia. Even JB and HN have it outlined on their product page.
Not everybody have trade in.
Hi @rookie317,
I have added the phone and some accessories valued @ $51. I was expecting it will discount $50 and charge me $1. But it's charging me $51. Did you buy any accessories? It said you need to purchase in the same transaction.
I didn't buy any accessories :/ might need to jump on chat to help with that.
does anyone know what kind of trade in value u can get?
showing iphone 8 64gb is $70 but unsure if there are any bonuses added on top like the s21. Msged chat but werent really helpful.
Samsung trade-in is notoriously dogsh*t. Very poor valuations and I've seen some horror stories of people not getting their money back after sending their phone in. Samsung Aus support is also abysmal so they won't help you. Just avoid.
No trade in bonuses for this phone, particularly as it's a brand new device released
On news.com.au they mentioned this
There’s a sweetener on offer too. Customers who buy from participating retailers before January 30 will get a bonus pair of Galaxy Buds2 valued at $219.
You can also receive up to $300 off with a trade-in.
But Samsung staff not sure yet
We get the Exynos Version. Image processing on that is different to snapdragon and IMO doesn't look good. Also, the Exynos thermal throttles badly and has worse battery life.
Ill just put this out there - MKBHD did a review on it a week or so ago and really questioned the point of it, considering the prices of the rest of the s21 line up and then on top of that considering the s22 should be around the corner. His words were something along the lines of "people that go out and buy this phone with blinders on will pick up a great phone, but with some research you can find some much better options out there in the same price bracket, for example the Pixel 6"
I am not an expert ozbargainer so unsure if I am allowed to post links but if you would like it feel free to inbox me and ill send you the youtube video link
Pixel 6 is $999, an extra $200 which is a bit of a stretch
In Marques' video, the US version is priced at 700usd. This is very aggressive in comparison to them.
It's just that regular s21 have gotten as low as 1k before, so do you really need this version?
Edit: OH SHIT the FE's don't have curved screens? Oh hell yeah, now that's attractive to me.
Considering the low prices the s21 has been selling at, I doubt this one will see as much love as the s20 fe.