Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs Quantum 2: Which Snapdragon Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and Quantum 2 represent interesting points in Samsung’s strategy. The S20 FE 5G aimed to bring flagship features to a more accessible price point, while the Quantum 2 focused on security with its integrated QRNG chipset, both powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. This comparison dissects the differences between the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 5G and the Snapdragon 855+ in the Quantum 2, revealing which phone delivers the best overall experience.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is the better choice. While the Quantum 2 offers a unique security feature, the S20 FE 5G’s more powerful Snapdragon 865, brighter display, and wireless charging capabilities provide a more well-rounded and future-proof experience, justifying its higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2	Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66, 71 - USA
5G bands	78 Sub6	2, 5, 41, 66, 71 Sub6 - USA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 Sub6 - International

Launch
Announced	2021, April 13	2020, September 23
Status	Available. Released 2021, April 23	Available. Released 2020, October 02

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	161.9 x 73.8 x 8.1 mm (6.37 x 2.91 x 0.32 in)	159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	176 g (6.21 oz)	190 g (6.70 oz)
	-	IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~524 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
	120Hz@FHD / 60Hz@QHD refresh rate	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm), QRNG security chipset	Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPU	Adreno 640 (700 MHz)	Adreno 650
OS	Android 11, One UI 3.1	Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single	-	2 MP
Triple	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)	12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	10 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	-	32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Browser	-	HTTP / WAP 2.0
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	-	Virtual proximity sensing Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)

Battery
Charging	25W wired	25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Stand-by	-	Up to 300 h
Talk time	-	Up to 5 h
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Violet	Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, Cloud White, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange
Models	SM-A826S	SM-G781B, SM-G781B/DS, SM-G781U, SM-G781U1, SM-G781W, SM-G7810, SM-G781N, SM-G781V
Price	About 520 EUR	$ 137.00 / C$ 531.23 / £ 169.00 / € 199.00
SAR	-	0.70 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.50 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body)

Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM	-	$ 361.99
128GB 8GB RAM	-	$ 589.97
256GB 8GB RAM	-	$ 769.99

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 110h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 543986 (v8) GeekBench: 3296 (v5.1) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2

Enhanced security with QRNG chipset
Lower price point (potentially)
Snapdragon 855+ still offers good performance

Older Snapdragon 855+ chipset
Lacks wireless charging
Display likely less bright than S20 FE 5G

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

More powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset
Brighter display (822 nits)
Wireless and reverse wireless charging

Higher price
No dedicated security chipset like QRNG
Can be found at varying price points depending on RAM/storage

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 822 nits. While the Quantum 2’s display specs aren’t provided, the S20 FE 5G’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of Samsung’s AMOLED panels, but the S20 FE 5G’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for everyday use and media consumption. The S20 FE 5G also benefits from a 120Hz refresh rate (not specified for the Quantum 2), offering smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given Samsung’s history, we can assume both offer a versatile camera system. The S20 FE 5G likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms due to its newer chipset. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the S20 FE 5G’s overall processing power suggests superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is likely on both, but the S20 FE 5G’s more advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 865 will likely provide better noise reduction and dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the S20 FE 5G utilizes the Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+), while the Quantum 2 features the Snapdragon 855+ (7nm). The 865 represents a generational leap, offering improved CPU and GPU performance. The S20 FE 5G’s CPU configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) is slightly faster than the Quantum 2’s (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485). More importantly, the 865’s Adreno 650 GPU provides a substantial graphics performance boost. The Quantum 2’s QRNG security chipset doesn’t impact general performance but adds a unique layer of hardware-based security.

Battery Life

The S20 FE 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 110 hours, indicating solid battery life. Both phones support 25W wired charging. The S20 FE 5G further distinguishes itself with 15W wireless charging (Qi standard) and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the Quantum 2. While the Quantum 2’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the S20 FE 5G’s endurance rating, combined with its charging versatility, makes it the more convenient option for users who rely on wireless charging or need to top up other devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2 if you prioritize on-device security and a lower initial cost, and don't require the latest performance or wireless charging. Its QRNG chipset offers a unique advantage for security-conscious users. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G if you value a brighter display, faster processing speeds for gaming and demanding apps, and the convenience of wireless charging, even if it means spending more upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the benefit of the QRNG chipset in the Samsung Galaxy Quantum 2?

The Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) is a hardware-based security feature that generates truly random numbers, unlike pseudo-random number generators used in software. This enhances security for applications like mobile banking, secure payments, and encryption, making the Quantum 2 a more secure device for sensitive data.

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 5G support faster 5G speeds than the Snapdragon 855+ in the Quantum 2?

Yes, the Snapdragon 865 includes an integrated 5G modem, offering potentially faster 5G speeds and broader network compatibility compared to the external 5G modem typically paired with the Snapdragon 855+. This means the S20 FE 5G is better equipped to take advantage of the latest 5G networks.

❓ How does the gaming experience differ between the S20 FE 5G and the Quantum 2?

The S20 FE 5G’s Snapdragon 865 and Adreno 650 GPU provide a significantly smoother and more detailed gaming experience compared to the Quantum 2’s Snapdragon 855+. Expect higher frame rates, better graphics settings, and improved overall performance in demanding mobile games on the S20 FE 5G.

❓ Is the 110-hour endurance rating of the S20 FE 5G realistic in everyday use?

The 110-hour endurance rating is based on AnandTech’s standardized testing, which simulates typical usage patterns. Real-world battery life will vary depending on your usage, including screen brightness, app usage, and network conditions. However, it indicates that the S20 FE 5G offers excellent battery life and should easily last a full day for most users.