Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 vs. Galaxy S20 FE: The Ultimate Showdown

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE was a hit, offering flagship features at a more accessible price. Now, the 2022 version aims to improve upon that formula. But is the upgrade worth it? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The S20 FE 2022 generally edges out the original thanks to its Snapdragon 865 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. However, the original S20 FE remains a compelling option, especially if you can find it at a significantly lower price. It's a close call, but the 2022 model is the more future-proof choice.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022	Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

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	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	SA/NSA/Sub6	-
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, April 01	2020, September 23
Status	Available. Released 2022, April 01	Available. Released 2020, October 02

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

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~407 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 101.0 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
	Always-on display	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)	Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - Version 1Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - Version 2
GPU	Adreno 650	Mali-G77 MP11 - Version 1Adreno 650 - Version 2
OS	Android 12, One UI 4.1	Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama	LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple	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	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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	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	32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG

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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)	Virtual proximity sensing Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)

Battery
Charging	25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless	25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type	Li-Ion 4500 mAh	Li-Ion 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Cloud White, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Navy	Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Navy, Cloud White, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange
Models	SM-G781NK, SM-G781NK22	SM-G780F, SM-G780F/DSM, SM-G780G
Price	About 520 EUR	About 390 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.24 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022

Improved Performance (Snapdragon 865)
Slightly better low-light camera performance
More future-proof chipset
Good display

Potentially higher price
Design largely unchanged from original

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

Lower price (often significantly)
Excellent display
Versatile camera system
Good battery life

Exynos 990 can throttle under load (region dependent)
Older chipset – less future-proof
Performance not as strong as S20 FE 2022

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The resolution is the same (1080 x 2400 pixels). While both are excellent, the 2022 model *may* have slightly improved brightness, but it's a marginal difference.

Camera Comparison

Both phones have a versatile triple-camera system: a 12MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting conditions. The 2022 model *might* offer slightly improved image processing and low-light performance, but it's not a dramatic leap. Video recording capabilities are similar on both.

Performance

This is where the biggest difference lies. The S20 FE 2022 boasts the Snapdragon 865, a significant upgrade over the Exynos 990 (or Snapdragon 865 depending on region) in the original. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the 2022 model. The Exynos 990, while capable, can exhibit some throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 4500mAh battery. Battery life is generally comparable, providing a full day of moderate use. Charging speeds are identical at 25W wired and 15W wireless.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and want a smoother experience for gaming and demanding apps. The original S20 FE is a great pick for budget-conscious buyers who still want a capable Samsung phone with a good camera and display, and don't need the absolute latest processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 2022 a big improvement?

Yes, the Snapdragon 865 offers a noticeable performance boost over the Exynos 990, especially for gaming and demanding applications. It also tends to throttle less under sustained load.

❓ Are the cameras really that different?

Not significantly. Both phones take excellent photos in most conditions. The 2022 model *may* have slightly better image processing and low-light performance, but it's not a game-changer.