Samsung drops a big hint that the Galaxy S21 FE is still on the way
It’s back on
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The story of theSamsung Galaxy S21 FEis a saga that has run and run and run all year – but there are signs that the phone is finally going to see the light of day before too long, including a hint fromSamsungitself.
As spotted by noted tipsterRoland Quandt(viaGSMArena), support documents for the Samsung SM-G990B/DS device – believed to be the Galaxy S21 FE – have started popping up on various Samsung website portals around the world.
What makes this even more significant is that these same support pages were getting pulled from the webback in September. It would appear that Samsung has had a change of heart on the phone, and is now determined to push it out to the world after all.
See you in January
Going from all the evidence we’ve seen so far, it would appear that the chances of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE being canceled were at one stage very high indeed. Now though, the odds are in favor of the handset showing up in the next few months.
As you would expect from a ‘Fan Edition’ release from Samsung, the Galaxy S21 FE is expected to bring with it some of the power and performance of theGalaxy S21, while also cutting a few corners to come in at a lower price point.
The big question is: where does all of this leave theSamsung Galaxy S22? The upcoming flagship had been tipped for a January launch, but it sounds as though that may have been pushed back so that the Galaxy S21 FE can beunveiled in January 2022 instead.
Analysis: the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE could still be a phone that matters
We’ve been writing about the Galaxy S21 FEsince February, and between then and now it’s been touch and go as to whether the handset would ever see the light of day. At times even Samsung itselfhasn’t seemed sureabout the fate of this device.
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Rumored launch dates –such as September 8– came and went, and given the global chip shortage that all electronics companies are battling with, there was a point at which it felt as though the Galaxy S21 FE’s window of opportunity had passed.
However, if indeed the phone is going to arrivein January 2022, it still has a role to play in the overall Samsung line-up. Pricing is going to be crucial, but a more affordable, slightly less powerful alternative to the Galaxy S22 series could be something that would appeal to a large number of buyers.
WithGooglepushing more towards the premium end of the market with thePixel 6and thePixel 6 Pro, a well-priced Galaxy S21 FE might be able to hit the sweet spot between price and performance. As soon as the phone breaks cover, we’ll bring you our verdict.
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.
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