Should I have a fan version of Samsung?

Samsung’s Galaxy Fan Edition series has been a bit of a mixed bag. The 2020 Galaxy S20 FE (pictured) was a well-executed and competitively priced alternative to Samsung’s $ 999 + flagship lineup. However, Samsung could not replicate the success of the Galaxy S21 FE, which was launched and its price was already very close to the attractive Galaxy S22.

Rumor has it that Samsung is blocking the FE series, which means there will be no Galaxy S22 FE or any affordable flagship model of the future. Although only two attempts in the bag, could it be premature to cancel the fan version so soon?

The 2021 Galaxy S21 FE had a few minor issues, perhaps the biggest being that it was too expensive. No, we’re not saying $ 699 porn, but you can pay an extra $ 100 for a higher Galaxy S22. Samsung’s internal decision on the price of the S22 series has further narrowed the market gap by making the first fan version model more comfortable.

At the other end of the portfolio is Samsung’s A-Series. Mid-range gems like the Galaxy A53 5G retail for 449 and under and do an exceptional job that lowers Samsung’s formula to more mainstream price points. At least in terms of hardware, Samsung is already in strong competition with the affordable Apple iPhone SE and Google Pixel 6a.

However, these two rival brands are using their flagship Monikers quite smartly for their budget-friendly handsets. Samsung’s A-Series does not command the same prestige as the Pixel or iPhone. The Galaxy SFE acts as an important bridge between Samsung’s budget and flagship products and can still do so.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Review

The strategy then finds a price point where the fan version does not have to fight the internal competition of the S and A line-ups. There is a small draft in the $ 600 window that will reduce what Apple currently offers and give the Pixel 6 a run for its money as a steal of the year. FE in particular has benefited from Samsung’s promise of the best 5-year software updates.

Time is everything, and time is now

Priced at around $ 600, a flagship-lite smartphone could be a real winner in today’s climate. With inflation in March, buying shiny new technology is not on the minds of many nowadays. Even those who are considering a purchase in the near future may find those $ 1,000 price tags even more watery than the previous year. About $ 600 is the sweet spot that is better than the budget, though still bargaining, as the Pixel 6 showed. The package delivery is just right, of course.

Success at this price point is knowing which flagship features to cut and which to keep. Samsung’s sleek 120Hz AMOLED panels and large batteries have been a major feature of the series so far, and features such as an IP68 rating, NFC and wireless charging keep phones on the flagship side of the mid-range divide. People also like great cameras, so sticking to an older flagship setup or delivering with more powerful telephoto technology is better than avoiding fatalities in a camera setup.

Processing capacity, on the other hand, has improved considerably over the years, and it would be wise to write off any remaining inventory by 2021 at this price. For example, we ruined Apple’s powerhouse A15 Bionic in the cut-down iPhone SE (2022) form factor. And a Galaxy S22 FE won’t require ray-tracing GPU, 8K video recording or the latest 5G technology. Similarly, a slightly cheaper glassy body would also be a fine compromise.

Such a hardware package is probably achievable, Samsung still needs to work rather sooner rather than later. The Galaxy S21 FE wasn’t a great pick as it came very close to the Galaxy S22 launch. The Galaxy S21 flagships also saw significant discounts in those 10 months. By comparison, the original Fan Edition had a much better idea of ​​the timing, appearing in the middle of Samsung’s general release cycle, giving customers a serious incentive to buy sooner rather than later.

Read more: You can buy the best affordable Samsung phone

Everyone likes a bargain, or so they say, and there’s still reason to cheer for the fan version. Samsung will have to get it right next time – both on the hardware and on the launch window front.