Samsung S20 FE Review: Still Worth It In Malaysia?

Hey guys! Let's dive into whether the Samsung S20 FE is still a worthwhile purchase here in Malaysia. Even though it's been around for a bit, this phone still packs a punch and offers a ton of value for your money. We'll break down everything from its performance and camera capabilities to its display and battery life, all while keeping the Malaysian market in mind. So, let's get started!

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design and build quality, the Samsung S20 FE strikes a great balance between premium feel and durability. The phone features a polycarbonate back, which, while not as luxurious as glass, makes it more resistant to scratches and cracks – a definite plus for those of us who are a bit clumsy! The matte finish on the back also does a fantastic job of hiding fingerprints, keeping your phone looking clean and sleek. The frame is made of aluminum, providing a sturdy and solid feel in hand. It's comfortable to hold and use for extended periods, which is essential for those long commutes or gaming sessions. The phone is also IP68 water and dust resistant, offering peace of mind against accidental spills or exposure to the elements. This is a huge advantage, especially in Malaysia's humid climate where unexpected rain showers are common. The button placement is intuitive, with the power button and volume rocker located on the right side of the phone, easily accessible with one hand. Overall, the design of the S20 FE is practical and stylish, making it a great choice for everyday use. The variety of colors available also allows you to choose one that best suits your personal style. Whether you prefer a bold and vibrant color or a more subtle and understated option, there's an S20 FE for everyone. This level of customization is something that many users appreciate, as it allows them to express their individuality. In conclusion, the Samsung S20 FE offers a well-rounded design and build quality that combines durability, comfort, and style, making it a reliable and attractive option for Malaysian users.

Display: Still a Visual Treat?

The display on the Samsung S20 FE is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. It boasts a vibrant 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. What does that mean for you? Well, colors pop, blacks are deep, and everything looks incredibly smooth, whether you're scrolling through social media, watching videos, or playing games. The 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in the overall user experience, making animations and transitions feel fluid and responsive. This is especially noticeable when compared to phones with standard 60Hz displays. The display is also bright enough to be easily visible outdoors, even under direct sunlight, which is crucial for using your phone on the go in Malaysia's sunny conditions. The resolution is FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels), which provides a sharp and detailed image. While it's not the highest resolution available on a smartphone, it's more than adequate for most users and helps to conserve battery life. The viewing angles are also excellent, ensuring that the display looks great from any angle. This is particularly useful when sharing your screen with friends or family. The display also supports HDR10+, which enhances the contrast and color accuracy of HDR content, making movies and TV shows look even more immersive. Samsung's display technology is renowned for its quality, and the S20 FE is no exception. The combination of vibrant colors, smooth refresh rate, and excellent brightness makes it a joy to use, whether you're browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games. The Samsung S20 FE’s display remains a visual treat, offering a premium viewing experience that rivals many newer smartphones on the market. It’s a significant selling point for anyone who values display quality and is a testament to Samsung's expertise in this area. For Malaysian users who consume a lot of multimedia content on their phones, the S20 FE's display is a major advantage.

Performance: How Does It Hold Up?

In terms of performance, the Samsung S20 FE comes in two main variants: one with a Snapdragon 865 processor and another with an Exynos 990 processor. The Snapdragon variant is generally considered to be superior in terms of performance and efficiency, but both are still capable of handling most tasks with ease. Whether you're gaming, streaming videos, or multitasking between apps, the S20 FE delivers a smooth and responsive experience. The Snapdragon 865 variant, in particular, is a powerhouse that can handle even the most demanding games without breaking a sweat. It also offers better thermal management, which means that the phone is less likely to overheat during prolonged use. The Exynos 990 variant is still a capable performer, but it may exhibit slightly more lag and heat up more quickly under heavy load. However, for most everyday tasks, the difference in performance between the two variants is negligible. The Samsung S20 FE also comes with ample RAM (usually 6GB or 8GB), which ensures that you can run multiple apps simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. This is especially important for multitasking and productivity. The phone also has plenty of storage space (usually 128GB or 256GB), which is more than enough for most users to store their photos, videos, and apps. If you need even more storage, the phone also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage. The software on the S20 FE is Samsung's One UI, which is based on Android. One UI is known for its clean and intuitive interface, as well as its extensive customization options. Samsung also provides regular software updates, ensuring that the phone stays up-to-date with the latest features and security patches. Overall, the performance of the Samsung S20 FE is still excellent, even by today's standards. Whether you choose the Snapdragon or Exynos variant, you can expect a smooth and responsive experience that can handle most tasks with ease. The combination of a powerful processor, ample RAM, and plenty of storage space makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. For Malaysian users, this means that the S20 FE can handle everything from navigating through the city to streaming their favorite shows without any issues.

Camera: Still a Great Shooter?

The camera system on the Samsung S20 FE is versatile and capable, making it a strong contender in the mid-range category. It features a triple-lens setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This combination allows you to capture a wide range of shots, from stunning landscapes to detailed close-ups. The primary lens captures sharp and detailed images with accurate colors, even in challenging lighting conditions. The ultra-wide lens is great for capturing expansive scenes, while the telephoto lens allows you to zoom in on distant subjects without sacrificing image quality. The camera also supports a variety of shooting modes, including Night Mode, Portrait Mode, and Single Take Mode. Night Mode enhances the brightness and clarity of images taken in low-light conditions, while Portrait Mode creates a shallow depth of field effect, blurring the background and emphasizing the subject. Single Take Mode captures a variety of photos and videos with a single tap, allowing you to choose the best one later. The front-facing camera is a 32MP sensor that captures detailed and well-exposed selfies. It also supports Portrait Mode, allowing you to create selfies with a blurred background. The Samsung S20 FE can record videos in up to 4K resolution at 60fps, with excellent stabilization. This ensures that your videos are smooth and steady, even when you're moving. The camera app is also user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a variety of settings and options to customize your shooting experience. Overall, the camera on the Samsung S20 FE is still a great shooter, capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos in a variety of conditions. The versatile lens setup, variety of shooting modes, and excellent video recording capabilities make it a great choice for anyone who wants a phone with a capable camera. For Malaysian users who love to capture their travel adventures and everyday moments, the S20 FE's camera is a valuable asset.

Battery Life: Can It Last a Day?

Battery life is a crucial factor for any smartphone, and the Samsung S20 FE doesn't disappoint. It packs a 4,500mAh battery, which is more than enough to get you through a full day of moderate use. With typical usage, including browsing the web, checking social media, and streaming videos, you can expect to have some battery life left over at the end of the day. If you're a heavy user, you may need to top up the battery in the evening, but even then, it should easily last you until you get home. The phone also supports 25W fast charging, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery when needed. With the included charger, you can go from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes, which is a lifesaver when you're in a hurry. The Samsung S20 FE also supports wireless charging, allowing you to conveniently charge the phone without plugging it in. This is especially useful for charging the phone overnight. The phone also has a variety of battery-saving features, such as Adaptive Battery and Power Saving Mode. Adaptive Battery learns how you use your phone and optimizes battery usage accordingly, while Power Saving Mode limits background activity and reduces screen brightness to extend battery life. Overall, the battery life on the Samsung S20 FE is excellent, providing you with enough power to get through a full day of use. The combination of a large battery, fast charging, and battery-saving features makes it a great choice for anyone who needs a phone that can last. For Malaysian users who are always on the go, the S20 FE's battery life is a major advantage, ensuring that they can stay connected and productive throughout the day. You won't have to constantly worry about running out of battery, which is a huge relief.

Conclusion: Is the S20 FE Still Worth Buying?

So, is the Samsung S20 FE still worth buying in Malaysia? Absolutely! Even with newer phones on the market, the S20 FE offers a fantastic balance of features, performance, and price. You get a vibrant display, a capable camera, solid performance, and great battery life, all in a package that's still competitive today. The Samsung S20 FE remains a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank. Plus, you can often find it at discounted prices these days, making it an even better value. For Malaysian users, the S20 FE is particularly well-suited due to its durability, excellent display for media consumption, and reliable performance for everyday tasks. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who enjoys using their phone, the S20 FE is a great option that won't disappoint. So, if you're in the market for a new phone, don't overlook the Samsung S20 FE – it's still a winner! You get a lot of bang for your buck, and you'll be happy with your purchase.