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The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition) is a 2020 Android phone that brought flagship features to a $699 price, but in 2026 it no longer receives software updates, so most people should buy a newer FE model instead. Samsung’s last security patch for it arrived in October 2025, according to 9to5Google, and the current Galaxy S25 FE and S26 FE offer faster chips, bigger batteries, and seven years of promised support. This Samsung Galaxy S20 FE review looks back at what made the phone a hit and explains what to buy now.
Quick verdict: The Galaxy S20 FE combined a 6.5-inch, 120 hertz (Hz) Super AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) screen, the same Snapdragon 865 chip as the Galaxy S20, a 3x telephoto camera, water resistance, and wireless charging for $300 less than the S20. Tom’s Guide gave it an Editor’s Choice award in its original review. Without security updates, though, it only makes sense as a cheap backup phone. Check the Galaxy S20 FE price on Amazon, or see the Galaxy S26 FE on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Samsung’s fall 2020 “Fan Edition” phone, with a 6.5-inch 120Hz screen, a Snapdragon 865 chip (in the US 5G model), a 4,500 milliampere-hour (mAh) battery, and three rear cameras.
- Price: It launched at $699 in the US with 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage; refurbished units now sell for far less. Prices change often.
- Status: Samsung’s October 2025 security patch appears to be its last, according to 9to5Google, so it no longer gets security fixes.
- Main weaknesses: Battery life of 8 hours and 58 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s web test, a plastic back, a slow 15-watt charger in the box, and a finicky optical fingerprint reader.
- Successors: The Galaxy S25 FE ($649.99, September 2025) and Galaxy S26 FE ($699 in the US, September 2026) offer 6.7-inch screens and 4,900mAh batteries.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE at a glance
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G |
|---|---|
| Release | Announced September 2020; on sale in the US in October 2020 |
| Display | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (US 5G model); Samsung Exynos 990 in some 4G models |
| Memory and storage | 6GB with 128GB in the US; microSD slot for up to 1 terabyte (TB) |
| Rear cameras | 12 megapixel (MP) main (f/1.8, optical image stabilization), 12MP ultrawide, 8MP 3x telephoto |
| Front camera | 32MP |
| Battery and charging | 4,500mAh; 25-watt (W) wired (15W charger included), 15W wireless, reverse wireless charging |
| Durability | IP68 (Ingress Protection) water and dust resistance |
| Weight | 6.7 ounces |
| Software | Launched with Android 10 (One UI 2.5); received three major Android upgrades |
| Launch price | $699 |
Specs come from Tom’s Guide’s Galaxy S20 FE review and GSMArena’s Galaxy S20 FE 5G review. Check the model number on any used phone, since 4G and 5G versions use different chips.
Is the Galaxy S20 FE still worth buying in 2026?
For most people, no. 9to5Google reported in October 2025 that the S20 FE had likely received its final security update, five years after launch. A phone without security patches becomes riskier for banking, email, and payment apps over time, and app developers gradually drop support for older Android versions. The S20 FE’s battery has also aged: most units on the used market are four to six years old.
It still works fine as a backup phone, a phone for a child who mostly texts and plays games on Wi-Fi, or a dedicated camera or music player. If you buy one for those jobs, pay as little as possible, look for a renewed unit with a warranty, and budget for a battery replacement.
Design and display
Samsung gave the S20 FE an aluminum frame and a matte plastic back, which Samsung called “glasstic.” Tom’s Guide listed the plastic back among its few complaints, but it resists fingerprints and survives drops better than glass. The phone came in six colors in the US, including Cloud Navy, Cloud Red, and Cloud Mint, and it kept IP68 water resistance.
The 6.5-inch flat Super AMOLED screen runs at up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling. Tom’s Guide measured 679 nits of peak brightness and 133.3% coverage of the Digital Cinema Initiatives P3 (DCI-P3) color gamut, so colors look vivid. The resolution tops out at 1080p, and GSMArena noted the 120Hz mode isn’t adaptive, so it drains the battery faster. Early owners also reported touchscreen glitches, which Samsung addressed with software updates.
Performance
The US model’s Snapdragon 865 matched the chip in the much pricier Galaxy S20. Tom’s Guide recorded a Geekbench 5 multicore score of 2,928 and called performance solid. In 2026, that still handles messaging, social media, streaming, and casual games, but it feels slow next to current phones, and 6GB of memory limits multitasking. Some international 4G models used Samsung’s Exynos 990, which reviewers generally found hotter and less efficient.
Cameras
The triple camera system was a big part of the S20 FE’s appeal: a 12MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, plus a 32MP selfie camera. Tom’s Guide called the cameras powerful. Photos still look good in daylight in 2026, though night shots and zoom fall well behind the 50MP main camera on the Galaxy S25 FE and S26 FE.
Battery life and charging
Battery life was the S20 FE’s weakest point. Tom’s Guide measured 8 hours and 58 minutes of web surfing with the screen at 60Hz, and it said 120Hz could cut that by two hours or more. Samsung included only a 15W charger; with an optional 25-watt Samsung charger, GSMArena measured 57% in 30 minutes. The phone does support 15W wireless charging and can charge earbuds on its back.
The S20 FE has no headphone jack, so you need Bluetooth earbuds or a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) adapter. Our JBL Vibe Flex 2 review covers an affordable pair that works well with Galaxy phones.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smooth 6.5-inch 120Hz display
- Flagship Snapdragon 865 chip in the US model
- Versatile triple camera with 3x telephoto
- IP68 water resistance and wireless charging
- microSD storage expansion
Cons
- No more security updates
- Short battery life at 120Hz
- Only a 15W charger in the box
- Finicky optical fingerprint reader
- Plastic back
Galaxy S20 FE vs. the Galaxy S25 FE and S26 FE
Samsung has kept the FE line going since 2020. The Galaxy S25 FE launched in September 2025 at $649.99 with an Exynos 2400 chip, a 6.7-inch screen, a 4,900mAh battery, 45W charging, and seven years of Android upgrades and security updates. The Galaxy S26 FE, announced on August 27, 2026, moves to the Exynos 2500 and Android 17 (One UI 9) but keeps the 4,900mAh battery, the 120Hz screen, and the 50MP, 12MP, and 8MP 3x camera setup. Droid Life lists its US starting price at $699. Notebookcheck described the upgrade as minimal, so a discounted S25 FE may be the better value. You can compare current models on Samsung’s smartphone page.
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries renewed Galaxy S20 FE phones alongside the newest Galaxy FE, Galaxy A, and Google Pixel models. Prices change often, so check the latest deals.
Compare similar Android phones on Amazon
| Phone | Processor | Screen | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Snapdragon 865 | 6.5-inch, 120Hz | A cheap backup phone | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 FE | Exynos 2400 | 6.7-inch, 120Hz | The best FE value in 2026 | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 FE | Exynos 2500 | 6.7-inch, 120Hz | The newest FE model | Check price |
| Samsung Galaxy A56 5G | Exynos 1580 | 6.7-inch, 120Hz | Long support on a tighter budget | Check price |
| Google Pixel 9a | Google Tensor G4 | 6.3-inch, 120Hz | Clean Android and great photos | Check price |
- Galaxy S25 FE: It costs less than the S26 FE after discounts and shares nearly the same screen, battery, and cameras, with seven years of updates. See the Galaxy S25 FE on Amazon.
- Galaxy A56 5G: It gives you a large 120Hz screen and years of Samsung updates for less money, though its cameras and chip trail the FE models. See the Galaxy A56 on Amazon.
Whatever you choose, add a case and screen protector to protect it.
Who should buy the Galaxy S20 FE?
Buy a renewed Galaxy S20 FE only if you need a very cheap secondary phone, a Wi-Fi-only device for a child, or a spare camera, and you accept that it no longer gets security patches. Everyone else, especially anyone who banks or shops on their phone, should buy a Galaxy S25 FE, S26 FE, or a midrange Galaxy A model with years of updates ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Galaxy S20 FE still get updates?
No, the Galaxy S20 FE no longer gets regular updates, and its October 2025 security patch appears to be the last, according to 9to5Google. It received three major Android upgrades after launching with Android 10.
Is the Galaxy S20 FE waterproof?
Yes, the Galaxy S20 FE is water resistant with an IP68 rating, which covers dust and immersion in fresh water. Water resistance can weaken with age and repairs, so don’t count on it in an older used phone.
Does the Galaxy S20 FE have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy S20 FE doesn’t have a headphone jack. Use Bluetooth earbuds or a USB-C to 3.5-millimeter adapter.
What replaced the Galaxy S20 FE?
The Galaxy S21 FE replaced the Galaxy S20 FE in January 2022, and the newest models are the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S26 FE. The S26 FE launched in September 2026 with an Exynos 2500 chip.
Final verdict
The Galaxy S20 FE earned its reputation as one of the best phones for the money in 2020, with a 120Hz screen, flagship speed, and a versatile camera for $699. Six years later, its expired security support and short battery life make it hard to recommend for daily use. Pick one up only as a cheap spare, and buy a Galaxy S25 FE or S26 FE as your main phone. Check the current Galaxy S20 FE price on Amazon.