[ad_1]
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE could cause problems for Google’s Pixel 5
Samsung has stolen (part of) Google’s spotlight by launching a surprise budget phone days before the launch of the Pixel 5.
The phone, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (“fan edition”), also appears to have been priced surprisingly close to the rumored cost of Google’s next flagship at $ 699. To cut the cost, Samsung has had to make some sacrifices. in the camera and design department.
But the Korean company’s fondness for mastering its devices with the best specifications is still present, especially on the 120Hz FHD + Super AMOLED screen. 120Hz displays are rare for “cheap” devices. A new standard has really been set for other mid-level phones.
Specification rumors for Google’s advance phone suggest that the search company has also upped its game and listened to long-time supporters of the Pixel owners (suffered?). The Pixel 5 will reportedly feature a vastly improved 4080mAh battery and – this may surprise some longtime Pixel buyers – an ultra-wide lens. Yes, Google finally relented (apparently, we will definitely know next week).
There may not be much between the two affordable phones. So what can Samsung’s phone do to entice potential Pixel buyers?
The partnership with Xbox offers excellent value for money.
Samsung’s Galaxy S20 FE supports the 120Hz refresh rate which is now the company’s trademark. The difference between 120Hz, 90Hz, and 60Hz, the latter being the refresh rate that most phones support at this price point, is huge. The 120Hz fluidity is noticeable throughout the phone, especially when paired with the 6.5-inch screen.
It’s lucky, then, that Samsung bundled the FE with the very capable MOGA XP5-X Plus controller. There is also three free months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate included.
I’ve switched between the Pixel 4XL, Pixel 4a, Note 20, and S20 FE, and it’s clear that the latter two are definitely better for cloud gaming. The refresh rate and the size of the screens make a big difference. Ultimately, tablets are better suited to console games, which weren’t designed to play on such small screens, but Samsung’s larger phones make that compromise more palatable.
We’ll have to see if the Pixel 5’s supposed 6-inch 90Hz screen turns out to be accurate. If so, it will not match.
In any case, Samsung’s agreement, which it has repeated for all its 5G devices this year, should not be ignored. The Moga controller normally retails for $ 69.99 and Game Pass Ultimate costs $ 14.99 per month. That’s $ 115 in free stuff.
Future trade-ins and discounts
You can pick up the FE for $ 249 if you trade in your Galaxy S10 from last year, which the Korean company values at $ 400. You can also get $ 300 for the Galaxy S9 and $ 500 for the Note 10 Plus. There are even better deals for older Apple phones like the iPhone X 2017 ($ 400) and the iPhone 8 Plus 2017 ($ 350). Traders can even get $ 225 off the 2015 iPhone 6S. You won’t find trade-in deals like this in many other places.
Let’s not forget that Black Friday is just around the corner, just like Christmas. The FE is one of five different models that Samsung has launched this year and is the company’s flagship affordable product. I would not be surprised if we see significant discounts on Black Friday, as it seems to corner an increasingly competitive and cheaper market.
Worth mentioning …
… that Google’s Pixel 5 will likely use Qualcomm’s upper-mid-range Snapdragon 765 chipset. Hopefully the drop in the top-tier 8 series will be reflected in the final price.
Samsung’s 5G FE uses the latest Snapdragon 865 chipset, which, again, is a surprise for a mid-range phone. But it’s not a huge surprise either, as Samsung likes to dominate its phones.
Performance tests between the 765 and 865 tell a story, but in real-world use there is no immediate or obvious difference. I could see a small performance gap between the 765 in the Motorola Edge and the 865 Samsung S20 Ultra, but I was seeing it with a critic’s hat. In daily use, it will not be noticeable.
Have a tip, thoughts, or something to complain about? Let me know.
