Massive Samsung Galaxy S21 FE manual leak just revealed all the key features

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE render
(Image credit: 4RMD)

Even as the excitement for the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 continues to burn, Samsung's not done yet. For months now, we've heard rumors of the Galaxy S21 FE, a cheaper Galaxy S21 and follow-up to last year's Galaxy S20 FE. Just in the last day or two, we've heard two separate rumblings about the upcoming phone (which has leaked quite extensively at this point).

The last thing we heard about the Galaxy S21 FE was that it might release on September 8. A new rumor blows that out of the water, claiming that the phone won't even enter production until September. In conflicting cases like this one, it's hard to gauge which one is closer to the truth.

South Korean publication The Elec claims that Samsung has delayed Galaxy S21 FE production due to the chip shortage. Samsung has also supposedly lowered its expected sales targets to "the low ten million" units. The report also says that Samsung had aimed for a Q3 release, possibly in line with the new foldables. That obviously didn't happen.

Samsung Galaxy S21 features 

Another leak features an alleged Galaxy S21 FE user manual, courtesy of the folks over at SamMobile. While it doesn't divulge the exact specs, it does talk about some of the phone's features. For example, it confirms the design we've seen in previous leaks, a triple camera array, a high refresh rate display and reverse wireless charging.

galaxy s21 fe leaked manual

(Image credit: SamMobile)

One feature notably missing is the micro SD card slot, which the manual fails to mention when it notes the single nano-SIM slot. The Galaxy S20 FE had a micro SD slot, so it will probably disappoint some Samsung fans who were hoping to see the Galaxy S21 FE have it (especially since the Galaxy S21 series didn't have one, either). But the manual shows an in-display fingerprint sensor, a hole-punch front camera cutout with face unlock and a customizable Bixby button.

Furthermore, according to this leak, the Galaxy S21 FE will sport IP68 water and dust resistance. That means the phone can survive underwater up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. There will also be several pre-installed apps, including 23 Samsung ones and 12 Google apps — this seems excessive.

The manual also talks about some of the camera features, many of the same ones found on the Galaxy S21. These include the popular Single Take mode, Scene Optimizer, AR Doodle, Pro mode, portrait video, slo-mo, hyperlapse, and others.

Too little, too late?

At this point in time, the Galaxy S21 FE seems like it'll be too little too late. The Elec report also mentioned that the Galaxy S22 will enter production in November, leaving the S21 FE just a few months in the limelight before the next big thing appears. And if Samsung keeps the same pricing structure that it used for the Galaxy S21 series, the S21 FE could look even more like the red-headed step-child.

TOPICS
Jordan Palmer
Phones Editor

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He's written about phones for over six years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves nothing more than relaxing in his home with a book, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Outside of work, you can find him poring over open-source software and his studies.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 features on outer cover display
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE may arrive 'months' after the Z Flip 7 — here's why
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE teased by Samsung — and the leaked specs sound promising
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.
Galaxy Z Flip FE rumor — Samsung's first cheap foldable just tipped for a great display
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition opened up
Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 could be a lot like this foldable that already launched
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus with keyboard and S Pen
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE renders just revealed a stunning iPad rival
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in blue
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumors — everything we know so far
Latest in Samsung Phones
Showing the front of a Galaxy S25 Ultra held in hand
One UI 7 will arrive late for US Samsung users — here’s when it’ll launch for you
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
The iPhone 16 Pro Max (L) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras
I took 200 macro photos with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro — here's the winner
Try Galaxy home screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge back
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge price comes into focus with latest leak
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 20 (#648)
A phone with the Plex logo in front of an out-of-focus background of movie posters
Yikes! Plex is getting a price hike and this key feature is going behind a pay wall
back of Iris Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a pre-orders delayed due to 'component quality issue' — here's when you can get one
An open lock depicting a data breach
Half a million teachers hit in major data breach with SSNs, financial data and more exposed — what to do now
Sony A95K QD-OLED TV in front of windows in a living room
This new TV breakthrough looks like a game-changer for OLED TVs
Apple iPhone 16 & 16 Plus hands-on.
Forget USB-C — a truly portless iPhone just got the all-clear from the EU