Galaxy S21 FE to Buy in 2025: Price, Problems & Is It Worth It?

Few phones have aged as gracefully as the Galaxy S21 FE — but with better mid-range options now available and a ticking software support clock, buying one in 2025 requires a clear head. This guide walks you through current prices across Irish retailers, common problems to watch for, how it stacks up against the standard S21, and exactly how long Samsung will keep updating it. By the end, you’ll know whether the S21 FE is a smart budget move or a compromise you’ll regret.

Released: January 2022 · Display: 6.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED · Processor: Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 · Battery: 4500mAh · New price (Ireland): €769.95 · Refurbished from: €329

Here are the full specifications of the Galaxy S21 FE.

Is the S21 FE still worth buying?

Pros and cons of buying in 2025

Software update support timeline

Samsung originally promised four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for the S21 FE. The phone launched with Android 12, received Android 13 and 14, and is widely expected to get Android 15 in 2025. After that, security updates will continue through January 2027.

Performance compared to current mid-range phones

The Snapdragon 888 inside the S21 FE still beats many 2025 mid-range chips like the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 in raw CPU and GPU benchmarks, according to GSMArena (benchmark database). However, newer mid-range phones offer more efficient battery life and longer update commitments.

The S21 FE remains a compelling option for buyers who prioritize performance over longevity.

How much is Samsung S21 FE in Ireland?

New price vs refurbished price

Three pricing tiers exist in Ireland: new, refurbished, and carrier-locked. The new S21 FE still appears in stock at some retailers at €769.95 (Appliances Delivered (Irish appliance retailer)). Refurbished prices drop dramatically:

• ViberStore: from €169.99 (Good) to €219.99 (Excellent) with 12-month warranty (ViberStore (Irish refurbisher))
• AllOallo: €219.90 with 24-month warranty (AllOallo (warranty specialist))
• Refurbed: €334 with 30-day return policy (Refurbed (certified refurbisher))
• Electronic Store Ireland: €390 for AAA grade (Electronic Store (Irish retailer))

Trade-in value estimate

If you’re trading in your S21 FE, expect offers between €150 and €250 depending on condition. SellMyMobile (trade-in comparison site) shows an average trade-in value of €180 for a good-condition unit.

Price from major Irish retailers

Three Ireland (mobile network) occasionally offers the S21 FE on prepaid plans, but new stock is rare. The best deals are consistently from refurbishers who offer warranty coverage comparable to new.

This price landscape confirms that refurbished units offer the best balance of cost and coverage.

What are common S21 FE problems?

Battery drain issues and fixes

Some users report faster-than-expected battery drain after major OS updates. Clearing the cache partition and disabling background apps often resolves it. ViberStore guarantees refurbished units have at least 80% battery health (ViberStore (Irish refurbisher)).

Camera performance complaints

The 12MP main camera takes excellent photos in good light, but low-light performance can be slow and sometimes blurry. Consumer Reports testers rated the camera “very good” but noted the telephoto zoom often over-processes details.

Overheating during gaming

The Snapdragon 888 is known for running hot under sustained loads. After 20 minutes of Fortnite or Genshin Impact, the frame rate may throttle. Turning on the “Game Booster” optimiser helps.

Display ghosting reports

A small number of users have reported faint image retention (ghosting) on the AMOLED display. This is rare and typically cleared by a factory software reset. Samsung’s official support page recommends displaying a pure white screen for 30 minutes to recalibrate (Samsung Ireland Support).

Overall, these issues are manageable and do not diminish the phone’s core value for informed buyers.

Which one is better, S21 or S21 FE?

Key differences in specs

Six major specs separate the two phones:

Camera comparison

Both phones share the same 12MP main and 12MP ultrawide sensors. The S21 has a 64MP telephoto (1.1x optical, 3x hybrid) while the S21 FE uses an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. In real-world tests, the S21 FE’s telephoto is sharper at 3x but loses detail beyond 10x digital zoom (GSMArena (telephoto test)).

Battery and charging

The S21 FE’s 4500mAh battery is 12.5% larger than the S21’s 4000mAh. Both support 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Consumer Reports comparison found the FE offers about an hour more screen-on time.

Price-to-value ratio

At identical condition grades, the S21 FE is consistently €100–€150 cheaper than the standard S21 in the Irish refurbished market. Given the larger battery and nearly identical performance, the FE delivers better value for most buyers.

This comparison underscores that the FE offers the better overall package for cost-conscious buyers.

When Will the S21 FE Stop Receiving Updates?

Here’s the update timeline Samsung has delivered and plans to deliver for the Galaxy S21 FE:

• January 2022 – Launched with Android 12 (Samsung Ireland product page)
• October 2022 – Android 13 (One UI 5) update released
• October 2023 – Android 14 (One UI 6) update released
• Expected 2025 – Android 15 update (likely final major OS update)
• January 2027 – End of security update commitment (5 years from launch)

The S21 FE will continue to receive security patches well into 2027, making it a viable option for buyers who plan to keep the phone for another two years (Samsung Security Update Policy).

This timeline means the S21 FE remains a safe purchase for the near term, but buyers should plan for a replacement by 2027.

Which Samsung will stop working in 2026?

Samsung’s security update policy

Samsung guarantees four years of OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship and A-series models launched from 2021 onward (Samsung Security Update Policy). This means phones launched in 2021 (e.g., Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra) will receive their final security update in 2026.

S21 FE’s place in the 2026 cutoff

Because the S21 FE launched in early 2022, its security support window extends to early 2027 — not 2026. The phone is not among the models “stopping” in 2026. However, models like the Galaxy S20 series (launched 2020) already lost support in 2025.

How to check your phone’s update status

Go to Settings → Software Update → Download and Install. Or visit Samsung’s security update page to see the exact end-of-life date for your model.

In short, the S21 FE offers two more years of support than some older flagships, but it still has a finite window.

What We Know and What We Don’t

Confirmed facts

• Launch date: January 2022 (Samsung Ireland product page)
• New price in Ireland: €769.95 (Appliances Delivered)
• Refurbished starting price: €329 (Refurbed (marketplace))
• IP68 rating (Consumer Reports testers)
• 4500mAh battery capacity (Samsung official specs)

What’s unclear

• Exact trade-in value varies by condition and carrier
• Android 15 update not officially confirmed for S21 FE
• Some user-reported problems (e.g., battery drain) are intermittent
• Future availability of refurbished stock (ViberStore (Irish refurbisher))

These knowns and unknowns help set realistic expectations for any purchase decision.

What the experts say

“The Galaxy S21 FE delivers flagship performance at a mid-range price point, with one of the best displays you’ll find under €400.”

— Consumer Reports testers (product review lab)

“The Galaxy S21 FE will receive four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its launch date.”

— Samsung official support page (security policy)

“Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G with a stunning AMOLED display, powerful Snapdragon 888, and impressive camera features.”

— Refurbed.ie product description (certified refurbisher)

The pattern across these sources is consistent: the hardware holds up well, software support is generous for a 2022 phone, and the refurbished market makes the price compelling. The trade-off is clear — you sacrifice long-term update coverage for short-term savings.

Frequently asked questions