Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is almost here — but who is it for?

Samsung Galaxy S20 Iron is almost hither — but who is it for?

(Epitome credit: OnLeaks/Pricebaba)

Samsung has yet some other virtual product launch in the works for this Wednesday (Sept. 23), fifty-fifty though it seems similar the electronics giant might be all out of phones to unveil. After all, the Galaxy Note 20 lineup debuted in Baronial, and the Milky way Z Fold ii followed before this month. And so what does Samsung accept left for a 2nd encore?

Enter the Milky way S20 Fan Edition, a rumored entry to the Galaxy S20 lineup introduced much before this twelvemonth. The rumor mill points to a phone that delivers some of the Galaxy S20's more noteworthy features without its hefty toll tag.

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Only until Samsung takes the phase to bear witness off its new release, one question is bound to persist about the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition. Just who is this telephone supposed to exist for?

Where the Milky way S20 Fan Edition fits in

In case you oasis't noticed, there's a lot of Samsung phones out there these days, specially when it comes to Samsung's high-cease flagships. Besides the 3 S20 models that came out in the spring — the Milky way S20 Plus and Milky way S20 Ultra joined the standard S20 — Samsung just rolled out the Milky way Note 20 and Galaxy Notation 20 Ultra. That'south already five models across two flagship lines before the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition fifty-fifty sees the light of day.

Only as capable as those devices are, there's 1 segment of the telephone-buying audience they're not serving — the folks who don't want to pay $999 or more than for a smartphone. Both the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 start right around $one,000, and the different Plus and Ultra models calibration up from at that place.

Galaxy s20 Fan Editon — That's what the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition will await similar, according to a leaked photo (Paradigm credit: Jimmy is Promo)

"Samsung has an enviable lineup of super-premium Galaxy S, Note, and Z phones at price points starting at $1000, and it has potent budget options in the mid-tier with the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71," said Avi Greengart, lead analyst with Techsponential. "My assumption is that the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition is intended to fill the gap in between."

You lot might not suspect that gap would be so large given the effort Samsung has put into beefing up its Galaxy A lineup in recent years. Those phones pack in some pretty impressive features — multiple cameras, long-lasting batteries — while likewise costing several hundred dollars less than Samsung's flagship handsets. Some Galaxy A models have even added 5G connectivity, as seen in the $699 Galaxy A71 5G. That'southward ane of Samsung'south more than expensive midrange models, and it's withal $300 less than what you lot'd pay for a Galaxy S20 or Galaxy Note twenty.

Galaxy S20 Fan Edition specs: How they'll compare

Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition rumored specs

Screen: 6.5-inch AMOLED (120Hz)
CPU: Snapdragon 865
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB
Rear cameras: 12MP principal; 12MP ultrawide; 8MP telephoto
Battery size: 4,000 mAh or 4,500 mAh

But for some shoppers, in that location conspicuously is a gap betwixt the highest-end Galaxy A phone and Samsung's flagship offerings. The processors in the Milky way A phones are powerful enough, but they're no match for the Snapdragon viii Series chipsets Samsung uses for its Milky way S and Note devices. More chiefly, while the cameras on the Galaxy A51 and A71 are serviceable, they're outperformed past both expensive flagships and cheaper budget phones. The Galaxy S20 Ultra, in contrast, is currently the best camera telephone yous can buy, and the Note 20 is highly regarded as well.

"The core features of whatever smartphone are photographic camera and display, and I would wait that Samsung will optimize both [with the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition]," Greengart said.

Based on leaks virtually the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition, it certainly seems like Samsung is looking to pack the most into a less expensive version of the Galaxy S20. Co-ordinate to the latest Galaxy S20 Fan Edition leaks, the 120Hz refresh rate Samsung introduced with the rest of the S20 lineup will exist in effect for the Fan Edition's 6.5-inch AMOLED panel. The device volition either be powered by a Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus — in that location are conflicting rumors on that forepart — simply either way, you lot tin expect performance in the ballpark of Samsung's other flagships.

On the camera front, the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition looks similar information technology'south getting a 12MP main camera, augmented by a 12MP ultrawide angle shooter and 8MP telephoto lens capable of a 3x optical zoom. On paper, that'south a downgrade from the S20's telephoto lens, which used a 64MP sensor so it will exist interesting to see if the Fan Edition's photos can mensurate up to what yous get from the balance of the Milky way S20 lineup.

Galaxy S20 Fan Edition: Setting a cost

There is always a danger of cannibalizing other Galaxy phones, but the Galaxy Southward line has a large installed base, and when those customers are ready for a new one, the kickoff identify they are likely to look is some other Milky way Due south.

— Avi Greengart, Techsponential

Much of the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition's entreatment will swivel on its cost. Samsung has to pick a cost that'southward lower than what information technology charges for its other flagships — not too difficult, given the $999 starting cost — while also leaving room for its Galaxy A phones to find an audience.

"There is ever a danger of cannibalizing other Galaxy phones, but the Milky way S line has a large installed base, and when those customers are ready for a new one, the get-go place they are likely to look is another Galaxy S telephone," Greengart said.

Most rumors point to a $750-or-then price for the Milky way S20 Fan Edition. That would be $250 less than the Milky way S20. More significantly, it would exist right in the center of the rumored prices for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max models that are expected to ship next calendar month. One area where Apple has consistently out-positioned Samsung in recent years is in offer a less expensive version of its flagship phone — think the iPhone XR and iPhone xi. The Galaxy S20 Fan Edition could exist Samsung's way of addressing that gap in its lineup.

Samsung has been down this path earlier, introducing the Galaxy S10 Light earlier this yr. But with that telephone getting unveiled but as Samsung was introducing the Galaxy S20 while also cutting prices on the existing S10 models, it never felt like the Galaxy S10 Calorie-free had a defined reason for existing.

We'll know by the heart of this coming week whether Samsung can avoid making the same fault twice with the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition.

Philip Michaels is a senior editor at Tom's Guide. He has strong opinions near Apple, the Oakland Athletics and old movies. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.