Quite expectedly, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G looks just like the Galaxy S21 bunch but with a twist. The phone has a flat front, a thin metal frame, and a slightly curved back that flows into the raised camera block. And that's where it differs!

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5g reviewGalaxy S21 next to the Galaxy S21 FE

See, while the metal frame of the Galaxy S21 flowed into the jutting-out camera slab, Samsung did the opposite here - the plastic back seamlessly flows into a camera island. And while it may seem like the maker chose the cheaper option, we think this looks more organic, at least from an aesthetic perspective.

The build is identical to the Galaxy S21 as well - there is a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus at the front, the frame is brushed aluminum, and the back is a piece of grippy plastic with a matte finish. The S21 FE is water and dust resistant with the same IP68 rating as the rest of the S21 series.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5g reviewGalaxy S21 next to the Galaxy S21 FE

And while we are still looking at the two most compact S21 members, let's compare them. The Galaxy S21 packs a 6.2-inch display, while the S21 FE utilizes a slightly larger 6.4-inch panel. The FE version is obviously larger - it's 4mm taller, 3mm wider and 8 grams heavier than the original S21 model. We consider both phones pocket-friendly by today's standards. Sure, not as compact as an iPhone mini, but still among the smallest premium Androids around - especially if you count the three separate cameras.

We do like this natural flowing design of the Galaxy S21 lineup and the S21 FE in particular. It is good-looking, and it does prove firmer grip than your average dual-glass smartphone.