We reported in January that the Samsung’s Galaxy S22 FE was scrapped. The Galaxy S21 FE performed well, so this was surprising. Samsung claimed it will release a new Fan Edition model annually. The Samsung’s Galaxy S22 FE won’t have this feature, though.
In recent years, Samsung spoiled us. Fans anticipated a new smartphone debut every quarter. The Galaxy S flagships started the year, followed by the Galaxy Note and foldables in the second half, and the Galaxy S “Fan Edition” versions at the conclusion.
This doesn’t cover the company’s mid-range, inexpensive, and low-end products. It doesn’t include smartwatches, earbuds, or iPads. Samsung has made huge adjustments to its roster in the past year, and one change may be tough to replace.
South Korean reports said this may be related to the worldwide chip shortage. The business had to decide between boosting manufacturing of the Galaxy S22 Ultra or launching the Galaxy S22 FE. Since Ultra profit margins are better, Samsung decided to introduce the Ultra instead of the FE this year.
According to reports, Galaxy S22 chips were scarce at first. Samsung intended to create 3 million Galaxy S22 FEs but used those processors for the Ultra. This means there were no chips for the Samsung’s Galaxy S22 FE , hence it was scrapped.
Unknown whether that’s why this device won’t be released. Based on local Korean media reporting. Samsung hasn’t commented on the Galaxy S22 FE or other FE devices. Another story said Samsung will release the Galaxy S23 FE in 2023, but it’s too early to tell.
Samsung FE phone history
The Galaxy S20 FE was Samsung’s first FE phone in 2020. It offered several of the Galaxy S20’s best features in a lower-cost handset. The Galaxy S20 FE has cheaper materials and less powerful cameras than the normal S20, but other aspects remain the same, like the rapid display refresh rate and Qualcomm CPU. Many shoppers chose the cheaper S20 FE.
FE variants were more expensive than normal Galaxy S devices back then. The Galaxy S20 cost $999 when it launched, but the $699 Galaxy S20 FE saved $300 without sacrificing much.
Samsung’s flagship phone pricing have since stabilized. Both the Galaxy S21 and S22 cost $799, $100 higher than Samsung’s FE versions ($699). This weakens the FE option’s case.
Also, the Galaxy S21 FE’s release date. Covid-19 pandemic production problems apparently delayed that model’s introduction. The Galaxy S21 FE didn’t arrive until 2022, six months after its 2021 premiere. Within a month, Samsung unveiled more powerful Galaxy S22 flagships.
Galaxy A fills the void
Samsung’s intermediate Galaxy A phones squeezed out the FE models from below, while the Galaxy S22’s price and debut timeframe squeezed them from above. In recent years, Samsung has made an attempt to provide better midrange phones with premium features.
This year’s Galaxy A53 is an example. It has 120Hz refresh rate and good software support like the Galaxy S range, plus expandable storage. $449 is $250 less than the Galaxy S21 FE. We consider the Galaxy A53 the best affordable phone till we test the Pixel 6a.
With great high- and midrange-priced Samsung phones, there’s no market for a FE model until Samsung reinvents what a FE device is for. The FE has been a low-cost alternative to Samsung’s flagships for the previous two editions, although certain Galaxy A models now fulfil that position.
Few people would miss the Samsung’s Galaxy S22 FE if it never came out. So Samsung should focus on other phones.
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