Still loving your Galaxy S21 FE? Here's why the S25 FE might steal your heart

So you're still rocking the Galaxy S21 FE. Congrats! Your phone should receive One UI 8 within the next few months, so you still have at least one reason left to enjoy your Galaxy Fan Edition phone from 2022.

But what if you don't want to wait until One UI 8 drops and you want access to Samsung's latest update right now? Well, the Galaxy S25 FE just dropped earlier this month, and it brings more than just a newer firmware version. Is it a good upgrade? Let's check it out.

We don't need to tell you that the Galaxy S21 FE was a great phone. We called it a “super phone” in our review, but we also had to point out that it came to the market late.

In any case, it's been years since we published that review, and probably just as many years since you got your Galaxy S21 FE. Is the new Galaxy S25 FE any better?

Indeed, it is. Build quality has improved, the hardware is more powerful, and the phone offers extended firmware support. For Galaxy 21 FE users with access to Samsung's trade-in program, the Galaxy S25 FE can be a good long-term investment. Here's why.

Better yet, Samsung will give you a decent discount on the Galaxy S25 FE when you trade-in your Galaxy S21 FE. At least in select markets, including the USA.

Stateside, you can buy the Galaxy S25 FE for $399 instead of $649 when you exchange your Galaxy S21 FE for the newer model.

So, should you upgrade your Galaxy S21 FE now? Or should you wait? Well, that's up to you.

On the one hand, the Galaxy S25 FE is undoubtedly a better phone.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 FE hasn't yet reached the end of firmware support. It will after One UI 8, but for now, it can still offer new experiences once Samsung's newest firmware goes live.

You could wait another year at the risk of your phone's trade-in value dropping. For reference, the Galaxy S20 FE is worth a $200 discount on the S25 FE at the moment — $50 less than the S21 FE. When (if) the Galaxy S26 FE goes on sale a year from now, your S21 FE might be worth $200.

For a closer look at the new Galaxy S25 FE, you should check out our review video below.