Let me start by saying, the S21 FE is a beast of a phone. Coming from older Samsung models, the upgrade is immediately noticeable. The 120Hz AMOLED display is buttery smooth, making scrolling through social media or playing games an absolute joy. Colors pop, and visibility in sunlight is surprisingly good.

The camera system is impressive for the price point. That 30x zoom? Crazy useful for concert shots or spying on your neighbor's questionable gardening skills (kidding... maybe). Night mode performs decently, though don't expect Pixel-level magic in low light.

Battery life has been stellar in my experience. With moderate use (some gaming, lots of YouTube), I easily get through a full day. The fast charging is legit - 30 minutes gets you about 50%, which has saved me countless times when rushing out the door.

Now for the not-so-great: This phone gets HOT under heavy gaming load. Like 'might-cook-an-egg' hot during extended Genshin Impact sessions. A cooling pad helps, but it's something to consider if you're a mobile gamer.

The plastic back doesn't bother me (who doesn't use a case anyway?), but the lack of expandable storage might be a dealbreaker for some. At 128GB, you'll need to manage your space carefully if you're into photography or downloading tons of apps.

Final verdict? For under $600, this is one of the best value Android phones out there right now. It nails the essentials - great display, solid cameras, and excellent battery life - while only stumbling slightly on thermal management and storage options.