Is The Samsung A15 Really Worth It When The S20 Fe Is Still An Option

Choosing between budget-friendly smartphones and older flagships can be tricky. The Samsung Galaxy A15 sits at the entry-level end of Samsung’s 2024 lineup, while the Galaxy S20 FE—released in late 2020—still circulates in refurbished and secondhand markets with strong performance credentials. At first glance, the A15 offers modern design and fresh software, but the S20 FE brings flagship-grade internals that many current mid-rangers can't match. So which one deserves your money in 2024?

The answer isn’t just about price or brand prestige—it comes down to how you use your phone, what kind of longevity you expect, and whether raw power outweighs newer features.

Performance: Power vs. Practicality

The core difference lies in processing muscle. The S20 FE was built on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 (or Exynos 990 in some regions), a true flagship chipset from its era. Even by today’s standards, it handles multitasking, gaming, and camera processing with ease. In contrast, the A15 uses the MediaTek Helio G99, a capable chip for basic tasks but not designed for sustained heavy loads.

Benchmarks tell a clear story: the S20 FE scores nearly double the A15 in tools like Geekbench. This translates into real-world advantages—faster app launches, smoother transitions, and better performance in graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at high settings.

RAM is another differentiator. The S20 FE launched with 6GB or 8GB options, while the A15 maxes out at 8GB—but paired with slower storage and a less efficient processor, even that doesn’t guarantee fluid long-term usage.

“Flagship chips age far more gracefully than mid-tier ones. If you plan to keep your phone beyond two years, starting with stronger hardware pays dividends.” — David Lin, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Insights

Tip: If you frequently use navigation, music streaming, and messaging apps simultaneously, the S20 FE’s superior multitasking will feel noticeably smoother.

Display and Design: Modern Simplicity vs. Proven Build

The A15 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate—a standout for a budget device. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and readability in sunlight is surprisingly good. It runs Android 13 (upgradable to 14), wrapped in Samsung’s One UI 6.

The S20 FE, meanwhile, has a larger 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a full 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. While both screens are excellent, the S20 FE’s higher brightness, smoother motion rendering, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection give it an edge in durability and visual fidelity.

Design-wise, the A15 feels lightweight and modern with its glossy back and slim bezels. However, it uses plastic construction throughout. The S20 FE also uses polycarbonate for the back (to keep weight down), but its aluminum frame and IP68 water resistance make it feel sturdier and more premium.

Camera Comparison: Everyday Use vs. Versatility

The A15 comes with a quad-camera setup: 50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth. In daylight, photos are decent—sharp and well-saturated. Low-light performance is limited, with noticeable noise and loss of detail. The ultrawide lens lacks clarity, and the macro sensor is largely redundant.

The S20 FE sports a triple rear system: 12MP main (with OIS), 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto with 3x hybrid zoom. Despite lower megapixel counts, its larger pixels and optical image stabilization produce more natural dynamic range and better low-light results. The telephoto lens allows actual zoomed shots, unlike the digital crop on the A15.

For selfies, both have 32MP front cameras, but the S20 FE’s skin tone accuracy and background blur processing are more refined.

Feature	Samsung A15	Samsung S20 FE
Main Camera	50MP, no OIS	12MP, with OIS
Ultrawide	5MP, average quality	12MP, wide FoV, sharp edges
Telephoto	None	8MP, 3x hybrid zoom
Front Camera	32MP	32MP (better processing)
Video Recording	1080p @ 30fps	4K @ 60fps

Battery Life and Software Support

The A15 packs a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day with moderate use. Its 25W fast charging (sold separately) is faster than the S20 FE’s 25W standard charging, though both reach full charge in about 70 minutes.

However, battery longevity depends on optimization. The S20 FE, despite having a slightly smaller 4500mAh cell, benefits from more efficient power management due to its mature software-hardware integration. Many users report solid all-day performance even after three years of ownership.

Software updates tilt heavily in favor of the A15. Samsung promises four OS upgrades and five years of security patches for the A15, meaning it could run Android 18 by 2028. The S20 FE, originally promised three OS updates, has already received Android 13 and security patches through early 2024. No further major updates are expected.

Tip: If you prioritize long-term software safety and feature access, the A15 wins. For immediate performance and photo quality, the S20 FE remains compelling.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a college student working part-time, needed a reliable phone under $300. She considered the new A15 at $270 and found a certified refurbished S20 FE for $260. After testing both in-store, she noticed the S20 FE felt snappier, took better indoor photos, and had a crisper screen. But she worried about future updates.

She chose the S20 FE, reasoning that she’d likely upgrade again in two years. Over the next 18 months, she used it for online classes, social media, photography for her campus magazine, and mobile editing. The phone handled everything without lag. When security updates stopped, she continued using it safely by avoiding risky downloads and keeping apps updated manually.

Her takeaway: “I got flagship-level performance for budget money. I didn’t need Android 15—I needed a phone that worked flawlessly now.”

Checklist: Which Phone Is Right for You?

• Choose the Samsung A15 if:
  • You want guaranteed software support until 2028
  • You prefer a newer design with lighter weight
  • Your usage is light: calls, messaging, social media, occasional photos
  • You value longer warranty and retail availability
• Choose the S20 FE if:
  • You demand top-tier performance for gaming or multitasking
  • You care about camera flexibility (zoom, low light, video)
  • You’re comfortable buying refurbished or used devices
  • You plan to upgrade within 2–3 years

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S20 FE still run modern apps smoothly?

Yes. Most mainstream apps—including Instagram, WhatsApp, Google Maps, and YouTube—run without issue. Even demanding apps like TikTok and mobile editors perform well thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 865.

Is the A15’s 90Hz screen better than the S20 FE’s 120Hz?

No. While both are smooth, the S20 FE’s 120Hz panel adapts dynamically and offers higher peak brightness and deeper contrast. The A15’s 90Hz is impressive for its class but doesn’t match the responsiveness or visual polish of the FE.

Does the lack of OIS on the A15 matter?

It does in practice. Optical Image Stabilization helps capture sharper images in motion or low light. Without it, the A15 relies on digital stabilization, which crops the image and can introduce blur. For steady-handed users in bright conditions, it may not be critical—but it’s a real limitation.

Final Verdict: Value Beyond the Price Tag

The Samsung A15 is a competent budget phone with a great display, long battery life, and solid software support. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone buyers, seniors, or those who prioritize simplicity and longevity.

But if you can find a well-maintained S20 FE—especially from a certified refurbisher—you’re getting a device that was built to compete with premium phones. Its camera system, processing power, and overall build quality surpass what the A15 offers, even in 2024.

The key is understanding your priorities. If future-proofing through software is non-negotiable, go with the A15. But if you want the best possible experience right now—and don’t mind sacrificing some update headroom—the S20 FE remains a shockingly relevant choice.

🚀 Ready to make your move? Assess your usage, check refurbished marketplaces like Swappa or Amazon Renewed, and test both models if possible. Sometimes, yesterday’s flagship is today’s smartest buy.