Earlier this year, Samsung gave the Galaxy S10 a last hurrah, the S10 Lite. It is a slightly cut-down version of the still very powerful handset, offering a cheaper alternative to the ultra-high-priced S20.

Samsung is trying to repeat this experiment with the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (or S20 FE). The name may not make much sense (why would "fans" buy a weaker version of the same product?), but otherwise the project is very similar to the S10 Lite, with one small difference: the release date.

The S10 Lite was announced at the same time as the S20 in March, while the S20 Fan Edition will appear this year. Korean publisher The Elec had predicted an October launch, but the fact that the device has been certified by the NFC Forum gives it even more credibility.

As discovered by GSM Arena, both the SM-G781V and SM-G780F/DSM are now Near Field Communication certified. Why are there two versions? The former appears to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865 and the latter by Samsung's own Exynos 990. This is not something consumers can choose. It will depend on where in the world you buy it. But if you decide to import, it is clear that the Qualcomm version will be the superior device.

In any case, NFC certification is something that will take place once the handset is no longer in production. For reference, Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 devices (SM-N986U and SM-N981U) were certified through the same process in June, before they appeared in Samsung Unpacked on August 5. Assuming a similar trajectory, the projected October release date seems quite on target.

We are not expecting a big reveal from Samsung for this one, and it will likely be announced via press release. Fortunately, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect at this point.

It will likely have 6GB or 8GB of RAM alongside a Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 processor. Happily, reports indicate that the 120Hz screen will be retained, but a glass back will be foregone, with Samsung opting for plastic for cost-cutting reasons; it still looks nice, though, as the renders above from Pricebaba and OnLeaks show It does.

It is unclear if Samsung intends to release the Galaxy S20 Fan Edition in the US, but if it does, the estimated price is expected to be around $750. This price could also give Android fans a solid alternative to the upcoming iPhone 12. iPhone 12 is expected to start around $649, but the higher-end Pro model could cost as much as $1,099