Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: It is flagship good
For years now, Samsung has been releasing its ‘Fan Version’ telephones a number of months after its flagship fashions — and at a cheaper price, too. With the Galaxy S24 FE, nonetheless, it bucks the development as a result of I feel it truly stands on the identical pedestal because the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus.
Final yr’s Galaxy S23 FE failed to face out, however you’ll see how Samsung redeems itself in a much bigger method this time in my Galaxy S24 FE evaluate. For a telephone that prices $649, it is chock-full of the identical wealthy options I’ve been having fun with with the S24 Plus for almost 9 months now, together with the useful set of Galaxy AI options that Samsung debuted earlier this yr.
Now that it’s right here, the most important problem going through Samsung is how the Galaxy S24 FE is stealing the magic from its flagship line.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|
| Beginning value | $649 |
| Show dimension & decision | 6.7-inch AMOLED 2x, FHD+ |
| Refresh Charge | 120Hz |
| Processor | Exynos 2400e |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP predominant, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) |
| Entrance digicam | 10MP |
| Battery dimension | 4700 mAh |
| Charging pace | 25W |
| Dimensions | 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 inches |
| Weight | 7.51 ounces |
| Colours | Blue, graphite, grey, mint, yellow |
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Value and launch date
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE went on sale beginning on October 3, 2024, with a beginning value of $649. That one comes with 128GB of storage, however you’ll be able to decide to get one with 256GB for just a little extra at $709.
These costs undercut the Galaxy S24’s $799 value, however I feel it traces up extra with the bigger Galaxy S24 Plus — which begins at an excellent larger $999 value. Naturally, the S24 FE has an inherent benefit right here not solely as a result of it’s cheaper, however the way it comes full of almost the identical set of options.
You’ll even have 5 colours to select from: blue, graphite, grey, mint, and yellow. Often you do not have as many choices as this, so kudos to Samsung for providing them.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Design
Although I personally suppose Samsung’s designs are stale, there’s comfort that the Galaxy S24 FE receives the identical degree of consideration as Samsung’s flagship fashions. That means, it options the identical glass meets steel trim development that the collection is thought for — full with the identical IP68 water and dirt resistant ranking.
On the again, the triple cameras prominently protrude out with every lens outlined by a thick steel bezel. It adopts the identical design language because the flagship line, so in that sense, I suppose there are not any trade-offs with the general design — but it surely’s not as charming as, say, the Pixel 9 lineup.
The blue colour possibility of my Galaxy S24 FE evaluate unit will be onerous to tell apart, however that comfortable shade of blue is extra uncovered on the proper angle. Truthfully, I’m simply glad there are a minimum of choices in addition to white and black.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Show
In our Galaxy S23 FE evaluate, my colleague Philip Michael mentioned he wasn’t that against the show, however he did notice that it wasn’t “as punchy because the Samsung S23 relating to colours.” Effectively, I’m glad to report that Samsung has achieved the panel justice this time as a result of I’d argue that the colours are simply as wealthy and polarizing as they’re with the S24 Plus.
Frankly, the 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED show seems dreamy because of the way it shines with a brilliance that produces colours that catch the attention. It additionally has the identical advantages because the AMOLED screens that grace the flagship line, like the way it replicates that deep black colour that may idiot you to consider the display screen’s off, its vast viewing angles, and excessive distinction look.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Galaxy S24 FE | Galaxy S24 Plus |
| Max brightness | 1,516 nits | 1,396 nits |
| sRGB | 120.5% (Pure) / 140.6% (Vivid) | 115% (Pure) / 140% (Vivid) |
| DCI-P3 | 85.3% (Pure) / 99.6% (Vivid) | 81.5% (Pure) / 99% (Vivid) |
| Delta-E (decrease is healthier) | 0.2 (Pure) / 0.23 (Vivid) | 0.27 (Pure) / 0.24 (Vivid) |
Much more spectacular is that the Galaxy S24 FE delivers a brighter display screen in our testing at a peak brightness output of 1,516 nits. By comparability, the S24 and S24 Plus reached 1,416 and 1,396 nits respectively. I didn’t suppose a less expensive telephone like this may have a brighter display screen, but it surely’s noticeable after I play the identical 4K HDR video outdoors.
Rounding out the expertise is the show’s 120Hz adaptive refresh fee. I simply love seeing that silky easy animation with the icons within the app panel as I’m scrolling by means of it, together with how smoother it seems each time I’m enjoying a recreation.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Cameras
Holding it comparatively tight when it comes to options, Samsung retains almost the identical digicam system I’ve seen with the S24. The Galaxy S24 FE’s triple digicam association consists of a 50MP predominant snapper, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. In the meantime, there’s a pinhole sized cutout on the display screen for its 10MP selfie digicam.
Assured shooters will certainly love the wealthy digicam app of the Galaxy S24 FE, which is but similar to the flagship S24 line — full with guide modes for pictures and movies, in addition to help for 8K video recording. It’s the sort of factor I don’t thoughts utilizing as a backup or b-roll digicam, primarily as a result of I can dial within the settings to match my mirrorless digicam.
Impressively, this digicam system rocks, however the star of the present is the primary digicam’s adaptability to shoot absolutely anything with good outcomes. Although it’s no iPhone 16 Professional Max killer, it holds up properly in opposition to a number of the greatest digicam telephones on the market — just like the OnePlus 12, which I shot related pictures with simply to match.
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Check out these photographs above of one of many entrances to Bryant Park in New York Metropolis. I’m completely astounded by how related it’s to the OnePlus 12’s snapshot, which matches it intimately and dynamic vary. Often excessive distinction scenes reminiscent of this may be problematic, however the S24 FE manages to dial down the highlights and enhance the shadows to ship a picturesque scene.
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With that very same vantage level, I additionally snapped just a few telephoto photos of the American Radiator Constructing within the far again. At 3x optical zoom, the S24 FE captures a good quantity of element across the constructing, but it surely’s clearly missing the definition within the brickwork — which is extra noticeable the extra I zoom into the picture.
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Though it lacks a devoted macro mode, the Galaxy S24 FE nonetheless does properly with closeups. All of those flowers within the gallery above that I shot have excellent sharpness and element. Whereas it might’t get as shut in comparison with different telephones, the punchy colour tones it produces elevates the pictures.
The one shortcoming I discovered in my testing was the 10MP selfie digicam, which all too usually can’t deal with vivid areas. In reality, it overexposes these areas in my selfie shot above. And it doesn’t assist both that the small print round my face are a lot softer.
I do like how the S24 FE handles portrait photographs. Not solely does it isolate the give attention to me, however I do love the way it even manages to blur out the portion of my arm that’s closest to the digicam.
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And eventually, the Galaxy S24 FE’s low mild efficiency is sweet, however not nice. On one hand, it actually brightens up the scene higher than the OnePlus 12, but it surely was extra prone to blurring the shot if I don’t maintain my hand very nonetheless. You possibly can see it in these photographs above of the tree in my yard.
Watch On
I actually wouldn’t thoughts utilizing the Galaxy S24 FE for video. Within the take a look at pattern video I shot by Instances Sq., it manages to deal with excessive mild circumstances within the body. There’s good element from the 4K 30fps clip. Though, it undoubtedly will get softer and a tiny bit noisier after I swap to the ultrawide. And whereas its 3x optical zoom is there to get me nearer, I actually wouldn’t transcend 10x zoom as a result of that’s when the definition drops.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Efficiency
Arguably the most important distinction between the Galaxy S24 FE and its flagship kin is that it leverages an Exynos 2400e chip — slightly than a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Benchmark testing scores corroborate the plain right here that it doesn’t exceed the efficiency of Qualcomm’s chip.
Geekbench 6 scores for the Galaxy S24 FE common to about 2,161 and 6,836 with single and multi core testing respectively. Truly, these scores are near what the Snapdragon delivers, however they’re technically decrease. I’m fairly happy with the Galaxy S24 FE’s efficiency because it handles all of my typical duties with ease, like browsing the net and the occasional social media crawl. Apps open up with ease and animations are simply as easy as they’re with the S24 collection.
| Galaxy S24 FE | Galaxy S24 Plus | |
| Processor | Exynos 2400e | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Geekbench (single core/multicore) | 2,161 / 6,386 | 2,272 / 7,083 |
| WildLife Limitless(fps) | 86.63 | 121.2 |
| Adobe Premiere Rush Transcode Time (Minutes:Secs) | 1:19 | 0:42 |
Equally, the Galaxy S24 FE’s graphics processing efficiency is a smidge behind with a median body fee of 86.63 fps with 3DMark’s Wild Life Limitless take a look at. This isn’t horrible, but it surely’s clearly behind the 120+ fps charges delivered by the S24 and S24 Plus. Though, I’m fairly stunned that very like its siblings, the Galaxy S24 SE gives help for ray-tracing. I loaded up Diablo Immortal and Age of Origins, and even when there was intensive motion taking place, these video games remained playable.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Battery life
Whereas it matches the S24 Plus with its show, the S24 FE packs a barely smaller 4,700 mAh battery. Qualcomm’s flagship chipset is clearly extra energy environment friendly as a result of working the identical battery drain take a look at, the Galaxy S24 FE clocked in a greatest time of 11 hours and 25 minutes. That’s method shorter than the 16 hours and 32 minutes clocked in by the S24 Plus, which seemingly confirms that the Exynos 2400e isn’t as energy environment friendly.
Since I’m an influence person and extra demanding of my telephones, it’s the sort of factor I stored on charging across the center of the afternoon as a result of its battery would usually be underneath 50% capability. Samsung claims that the S24 FE can rise up to 50% cost in about 30 minutes with a 25W adapter. We noticed a reasonably spectacular 53% in that very same period of time. Moreover, I’m fairly happy to seek out that the S24 FE gives 15W wi-fi charging as properly.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Software program
What actually makes the Galaxy S24 FE compelling is the way it advantages from the identical wealthy expertise I’ve already seen with the whole Galaxy S24 line. Samsung’s One UI 6.1 runs on high of Android 14, providing the identical degree of customization and performance as its top-of-the-line fashions.
As you’d count on, it’s large on productiveness with related options reminiscent of Edge Panels that lets me run a 3rd app on high of two others working in split-screen mode. However what makes the expertise much more satisfying is that it’s accompanied by Galaxy AI options. These encompass Interpreter Mode for fast translation, Circle to Search to Google something on my display screen, Chat Help to vary my writing type, Notice Help to summarize lengthy voice recordings, and the host of picture enhancing instruments at my disposal.
In reality, the Galaxy S24 FE features the identical new Galaxy AI options launched on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 — like Sketch to Picture and Portrait Studio. These are along with different staple Galaxy AI options reminiscent of Immediate Sluggish-Mo and Generative Edit, which I’ve discovered to be fairly good at what they do.
There’s actually loads to unpack with the Galaxy S24 FE’s software program, however what I’m additionally glad to know is that it’s the most affordable new Galaxy to return with Samsung DeX. I’ve beforehand ditched my laptop computer for a few weeks utilizing DeX on a Galaxy Z Fold 6, and it’s no totally different right here with the S24 FE. It actually is like having a pc in my pocket due to the desktop-like interface it gives when related to a monitor.
And to high all of it off, the Galaxy S24 FE will get handled to the identical 7 years of main software program and safety updates help that Samsung provides its premier S24 telephones. You actually gained’t discover a extra purposeful telephone at this value.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate: Verdict
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For the quantity of financial savings you’re getting with the Galaxy S24 FE, it begs the query in case you’re overpaying for the Galaxy S24 or S24 Plus. I consider you might be on condition that the S24 FE traces up extra to the Galaxy S24 Plus given its dimension. Functionally, you’re getting the identical software program and expertise with the Galaxy S24 FE — however at $350 much less.
It is a large enchancment for the collection, particularly when its design, cameras, and show are elevated over its predecessor. The one space the place it lags behind is battery life, which is common in comparison with the whole lot else, however nonetheless comes up quick in opposition to its flagship kin. I’m okay with this shortcoming, particularly when it matches (and even exceeds) its sibling in each different space.
I’d argue the Galaxy S24 FE is likely one of the greatest values you’ll discover in a telephone this yr. And this may be the primary time I’d declare that for an ‘FE’ telephone.
