Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is making waves as the budget-friendly sibling in the premium Galaxy S24 series, launched with a starting price of $649. But is this phone truly worth your investment? Let’s dive into its performance, design, and overall value to find out.
Design & Display: Big Screen, Subtle Changes
The Galaxy S24 FE sticks closely to the design language of its pricier counterparts but with a few compromises. It sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals for everything from scrolling to gaming. However, it lacks the curved edges seen in higher-end models and features a slightly noticeable chin at the bottom, which detracts from the otherwise premium feel.
This model’s 1080p resolution works well in daily use, though rivals are pushing toward higher pixel densities and dynamic displays. Despite this, Samsung’s color reproduction remains as vivid as ever, making the S24 FE great for media consumption
Performance: Exynos Power with Efficiency
Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 FE is powered by the Exynos 2400e chipset (a slightly toned-down version of the Exynos 2400 seen in other Galaxy models) paired with 8GB of RAM. While international models of the Galaxy S24 use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon, Samsung opted for its homegrown chip in the FE version. This Exynos chip performs well in day-to-day tasks and casual gaming but doesn’t match the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor used in premium S24 models
It’s not all about performance, though. This Exynos processor is optimized for energy efficiency, which, when paired with the 4,700mAh battery, gives the phone enough juice for a full day of moderate usage. Samsung claims up to 28 hours of video playback on a single charge, a significant upgrade compared to its predecessor
Camera Setup: Solid but Not Spectacular
The S24 FE boasts a triple-camera array with a 50MP primary sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. While this camera setup is competent for everyday photography, the lower resolution telephoto and selfie cameras (10MP) fall short when compared to competitors. The images are typically Samsung—vibrant colors, strong contrast—but fall behind in low-light and high-zoom scenarios. Its AI-powered photography features, such as “ProVision Engine” and “Generative Edit,” do help enhance images by improving details and reducing noise(
Nightography, a feature Samsung fans are familiar with, is present but doesn’t deliver the same stellar results as the flagship models. Still, it’s good enough for casual photography, and the addition of AI-enhanced editing tools adds value for those who want to tweak their shots before posting on social media
Software and Features: Galaxy AI Shines
Samsung has loaded the Galaxy S24 FE with a slew of AI-driven features aimed at productivity and convenience. These include Circle to Search, a Google-based feature that allows users to search the web directly through images, Note Assist for streamlined text formatting, and Live Translate for real-time conversation translations. However, these features are locked to Samsung’s ecosystem, which could be a downside for users who prefer Google’s or other third-party services
The phone runs on One UI 6.0 on top of Android 14, offering a highly customizable and user-friendly interface. Plus, Samsung’s commitment to seven years of software updates ensures that the device will stay up-to-date for the foreseeable future, making it a reliable choice for the long haul
Battery Life & Charging: Built to Last
One of the best upgrades on the Galaxy S24 FE is its battery. With a 4,700mAh capacity, it surpasses even the base Galaxy S24 (which only has a 4,000mAh battery). The battery life on this phone is excellent, providing nearly two days of light usage, and even with more intensive tasks, it’ll comfortably last a full day.
Charging speeds are decent, with 25W fast charging capabilities, although it’s not the fastest in the market when compared to competitors like OnePlus or Xiaomi. Sadly, Samsung has continued its trend of excluding the charger from the box, so you’ll need to buy one separately if you don’t already own a compatible charger
Verdict: Is the Galaxy S24 FE Worth It?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE strikes a solid balance between affordability and performance. It offers a great display, reliable battery life, and a versatile camera for most casual users. However, it’s not without flaws. The absence of a more powerful chipset like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in global markets could be a dealbreaker for those looking for top-tier performance.
At $649, the price is tempting, but only $150 separates the FE from the regular S24, which offers better overall performance. This raises the question: Why opt for the FE when you could get the flagship version for just a bit more?
For users on a budget or those who aren’t looking for a flagship experience but still want a premium design and decent performance, the Galaxy S24 FE is a worthy contender. But if you’re someone who values top-tier performance or professional-level photography, you may want to consider paying a bit more for the standard Galaxy S24
FAQs
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE support wireless charging?
Yes, the S24 FE supports wireless charging but at slower speeds compared to wired options.
Is the Exynos 2400e chipset powerful enough for gaming?
The Exynos 2400e performs well in casual gaming but may struggle with resource-heavy games compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3(
Does the Galaxy S24 FE come with a charger in the box?
No, Samsung has excluded the charger from the box, following recent trends across its lineup.