One step away from greatness

I haven’t encountered a extra complicated or conflicting gadget this yr than the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. On the one hand, I really like virtually the whole lot about it. It incorporates a improbable show, wonderful efficiency, and phenomenal software program assist. Nevertheless, its value doesn’t make sense, particularly in opposition to robust midrange competitors. Samsung argues that Galaxy AI covers the worth hole, because the Galaxy S24 FE features a full slate of AI magic. However I battle to see Galaxy AI’s further value when a number of telephones provide related capabilities for much less cash.

Samsung’s lineup additionally offers enticing options, leaving the Galaxy S24 FE in limbo. It’s a cellphone value shopping for for a lot of causes, however you have to be a savvy purchaser to make sure it is the most effective gadget for you.

Worth, availability, and specs

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is out there by Samsung and Greatest Purchase beginning at $650. The bottom variant has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, though Samsung gives a 256GB model for $710. The Galaxy S24 FE is out there in 4 colours: Graphite, Grey, Blue, and Mint.

You need to take note of offers and reductions on the Galaxy S24 FE. Make the most of provider offers, Samsung trade-in gives, or Greatest Purchase present playing cards to get the associated fee beneath $500 — associates don’t let associates purchase the Galaxy S24 FE at full value.

Design

Precisely what you’d count on

For those who’ve seen one Galaxy cellphone within the final three years, you’ve seen all of them. Samsung has accomplished an intensive job of bringing its most well-liked design language right down to all value factors. The corporate’s uniform design advantages midrange and price range telephones greater than flagship gadgets, nevertheless it’s unoffensive. It’s not a design you would possibly hate, however there’s nothing about it to fall in love with.

Although the Galaxy S24 FE seems just like final yr’s Galaxy S23 FE, there are some adjustments. Samsung has elevated the dimensions of the Galaxy S24 FE, becoming it with a 6.7-inch show in comparison with the 6.4-inch show featured on the Galaxy S23 FE. Samsung additionally flattened the aluminum edges to enrich the cellphone’s flat show. Even with the flat edges, it doesn’t have a pointy really feel within the hand, because of Samsung barely molding the aluminum into the again glass.

The Galaxy S24 FE maintains an IP68 score for mud and water resistance and is protected back and front by Gorilla Glass Victus+. Sadly, it lacks a MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.

Show

Greatest Samsung show this yr

Samsung shows drifted away from their typical vibrant colours this yr. The Galaxy S24 Extremely’s show leaned towards pure hues, and whereas Samsung relented to complaints and gave us a vividness slider, shade saturation by no means returned to what we had been used to from earlier generations. I perceive some folks desire pure tones, whether or not they want a color-accurate show for work or one simpler on their eyes. Nevertheless, we must always have the ability to select how we would like our show to look.

The Galaxy S24 FE’s 6.7-inch 1080p show is the most effective of each worlds. Setting the show to pure turns the saturation down for individuals who want it, however vivid mode retains issues punchy for these wanting a bit extra pop. It additionally has a 120Hz refresh fee, so scrolling and breezing by the UI is clean.

Initially, I used to be involved that Samsung went with a bigger show, as I’d grown keen on smaller telephones. Nevertheless, it’s not overpowering, and I appreciated the additional display screen actual property over final yr’s mannequin for films and video games. Because of this, multitasking can also be higher on the Galaxy S24 FE. And sure, the show has a slight chin for all of the bezel police on the market.

Software program

Seven years of assist extends to a different Galaxy cellphone

Samsung went to nice lengths to persuade us that Galaxy AI is value paying additional. I’ll admit that Samsung’s AI options work effectively on the Galaxy S24 FE. Circle to Search is clean and works as supposed. Transcript Help in Samsung Notes permits me to summarize notes into one thing extra digestible, along with dealing with translations and transcribing audio recordings.

Photograph Help is the place you’ll really feel the advantages of Galaxy AI extra tangibly. The Galaxy S24 FE takes noticeably higher photographs than its predecessor. The Galaxy S23 FE produced smooth photographs missing intimately, even with good lighting. That’s not an issue this yr, and I credit score Samsung’s improved computational images with AI enhancements. Sketch to Picture is an summary model of Pixel Studio, including shade and context to easy photographs. Generative Edit works together with your photographs like Magic Editor on Google Pixel telephones, permitting you to maneuver and erase gadgets from photographs.

One UI continues to be what we’ve come to count on. I get pleasure from it probably the most out of any Android pores and skin, and whereas that’s subjective, I feel it’s secure to say Samsung’s software program has been probably the most dependable over the previous few years. The corporate guarantees seven generations of Android upgrades with seven years of safety patches to match. It’s spectacular, and I’m glad to see Samsung comply with Google’s lead by bringing prolonged assist right down to midrange telephones. And let’s not neglect the inclusion of Samsung DeX — a fan favourite often not seen on non-Samsung flagships.

Efficiency and battery life

Exynos 2400e reveals up

I had many questions on the Exynos 2400e chipset. I puzzled what sort of efficiency we’d see from it and the way power-efficient it will be. I already knew Exynos chipsets had been enhancing, having used the Galaxy A55 powered by an Exynos 1480, however I used to be curious how the 2400e would maintain up in opposition to a lot increased expectations. Total, I’m impressed. Efficiency is snappy and responsive, and whereas the 2400e benchmarks barely behind a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, you gained’t discover a distinction in real-world use.

I used to be additionally happy by the gaming efficiency. Genshin Influence defaulted to medium settings, and I seen a few slowdowns throughout intense battles, however total, the expertise was clean. Pokémon Go had no points, and I may fireplace off curveballs in speedy succession after raids. Lackluster gaming efficiency has been one criticism of earlier Exynos chipsets, however that wasn’t my expertise with the 2400e within the Galaxy S24 FE.

Greater than gaming efficiency, I needed to see how the Galaxy S24 FE dealt with overheating. Samsung fitted it with a vapor chamber for higher thermals, and it really works. I can often smoke a salmon on the again of most telephones after finishing the complete Genshin Influence obtain, however the Galaxy S24 FE remained cool. Higher thermals not solely result in higher efficiency but in addition improved battery life.

In testing, the Galaxy S24 FE had noticeably higher battery life than its predecessor. Samsung elevated the battery measurement to 4,700mAh (up from 4,500), however the efficiency improve was a further 90 minutes of screen-on time per day, bringing it as much as round 7 hours constantly. Sadly, the Galaxy S24 FE nonetheless suffers from Samsung’s anemic charging speeds, topping out at 25W wired and 15W wi-fi — you may’t win all of them.

Digital camera

A unfavorable from final yr turns into a constructive

I discussed earlier how Samsung was utilizing AI to enhance photographs, and I’ve seen a distinction in photographs from my Galaxy S24 FE. Shade copy is significantly better on this yr’s gadget, and Samsung has solved the picture softness that plagued the Galaxy S23 FE. I’m additionally glad to report that Samsung’s infamous shutter lag is minimal, making the gadget an appropriate choice for folks with children and pets.

The Galaxy S24 FE sports activities a triple digital camera setup: a 50MP major sensor, an 8MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor. Photographs in good lighting are improbable, with heat colours and deep distinction. I used to be extra impressed with the Galaxy S24 FE’s efficiency in low lighting situations, an space the place the S23 FE fell aside. Nighttime photographs aren’t excellent, however the S24 FE does a considerably higher job with noise, leading to a much less grainy picture. A front-facing 10MP lens does an ample job with selfies, however I wasn’t overly impressed.

Competitors

What else is on the market?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE faces extra challenges within the broader midrange market. The OnePlus 12R is improbable, that includes a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a beautiful show—all for $150 lower than the S24 FE. Nevertheless, it doesn’t characteristic the identical match and end as Samsung’s providing, and there are quite a few query marks surrounding OnePlus’ software program. For those who’re comfy with Oxygen OS and wish barely extra uncooked horsepower for much less cash, the OnePlus 12R is value a glance.

For those who’re comfy with a smaller gadget, the Galaxy S24 is a sexy various. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is objectively extra highly effective than the Galaxy S24 FE, and the S24 has a greater digital camera system. The S24 FE with 256GB of storage will price you $710, solely $30 to 40 lower than a comparably spec’d Galaxy S24. Service offers and Samsung gross sales muddy the waters even additional, with a Galaxy S24+ typically promoting inside $100 of the S24 FE.

It’s additionally value trying on the Google Pixel 8a. It lacks energy in comparison with the Galaxy S24 FE, nevertheless it has most of the similar AI options by Gemini and sports activities a considerably higher digital camera system — all with the identical seven years of software program assist. As well as, the Pixel 8a can sometimes be discovered for round $450, a deep low cost in comparison with the S24 FE.

Must you purchase it?

It’s laborious to seek out fault with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. It delivers a beautiful expertise in a premium bundle with seven years of software program assist. I do know folks need to evaluate it to the Google Pixel 9, citing the way it gives a lot for $150 much less, and I get it. The issue is that it goes each methods, and I feel the argument for stepping up in value is far stronger based mostly on all the extra options and efficiency you obtain. Even nonetheless, the Galaxy S24 FE is a superb smartphone; simply purchase it on sale.