It comes all the way down to dimension, digicam, and efficiency

• 

  Made for the followers

  
  Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
  

  The Galaxy S24 FE – Fan Version – brings flagship options at a extra reasonably priced value. It has a big and vibrant show, an aluminium body, and an honest digicam able to capturing your reminiscences. Whereas the charging remains to be on the sluggish aspect, it stays a viable different for these not seeking to spend over $800 for a flagship specced smartphone.

  Execs

  • Vibrant and colourful show
  • Nice efficiency
  • Improved cameras

• 

  Inexpensive flagship

  
  Google Pixel 8a
  

  The Pixel 8a is the most recent midrange cellphone from Google, providing flagship options at a extra affordable price ticket. It combines the design and options from the premium lineup in a classy plastic bundle, providing the most effective at school digicam efficiency beneath $500. It has a gorgeous display, lengthy software program help, and even some AI options that make it stand its floor for the years to return.

  Execs

  • It seems to be and feels nice
  • Lengthy software program help
  • Implausible digicam for the worth

  Cons

  • Massive and uneven bezels
  • Battery may very well be higher

You may suppose that evaluating the Galaxy S24 FE, a cellphone that’s value $650 and the Pixel 8a that retails for beneath $500 could be an unfair comparability, however there are much more similarities than you’ll think about. Whereas the scale is certainly a serious differentiator, the general options and energy inside these telephones is comparable.

We put two of the preferred funds telephones aspect by aspect to let you know which it is best to think about as your subsequent smartphone. We’ll take a deep dive into the specs, show, battery, and digicam efficiency to find out whether or not it is best to spend an additional $150 on the Galaxy, or whether or not you’re higher off saving that cash and grabbing the Pixel.

Worth, specs, and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is on the market at most outlets and carriers, in addition to straight by means of Samsung. The bottom mannequin comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and it retails for $650. The brand new Fan Version is available in 4 colours: Graphite, Grey, Blue, and Mint.

The Google Pixel 8a can be obtainable at most carriers and retailers, in addition to the Google Retailer. The system retails for $499, and the bottom mannequin comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s additionally a 256GB mannequin that prices $60 extra, although that’s solely obtainable in Obsidian shade. The bottom mannequin is available in 4 colours, together with Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain.

• 	Samsung Galaxy S24 FE	Google Pixel 8a
  SoC	Samsung Exynos 2400e	Google Tensor G3
  Show sort	AMOLED, 120Hz	OLED, 120Hz
  Show dimensions	6.7″	6.1″, 20:9
  Show decision	1080 x 2340	1080 x 2400
  RAM	8GB	8GB
  Storage	128GB or 256GB	128GB, 256GB
  Battery	4,700mAh	4492mAh
  Cost pace	25W	18W wired, 7.5W wi-fi
  Cost choices	USB-C wired, Qi wi-fi	USB-C wired, Qi wi-fi
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C
  SIM help	Twin SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM)	Nano SIM, eSIM
  Working System	Android 14 and One UI 6.1	Android 14
  Entrance digicam	10MP, f/2.4	13MP, f/2.2
  Rear digicam	50MP, f/1.8, OIS primary; 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide; 8MP, f/2.4 3x telephoto	64MP f/1.89 OIS primary, 13MP f/2.2 extensive
  Mobile connectivity	4G LTE, 5G (sub-6 and mmWave)	Sub-6 5G (non-obligatory mmWave)
  Wi-Fi connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E
  Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
  Dimensions	77.3 x 162.0 x 8.0mm	152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm
  Weight	213g	188g
  IP Ranking	IP68	IP67
  Colours	Blue, Graphite, Grey, Mint, Yellow	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe

Design

Common seems to be, refined feels

Each the Galaxy and Pixel are harking back to their flagship counterparts. The Galaxy S24 FE, because the title suggests, seems to be very acquainted, just like the Galaxy S24 collection, whereas the Pixel 8a seems to be quite a bit just like the Pixel 8 collection from 2023. The Galaxy options extra premium supplies, together with a Gorilla Glass Victus+ entrance and rear glass with an aluminum body. The Pixel 8a solely has a Gorilla Glass 3 entrance, an aluminum body, and a plastic again.

Regardless of the plastic design on the Pixel 8a, it feels extraordinarily nice and cozy, and never low cost in any respect. Our reviewer, Will Sattelberg, was very impressed with the matte end, and he appreciated that it felt premium and daring, due to the brand new shade choices that made it look extra trendy and flashier. It’s additionally value mentioning that you just’ll possible put a case on it, however for many who choose telephones bare, it’ll be a bit extra sturdy, so there’s an upside.

In terms of the size, there are main variations between the 2 telephones. The Galaxy S24 FE measures 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm whereas the Pixel 8a is 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm. The Pixel is smaller, narrower, and thicker, however that’s not essentially a nasty factor. It’s among the best choices these days for these searching for a compact, one-handed smartphone with a good show dimension.

Given the extra premium and heavier supplies on the Galaxy, you received’t be stunned to see that the FE weighs 213 grams, which suggests its 25 grams heavier than the Pixel 8a at 188 grams. The distinction isn’t too massive, however nonetheless, it’ll be noticeable for just a few hours till you get used to the load distinction.

For those who’re not a fan of huge digicam bumps, then the Pixel 8a will possible not win this spherical, but it surely’s value noting that the Galaxy’s digicam setup additionally indents a little bit. On the upside, the Pixel doesn’t wobble on a flat floor, whereas the Galaxy S24 FE will, due to the highest left middle placement of the sensors.

And at last, the ingress portion. The Galaxy incorporates a barely extra sturdy IP68 certification, which means it could actually survive submersion as much as 1.5m for half-hour; the Pixel has an IP67 certification and may survive submersion for as much as 1m for half-hour, and each telephones are dust-resistant. That stated, we discourage you from placing these in water, however know they’ll shield your personal data if you happen to’re caught within the rain or spill water in your desk.

Show

Extra vibrant and sooner responses

Because of its bigger dimensions, the Galaxy S24 FE packs a a lot bigger show, making it a much better system for consuming content material and multitasking. It’s geared up with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh price, HDR10+, and 1900 nits of peak brightness. It’s glorious for watching motion pictures, movies, and taking part in video games, and easy sufficient to scroll by means of your favourite social media platforms and the online.

The Pixel 8a packs a extra conservative show that measures 6.1-inch. It’s an OLED panel with HDR and a 120Hz refresh price, which is nice to see on a cellphone costing lower than $500. It has 2000 nits of peak brightness, making it glorious for consuming motion pictures and your favourite TV exhibits, and it’s additionally splendid for multitasking and searching away, particularly if you’d like a extra manageable dimension.

Each telephones have an under-display optical fingerprint sensor that gives nice help for apps and a handy method of unlocking the system. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that the Pixel 8a has a lot bigger and uneven bezels surrounding the display, making it look a little bit dated in comparison with different higher-end flagships. It’s not the tip of the world, because it’s nonetheless an incredible panel, but it surely’s one thing which you could unsee when you discover it.

Software program and efficiency

Strong software program and OS help for the years to return

Google and Samsung have stepped up their software program and OS sport in recent times, and each corporations supply a powerful seven years of OS and safety updates, making them extra futureproof than ever. Whereas among the newest and flashiest options won’t arrive because of {hardware} limitations, you’ll be able to nonetheless anticipate many new software program additions to reach.

By way of person interface, each units supply a structure and design that’s simple to get used to, and one thing that most individuals are already acquainted with. You may obtain something with each if you’d like extra customization and personalization. Nevertheless, Samsung will nonetheless supply way more choices beneath the hood. It’s extra customizable, and GoodLock provides much more choices, which makes it an incredible possibility for extra tech-savvy customers.

The Pixel 8a can be customizable, however the Pixel person interface is extra restricted. In fact, you’ll be able to nonetheless obtain and use third-party apps, like customized launchers, however the system will likely be extra restricted to those apps than Samsung’s. The Pixel is the best way to go if you happen to choose the extra simplistic UI. Nevertheless, if you happen to choose Samsung’s take, otherwise you need extra choices, Samsung provides a extra versatile and private expertise.

Lastly, relating to AI, each telephones profit from the brand new Galaxy AI and Gemini developments. Some options will possible stay unique to their flagship counterparts, however these telephones will nonetheless get among the options as they’ve sufficient energy to run them. On the plus aspect, Samsung’s telephones will obtain most Gemini AI options, making it an incredible different for many who care about AI options.

Talking of energy. If you wish to play video games and do extra graphics-intensive duties, the Samsung will blow the Pixel out of the water. It’s powered by the Samsung Exynos 2400e chipset, which is solely extra highly effective and succesful than Google’s personal Tensor G3 chip.

It’s to not say that Google’s chip is unhealthy, but it surely’s actually not as snappy or succesful for graphics-intensive video games because the Exynos chip that powers the Galaxy S24 FE. Nevertheless, if you happen to simply need a cellphone that’s nice for on a regular basis duties with none impression on general efficiency, then each telephones present an equally spectacular expertise with none main points.

Battery life

Respectable battery life and sluggish charging

Neither Samsung nor Google are well-known for his or her quick charging capabilities. In actual fact, they’re often called the producers which might be caught previously with growing older and sluggish charging options. Concerning the capability, each supply affordable battery cells, with the Galaxy S24 FE that includes a 4,700 mAh battery, and the Pixel 8a sporting a 4,492 mAh cell inside.

Charging the Galaxy S24 FE isn’t too unhealthy, but it surely’s nonetheless sluggish with its 25W wired possibility. It could possibly go from 0% to 50% in half-hour, and a full cost takes a little bit over an hour. It helps 15W wi-fi charging, and reverse wi-fi charging.

The Pixel 8a helps 18W wired charging, and seven.5W wi-fi charging, a normal that’s very sluggish these days. By way of charging pace, the Galaxy S24 FE is the clear winner, but it surely’s value noting that the additional $150 is a bit steep for these upgrades. Neither of those telephones are significantly nice, however credit score the place it’s due; the Galaxy provides higher specs and charging efficiency, to not point out longer lasting due to the bigger cell.

Digicam

The Pixel 8a remains to be the digicam champ

Throughout our evaluate, we discovered that each the Galaxy S24 FE and Pixel 8a supply nice general photographs in most environments and lighting situations. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a triple digicam setup, consisting of a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto. The colour manufacturing is way improved on the Galaxy, and the brand new AI improves the standard of photographs in comparison with its predecessor by a mile.

We haven’t seen any noticeable shutter lag or something out of the atypical, and the triple digicam on the Galaxy gives spectacular outcomes, even in low mild. Nighttime photographs aren’t excellent, however the S24 FE does an honest job with noise discount, leading to much less grainy photographs.

In distinction, the Pixel 8a is simply nearly as good as its predecessor. It has a twin digicam setup, that includes a 64MP main, and 13MP ultrawide, however there’s no telephoto, sadly. The colours are a contact much less saturated than its predecessor, too, however this could be a bonus for some because it provides a extra natural-looking picture.

Whereas the shortage of a telephoto could be a draw back for a lot of, we discovered that the usual 2x cropped pictures are glorious, due to the 64MP primary sensor. It’s usable for as much as 3.5x zoom, however any greater than that turns into unusable. For those who’re searching for an all-around nice bundle, each telephones will present nice worth for cash, however the Pixel remains to be a winner in most lighting situations due to its highly effective under-the-hood algorithm that enhances the photographs.

Which is best for you?

So, based mostly on the comparability, which of those units is greatest for you? Properly, if you happen to’re searching for a big, highly effective smartphone that’ll obtain loads of updates, provides an honest digicam expertise, and has an extended battery life, the Galaxy S24 FE is a wonderful choose. For the worth, you’re getting a superb smartphone that is nice worth, and a premium-feeling system that competes with some high-end flagships.

You may typically discover it cheaper than its $650 retail value, too, hovering round $600 and a bit much less throughout promotional intervals.

For those who’re searching for one thing extra compact with a superb show, nice construct high quality that’s sturdy and feels good, and a powerful digicam setup, then the Pixel 8a stays a implausible possibility. It’s typically obtainable effectively under $500, making it among the best funds smartphones cash should purchase.