Except for the Galaxy S22, we’ve seen Samsung launch a Fan Version of its flagship smartphone yearly since 2020. Again then, the FE was seen as a “flagship killer” of types, providing unbelievable worth in comparison with the “common” Galaxy gadgets. Final yr’s Galaxy S23 FE was no exception, however I’m undecided if the identical will be mentioned concerning the Galaxy S24 FE.
Understandably, Samsung minimize corners in numerous areas, whereas concurrently sprinkling in a few of the identical options and specs shared by the Galaxy S24 FE’s dearer counterpart. To be frank, after spending a while with Samsung’s newest cellphone, I got here away feeling a bit confused.
The Galaxy S24 FE appears to be like actually acquainted
Let’s get a few of the fundamentals out of the best way. Samsung slimmed down the bezels a bit, ensuing within the S24 FE sporting a 6.7-inch show. This matches up with the Galaxy S24 Plus whereas being 0.3 inches bigger than the S23 FE. Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED makes its return, providing a 120Hz refresh charge, and is HDR10+ compliant. Nevertheless, in a yr the place one of many focuses appears to be on making screens brighter, the S24 FE is not any totally different, because it’s able to reaching as much as 1900 nits of peak brightness.
Very similar to the Galaxy Tab S10 collection, it’s tough to essentially discover any variations between the S24 FE and the S23 FE. Making issues much more complicated, good luck attempting to inform the S24 FE other than even the S24 Plus from earlier this yr. There are some very minor variations in dimensions, to not point out the variances in coloration choices, however once more, from an look standpoint, it’s fairly darn comparable.
I deliver this up as a result of it’s a part of the explanation why I’m confused about Samsung’s course. Certain, these two telephones aren’t really the identical, even when they share many similarities. Which, by the best way, consists of the S24 FE “borrowing” the 50MP major digital camera from the Plus. Don’t get me improper, it’s a great factor to see, it simply continues to go away me scratching my head.
The most important distinction
As I’ve talked about, there are variations to be discovered, however you received’t see them at first look. The most important change is Samsung making the change away from Qualcomm, however as a substitute of choosing a MediaTek chip, Samsung’s personal Exynos 2400e is on the helm with the S24 FE. That is paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of storage, identical to the S23 FE, however providing much less RAM than the S24 Plus.
Though it’d come as a shock to these of us right here within the U.S., the truth is that this isn’t something new for Samsung telephones. In areas and markets outdoors of the States, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are powered by the Exynos 2400. On the finish of the day, the one factor between the Exynos 2400 and 2400e, is that Samsung lowered the clock speeds of the latter by 100MHz (3.21GHz vs. 3.11GHz.)
Galaxy AI for everybody
As anticipated, Samsung continued to drive house the concept Galaxy AI must be simply accessible and available for anybody and everybody. Whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6 had their time to shine, these options are actually making their option to extra reasonably priced smartphones.
You received’t discover hardly any options on the S24 FE that aren’t already out there on Samsung’s different 2024 flagship devices. This consists of the likes of Generative Edit, Portrait Studio, On the spot Sluggish-mo, Circle to Search, and different key Galaxy AI options.
Picture 1 of 3
What stays to be seen is how the S24 FE will maintain up over time, particularly as Galaxy AI expands. Maybe extra importantly, I’ve to marvel how lengthy it is going to be earlier than we see Samsung introduce new Galaxy AI options, however go away the S24 FE behind.
It’s an essential query to ask, because the Galaxy S24 FE is getting the identical remedy as its dearer counterparts. Samsung introduced that its newest cellphone will obtain seven years of software program and safety updates. It’s nice to listen to and to see on paper, however solely time will actually inform how a lot efficiency degradation there will probably be when Android 22 and One UI 13 roll out.
The Exynos 2400e feels snappy
Within the meantime, the Galaxy S24 FE felt simply as quick and snappy as you’d anticipate from a brand-new cellphone. That included messing round with a few of the Galaxy AI options, corresponding to Generative Edit, even when the top outcomes weren’t what I anticipated. Then once more, I form of chalk this as much as being a “sufferer of the setting” and don’t actually put the onus on the S24 FE.
Tremendous Sluggish-mo was one other cool function to see working in motion, managing to simply seize and playback from another person messing round with a Newton’s Cradle. The S24 FE by no means felt sizzling to the contact; it solely felt heat due to the variety of folks passing their telephones round to get totally different photographs or strive various things.
There are some issues that we’ll simply have to attend and take a look at out, corresponding to battery life, and placing the opposite Galaxy AI options by means of their paces. Seeing as I’m entrenched on this planet of retro game emulation on gadgets, I’m and excited to see whether or not I can use the S24 FE to get pleasure from a few of the extra trendy Zelda video games.
Trying on the broader image
Okay, so what’s it concerning the Galaxy S24 FE that leaves me feeling confused? All of it comes down to cost. At retail, the S24 FE is $649.99, which would appear like a steal in comparison with the $999 retail worth of the S24 Plus. When factoring in Samsung’s present trade-in choices, you will get the previous for $249 or the latter for $399. Once more, it is a nod within the FE’s favor, correctly.
However the 2024 holiday shopping season is true across the nook, which implies that you’re positive to discover a deal someplace for one among, if not each the S24 FE and the S24 Plus. On the one hand, the cheaper cellphone might be going to be the higher vendor of the 2.
Nevertheless, if each telephones are priced the identical, would you relatively have the cellphone that was launched alongside two different flagships, or the one which’s positioned as being extra budget-friendly? To not point out that the S24 Plus does provide extra RAM and storage in its base configuration, which is able to certainly be useful in the long term.
I do suppose that there’s a spot in Samsung’s portfolio for the Galaxy FE to exist. I simply suppose that this might be a way more compelling possibility if the worth was someplace round $500-$550. It could make much more sense contemplating that the Galaxy A33 5G begins at $399, and whereas it appears to be an excellent cellphone and worth, Samsung may be lacking out on a possibility.
Galaxy AI, for much less
It would seem like Samsung launched new colours for the Galaxy S24 Plus, however the Galaxy S24 FE affords a significantly better worth. It is filled with loads of Galaxy AI options, whereas sporting just a few variations that may shock you.
