Smartphone reviewGalaxy S24 FE: Is Samsung’s budget-friendly option worth it?
Smartphone review
Galaxy S24 FE: Is Samsung’s budget-friendly option worth it?
With flagship-level design and AI features, this model cuts costs by scaling back on hardware. Here’s how it measures up.
Top line
The Galaxy S24 FE offers a near-flagship experience in terms of design, size, and functionality. While the differences between it and Samsung’s top models are evident—such as reduced memory, a slightly weaker processor, and less advanced glass protection—the FE is still a solid choice for those looking to save.
With a starting price of approximately $600, it’s about $300 cheaper than the equivalent S24 Plus models. However, while the FE is attractive compared to Samsung’s flagship devices, it’s not exactly budget-friendly. Competitors offer strong alternatives under $500 or slightly above, making the FE an option worth considering—but not a clear winner.
Structure and design: A familiar look
The FE stays true to the Galaxy series design. Specifically, it resembles the S24 Plus model: slightly larger by a few millimeters, around 20 grams heavier, yet still comfortable to hold. The flat 6.7-inch screen is the same size as the S24 Plus and larger than last year’s FE model. The back is coated in glass that feels slightly textured, with the usual three prominent lenses.
The difference? The flagship models feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the FE uses Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. In terms of protection, the FE meets the IP68 standard, offering strong resistance against dust and water, including immersion in fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.
What is different? In the flagship series the glass is Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while in FE it is Victus Plus "only". In terms of protection, the device meets the IP68 standard which should provide good protection against dust and water, including resistance to immersion in fresh water for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.
Hardware: A noticeable downgrade
The hardware differences are subtle but present. The FE features Samsung’s Exynos 2400e processor, compared to the Exynos 2400 in the flagship series. It comes with 8GB of RAM versus 12GB in the top-tier models, and storage options include 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, whereas the flagship models omit the 128GB option.
In everyday use, the FE is capable but not the fastest. It handles general tasks with ease, but during graphically demanding games, occasional lag and mild overheating are noticeable. While the warmth isn’t unbearable, it’s worth noting.
Like other modern smartphones, the FE lacks a memory card slot, headphone jack, and bundled charger or headphone adapter. However, it supports eSIM and can accommodate two physical SIM cards.
The screen’s pixel density is slightly lower than that of the S24 Plus, and its maximum brightness is reduced. Despite this, the display remains excellent, even in bright sunlight.
The battery has been upgraded to 4,700mAh, enough to last a full workday and beyond. Using a 65-watt charger, the battery charges from 15% to 50% in about 30 minutes and fully charges in around 90 minutes.
Software and interface: Familiar but functional
The FE runs Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI interface, consistent with other Galaxy models. There are no major innovations here, but Android users will quickly adapt.
The FE supports Samsung’s AI features, including photo editing tools like object removal, detail addition, and text summarization in the browser and Samsung Notes.
Pre-installed apps include Google, Samsung, and Microsoft packages, as well as Netflix and Spotify. This is standard on many devices, though no extra apps or games are pushed for installation.
Some competitors now integrate Google’s Gemini AI assistant, but the FE sticks with Google Assistant by default. Gemini can, however, be installed separately.
Camera: Better in good lighting
The rear cameras include a 50MP wide-angle sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor. The front features a 10MP selfie camera.
In good lighting, photos are impressive. At night, while the overall image quality holds up, finer details can be less sharp. The digital zoom allows up to 30x magnification, and with steady hands and good lighting, decent results are achievable even at this level.
