Samsung’s Galaxy S Fan Edition (FE) line has become synonymous with delivering flagship features at a more accessible price point. The Galaxy S24 FE continues this tradition, offering a well-rounded package that blends high-end specs with a few compromises to keep the price in check. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of the Galaxy S24 FE to determine whether it’s the best value-for-money smartphone in Samsung’s 2024 lineup.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S24 FE retains the design language of its predecessors, with a few subtle refinements. The device is slightly more compact than the S23 FE, making it easier to handle, especially for users with smaller hands. The front is dominated by a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with minimal bezels and a centered punch-hole for the selfie camera.
The back of the device is made of plastic, a cost-cutting measure that has become common in the FE series. However, the plastic is high-quality, with a matte finish that feels premium and resists fingerprints. The frame, on the other hand, is made of aluminum, adding to the overall durability of the device. The S24 FE is available in a range of colors, including Phantom Black, Olive Green, Lavender, and a new Sky Blue variant that is particularly eye-catching.
The device is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, a feature that is often absent in mid-range smartphones. This means you can confidently use the S24 FE in various environments without worrying about accidental spills or dust ingress. The phone also retains the physical buttons for volume and power, which are tactile and responsive.
Display
Samsung is known for its excellent displays, and the Galaxy S24 FE is no exception. The 6.4-inch Super AMOLED panel boasts a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a sharp 411 PPI (pixels per inch). The colors are vibrant, with deep blacks and excellent contrast, thanks to the inherent advantages of OLED technology. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing the web, the display offers an immersive experience.
One of the standout features of the S24 FE’s display is the 120Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate makes scrolling through apps and menus feel incredibly smooth and responsive. It’s a feature that was once reserved for flagship devices but is now becoming more common in mid-range smartphones. Samsung also includes adaptive refresh rate technology, which automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed, helping to conserve battery life.
The display is also HDR10+ certified, allowing you to enjoy high dynamic range content on streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The peak brightness of 1,200 nits ensures that the display remains easily readable even in bright outdoor conditions. Overall, the Galaxy S24 FE offers one of the best displays in its price segment.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 FE is powered by the Exynos 2400 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, depending on the region). This chipset is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Exynos 2400 is a 4nm processor that delivers a balance of performance and efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks.
In everyday use, the Galaxy S24 FE performs admirably. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and the device handles intensive tasks like gaming with ease. The Mali-G710 MP10 GPU ensures that games run at high settings without significant frame drops. Titles like “Genshin Impact” and “Call of Duty Mobile” run smoothly, providing a console-like experience on a smartphone.
Samsung’s One UI 6.0, based on Android 14, is well-optimized for the hardware. The software experience is fluid, with minimal bloatware and a range of customization options. Samsung has also committed to providing four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates, ensuring that the Galaxy S24 FE remains up-to-date for the foreseeable future.
The S24 FE also features an under-display fingerprint scanner, which is fast and accurate. Face recognition is also available, though it’s less secure than the fingerprint scanner. The device supports 5G connectivity, ensuring that you’re future-proofed as networks continue to expand. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
Camera Performance
One of the key selling points of the Galaxy S24 FE is its versatile camera setup. The device features a triple-camera array on the back, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera.
The 50MP primary camera is capable of capturing stunning photos in various lighting conditions. During the day, images are sharp, with accurate colors and plenty of detail. The dynamic range is excellent, thanks to Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which ensure that highlights and shadows are well-balanced. Night mode is also impressive, with the camera able to capture bright and clear images even in low-light conditions. The OIS helps to reduce blur in handheld shots, particularly in low light.
The 12MP ultra-wide camera offers a 123-degree field of view, making it perfect for landscape photography and group shots. The color reproduction is consistent with the primary camera, and the distortion correction works well to minimize the “fisheye” effect often seen in ultra-wide photos.
The 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom adds versatility to the camera setup. It allows you to get closer to your subject without losing detail. The images captured with the telephoto lens are sharp, with good color accuracy. The zoom range can be extended to 30x using digital zoom, but the quality drops significantly beyond 10x.
The 32MP front-facing camera is ideal for selfies and video calls. It captures detailed photos with natural skin tones, and the portrait mode does a good job of separating the subject from the background. The front camera also supports 4K video recording, a feature that is often missing in smartphones at this price point.
Speaking of video, the Galaxy S24 FE can record 4K video at 30fps or 60fps with the rear cameras. The video quality is excellent, with good stabilization and accurate colors. There’s also a Super Steady mode that further reduces shake when recording videos while moving. The device also supports slow-motion video recording at 960fps in HD resolution.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life has always been a strong suit of the Galaxy S FE series, and the S24 FE is no exception. The device is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the 4,700mAh unit in the S23 FE but still offers impressive endurance. With moderate use, including browsing, social media, video streaming, and some gaming, the S24 FE can easily last a full day on a single charge.
The device supports 25W fast charging, which is on par with other mid-range smartphones but falls short of the 45W charging found in Samsung’s flagship models. With the included charger, you can expect to charge the device from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes, with a full charge taking just over an hour. The S24 FE also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other Qi-compatible devices on the go.
One area where the S24 FE could improve is in power efficiency. The Exynos 2400 chipset, while powerful, isn’t as power-efficient as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. As a result, heavy users might find themselves needing to top up the battery towards the end of the day. However, Samsung’s power-saving modes can help extend battery life when needed.
Software and Features
The Galaxy S24 FE runs on Samsung’s One UI 6.0, which is based on Android 14. One UI has come a long way since its inception, and the latest version is one of the best Android skins available. It’s clean, intuitive, and packed with features that enhance the user experience.
One of the standout features of One UI 6.0 is its customization options. You can change the look and feel of the interface to suit your preferences, from themes and wallpapers to icon packs and fonts. Samsung also includes a variety of widgets that can be placed on the home screen for quick access to information.
The Edge Panel is another useful feature, providing a quick way to access your favorite apps, contacts, and tools with a swipe from the edge of the screen. Samsung DeX is also supported, allowing you to connect the S24 FE to a monitor or TV for a desktop-like experience. This is particularly useful for productivity tasks, as you can use your phone as a PC replacement in a pinch.
The software also includes a range of features designed to improve security and privacy. Samsung Knox provides hardware-based security, protecting your data from malware and other threats. There’s also a Secure Folder, which allows you to store sensitive files and apps in a secure, encrypted space.
Samsung’s software support is another major selling point. The company has committed to providing four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates for the Galaxy S24 FE. This ensures that the device will remain secure and up-to-date with the latest features for years to come.
Audio and Multimedia
The Galaxy S24 FE delivers a solid audio experience, thanks to its stereo speakers. The earpiece doubles as a second speaker, creating a stereo effect that’s great for watching videos and playing games. The speakers are loud and clear, with good separation and minimal distortion at higher volumes. While the bass isn’t as deep as what you’d find in more premium devices, the overall sound quality is impressive for a mid-range smartphone.
For those who prefer to use headphones, the S24 FE supports both wired and wireless audio. There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but you can use the USB-C port for wired audio or connect Bluetooth headphones for a wireless experience. Samsung’s software includes a range of audio enhancements, including Dolby Atmos, which provides a more immersive sound experience when using headphones.
The device also supports high-resolution audio playback, making it a great choice for audiophiles. The integrated DAC (digital-to-analog converter) ensures that music sounds clear and detailed, whether you’re streaming from your favorite service or listening to locally stored files.
Competition
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE faces stiff competition in the mid-range segment. Key competitors include the Google Pixel 8a, the OnePlus Nord 4, and the Xiaomi 13 Lite. Each of these devices has its strengths and weaknesses, making it important to consider what you’re looking for in a smartphone.
The Google Pixel 8a offers a pure Android experience with timely updates and a fantastic camera, but it lacks the premium build quality and display of the S24 FE. The OnePlus Nord 4 is known for its fast performance and clean software, but its camera system isn’t as versatile as the S24 FE’s. The Xiaomi 13 Lite, on the other hand, offers excellent value for money with a premium design and fast charging, but it doesn’t have the same level of software support or water resistance.
In this crowded market, the Galaxy S24 FE stands out for its balanced approach. It offers a flagship-like experience in a more affordable package, with few compromises. Samsung’s reputation for quality, combined with its strong software support, makes the S24 FE a compelling option for anyone looking for a mid-range smartphone.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is a well-rounded smartphone that delivers a flagship experience at a more accessible price point. It excels in key areas like display quality, camera performance, and software support, making it a great choice for users who want a premium device without breaking the bank.
While there are a few areas where the S24 FE could improve, such as battery efficiency and faster charging, these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise excellent package. If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone that doesn’t compromise on features, the Galaxy S24 FE is a strong contender.
Whether you’re a casual user, a mobile gamer, or someone who values a great camera, the Galaxy S24 FE offers something for everyone. It’s a device that proves you don’t need to spend top dollar to get a top-tier smartphone experience.