Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Review: A Balance of Power and Affordability

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (Fan Edition) is the latest in Samsung’s “FE” lineup, which aims to offer flagship-like performance and features at a more budget-friendly price. With a blend of high-end specifications, thoughtful design choices, and a few cost-cutting measures, the Galaxy S24 FE is set to appeal to users who want the premium experience without breaking the bank. But does it truly deliver value for its price? Let’s dive into the details.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Galaxy S24 FE doesn’t stray far from the design language of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S24 series. It features a sleek, minimalist design with a flat display and slim bezels. The back is made of “Glasstic” (a combination of glass and plastic), which helps keep the cost down while maintaining a premium feel. However, this may not appeal to those who prefer the more luxurious feel of full glass or metal.

Samsung offers a variety of color options, including some vibrant hues like mint and lavender, giving users a bit of personality in their choice. The overall build is solid, and the phone is IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, which is a welcome feature at this price point.

One downside is that the phone feels a bit heavier than expected, tipping the scales at 210g. This can make it less comfortable for prolonged use compared to lighter devices, but the heft also contributes to a sense of sturdiness.

Display

The 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the Galaxy S24 FE is one of its standout features. With a Full HD+ resolution (2400x1080) and a 120Hz refresh rate, the display is bright, colorful, and smooth. Samsung’s displays are consistently top-tier, and the S24 FE is no exception. The colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the brightness levels make it easy to use even in direct sunlight.

The 120Hz refresh rate ensures that scrolling and animations are fluid, providing an experience that feels closer to a premium flagship. It’s also adaptive, meaning the phone can lower the refresh rate when not needed to conserve battery life.

However, unlike the flagship models, there’s no support for QHD resolution, and the phone doesn’t have the curved edges that some users prefer for aesthetic reasons. But for the target audience, these are likely minor trade-offs for an otherwise stellar display.

Performance

The Galaxy S24 FE is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset (in some regions, it comes with Samsung's Exynos equivalent). Paired with 8GB of RAM, the phone handles day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and multitasking with ease. It also excels at more demanding tasks, such as gaming or heavy app usage, without noticeable lag or stuttering.

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is not the latest flagship processor (the Gen 2 is already available), it’s still more than capable of handling most tasks efficiently. For most users, the performance is indistinguishable from Samsung’s pricier models.

There’s also 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, depending on the variant you choose. Unfortunately, there’s no microSD card slot, so you can’t expand storage, which could be a drawback for those who store large amounts of media or apps.

Camera System

Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S24 FE with a triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. On paper, this is an impressive array for a phone in this price range, and it delivers well in most scenarios.

The main 50MP sensor captures detailed and vibrant images, especially in good lighting conditions. Samsung’s AI-enhanced image processing helps boost the dynamic range and sharpness, making photos look polished straight out of the camera.

Low-light performance is respectable, but it’s not quite on par with Samsung’s flagship models. There’s noticeable noise in very dark environments, though the dedicated Night Mode helps mitigate this to some extent.

The ultra-wide camera offers a fun perspective for landscape shots or group photos, though there’s some distortion at the edges. The telephoto lens, while not groundbreaking, does a decent job with zoomed-in shots, but it doesn’t match the level of detail you’d find on Samsung’s higher-end models.

The 32MP front camera is ideal for selfies, offering clear, vibrant images, especially in good lighting. Video recording is solid, with 4K support at 60fps, though optical image stabilization (OIS) is only available on the main camera.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a 4,500mAh battery, which is adequate for a full day of moderate use. With the adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, efficient processor, and optimized software, the battery life is solid, though not groundbreaking. Users who spend a lot of time on high-performance tasks, such as gaming or 4K video recording, may find the need to charge by the evening.

Charging is relatively fast, with 25W wired charging support, though you’ll need to buy the charger separately, as Samsung has opted not to include one in the box. The phone also supports 15W wireless charging, a feature not always found in this price range.

Software and Features

The Galaxy S24 FE runs on Samsung’s One UI 6.0, built on top of Android 14. Samsung’s interface is feature-rich, offering extensive customization options, productivity tools, and Samsung’s own ecosystem of apps and services. It’s generally smooth and intuitive, though some may find it a bit cluttered compared to stock Android.

One big plus is Samsung’s commitment to software updates. The Galaxy S24 FE is promised to receive four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates, making it a solid long-term investment for users who don’t upgrade frequently.

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market. It offers a near-flagship experience with its excellent display, capable performance, and solid camera system, all while keeping the price lower than Samsung’s top-tier models. While there are some compromises, like the lack of microSD support and the absence of premium materials, these are minor for most users.

If you’re looking for a phone that balances power, features, and affordability, the Galaxy S24 FE is an excellent choice. It brings many of the best elements of Samsung’s flagship lineup into a more accessible package, making it a great option for anyone who wants high-end performance without the high-end price tag.