Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Review: Affordable Premium Experience
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is the latest addition to the Fan Edition lineup, bringing high-end features at a more affordable price. This device aims to offer a premium experience without the hefty price tag of the flagship Galaxy S24 series. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the key aspects of the Galaxy S24 FE, including its design, display, performance, camera, and battery life.
Premium Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S24 FE sports a design that closely resembles the Galaxy S24 Plus, with a few minor differences. It’s slightly heavier but still exudes a premium feel thanks to its use of Gorilla Glass 5 on the back and a flat aluminum frame. The glossy back does attract fingerprints, but the overall aesthetic remains sleek and elegant.
Additionally, the device comes with an IP68 certification, making it resistant to dust and water. This level of durability is typical for Samsung's high-end smartphones, ensuring that the S24 FE can withstand everyday wear and tear, even in tougher environments.
Impressive 6.7-Inch OLED Display
The 6.7-inch OLED display on the Galaxy S24 FE is one of its standout features. With a resolution of 1080p and a 120Hz refresh rate, the display is sharp, smooth, and perfect for everyday use. It’s a notable upgrade from last year’s model, both in size and quality.
Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, the display also offers better durability. The maximum brightness reaches up to 1,400 nits in auto mode, making it easy to use outdoors even in bright sunlight. Although it lacks the adaptive refresh rate technology (LTPO) found in the S24 Plus, the display can switch between 120Hz and 60Hz to help conserve battery life.
Performance Powered by Exynos 2400E
Under the hood, the Galaxy S24 FE is powered by Samsung's Exynos 2400E chipset. While it features a different CPU from the flagship S24, the performance remains top-tier, capable of handling demanding tasks and intensive gaming. In benchmarks, the S24 FE performs impressively, scoring near the top of the charts.
However, thermal management could be better. Like the flagship Exynos 2400, the S24 FE experiences thermal throttling under heavy workloads, which leads to a reduction in performance by up to 50% during prolonged stress tests.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, which is slightly larger than its predecessor but smaller than the S24 Plus. In tests, it managed to provide 11 hours and 48 minutes of active use, making it reliable for most users.
The device supports 25W fast charging, though no charger is included in the box. Using a compatible charger, the S24 FE can go from 0% to 56% in just 30 minutes, and it reaches a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are also available, adding more convenience for users.
Camera Performance: A Solid Triple-Camera Setup
The camera system on the Galaxy S24 FE is another area where it shines. The phone features a 50MP main camera, an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. Samsung has improved the telephoto lens by using a different sensor compared to the previous model.
The main camera produces sharp, detailed photos with great dynamic range and vibrant colors, typical of Samsung devices. Portrait shots are particularly impressive, with excellent skin texture and definition. Even the 2x digital zoom delivers solid results, though it’s slightly softer compared to the 1x shots.
In low-light conditions, the Galaxy S24 FE utilizes automatic night mode to enhance the quality of photos. While there is some noise present, the level of detail and contrast is commendable. Users can also activate manual night mode for even cleaner shots, though this takes longer to capture.
The telephoto camera produces decent 3x zoom shots with good detail, while the ultra-wide camera captures a wide field of view with accurate color matching to the main camera. However, low-light shots from both the telephoto and ultra-wide lenses tend to show more noise.
Selfies and Video Capabilities
On the front, the Galaxy S24 FE features a 10MP selfie camera. Despite lacking autofocus, it delivers sharp images with accurate skin tones and excellent dynamic range. The front camera is perfect for both selfies and video calls, ensuring clarity in various lighting conditions.
As for video recording, the Galaxy S24 FE supports 4K video at 120fps and 8K at 30fps. The main camera produces sharp, clean 4K videos with good detail and decent dynamic range. The telephoto camera’s video output is slightly softer but still impressive, while the ultra-wide camera offers solid 4K recording with good contrast.
Final Thoughts: Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Worth It?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is a fantastic option for users looking for a premium experience at a lower price point. It boasts a large, vibrant display, solid performance, and a versatile camera system. Additionally, the promise of 7 years of software updates and security patches adds long-term value.
However, the main downside is its price, which is not far off from the Galaxy S24 Plus. For those who find the S24 FE at a discounted price, it’s undoubtedly worth considering. Otherwise, it might make sense to explore other alternatives such as the Galaxy S24 Plus or the Xiaomi 14T Pro.
