Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Midrange Contender with AI Ambitions

Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. S24 FE: Which Android is a better buy?

Editor's choice Samsung Galaxy S24 The Samsung Galaxy S24 is a great all-around flagship phone. Sporting the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile processor, it's a solid performer, even if its 8GB of RAM is a limiting factor and its camera suite is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth. Still, if you're looking for a slick name-brand Android flagship from a trusted brand, this is the one to buy. ProsMore powerful Snapdragon SoCSlimmer and lighterSlick and well-supported OS ConsDated camera systemLimited to 8GB RAM $800 at Samsung Best value Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Samsung's popular Fan Edition series has come to the Galaxy S24 family, with the new S24 FE presenting an attractive value alternative to the pricier flagships. Its Exynos SoC isn't as impressive as the S24's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but it's still a respectable performer. It also gives you the full suite of fun and useful new Galaxy AI features. ProsLarger 6.7" displayBigger batteryFull Galaxy AI support ConsWeaker SoC $650 at Samsung Although brands like OnePlus and Google are still gunning for the throne, Samsung arguably remains the king of Android phones. The Galaxy S24 flagship series landed earlier this year, and now, Samsung is bringing its popular Fan Edition line to the family with the new Galaxy S24 FE. The FE models are positioned as budget-friendly alternatives to the pricier flagships, which raises the question: how do the Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 FE stack up against each other? Let's do a deep-dive and see which phone is the better value for the cost. Price, specs, and availability The Samsung Galaxy S24 family made its debut in January 2024 at the Galaxy Unpacked event. The lineup initially featured three devices: the standard Galaxy S24 flagship alongside the premium Galaxy S24 Plus and S24 Ultra models. Samsung followed this up in September with the launch of the Galaxy S24 FE, a more budget-oriented variant that offers a "flagship lite" experience at a lower price point than the other S-series phones. Retail pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S24 starts at $799 for the 128GB model; a 256GB storage upgrade is also available. Unfortunately, the variant with 12GB RAM and 512GB of storage is unavailable in the U.S. The Galaxy S24 FE comes with a sticker price of $649 for the base 128GB model. Both devices are regularly on sale for less than retail, with Galaxy phone deals coming in the form of trade-in discounts, carrier sign-up offers, and regular price cuts. Galaxy phones are available for purchase from Samsung, cellular network carriers, and major third-party retailers like Best Buy. Samsung Galaxy S24Samsung Galaxy S24 FESoCSnapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform Samsung Exynos 2400eDisplay6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rateRAM8GB8GBStorage128GB, 256GB128GB, 256GBMicro SD card supportNoNoBattery4,000mAh4,700mAhCharge speed25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wirelessPortsUSB-CUSB-CConnectivity5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v 5.3 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v 5.3Dimensions5.79 x 2.78 x 0.30 inches (147.1 x 70.61 x 7.62 mm)6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 inches (162 x 77.3 x 8 mm)Weight5.93 ounces (168.1g) 7.51 ounces (213g)IP RatingIP68IP68ColorsOnyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber YellowBlue, Graphite, Gray, MintOperating SystemAndroid 14, One UI 6.1Android 14, One UI 6.1PriceStarting at $799Starting at $649Camera (Rear, Front)50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 12MP f/2.2 selfie50MP f/1.8 main, 8MP f/2.4 3x telephoto, 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 10MP f/2.4 selfieSecurityUltrasonic fingerprint reader, face unlockUltrasonic fingerprint reader, face unlock Related The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE aims to be the perfect mix of work and play Can AI make you a better photographer? Samsung thinks so. 2:02 Related Samsung Galaxy S24 review: Basically a Galaxy S23 repackaged with a software update Really, the only thing that makes the Galaxy S24 stand out compared to other phones is Galaxy AI. But even that is coming to other phones soon. Design & display The family resemblance is obvious Neither the Galaxy S24 nor S24 FE break the mold when it comes to smartphone design. They share a very similar design language, also looking virtually identical to Samsung's 2023 flagship phones. The most notable design difference is size: the Galaxy S24 sports a 6.2-inch display, whereas the S24 FE's screen measures 6.5-inches diagonally. Both AMOLED panels have the same crisp FHD+ resolution and smooth 120Hz refresh rate, although, at a smaller size, the Galaxy S24 boasts a higher pixel density. The Galaxy S24 FE is naturally larger than its flagship counterpart, but they're both around the same thickness at a bit less than one-third of an inch. However, the S24 FE is noticeably heavier, weighing in at 7.51 ounces compared to the Galaxy S24's curb weight of 5.93 ounces. The Galaxy S24 also sports slimmer bezels surrounding its display. Overall, the flagship Galaxy S24 looks and feels a bit more refined, but which one you favor may come down to which size you prefer. Winner: Galaxy S24 Performance and software It comes down to Snapdragon vs. Exynos Using "circle to search" on Galaxy S24 The Galaxy S24 series brought a lot of new AI features (as you'd expect with any new flagship release in 2024), and the good news is that the Galaxy S24 FE is also getting the full Galaxy AI treatment. The Galaxy S24 line runs on Android 14 with Samsung's OneUI interface. Galaxy fans should already know that Samsung OneUI offers a slick and intuitive Android experience, and Galaxy AI brings some useful generative AI tools to the package. Some AI enhancements include live translation and transcription, photo and video editing tools built into the camera app, and a browser search assistant. Admittedly, these tools are similar to what you can find in other apps, but Galaxy AI builds them right into the OS. Overall, you can expect a similar (if not identical) Android experience with either phone, down to the new AI functions. What sets the Galaxy S24 and S24 FE apart (and where you will notice a performance difference) is what's under the hood - more specifically, the system-on-chip powering each device. Related Samsung Galaxy S24 series hands-on: The AI stuff really works Samsung's brand new Galaxy S24 series gets some improvements, but they're mostly all on the inside The Samsung Galaxy S24 packs Qualcomm's impressive new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile SoC, which has set a new standard for mobile processors. Its budget-minded sibling, the Galaxy S24 FE, runs on Samsung's Exynos 2400e series chipset. Both are built on an energy-efficient 4nm architecture, but other than that, the Snapdragon chip outpaces Exynos in almost every way. Benchmark tests show the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC pulling ahead in CPU horsepower, gaming performance, and even battery life. That's not a huge surprise, considering how impressive the latest generation of Qualcomm's mobile hardware is, and it doesn't mean the Exynos 2400e is weak by any means. But when juggling apps, running mobile games, and taking advantage of those new generative AI tools, the flagship Galaxy S24 has a clear advantage over the S24 FE. Winner: Galaxy S24 Related Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy breakdown: What's different? The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy powers the Galaxy S24 series in the U.S. and the S24 Ultra globally, but what's different? Camera and battery life Neither phone will win any awards here While the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor inside the Galaxy S24 is excellent, we wish we could say the same about the cameras. As of 2024, the Galaxy S24's camera module is three generations old and in need of a refresh. For better or for worse, the Galaxy S24 FE packs a similar photography setup, albeit with some differences. The standard and ultrawide sensors are virtually identical, although the Galaxy S24 FE can record slow-motion video at up to 960 FPS, while the Galaxy S24 is limited to 240 FPS. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 has 10MP telephoto and selfie cams, in contrast to the 8MP telephoto and selfie sensors on the S24 FE. So we'll call that mostly a wash. The cameras are fine, but they won't excite photography enthusiasts. You'll get superior photography capabilities with a current-gen Google Pixel and OnePlus device. On the bright side, Galaxy AI packs a lot of photo enhancement features that we found genuinely useful and fun to use. Battery life isn't a letdown, either, thanks largely to the efficient 4nm process of the Snapdragon and Exynos SoCs. The Galaxy S24 FE does pack a larger battery than the flagship S24 (4,700mAh vs 4,000mAh), but time will tell if that makes a noticeable difference during everyday use. Considering that we got great all-day battery life out of the Galaxy S24, we don't expect the Galaxy S24 FE to disappoint. You're still stuck with 25W wired charging speeds for both, though, and there's no charging brick included. Whichever phone you end up with, make sure you grab a good charger for it. Winner: Tie (for now) Which one should you buy? When compared to the Galaxy S24 FE, the flagship Galaxy S24 is the superior phone. Although they're similar, the S24's more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile CPU is too hard to beat. You'll have to decide for yourself if that performance boost is worth the extra $150 at retail. Editor's choice Samsung Galaxy S24 7/ 10 $720 $800 Save $80 The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the base model of the S24 lineup. It is great for those looking for a smaller smartphone with good cameras at a reasonable price. $720 at Amazon$720 at Best Buy$800 at Samsung The Galaxy S24 and S24 FE are close enough to justify the cheaper one if you're on a tighter budget. The Galaxy S24 FE gives you a lot of phone for the money, even if its Exynos processor lags behind the S24's Snapdragon SoC. You still get a nice (and larger) 120Hz AMOLED display, fun new AI features, Samsung's slick OneUI interface, and a solid camera setup. It's a very attractive, high-value alternative to its pricier flagship siblings. Value alternative Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Powered by the AI-based ProVisual Engine and Galaxy AI's Photo Assist features, Galaxy S24 FE showcases an enhanced camera setup that empowers users to be more creative. It's the perfect device for gaming on the go with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a long-lasting 4,700mAh battery,1 and a powerful Exynos 2400e series chipset. The Galaxy S24 FE offers premium Galaxy AI2 tools and ecosystem connectivity to enhance communication, productivity, and creativity -- all housed in an iconic design and protected by robust Samsung Knox security. $650 at Samsung

iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S24: There's a clear winner

iPhone 16 Apple gave the iPhone 16 a pretty big upgrade this year. Now that it sports an A18 chipset, it's two-generations ahead of the iPhone 15 it replaces. There's also a new ultrawide camera, a redesign of the camera bump, and two new buttons. The Action button comes to the base iPhone 16 this year, and the Camera Control button is brand-new. But you'll have to wait for Apple Intelligence ProsThe A18 processor is snappy and will enable Apple Intelligence later this yearThere's a new ultrawide camera and a Camera Control buttonThe camera bump is redesigned and smaller ConsApple Intelligence features aren't available at launchStill has a 60Hz displaySlow charging $800 at Apple$830 at Best Buy Samsung Galaxy S24 Samsung's base Galaxy S24 is a compact flagship phone, but it got little more than a spec bump this year. It's nice that there's a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside, and this phone has great software with Galaxy AI features. Still, there's not enough here to differentiate the Galaxy S24 from the older Galaxy S23. ProsIt's plenty powerful and I enjoy using AI features like Circle to SearchSoftware support is outstanding with seven years of promised updatesBattery life is great ConsGalaxy AI is great, but you don't have to buy this phone specifically to get itCamera system is three generations oldThe design and chassis feels stale $800 at Amazon$700 at Best Buy$800 at Samsung Samsung and Apple ship more phones in North America than anyone else, and their best compact flagships are the Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16. So, how do they compare? Unfortunately for Samsung, the Galaxy S24 wasn't received all that well when it first launched earlier this year, and it only aged worse with time. It was an iterative update, while the brand-new iPhone 16 has quite a few changes that make it appealing to those in the market for a great smartphone. I've used both the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 16 this year, and enjoyed the small form factor of both devices. They're both quick, too, with powerful processors. However, after spending time with the two phones, there's one that's certainly a better value than the other. Pricing, specs, and availability The iPhone 16 was just announced in September 2024, and is now widely available at Apple, third-party retailers, and the major U.S. cellular carriers. It costs $800 and starts at 128GB of base storage, though that can be upgraded up to 512GB for an additional fee. The phone comes in five colors: Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S24 was one of the first phones to debut this year -- in January 2024. It also costs $800 and is available from Samsung's website, retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, plus the cellular carriers. You can get it in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, or Amber Yellow. It starts at 128GB of storage, but tops out at 256GB of storage. iPhone 16Samsung Galaxy S24SoCApple A18Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform Display6.1‑inch OLED, 60Hz, 2556‑by‑1179-pixel resolution at 460 ppi, 2,000 nits peak brightness outdoor6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rateStorage128GB, 256GB, 512GB128GB, 256GBRear camera48MP Fusion: 26 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor‑shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) Also enables 12MP 2x Telephoto: 52 mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels 12MP Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, 100% Focus Pixels12MP Ultra-Wide Camera F2.2 FOV 120˚, 50MP Wide Camera OIS F1.8 FOV 85˚, 10MP Telephoto Camera  with 3x Optical Zoom F2.4 FOV 36˚Front camera12MP camera ƒ/1.9 aperture12MP Front Camera F2.2 FOV 80˚  Charge speed27W wired, 25W MagSafe, 15W Qi225W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wirelessPortsUSB 2.0 Type-CUSB-CConnectivity5G (sub‑6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO11 Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO and LAA11 Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO12 Bluetooth 5.35G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v 5.3 Weight170 grams5.93 ounces (168.1g) IP RatingIP68IP68ColorsBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineOnyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber YellowOperating SystemiOS 18Android 14, One UI 6.1Price$800Starting at $799SecurityFace IDUltrasonic fingerprint reader, face unlock 2:02 Related Samsung Galaxy S24 review: Basically a Galaxy S23 repackaged with a software update Really, the only thing that makes the Galaxy S24 stand out compared to other phones is Galaxy AI. But even that is coming to other phones soon. Design and display The iPhone 16 shakes things up, where the Galaxy S24 stays the same Close For those who love small phones, you'll enjoy that the iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 are roughly the same size. The Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch display, while the iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch screen. Unfortunately, that's small by conventional standards, but it's still pretty large. On the front, Samsung went with a hole-punch cutout on the Galaxy S24. Apple chose to include the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 16, which is a pill-shaped cutout that morphs in software to show key information and Live Activities. After using both, the bezels certainly feel smaller on the Galaxy S24. As for the overall design, they're very similar. Apple and Samsung both have vertically-stacked rear cameras this year, and the iPhone 16 looks fresh due to this slight tweak. Samsung hasn't changed the look of the Galaxy S24 chassis in a major way in quite a while, and I have to say, it's looking stale. Personally, I find the frosted matte glass back of the iPhone 16 to be more visually appealing than the Galaxy S24's back. Both phones charge via USB-C now, but only the Galaxy S24 has a physical SIM slot. The iPhone 16 does have two new buttons: an Action button and a Capture Control button. If customization and quick toggles are what you're after, there's no phone that does them better than one of the best iPhones. Related Action button on iPhone: A guide for power users and beginners The Action button, by default, is quite limited, but there are workarounds to make more out of it Apple changed a lot with the iPhone 16; however, it didn't scrap the 60Hz display. If you're wondering whether you'll notice the low refresh rate panel in daily use, you can. It felt jarring to go from phones like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold to the iPhone 16. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy S24 feels much smoother in daily use than the iPhone 16. Both phones offer high-resolution panels and great brightness, so you shouldn't worry about those areas that much when choosing between the two. Winner: Tie Performance and software Both phones are plenty quick, but Galaxy AI is here and now Close Arguably the biggest upgrade Samsung gave the Galaxy S24 was to the phone's system-on-a-chip. It's now using the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform, which performed great in our extensive benchmarking tests. The iPhone 16 is more powerful on paper, with an A18 SoC built on TSMC's 3nm process. This two-generation leap will help the iPhone 16 utilize Apple Intelligence features in a future update later this year, but for now, it's probably overkill for a smartphone. GeekBench 6 CPU scores: iPhone 16 Pro Max with A18 Pro (left); iPhone 16 with A18 (middle); and iPhone 15 Pro Max with A17 Pro (right) Apple ships the iPhone 16 with iOS 18, which I prefer to One UI. The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with One UI 6.1 installed, and plenty of Google AI and Samsung AI features. You'll have to decide which operating system you prefer, but the bottom line is that Samsung has plenty of artificial intelligence features you can use right now. It's a waiting game for Apple Intelligence, and we really don't know what the features will look like or when they each will arrive. By comparison, Galaxy AI has plenty of cool features now, and it's partnered with Google to offer a neat Circle to Search feature. Related These are the Samsung AI features I use on my Galaxy Z Fold 5 Samsung introduced a ton of AI features with OneUI 6.1, and these are the ones I actually use. Apple doesn't disclose battery capacity officially, but regulatory filings have confirmed that the iPhone 16 has a 3,561 mAh battery. That's less than the 4,000 mAh battery inside the Galaxy S24, although both devices have bigger batteries than their predecessor. The iPhone 16 actually charges faster, at 27W wired and 25W wireless MagSafe. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 tops out at 25W wired and 15W wireless. Samsung does have one trick up its sleeve -- 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Winner: iPhone 16 Cameras Camera Control and a new ultrawide push the iPhone 16 ahead It's a tricky comparison between the iPhone 16 and the Galaxy S24 where cameras are concerned, because Samsung offers an extra rear camera on its flagship phones. However, they are now three generations old, so the question is whether you value quantity over quality. The main camera is a 50MP, f/1.8 sensor, and that's paired with a 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide camera. Then, there's a 10MP, f/2.4 telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom on top of that. I love to see telephoto lenses on my smartphones, but it's a shame that the Galaxy S24's camera hardware is so dated. The following photos were captured with the Samsung Galaxy S24: Close Still, as you can see from the photos above, I took some great photos with the Galaxy S24. They're rich with contrast, and they don't feel oversaturated with color. Macro photography was a bit hit-or-miss, as sometimes the Galaxy S24's cameras wouldn't properly isolate the subject, creating a blurry image. The phone's biggest problem was inconsistency, with some shots being overexposed or underexposed despite being taken in quick succession. The following photos were captured with the iPhone 16: Close It's a shame that the iPhone 16 doesn't have a proper telephoto lens, but its 48MP, f/1.8 main lens is versatile. Apple uses sensor crop in software to offer 2x zoom at optical-level quality, which is nice. The main sensor is the same one as last year's iPhone, although it still produces great photos. The ultrawide camera is completely new this year: it's a 12MP sensor with a 120-degree field-of-view. It's most likely the same sensor from the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year. I've spent a few days snapping photos with the iPhone 16, and I've been impressed with the camera quality. The iPhone 16 does a much better job at preventing overexposure in tough lighting conditions, especially at night with bright lights in the frame. Colors are very accurate, and the resulting photos feel much more natural than Google or Samsung's image processing. With Photographic Styles in software, you can choose a film-like preset that will put a filter over your photos. Both cameras are solid, but I'll take the iPhone 16 for photography every single time. It has newer camera hardware and better computational photography, which results in more natural-looking images. There's also Camera Control, and this allows you to make changes to your settings or zoom and take photos with the press or swipe of a button. Winner: iPhone 16 Which one should you buy? Samsung simply didn't change enough with the Galaxy S24 to make it a worthwhile buy many months after its initial release. There's a lot to like about the iPhone 16, from the A18 processor, to the impressive camera hardware, to the new-look camera bump and buttons. At $800, you get a lot more from the iPhone 16 than you do with the Samsung Galaxy S24. Editor's choice iPhone 16 With the iPhone 16, Apple is improving its base-model flagship in a few key ways, and it's paid off. The new rear camera bump design, A18 chip, and customizable buttons all make the iPhone 16 a compelling choice at $800. $800 at Apple$830 at Best Buy With the Samsung Galaxy S25 series rumors heating up, and an expected release early next year, there really isn't much of a reason to splurge on the Galaxy S24 today. If you can find a good deal that shaves a few hundred dollars off the smartphone, that might be worthwhile. Otherwise, there are so many better smartphones you could buy for the same price, like the Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 12, or, yes, the iPhone 16. Great for AI Samsung Galaxy S24 Samsung's Galaxy AI suite of artificial intelligence features on the Galaxy S24 is best-in-class, but the hardware is too similar to that of the Galaxy S23 to be worth $800. Plus, we're getting closer to an S25 reveal early next year. $800 at Amazon$700 at Best Buy$800 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Price, specs, news, features, and release date

Best Samsung Galaxy S24 FE deals: Where to preorder and how to save up to $400 After months of rumors, the Galaxy S24 FE is finally official. Following up on last year's Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung's hoping its latest budget flagship can convince smartphone fans who'd rather not drop $1,000 on a Galaxy S24+ to make just a few compromises in exchange for slashing off a third of the price. But with the midrange Android phone scene more competitive than ever, can Samsung's latest Fan Edition smartphone pull through, or is it too little too late ahead of the Galaxy S25 launch early next year. Here's everything you need to know about the Galaxy S24 FE. Read our hands-on My time with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE left me with more questions than answers Galaxy AI for everyone, but at what cost? Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Design and specs Bigger, but is it better? If you're a fan of larger displays, you might be pleased with the S24 FE. Samsung has adopted a 6.7-inch display, a significant bump up from the S23 FE's 6.4-inch display. It matches the screen size of the Galaxy S24+ perfectly, though not without some downgrades. In addition to larger bezels, the display is only capable of hitting 1,900 nits at peak brightness. That's not a bad number for a midrange phone, and it's a solid upgrade from the Galaxy S23 FE's 1,400 nits panel, though it's a far cry from what you'll find on more expensive flagships these days. A bigger display means a larger device, so expect the S24 FE to take up more room in your pocket. In fact, at 162 x 77.3 x 8mm, the size of this phone is actually closer to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, falling just short of matching Samsung's phablet by .2mm on its length and 1.7mm on its width. The device's thickness is down to 8mm, compared to last year's 8.2mm, which helps offset the larger devcice size to a point. Samsung also made the most of the overall size increase by stuffing in a 4,700mAh batter inside, up from 4,500mAh in the Galaxy S23 FE. Aside from the larger size, Samsung seems pretty aggressive in overhauling the other internal specs. The company has vacillated between Snapdragon and Exynos chipsets in its devices for years, with the new Exynos 2400e powering this year's varient. While a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 would be exciting to see in the S24 FE, a slightly less powerful variant of the Exynos 2400 should provide better performance and efficiency over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 used in the US models for last year's phone. Paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, however, these are decidedly upper midrange specs. Otherwise, this is a Samsung phone through and through. It uses the same general design language as the other Galaxy S24 models, including flat edges and a triple lens camera array on the back. It also comes in some new colors, including Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint and Yellow. But with a swap to plain aluminum along the frame and a glossy glass finish, it does decidedly feel a little less premium than its mainline counterparts. You're spending less cash, sure, but not without some sacrifices. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE SoC Exynos 2400e Display type Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Adaptive refresh rate (60/120Hz) Display dimensions 6.7-inch Display resolution 1080 x 2340 RAM 8GB Storage Up to 256GB Battery 4,700mAh Charge speed 25W Charge options Wired, Wireless, PowerShare Ports USB-C SIM support SIM, eSIM Operating System One UI 6.1, Android 14 Front camera 10MP F/2.4, FOV 80˚ Rear camera 50MP primary, OIS F/1.8, 12MP ultra-wide, F/2.2, FOV 123˚, 8MP telephoto, 3x Optical Zoom, OIS, F/2.4 Cellular connectivity 5G, LTE Wi-Fi connectivity Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 Dimensions 77.3 X 162.0 X 8.0mm Weight 213g IP Rating IP68 Colors Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow Expand Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Software Galaxy AI for everyone The Galaxy S24 FE will launch with One UI 6.1.1, Samsung's Android 14 skin with Galaxy AI capabilities. Portrait Studio, Generative Edit, and Circle to Search are available on launch, giving the S24 FE an impressive slate of AI functionality. Samsung is also bringing its suite of productivity tools, like Interpreter, Live Translate, and Note Assist, that first arrived on the S24 lineup earlier in 2024. Aside from that, expect more of the same from One UI, which isn't bad. Samsung's Android flavor is more heavily skinned than others but still smooth and well-appointed. It provides a level of consistency we haven't seen from many OEMs in previous years, and it will be a significant reason people pick up an S24 FE . Plus, the Galaxy S24 FE is Samsung's first Fan Edition phone to get seven years of guaranteed OS upgrades. Not bad. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Cameras More of the same Despite other changes Samsung is rumored to make, the camera sensors on the S24 FE are remaining unchanged. We found the Galaxy S23 FE photos to be a mixed bag, but that doesn't necessarily doom the S24 FE cameras to mediocrity. SSamsung is promising changes to its processing, particularly in low light, so assuming photos will look similar is unfair. You'll have to wait for our full review to find out how it performs. According to reports, the S24 FE will maintain its triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP f/1.8 primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP 3x optical zoom lens, giving it some versatility. If you were expecting more of an upgrade, the FE lineup is Samsung's budget-friendly device, and compromises must be made along the way. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Price and release Get ready to pay a little more The Galaxy S24 FE was officially unveiled on September 26th, 2024 at an event in New York, alongside the Galaxy Tab S10 series. It went up for preorder immediately after the event, with phones officially hitting store shelves one week later, on October 3rd. Samsung is delivering a small price increase compared to this device's predecessor. The Galaxy S24 FE now starts at $650, which puts the phone in a bit of an awkward slot. Midrange phone competition is robust, and Samsung was already near the top end at $600. Other phones, like the OnePlus 12R, offer more power for less, though at the cost of seven years of OS support. In addition, we frequently see the Galaxy S24 and S24+ discounted on both Samsung's website and through carrier deals, which might leave this particular phone in a tough spot for consumers. If you're looking to pick up the Galaxy S24 FE, make sure you check for sales on the company's older models -- or wait for a sale on this particular model. Related Best Samsung Galaxy S24 FE deals: Where to preorder and how to save up to $400 Instant trade-in credit + 50% off accessories The Galaxy S24 FE is aiming to bring glory back to Fan Editions Samsung hasn't fully managed to recapture the magic of the original Galaxy S20 FE in its follow-ups. Its fantastic blend of power and value made it an instant fan favorite. With the Galaxy S24 FE aiming to deliver a more premium experience than its predecessor, we could be looking at a pretty striking phone for $650. For some, though, I wouldn't be surprised if certain compromises are just a bit too much. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE looks to bring the experience of its flagship 2024 lineup to a more affordable smartphone. With a 6.7-inch display, a triple camera lineup, and all of the AI features you could ever hope for, this is effectively the Galaxy S24+ for two thirds the price. But it might be missing just enough to make some fans opt for the more expensive model. $650 at Samsung

Hands on: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review: AI doesn't come cheap ... until now

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you're buying the best. Find out more about how we test. The Galaxy S24 FE is a phone that almost makes too much sense to get excited about. I spent a couple of hours with the phone in a hands-on look, and we have a sample being tested by one of our reviewers now, but I can already see how this will be a phone worth buying. I reviewed the Galaxy S23 FE, which was my favorite phone in this price range. The Galaxy S24 FE, while a bit more expensive, delivers even more. It's been years since Samsung's 'FE' devices were sold as 'Fan Edition' phones, tablets, and now wearables, but it's easy to see how Samsung fans get what they want for less money with the Galaxy S24 FE. The phone looks much like the Galaxy S24, though maybe a bit cheaper. The colors are more muted than I'd hoped, but the blue and teal look pleasantly bright and friendly. Inside, you get a Samsung Exynos 2400 chipset, but don't fret if you were hoping for a Snapdragon. This platform powers the Galaxy S24 in most of the world, just not in the US. It's plenty potent for all of the new AI features that Samsung is loading onto the Galaxy S24 FE. The Galaxy S24 FE costs $649 / £649 / AU $1,099 at launch, and there are surprisingly few good phones in that price range, at least not brand-new models. You can buy a Google Pixel 8 for that much, or maybe an iPhone 14, but those phones are a year and two years old, respectively. They won't get all of the latest AI features, while Samsung is launching this phone specifically to bring AI to a lower price point. That works for me! Samsung's AI is some of the most fun to use, and the company has so far avoided many of the problems and stumbles that other phone makers have faced. I'm happy to get Samsung AI photo editing, or Samsung's generative writing tools, on a less-expensive Galaxy model. That's better than waiting for the price to drop on an iPhone 16. I could dive into the specs on this phone, but that would be missing the point. The specs are good. The specs are so good that if you want a bigger phone but can't spend more on a Galaxy S24 Plus, you might consider the Galaxy S24 FE instead. With a 6.7-inch display, it's a decidedly big phone this year, not middle-of-the-road. The cameras look good on paper, but we'll have to test them to be sure. At this price, you rarely see a 3X telephoto zoom lens, and Samsung gives you real zoom in addition to an ultrawide and a normal wide-angle main camera. That's before we get to all the new AI camera mumbo-jumbo that Samsung has presumably added. I've used a lot of Samsung cameras; they are reliably good, especially when shooting specialty photos. What makes this phone interesting? It's a great value for its power and features, and it comes with the same promise of seven years of Android OS updates and security patches that you get with a Galaxy S24. That makes it a good investment for companies looking to equip a fleet with professional phones that are also easy on the eyes. I also expect interesting deals and bundles with this phone. You might buy a Galaxy S24, or you could find a Galaxy S24 FE with a free Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Buds FE, or some other accessory FE. Or a Galaxy Ring ... you get the point. The lower price will give carriers more room to make bundle offers, and Samsung gear is more fun when it works together. We'll have a full review of the Galaxy S24 FE soon, and we're making sure it lives up to its promise and my enthusiasm. We'll be sure to compare this phone against the best Samsung phones and all the best bargain phones you can buy. The Galaxy S24 FE costs $649 / £649 / AU $1,099, which is $150 / £150 / AU $300 less than the Galaxy S24. You get a bigger screen on the Galaxy S24 FE, and that amounts to a bigger battery as well. The screen isn't as sharp or as bright as the regular Galaxy S24 phones, but it still looked very nice in my hands-on time at Samsung's New York City showroom. I was looking forward to seeing the color choices for the Galaxy S24 FE, because Samsung proved with the Galaxy S23 FE that it was willing to cut loose when it came to flashy, saturated hues. The Galaxy S24 FE is a bit more muted and professional, so it won't jump out of a crowd and into traffic with a bright pink or orange. Instead, the Galaxy S24 FE comes in a very pretty blue, a nice mint, an acceptable graphite grey, and boring black. There's also a yellow color, but it wasn't available in my US hands-on. Oh, and sorry Australia friends, it looks like black and yellow aren't coming your way, at least not at launch. You can pre-order the Galaxy S24 FE right now from Samsung, but you may want to wait to see what your favorite carrier offers. This phone seems ripe for a 'get it free' offer, or a bundle with other Galaxy accessories, and Samsung accessories are worth a look if you have a Samsung phone. Below, we've rounded up the keys specs of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. The Galaxy S24 FE is a small step down from the Galaxy S24 in most ways, but not enough that most people will notice. I expect this phone to have no trouble playing the latest games, running through your productivity apps, and showing off the latest AI parlor tricks. A lot of the AI stuff happens in the cloud, but the Exynos 2400e processor should be able to handle the tasks. Wait, what is that 'e' on the end of the Exynos chipset? The Galaxy S24 didn't have the same 'e' designation. Samsung's VP of Product Management, Drew Blackard, told me that this would be a slightly clocked-down version of the same processor. That choice usually makes sense for two reasons. First, it cuts down on power consumption. Blackard says that this phone has great battery life, even compared to other Samsung phones with close to the same battery size. Second, a slower chip is usually less expensive. Yes, this is a Samsung phone with a Samsung chipset, but you may as well consider Samsung Semiconductor, a different company. After all, Samsung used a MediaTek chip in the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, which launched on the same day as the Galaxy S24 FE. So, compared to the Galaxy S24, what do you lose if you buy the Galaxy S24 FE? Let's go spec by spec. The Galaxy S24 FE is slightly thicker and heavier than the Galaxy S24 or even the Galaxy S24 Plus, which has the same 6.7-inch display size. It uses Gorilla Glass Victus Plus and Victus 5 on the front and back instead of Victus 2 glass, like the Galaxy S24. Thankfully, it is just as water resistant, with IP68 certification. The display on the Galaxy S24 FE is not as sharp in terms of pixel density as the Galaxy S24 or Galaxy S24 Plus. It has the same resolution as the Galaxy S24 but is stretched to a larger display size. The FE cannot get as bright as the Galaxy S24; it reaches around 1,900 nits peak brightness versus a glaring 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S24. That still gives you a very bright phone with the Galaxy S24 FE. The Galaxy S24 FE is only available with 8GB of RAM, while you can find a Galaxy S24 with up to 12GB of RAM, and 12GB is the standard for the Galaxy S24 Plus. The battery on the Galaxy S24 FE is 4,700 mAh, much larger than the 4,000 mAh cell on the Galaxy S24. Samsung says it should even last longer than the 4,900 mAh battery on the Galaxy S24 Plus. The Galaxy S24 FE can charge up to 25W, the same as the Galaxy S24, and it can also handle the same wireless charging. You can even charge other devices using reverse wireless charging from the Galaxy S24 FE. Overall, I'd say the sacrifices are worth the phone's price. Better battery life is always a boon, so I'm willing to trade a drop in performance for a few more hours of screen time. Of course, we'll need to test all of these features and claims to ensure they live up to the Galaxy S24 FE's promise. We're reviewing this phone now, so check back soon for an in-depth look with testing from Future Labs.

My time with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE left me with more questions than answers

I don't know where Samsung gets its exquisite lack of self-awareness, but it's on full display with the Galaxy S24 FE. The once-celebrated Fan Edition is a shell of its former self, no longer offering the raw performance and value of the original. A price hike on this year's Galaxy S24 FE adds insult to injury, and I'm having difficulty figuring out exactly who this phone would be suitable for. It's not a bad device, with solid specs and plenty of software support, but it enters at the top end of an already crowded mid-range market. Related Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE is here, but who is it for? At $650, this is one expensive budget flagship Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Premium feel and an excellent display If you take price out of the equation, there's much to like about the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. Its reinforced aluminum frame feels excellent, with flatter edges than its predecessor. The larger 6.7-inch 1080p display is gorgeous, and I like that Samsung remembered to include a vividness slider in settings at launch this time. It's bigger than last year's Galaxy S23 FE, but it doesn't feel overwhelming. I understand Samsung's design language might seem a little dated, but it's unoffensive, and the Galaxy S24 FE mirrors the aesthetics of its more expensive siblings. Samsung has made material changes under the hood. The Galaxy S24 FE is powered by the new Exynos 2400e, complemented with 8GB of RAM. Samsung claims the Exynos 2400e will lead to 18% better CPU and 28% better GPU performance than its predecessor, with an included vapor chamber to keep things cool during long Genshin Impact play sessions. Benchmarks are usually lost on me, but the Galaxy S24 FE felt snappy when I used it. I never really complained about power on the Galaxy S23 FE, but Samsung claims to have corrected another deficiency of the previous generation. The Galaxy S24 FE sports a 4,700mAh battery, up from 4,500mAh in the S23 FE. I'm hoping that, combined with the more efficient Exynos 2400e, I'll see a similar battery life glow up to the Galaxy A55 earlier this year. AI for everyone, but it comes at a price Galaxy AI comes to the S24 FE in force When Samsung started its release event mentioning Galaxy AI, I was worried. I understand companies are increasingly looking to AI to add value to their devices, but I don't see it yet. Yes, the Galaxy S24 FE does have an impressive slate of Galaxy AI wizardry, with Live Translate, Circle to Search, and Photo Assist. I enjoy editing photos and adding hats on cats as much as the next person, but it's not why I buy a phone. With AI coming to so many devices, it's quickly losing its luster. Galaxy AI is nice to have, but it doesn't justify selling a phone at a higher price because of it. You'll have fun playing with them, and you might even get utility out of the translation features, but it's nothing worthy of an upgrade from the Galaxy S23 FE. Honestly, Samsung might lead with the AI, but the real selling point is the Galaxy S24 FE's software. I appreciate Samsung's providing the Galaxy S24 FE with seven generations of Android upgrades and seven years of security patches. It's not a first for mid-range phones, but more support is always better. People use their phones for longer, and I want to see the trend of more support for less expensive devices continue. I can't knock the hardware of the Galaxy S24 FE, and I like Samsung's software. However, I can take issue with the Galaxy S24 FE's pricing, as there are too many other options, even in Samsung's lineup that you need to consider. The Galaxy S24 FE doesn't exist in a vacuum Is AI worth that much more? I can't understand why the Galaxy S24 FE costs $650. I know the OnePlus 12R doesn't offer the same software support or AI features, but it does provide more raw power today for $150 less. The Pixel 8a gets the same support with a better camera than the Galaxy S24 FE. Even Motorola has some competitive offerings, and I can't see Galaxy AI functionality bridging the value gap. 2:43 Read our review OnePlus 12R review: A real flagship killer for $500 A phone that packs all the power you need for the price you want to pay In addition, Samsung already offers a fantastic Galaxy AI device with more power, better cameras, and a premium build -- the Galaxy S24. It's often on sale through Samsung for around $750, with carrier deals and trade-in offers that would result in you paying a few dollars a month for Samsung's entry flagship. So, unless you're boxed into a bizarre financial situation where you're willing to pay no more or less than $650 for a full-price, unlocked device, the Galaxy S24 FE starts to make less sense. Related Samsung Galaxy S24 review: Small but super Bright screen, flat sides, can't lose I get what Samsung is doing; I just don't like it Samsung is attempting to turn marketing on its head. It's trying to convince us that the Galaxy S24 FE isn't an expensive mid-range phone; it's actually the least costly Galaxy AI device you can buy from its lineup. It's a neat concept, and I give Samsung credit for trying, but when you zoom out, you start to see flaws in the argument. I like the Galaxy S24 FE so far, and I think it's worth a look -- just make sure you're getting it on sale. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE looks to bring the experience of its flagship 2024 lineup to a more affordable smartphone. With a 6.7-inch display, a triple camera lineup, and all of the AI features you could ever hope for, this is effectively the Galaxy S24+ for two thirds the price. But it might be missing just enough to make some fans opt for the more expensive model. $650 at Samsung

After Trying the Galaxy S24 FE, I'd Buy Samsung's Flagship S24+

The Galaxy S24 series are some of the best Android smartphones you can buy today, but being flagship devices, they can be a bit expensive. Samsung's answer for fans looking for a more budget-friendly handset is the new Galaxy S24 FE. It shares a lot of features with the more expensive models, but it's obvious where corners were cut. After checking out the phone, I think you should stick with the flagships. In addition to the S24 FE, Samsung unveiled updated tablets and an LTE version of their budget smartwatch. I tried them all and have some initial impressions. The S24 FE Is a Cheaper S24+ (in Every Way) Close The original "fan edition" phone from Samsung offered a fantastic balance between cost and performance while giving you a taste of the premium Galaxy S experience. But now, the Galaxy S24 FE, with a $50 price increase over last year's device, doesn't really fit into the budget/mid-tier mold. During Samsung's announcement, there was a lot of talk about how the S24 FE will bring all of the company's Galaxy AI features -- like those detailed in our Galaxy S24 Ultra and Z Fold 6 reviews -- to more people. The problem is that Samsung already has or will soon roll out these features on previous handsets. So the question remains: Why buy the $650 Galaxy S24 FE instead of a flagship? Picking up the phone, it's immediately clear that this is a Samsung-made smartphone. It looks like the rest of the S24 series and even shares many of the same specs (like the 50MP primary rear camera). Samsung did choose to drop Snapdragon and went with the Exynos 2400e processor, though. Unfortunately, the FE feels big and bloated. The 6.7-inch 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED display looks solid, but it's lower resolution than the flagships, has much larger bezels (increasing the phone's overall footprint), and only has an optical fingerprint sensor. Examining Samsung's current lineup, I'm not sure who this phone is for. Making an apples-to-apples comparison with the S24+ (which shares the same screen size) and opting for the S24 FE's 256GB storage option, the FE will cost you $710. The S24+, on Samsung's website, is currently (and routinely is) $200 off without a trade-in, making it $800. If you're already spending this much money on a "budget" smartphone, you might as well get the better cameras, display, charging speeds, etc. Also, if you're open to phones outside of Samsung's ecosystem, I'd recommend checking out the Google Pixel 8a or the OnePlus 12R. Both mid-tier smartphones offer an almost identical experience but at a cheaper price point. At the time of writing, Google has the Pixel 8a priced at $399 on Amazon, $350 less than the S24 FE, and the 12R costs $500. I don't think the Galaxy S24 FE is a bad phone. When it eventually goes on sale and you can get it for $500 or less, I think it'll make the right person happy. But if you're paying full price, get something a bit nicer. The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is available for pre-order and will begin shipping on October 3, 2024. It starts at $649.99 and comes in Blue, Graphite, Gray, and Mint. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (Fan Edition) is a more budget-friendly version of the company's flagship smartphones. You lose the higher-resolution display and Snapdragon CPU, but you retain the primary rear camera. $650 at Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Series Also Ditched Qualcomm In addition to the Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung announced two new tablets: the Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Ultra. If you're familiar with last year's Galaxy Tab S9 lineup, you'll be hard-pressed to spot any differences between the two generations. Going hands-on with the S10 Ultra, I couldn't believe how large the tablet was. It felt like I ripped the display off of my MacBook Air 15. The 14.6-inch 2960 x 1848 AMOLED display is bright, beautiful, and incredibly responsive. Powering the device is an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ and 12GB (or 16GB) of RAM. This is a split from the company's previous models, which used Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. This year's big change is that the tablet will include Samsung's suite of AI features and Google's Circle to Search out of the box. These include image generation, language translation, and handwriting assistance. Plus, the S10 Ultra (and the S10+) comes with the S Pen stylus. Oh, and there's an AI button on the new keyboard case. Close Unfortunately, Samsung didn't have a Galaxy Tab S10+ available for me to check out, so you'll have to wait for our hands-on review to get our impressions. Based on photos, the tablet should look and feel almost identical to last year's Tab S9+. It also uses the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ CPU and 12GB of RAM but has a smaller 12.4-inch AMOLED 2800 x 1752 display. The Galaxy S10+ and S10 Ultra will both be available in Moonstone Gray and Platinum Silver. The S10+ starts at $999.99, and the S10 Ultra retails for $1,199.99. They're also available for pre-order and should be in stores on October 3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ is a MediaTek-powered tablet with a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and enhanced processing capabilities. It also has an S Pen and supports various AI features, making it ideal for both productivity and creativity. $1150 at Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a cutting-edge tablet featuring a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and significant AI processing enhancements. It offers a premium user experience with its powerful performance, intuitive S Pen functionality, and seamless integration with the Galaxy ecosystem. $1200 at Samsung And There's Now an LTE Watch FE Last but certainly not least, Samsung now has an LTE version of its Galaxy Watch FE. The specs, hardware, and features are identical to those announced in June 2024. The Watch FE includes a 1.19-inch, 396x 396px display, a 247 mAh battery, and the Exynos W920 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage. Strapping the watch on my wrist, the FE LTE immediately felt identical to the last couple of Galaxy Watches. It's comfortable, Wear OS is familiar, and it'll soon have the energy score and updated sleep algorithm found on the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 7. The LTE model is available for pre-order starting today and launching on October 3, 2024. It costs $249.99 and is available in Black, Silver, and Pink Gold (same as the regular model). Samsung Galaxy Watch FE LTE The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is a smartwatch that offers comprehensive health and fitness tracking features. It empowers users to take control of their well-being with advanced sleep monitoring, heart health tracking, and personalized fitness insights, all while seamlessly connecting with other Samsung Galaxy devices. $250 at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE hands-on review: necessity or niche-filler? | Stuff

Larger screen won't please everyone - and regular S24 is now cheaper They don't yet have the lineage of Samsung's Galaxy S flagships, but the firm's Fan Edition mid-range phones have now become an annual occurrence. The Galaxy S24 FE is the latest, taking most of the things I loved about January's mainline models - including a healthy dollop of Galaxy AI - and being a bit more modest with the spec sheet in the name of cost-saving. It's the same basic formula Samsung used for the outgoing Galaxy S23 FE, except a larger screen and beefier battery mean the new iteration is more in keeping with the Galaxy S24+ than the pocket-friendly Galaxy S24. Which is handy, given recent price reductions make the smaller model even cheaper still if you shop around. At £649, is the Galaxy S24 FE a smart buy for the Samsung faithful in search of a big-screen handset - or have there been one too many cutbacks to earn a recommendation? I only had a few days with the phone at the time of writing, so a full star rating will wait until I've done proper battery testing and in-depth camera comparisons. But in the meantime, here are my first impressions. From a distance, you'll have a hard time telling the FE apart from a full-fat Galaxy S24+. It's a few millimetres taller and wider, on account of the slightly thicker screen bezels, and a scant 0.3mm thicker (8mm vs 7.7mm). This is undoubtedly a big phone, but the familiar flat sides gave me plenty to grip onto. Samsung has pretty much carried the design over wholesale, with the only other giveaway being the colours on offer for the rear glass and aluminium frame. The S24 FE has more pastel-like Blue, Mint and Yellow options (along with Grey and Black) to the metal-like hues found on the S24 proper. A glossy finish on the rear glass helped keep fingerprints a bay on my Blue review unit, and the matte aluminium frame felt suitably high-end. I like how Samsung has stripped back the messy CE information from the rear, too - it cheapened the look of the S23 FE. Like its predecessor you'll find the SIM tray on the top edge, rather than the bottom as on the flagship S24s. Otherwise it's a dead ringer, with the same three protruding camera lenses at the rear, power and volume buttons at the side, USB-C port and speaker cutout at the bottom, and punch-hole selfie cam up front. An optical under-display fingerprint sensor gets the job done, even if it's not quite as quick to recognise your fingers as the ultrasonic sensor seen on the top-tier Galaxy S24 Ultra. I still think it sits a little too close to the phone's bottom edge, too. Face unlocking is handy for skipping the lock screen, but it isn't secure enough for banking apps. Given last year's phone had IP68 dust and water resistance, it's no surprise to find a similar degree of protection here. I certainly wasn't caught out by an afternoon of camera testing in heavy rain. They might be a matching 6.7in, but because the Galaxy S24+ took a much-needed step up in resolution, this new Fan Edition's 2340×1080 AMOLED panel isn't stepping on any toes. It still looked sharp and detailed from arms' length, and the marginally thicker bezels aren't in any way distracting. A 60-120Hz dynamic refresh rate meant scrolling was very smooth for the most part, though I would still prefer an option to force 120Hz on all the time. It's a similar deal with the always-on display; it defaults to "tap to show", but I'd rather have it permanently on during daylight hours for at-a-glance time and notification checks. Colours are as vibrant and engaging as I've come to expect from Samsung's OLEDs, giving pictures and videos plenty of punch. HDR10+ support meant compatible content could show fantastically detailed highlights alongside deep shadows. It doesn't get quite as bright as the full-fat S24 models, but there's still enough output to see the screen clearly in direct sunshine. It compares very favourably with other mid-rangers and sub-flagships. Top marks for the down-firing main speaker and front-facing earpiece tweeter, too; as long as you aren't expecting much in the way of bass, they'll impress you with their clear mid-range and potent volume. Samsung hasn't rocked the boat in terms of sensor setup, meaning the Galaxy S24 FE has the same rear trio as its predecessor. A 50MP unit leads the way with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilisation; it's joined by a 12MP, f.2.2 ultrawide and an 8MP, f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS. There's also a 10MP, f/2.4 selfie cam up front. On paper, these aren't too far removed from the 'proper' Galaxy S24 and its 50MP/12MP/10MP rear cams, and both phones have Samsung's undeniably effective image processing - but rivals have really stepped up in terms of pixel count, zoom magnification and colour treatment, so they'll need to put in a serious shift in order to impress. With only one afternoon of shooting in overcast and wet conditions, I'm not ready to give a verdict on image quality. The below samples will speak for themselves. TLDR? Expect Samsung's familiar saturated colours, exposure settings that favour highlights over shadow detail, and well-judged amounts of sharpness to bring out the detail without adding unwanted extra crunch to your snaps. The camera app offers up 2x zoom by cropping the main sensor, and will fall back to it instead of the tighter aperture telephoto lens in dimmer lighting. I could definitely tell which photos were taken on the zoom lens, as colour and definition were a step behind the main shooter. Overall, though, all three lenses are a close match for exposure and contrast. Serious smartphone snappers will probably demand more from their hardware, but the majority will be pleased by the phone's processing - and will appreciate the expansive selection of AI-enhanced editing tools on offer. The Galaxy S24 FE can generatively expand photos you've cropped too tightly on to an impressive degree, and the way it strips out window reflections is very useful if you're not a Photoshop expert. The Portrait Studio is more fun than functional, turning pics into oil paintings or cartoons. Galaxy AI is quickly becoming one of Samsung's main smartphone selling points, so naturally the Galaxy S24 FE comes bundled with the lot. That includes Circle to Search, which is still exclusive to Samsung and Google phones. It's very handy for looking up images, with contextual info like where to buy products or how to get to a particular place. Productivity gets the biggest boost, with Note Assist automatically formatting and summarising long pages of text, Transcript Assist translating and summarising audio recordings (with consistently good accuracy) and Chat Assist adjusting tone and grammar for those text messages that need to sound more professional. Regular travellers will also appreciate live translation, including while you're on phone calls, and in-person conversations. These all depend on you using Samsung's own app library, of course. Galaxy AI can summarise or translate web pages, but only in the Samsung Internet app; if you're wedded to Google Keep or Chrome, you're out of luck. The Samsung ecosystem is extensive, with entire folders waiting in the app drawer the moment you set up the phone. Samsung fans will feel right at home, while newcomers will rightfully feel a little lost. OneUI is at least easy to navigate now, with streamlined Settings menus making it easy to pick which features you want and which to safely disable. Samsung remains one of the best brands for quick software rollouts, and has committed to seven years of version updates and security patches - great if you want a phone for the long haul. With a home-grown Exynos 2400e chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S24 FE slots in directly beneath the European Galaxy S24 in terms of performance. The 4nm silicon has been downclocked a bit, and is cooled by a slightly larger vapour chamber, so promises to maintain peak power for longer. Benchmark apps put this processor behind the current crop of Snapdragon-powered mid-rangers and sub-flagships, but not by a colossal amount. 2048 and 6406 in the Geekbench single- and multi-core tests put it within spitting distance of its bigger brother. In reality, this felt like a perfectly snappy and responsive phone, running apps at a great lick and never sweating with basic multitasking. I've yet to properly play any demanding games on it, but the more basic 2D titles I did manage to download ran perfectly smoothly. Samsung says its GPU can handle ray tracing effects with the best of 'em, but my experience with the regular Galaxy S24 suggests Qualcomm-powered rivals will still be the top pick for dedicated mobile gamers. A score of 3549 in the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme test all but confirms it. The S24 FE gets a small but welcome 200mAh battery capacity increase over its predecessor. The 4700mAh cell isn't quite as large as the one inside the Galaxy S24+, but it was still enough to get me through an entire day of regular use without needing to recharge before bedtime. I'll need to spend more time with the phone before giving a final verdict, but first impressions suggest it's not quite a battery life champ - but won't leave you stranded either. Wired and wireless charging speeds haven't changed at all, meaning a maximum 25W over USB-C - and much less on a Qi pad. This is mediocre at best for 2024. On first look there's plenty to like about the Galaxy S24 FE, and not just if you're a Samsung fan. The nicer materials, bigger battery and more potent processor help it keep pace with a rapidly improving mid-range market, and bring the firm's convincing AI features to a more appealing price point. Photography doesn't seem to have taken much of a leap from the outgoing handset, though, and not everyone will appreciate the larger screen size. I also can't overlook the fact that the Galaxy S24 proper can be had for less cash, at least at launch. I'm sure that'll change once discounts and reductions come into effect, but right now you've got to really want that bigger screen - and not have the budget for the S24+ - to make this your first choice.

I used Samsung's special Galaxy S24 model, and it's quickly become my go-to Android recommendation

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE undercuts the standard Galaxy S24 by at least $150, but it has mostly the same features -- including the main camera. If the saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none," was a smartphone, it would be the Galaxy S24 FE, Samsung's new mid-range handset that slots right beneath the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra. It doesn't have the same industrial charm as its more premium siblings -- the lighter build and thicker bezels are a giveaway that you're no longer in flagship territory -- but the Galaxy S24 FE has just about everything else that you'd want for $649. Also: Forget iPhone 16: Samsung's $649 Galaxy S24 FE may be the new mainstream phone to beat I spent a good hour and a half using the Galaxy S24 FE during Samsung's launch event yesterday, and while I won't get into the nitty-gritty of every spec (my colleague, Cesar Cadenas, has you covered), there were some standout features that made the phone more memorable than I was expecting. That list includes the flagship-tier camera system, seven years of software updates, and Galaxy AI features. I'll start with the last point, which makes the Galaxy S24 FE one of the most affordable phones to field AI tools like Circle to Search, live translations, generative editing, and more. Only the Google Pixel 8a comes close as far as AI accessibility goes, but it's a much smaller handset (6.1 inches versus 6.7 inches) with a much smaller battery (4,492mAh versus 4,700mAh). Considering how visual and interactive these features can be, I found the larger canvas of the Galaxy S24 FE more practical, whether I was circling items to Google Search or scanning a translated PDF. Also: Galaxy AI is coming to mid-range Samsung phones. These models will get it first The Galaxy S24 FE's camera system captures photos with excellent detail and vividness. That shouldn't come as a surprise, as it packs the same 50MP main sensor and 12MP ultrawide lens as the flagship Galaxy S24, while the telephoto lens (with 3x optical zoom) falls just short at 8MP (instead of 10MP). I took a couple of pictures throughout the event space, which had areas that varied in brightness, color temperature, and lighting angles, and the Galaxy S24 FE handled the inconsistencies gracefully. I also did a selfie test with Milesabovetech and Parker Burton, who TikTok for a living (read: they know the most optimal poses and angles for being on camera), and the images captured were quite detailed, though my skin appeared paler than normal. Also: Samsung's new Galaxy Tab S10 series may be the iPad Pro for Android users (but better) The desaturated look extends to the back of the Galaxy S24 FE, which comes in four pastel finishes, including Graphite, Gray, Blue, and Mint. None of the color options this year will necessarily strike a chord, but my advice is to stick with a lighter color like Blue and Mint. The glossy glass layering means the phones collect more fingerprints than an FBI agent, and the darker hues make that more apparent. Samsung's really pushing the Galaxy S24 FE as the phone that will bring AI to the masses, and the timing couldn't have been better. Earlier this month, Apple launched the iPhone 16 series, and while it's clearly spent all its marketing budget promoting Apple Intelligence, none of the company's on-device AI capabilities are readily available. At $649, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE not only undercuts the base-level iPhone 16 and Galaxy S24 by $150, but it also comes with AI features, among other benefits, right out of the box. My buying advice is to take advantage of Samsung's Offer Programs. For example, students can get the Galaxy Buds FE bundled for free, and you can save up to $500 by making an eligible trade-in.

Hands On With the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Midrange Phone That Feels High-End

I'm one of PCMag's mobile analysts. That means I check out phones, hotspots, and mobile networks. Technology has been my passion and hobby since I was a child. I've covered tech professionally for over 15 years at outlets including The Apple Blog, This Week in Tech, and CNET. Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE midrange smartphone has arrived, and it puts a big focus on Galaxy AI. Samsung says that 75% of Galaxy users in the US have already tried its AI tools, and now the company is making them more widely accessible to everyone with the Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at $649.99. I had the chance to spend some hands-on time with the latest model in Samsung's Fan Edition (FE)-branded phone line, so read on for my first impressions. Design: Familiar, Safe The Galaxy S24 FE features the same look as many other Galaxy devices with a rectangular body and rounded corners. The handset measures 6.38 by 3.04 by 0.31 inches (HWD) and weighs 7.51 ounces, which is taller, wider, and heavier than the Galaxy S23 FE (6.22 by 3.01 by 0.32 inches, 7.37 ounces). Samsung went big for the new FE's display. The S24 FE features a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 2,340-by-1,080-pixel resolution, a refresh rate up to 120Hz, and a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. This is much larger and a little brighter than the S23 FE's 6.4-inch, 1,500-nit display. Last year's FE fit between the S23 and the S23+ in terms of screen size, while the S24 FE and the S24+ both have 6.7-inch displays. However, the S24 FE is taller than the S24+ due in part to the relatively thick bezels surrounding its screen. The front and back of the device are covered in Gorilla Glass Victus+, the same glass found on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and an improvement on last year's model clad in the much older Gorilla Glass 5. The downside of all that glass is that the S24 FE is a fingerprint magnet on both sides, though prints on the front are nearly invisible when the screen is on. Three camera lenses are on the rear, lined up at the top left of the S24 FE, and the display integrates a selfie camera. It features a 50MP f/1.8 main shooter with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, and an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS. Spec-wise, these cameras seem to be the same as the ones found in the Galaxy S23 FE, though that model is capable of a 30x digital zoom, while the S24 FE's digital zoom maxes out at 10x. We did not test these cameras, but Samsung made a big deal out of its ProVisual Engine, which uses AI to enhance photography. We look forward to testing the S24 FE's photography skills, so stay tuned for more. In terms of build quality, the S24 FE is a very small step down from the main Galaxy S24 line. The screen and back panel are slightly inset into the frame, so your finger will feel a separation between materials. The S24 FE has an IP68 rating, meaning it can withstand dust and is virtually waterproof. The phone is comfortable to hold, with rounded corners comfortably nestling in hand. It also is a bit slippery, so grip tightly. Otherwise, the device has a high-end feel thanks to its combination of aluminum and glass. The S24 FE is available in Blue, Graphite, Gray, and Mint. The Graphite model is especially sleek, with a dark frame accenting the back panel. All the other models feature a silver-hued frame. Performance: Changes Inside Samsung chose to power its S24 FE with its own Exynos 2400e chip, a processor not found within the main US Galaxy S24 line. The US versions of the Galaxy S24, the S24+, and the S24 Ultra all use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy system on a chip (SoC). Last year's S23 line and the S23 FE also featured chips made by Qualcomm. It also boasts a larger vapor chamber than the one found in the S23 FE. This should help keep the S24 FE cool while running under load. We will have to see what kind of impact these changes have on performance. Like its predecessor, the S24 FE is available with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB ($709.99) of internal storage. It packs a 4,700mAH battery capable of 25W wired charging, supports Qi wireless charging up to 15W, and can wireless charge other devices through PowerShare. Software: Galaxy AI On Board The Galaxy S24 FE runs Android 14 and will receive seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates. This support window is a step up from the S23 FE, which receives four years of OS updates and five years of security fixes. The big draw to the Galaxy S24 FE is that it features all the same Galaxy AI tools as the Galaxy S24 series, including Circle to Search with Google and Sketch to Image. Samsung is currently rolling out Galaxy AI features to more devices, but the S24 FE will ship with those features already installed. In previous testing, Galaxy AI has proved useful and fun. It can help organize and summarize thoughts in Samsung Notes, act as a translator, and turn sketches into photorealistic art. As mentioned before, we will have to see how well these features perform without Qualcomm's chips. Keep in mind that not every Galaxy AI tool runs on-device, so cloud-assisted features could feel the same across handset models. Pricing and Availability The Galaxy S24 FE starts at $649.99 and is slated to begin shipping on October 3. We will have a full review of the new FE in the coming days, so check back to find out how well it fits in with the S24 family. In the meantime, check out eveything else Samsung introduced alngside the S24 FE, including new tablets and an LTE version of the Editors' Choice-winning Galaxy Watch FE.