Aside from the Galaxy S22, we’ve seen Samsung launch a Fan Version of its flagship smartphone yearly since 2020. Again then, the FE was seen as a “flagship killer” of kinds, providing unimaginable worth in comparison with the “common” Galaxy gadgets. Final yr’s Galaxy S23 FE was no exception, however I’m undecided if the identical could be stated concerning the Galaxy S24 FE.
Understandably, Samsung lower corners in several areas, whereas concurrently sprinkling in among the similar options and specs shared by the Galaxy S24 FE’s costlier counterpart. To be frank, after spending a while with Samsung’s newest telephone, I got here away feeling a bit confused.
The Galaxy S24 FE appears to be like actually acquainted
Let’s get among the fundamentals out of the best way. Samsung slimmed down the bezels a bit, ensuing within the S24 FE sporting a 6.7-inch show. This matches up with the Galaxy S24 Plus whereas being 0.3 inches bigger than the S23 FE. Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED makes its return, providing a 120Hz refresh charge, and is HDR10+ compliant. Nonetheless, in a yr the place one of many focuses appears to be on making screens brighter, the S24 FE isn’t any completely different, because it’s able to reaching as much as 1900 nits of peak brightness.
Very like the Galaxy Tab S10 collection, it’s tough to actually discover any variations between the S24 FE and the S23 FE. Making issues much more complicated, good luck attempting to inform the S24 FE aside from even the S24 Plus from earlier this yr. There are some very minor variations in dimensions, to not point out the variances in shade choices, however once more, from an look standpoint, it’s fairly darn related.
I convey this up as a result of it’s a part of the explanation why I’m confused about Samsung’s course. Certain, these two telephones aren’t really the identical, even when they share many similarities. Which, by the best way, consists of the S24 FE “borrowing” the 50MP major digital camera from the Plus. Don’t get me fallacious, it’s a superb factor to see, it simply continues to depart me scratching my head.
The most important distinction
As I’ve talked about, there are variations to be discovered, however you gained’t see them at first look. The most important change is Samsung making the swap away from Qualcomm, however as an alternative of choosing a MediaTek chip, Samsung’s personal Exynos 2400e is on the helm with the S24 FE. That is paired with 8GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of storage, identical to the S23 FE, however providing much less RAM than the S24 Plus.
Though it’d come as a shock to these of us right here within the U.S., the truth is that this isn’t something new for Samsung telephones. In areas and markets exterior of the States, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus are powered by the Exynos 2400. On the finish of the day, the one factor between the Exynos 2400 and 2400e, is that Samsung lowered the clock speeds of the latter by 100MHz (3.21GHz vs. 3.11GHz.)
Galaxy AI for everybody
As anticipated, Samsung continued to drive residence the concept that Galaxy AI must be simply accessible and available for anybody and everybody. Whereas the Galaxy S24 Extremely and Z Fold 6 had their time to shine, these options at the moment are making their approach to extra inexpensive smartphones.
You gained’t discover hardly any options on the S24 FE that aren’t already out there on Samsung’s different 2024 flagship gadgets. This consists of the likes of Generative Edit, Portrait Studio, On the spot Sluggish-mo, Circle to Search, and different key Galaxy AI options.
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What stays to be seen is how the S24 FE will maintain up over time, particularly as Galaxy AI expands. Maybe extra importantly, I’ve to marvel how lengthy it will likely be earlier than we see Samsung introduce new Galaxy AI options, however depart the S24 FE behind.
It’s an vital query to ask, because the Galaxy S24 FE is getting the identical remedy as its costlier counterparts. Samsung introduced that its newest telephone will obtain seven years of software program and safety updates. It’s nice to listen to and to see on paper, however solely time will actually inform how a lot efficiency degradation there will likely be when Android 22 and One UI 13 roll out.
The Exynos 2400e feels snappy
Within the meantime, the Galaxy S24 FE felt simply as quick and snappy as you’d anticipate from a brand-new telephone. That included messing round with among the Galaxy AI options, comparable to Generative Edit, even when the top outcomes weren’t what I anticipated. Then once more, I type of chalk this as much as being a “sufferer of the atmosphere” and don’t actually put the onus on the S24 FE.
Tremendous Sluggish-mo was one other cool characteristic to see working in motion, managing to simply seize and playback from another person messing round with a Newton’s Cradle. The S24 FE by no means felt scorching to the contact; it solely felt heat due to the variety of folks passing their telephones round to get completely different images or attempt various things.
There are some issues that we’ll simply have to attend and check out, comparable to battery life, and placing the opposite Galaxy AI options via their paces. Seeing as I’m entrenched on this planet of retro recreation emulation on gadgets, I’m and excited to see whether or not I can use the S24 FE to take pleasure in among the extra trendy Zelda video games.
Trying on the broader image
Okay, so what’s it concerning the Galaxy S24 FE that leaves me feeling confused? All of it comes down to cost. At retail, the S24 FE is $649.99, which would appear like a steal in comparison with the $999 retail value of the S24 Plus. When factoring in Samsung’s present trade-in choices, you may get the previous for $249 or the latter for $399. Once more, it is a nod within the FE’s favor, accurately.
However the 2024 vacation buying season is true across the nook, which implies that you’re certain to discover a deal someplace for considered one of, if not each the S24 FE and the S24 Plus. On the one hand, the cheaper telephone might be going to be the higher vendor of the 2.
Nonetheless, if each telephones are priced the identical, would you reasonably have the telephone that was launched alongside two different flagships, or the one which’s positioned as being extra budget-friendly? To not point out that the S24 Plus does supply extra RAM and storage in its base configuration, which is able to absolutely be helpful in the long term.
I do assume that there’s a spot in Samsung’s portfolio for the Galaxy FE to exist. I simply assume that this may be a way more compelling choice if the worth was someplace round $500-$550. It could make much more sense contemplating that the Galaxy A33 5G begins at $399, and whereas it appears to be an incredible telephone and worth, Samsung may be lacking out on a possibility.
Galaxy AI, for much less
It would seem like Samsung launched new colours for the Galaxy S24 Plus, however the Galaxy S24 FE presents a significantly better worth. It is filled with loads of Galaxy AI options, whereas sporting a number of variations which may shock you.
