Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Bigger Midrange Phone That Questions Its Own Purpose

BigGo Editorial Team
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Bigger Midrange Phone That Questions Its Own Purpose

Samsung's Fan Edition lineup, which began as a pandemic-era solution for budget-conscious consumers, has evolved with the release of the Galaxy S24 FE. However, in today's competitive midrange market, the purpose and positioning of this $649 device raise interesting questions about its value proposition.

Design and Display Evolution

The Galaxy S24 FE introduces a significant size upgrade with its 6.7-inch AMOLED display, marking a departure from its predecessor's 6.4-inch screen. While maintaining the familiar design language of Samsung's recent devices, the new model features flat, matte aluminum side rails and slightly uncomfortable rectangular edges. The larger form factor accommodates a bigger battery but comes with a trade-off in handling comfort. The 1080p resolution, while adequate, appears less crisp on the larger display.

Comparison with S23 FE:

  • Display Size: 6.7" vs 6.4"
  • Battery: 4,700mAh vs 4,500mAh
  • Thickness: 8.0mm vs 8.2mm
  • Processor: Exynos 2400e vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US)/Exynos 2200 (Global)

Performance and Processing Power

Powered by Samsung's Exynos 2400e chipset, the S24 FE demonstrates capable performance in daily tasks and gaming. The processor handles Galaxy AI features effectively, matching its flagship siblings in functionality. With 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, the device maintains competitive specifications for its price point. The 4,700mAh battery provides reliable all-day endurance, though charging speeds remain conservative at 25W wired and 15W wireless.

Key Specifications:

  • Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate
  • Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e
  • Memory: 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 128GB/256GB
  • Battery: 4,700mAh
  • Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless
  • Main Camera: 50MP f/1.8 OIS
  • Ultrawide: 12MP f/2.2
  • Telephoto: 8MP f/2.4 (3x optical zoom)
  • Water Resistance: IP68
  • Software Support: 7 years of OS updates
  • Price: $649

Camera Capabilities

The triple camera system remains unchanged from the S23 FE, featuring a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. While the telephoto lens sets it apart from other midrange competitors, the camera system's performance shows some inconsistencies, particularly in autofocus and low-light conditions. The inclusion of Galaxy AI features for photo editing adds value but doesn't fundamentally change the camera experience.

Software and Long-term Value

One of the S24 FE's strongest selling points is its seven-year software support commitment, matching Samsung's flagship models. This long-term update promise, combined with full access to Galaxy AI features, positions the device as a future-proof investment. However, at $649, it faces stiff competition from devices like the Google Pixel 8A, which offers similar features at $499.

Market Position and Value Proposition

The timing of the S24 FE's release, coinciding with carrier promotions and holiday shopping seasons, suggests a strategic market positioning rather than a pure fan-service device. While it offers a reasonable mix of features, the price point raises questions about its value proposition in a market where capable midrange options are increasingly competitive.

Review
…Total 10 reviews
👍 Strengths(59.1% of other opinions)
10.3%
Appearance and Design
9.9%
Durability or quality
7.3%
Camera function and pixels
6.9%
Convenience
6.5%
Software support and updates
👎 Weaknesses(48.3% of other opinions)
14.6%
Appearance and Design
13.5%
Processor performance
9%
Camera function and pixels
9%
Price
5.6%
Weight and sizes
Samsung Galaxy S24+
Samsung Galaxy S24+
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ boasts a 6.7" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It features a powerful triple camera setup (50MP wide, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide) with OIS and 8K video recording. The device runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, powered by either Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 chipset. With 12GB RAM, up to 512GB storage, 5G capability, and a 4900mAh battery supporting fast charging, it's a high-end smartphone for tech enthusiasts.
$425up
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Best Buy
Samsung
...4 stores
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy S24
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a 6.2" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It features a triple camera setup (50MP main, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide) and a 12MP selfie camera. Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400, it offers up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The device supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6e, and has an IP68 rating. Its 4000mAh battery supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
$425up
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Best Buy
Samsung
...4 stores
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 6.8" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with 1440x3120 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It features a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12GB RAM, and up to 1TB storage. The quad-camera setup includes a 200MP main, 50MP periscope, and 12MP ultrawide. With 5G support, IP68 rating, and S Pen functionality, it's a feature-packed flagship. The 5000mAh battery supports 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
$829.99up
Aliexpress
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Best Buy
Samsung
...5 stores
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE boasts a 6.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+. It features a powerful triple camera setup (50MP main, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide) and a 10MP selfie camera. With 8GB RAM, up to 256GB storage, and 5G capability, it's a high-performance device. The 4500mAh battery supports fast charging and wireless charging. IP68-rated and running on Android 13, it's a versatile, durable smartphone for tech enthusiasts.
$252up
Newegg
Aliexpress
Best Buy
Amazon
Samsung
...5 stores
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
Samsung Galaxy Watch FE
The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is a feature-packed smartwatch with a 1.2" Super AMOLED display (396x396 pixels). It boasts Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC capabilities. Running on Wear OS 4 with One UI Watch 5, it's powered by an Exynos W920 chipset. The watch offers 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage, and a 247 mAh battery with wireless charging. It's water-resistant (IP68) and MIL-STD-810H compliant, featuring various sensors for health tracking.
$113.99up
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Newegg
Best Buy
Samsung
...4 stores