Samsung has been busy this year, and they’re not done yet. Today, they’ve unveiled their newest smartphone, the Galaxy S24 FE. This phone is essentially a scaled-down version of the Galaxy S24 Plus, offering a lower price tag while compromising on certain specs. But is this trade-off worth it?
The Galaxy S24 FE boasts a large 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the resolution drops to Full HD instead of the Quad HD panel found on the S24 Plus, resulting in a slightly softer viewing experience.
On the back, you’ll find a triple-camera system comprised of a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. For selfies, there’s a 10MP front-facing camera. While the primary and ultrawide cameras match the S24 Plus, the telephoto and selfie cameras have been downgraded slightly.
The real difference lies under the hood. Instead of the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip found in other S24 models, the Galaxy S24 FE utilizes Samsung’s own Exynos 2400e chipset. This is a less powerful version of the Exynos 2400 used in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus, sold outside the US. While performance is still expected to be decent, it’s not quite a flagship-level experience.
Similar downgrades can be observed in the RAM and storage. The Galaxy S24 FE offers 8GB of RAM and a choice between 128GB and 256GB of storage. In comparison, the S24 Plus provides 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage.
Rounding out the specs is a 4,700 mAh battery with 25-watt charging, which again falls short of the 4,900 mAh battery and 45W charging on the S24 Plus.
All these spec compromises translate into a lower price. While the Galaxy S24 Plus starts at $1,000, the Galaxy S24 FE begins at $650. This represents a $50 price increase compared to the Galaxy S23 FE, but it’s still cheaper than the S24 Plus. However, the picture gets more complicated when you consider that the Galaxy S24 Plus is currently available for $800 on Samsung’s website. If you opt for the 256GB version of the S24 FE, which is likely the better choice, the price jumps to $710. At this point, an additional $90 gets you a higher-resolution display, superior cameras, a faster processor, more RAM, a larger battery, and faster charging. In this context, the Galaxy S24 FE becomes a tougher sell.
There’s also the argument that Samsung will inevitably run promotions and discounts for the Galaxy S24 FE, making it more appealing at that time. But if you’re considering buying the phone at its full retail price, it’s wise to explore your options. Not only is a discounted Galaxy S24 Plus a tempting offer, but phones like the OnePlus 12R and Google Pixel 8a are also worth considering.
The Galaxy S24 FE is available for pre-order starting today, coming in graphite, gray, blue, and mint. Ultimately, the decision boils down to your priorities and budget. If you’re seeking a powerful and feature-rich flagship experience, the Galaxy S24 Plus might be the better choice, even with the discounted price. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with a large display and solid performance, the Galaxy S24 FE could be worth considering, especially if you can snag it at a discounted price.
