Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: A Midrange Marvel With Premium Features
Samsung has officially unveiled its latest Fan Edition (FE) smartphone, the Galaxy S24 FE, aimed at bringing high-end features to a broader audience at a more accessible price point. Priced at $649.99, the Galaxy S24 FE is designed to deliver premium experiences, particularly with its focus on AI and performance upgrades. After spending some hands-on time with the device, here are our first impressions of what Samsung’s newest midrange phone brings to the table.
Familiar Yet Refined Design
At first glance, the Galaxy S24 FE sticks closely to the design language of its Galaxy siblings. It has the same familiar rectangular body with rounded corners, giving it a sleek, modern look. The phone is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 FE, measuring 6.38 by 3.04 by 0.31 inches and weighing 7.51 ounces. While these changes are minor, they make the S24 FE feel a bit bulkier in hand.
Samsung has gone big on the display, a key feature of the S24 FE. The phone comes with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, boasting a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. This display is a clear upgrade from the S23 FE’s 6.4-inch, 1,500-nit screen. In terms of screen size, the S24 FE is on par with the Galaxy S24+, though the FE has slightly thicker bezels, making it a taller device overall.
The front and back of the S24 FE are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, the same tough glass used in the premium Galaxy S22 Ultra. This is a notable improvement over the older Gorilla Glass 5 used in last year’s model, providing better durability. However, the glass also attracts fingerprints easily on both sides of the phone, though prints on the front become nearly invisible when the screen is illuminated.
The rear of the device features a familiar triple-camera setup, with three lenses aligned vertically in the top-left corner. Despite its midrange positioning, the Galaxy S24 FE feels well-built, thanks to a combination of aluminum and glass, though the frame’s slightly inset design gives a small separation between materials when held. The phone has an IP68 rating, meaning it’s dust-resistant and can survive water exposure, adding a layer of durability for everyday use.
The S24 FE is available in four color options: Blue, Graphite, Gray, and Mint. The Graphite model, in particular, stands out with its sleek, dark frame, which provides a sophisticated contrast against the back panel.
Big on AI, Big on Cameras
One of the main selling points of the Galaxy S24 FE is Samsung’s emphasis on AI-powered features, something the company says 75% of US Galaxy users have already embraced. With the S24 FE, Samsung aims to make these AI tools more accessible to a wider audience, and they are integrated into various aspects of the phone, particularly in its photography capabilities.
The phone comes equipped with a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and OIS. These camera specs closely mirror those of the Galaxy S23 FE, though the S24 FE’s digital zoom maxes out at 10x compared to the 30x digital zoom of the S23 FE.
Samsung has introduced its new ProVisual Engine, an AI-driven feature designed to enhance photography by automatically adjusting settings and improving image quality. While we haven’t had the chance to fully test the cameras, the promise of AI-assisted photography is an exciting prospect for users looking to capture high-quality images with minimal effort. We look forward to seeing how this feature performs in real-world conditions.
Performance and Hardware Upgrades
While the Galaxy S24 FE may look similar to its predecessors on the outside, significant changes lie under the hood. One of the most interesting differences is the choice of processor. Unlike the US versions of the Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra, which all use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system on a chip (SoC), the S24 FE is powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 2400e chip. This represents a departure from last year’s S23 FE, which also used Qualcomm chips.
Along with the new chip, the S24 FE comes with a larger vapor chamber, designed to improve heat management during heavy use. This should make a noticeable difference in performance, particularly when running demanding apps or games. The device packs 8GB of RAM and offers two storage options: 128GB for $649.99 and 256GB for $709.99. These specs, combined with the Exynos chip and enhanced cooling, should provide solid performance for everyday use and multitasking.
In terms of battery life, the Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, capable of 25W wired charging and up to 15W wireless charging. The phone also supports Samsung’s PowerShare feature, allowing it to wirelessly charge other devices. This combination of features is impressive for a midrange phone and adds to the overall value proposition of the S24 FE.
Final Thoughts: A Midrange Phone With High-End Appeal
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE strikes a balance between premium features and affordability, making it a strong contender in the midrange smartphone market. With its large, high-quality display, durable build, AI-enhanced photography, and powerful performance upgrades, the S24 FE delivers a lot of value for its price. While it may not pack all the bells and whistles of Samsung’s flagship models, it offers enough high-end features to satisfy most users.
If you’re in the market for a smartphone that feels premium without breaking the bank, the Galaxy S24 FE is definitely worth considering. As always, stay tuned for a deeper dive into the phone’s performance and camera capabilities in the full review!
