An amazing set of features at a more affordable price has made the Galaxy S24 FE quickly popular among tech fans. The FE claims to offer a premium experience similar to that of the flagship Galaxy S24, but does it do so without sacrificing too much? It costs $150 less than the S24. It’s easy to think that these two devices are the same because they have similar styles and hardware, but there are some important differences that you should look into.
How Does the Galaxy S24 FE Differ from the Galaxy S24?
The S24 FE and Galaxy S24 have similar boxy designs, strong chipsets, high-refresh-rate screens, and excellent cameras. The S24 FE has a larger display, battery, and price, while the S24 focuses on portability with its smaller size and better outside visibility. The FE has an optical fingerprint sensor, while the S24 uses an ultrasonic one for faster and more accurate detection.
But how do these differences affect daily use? We’ll compare design, performance, display, camera, and battery life to help you choose the best phone for value and functionality. Does the Galaxy S24 FE offer the best deal, or does its compact power justify the extra cost?
Display and Design
The screen size is the most noticeable difference between the Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 FE. The S24 features a compact 6.2-inch display, while the S24 FE offers a larger 6.7-inch screen. Both displays support a 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing the smoothness of scrolling and gaming. The Galaxy S24’s screen has a higher pixel density of 416 ppi, compared to the S24 FE’s 385 ppi. Additionally, the S24 features slimmer bezels for a sleeker look.
In terms of brightness, the S24 FE reaches a maximum brightness of 1,900 nits, making it easy to read in bright lighting conditions. However, the Galaxy S24 boasts a more impressive 2,600-nit maximum brightness, ensuring better visibility even under direct sunlight.
Both phones are equipped with under-screen fingerprint readers, but their technology differs. The Galaxy S24 uses an ultrasonic sensor, known for its faster unlocking speed and less intrusive lighting in dark environments. The S24 FE, on the other hand, employs an optical fingerprint sensor, which is slightly slower and brighter when unlocking.
On the back, both devices feature three vertically aligned cameras in the top-left corner. The S24 FE is available in four colors, while the Galaxy S24 offers seven color options. Both models start with 128GB of storage, with an upgrade to 256GB available for an additional cost.
Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite, a standout feature of the Galaxy S24 series, provides tools such as text message translation, image frame extension, photo generation from sketches, and audio transcription. While this AI suite is also available on older models like the Galaxy S23, its continuous evolution is expected. However, this feature may not be a decisive factor in choosing between the two models.
Charging & Battery
The Galaxy S24 and S24 FE come equipped with 4,000mAh and 4,700mAh batteries, respectively, paired with software optimizations that contribute to respectable battery performance. Both devices are capable of lasting through a full day of heavy use, often retaining 25% to 30% of battery life by the end of the day.
Performance testing involved real-world scenarios such as capturing photos and videos, making calls, exploring features, and gaming. Compared to its predecessor, the S23 FE, which often struggled with battery life, the S24 FE shows noticeable improvements in endurance.
Both phones support 25-watt wired charging. In 30 minutes, the Galaxy S24’s battery recharges from 0% to 51%, while the S24 FE, with its larger battery, recharges to 56% within the same timeframe. This highlights the efficiency of the charging technology across both models.
Performance
The Galaxy S24 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, while the Galaxy S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400E. The S24 FE’s more affordable price point may partially reflect the difference in processors, but it still offers impressive performance.
In CPU performance tests like Geekbench 6.0, the Galaxy S24 FE slightly lags behind the Galaxy S24 but outperforms all Galaxy S23 models. For more graphics-intensive tasks, such as the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark, the Galaxy S24 showcases significantly higher performance. The S24 FE, while not as powerful, positions itself closer to the Galaxy S23 series in terms of graphics capability.
The S24 FE handles everyday gaming and cloud-based services like Xbox Game Pass smoothly, making it a reliable choice for casual gamers. However, for users seeking higher graphical performance and processing power, the Galaxy S24 is the better option.
Cameras
The camera setup on the Galaxy S24 stands out as the more advanced option. However, this does not mean the S24 FE falls short in quality. The S24 FE features a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and an 8-megapixel 3x telephoto lens, offering a solid photography experience for its price point.
Similarly, the Galaxy S24 includes a wide-angle, ultrawide, and 3x telephoto lens. While both models share identical primary cameras, the Galaxy S24 benefits from superior image processing, delivering enhanced picture quality.
In particular, the Galaxy S24 excels in low-light photography, producing clearer and more detailed shots compared to the S24 FE. These differences highlight the Galaxy S24’s edge in overall camera performance.
Audio Quality
Both phones deliver excellent sound quality, but the larger build of the S24 FE provides slightly deeper and richer audio. This difference is due to the additional internal space, which allows for better acoustics. Despite this, both models offer comparable maximum volume levels.
Features Comparison
When comparing the $649 Galaxy S24 FE to the $799 Galaxy S24 based only on specifications, the primary differences come down to size. The S24 FE is larger, offering more screen space and a bigger battery.
Additionally, the S24 has marginally higher-resolution cameras for both the 3x telephoto and the selfie lens, setting it slightly apart in these areas.
| Feature | Galaxy S24 FE | Galaxy S24 |
| Price | $649 | $799 |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Pixel Density | 385 ppi | 416 ppi |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Bezels | Standard | Slimmer |
| Maximum Brightness | 1,900 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Optical (slightly slower, brighter at night) | Ultrasonic (faster, less intrusive at night) |
| Camera Setup | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP 3x telephoto | 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto |
| Low-Light Photography | Decent | Superior |
| Charging Speed | 0% to 56% in 30 minutes | 0% to 51% in 30 minutes |
| AI Features | Galaxy AI suite (text translation, photo editing, more) | Galaxy AI suite (same features, with continued evolution) |
| Audio Quality | Deeper, richer sound due to larger size | Clear, comparable maximum volume |
| Processor | Exynos 2400E | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Battery Capacity | 4,700mAh | 4,000mAh |
| Color Options | Four colors | Seven colors |
| Performance | Smooth for casual gaming and multitasking | Better for high-end gaming and graphics-intensive tasks |
A comparison of the two devices’ specifications provides a clear overview, highlighting details that may not be immediately noticeable. From the analysis, the Galaxy S24 FE emerges as a close match to the pricier Galaxy S24, offering similar features with only a few distinctions.
Which Galaxy S24 Model Should You Go For?
When choosing between the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24, it comes down to priorities. The S24 is ideal for those who value portability, superior outdoor visibility, and faster performance, including a brighter display and better camera features.
However, the S24 FE offers great value with its larger screen, longer battery life, and similar performance at a $150 discount. If you’re after a compact flagship, the S24 is the better pick; for a more immersive experience and budget-friendly option, the S24 FE is a solid choice. The decision ultimately depends on your needs—size and camera quality versus display and value.
