Missing in energy, however not in worth

I’ve a gentle spot for a lot of mid-range smartphones available on the market lately. As flagship gadgets, together with these from Samsung, attain upwards of $1,500 or extra, I’ve realized to understand extra budget-friendly choices. The Galaxy FE collection has constantly been a dependable mid-range choice from Samsung however sometimes comes with some concessions. The Galaxy S24 FE ticks the packing containers and excels in lots of areas for a mid-range cellphone.

Having used the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for the previous couple of weeks, I am fairly astounded by how intently Samsung was in a position to replicate the Galaxy S24 Plus expertise. This yr’s mid-range smartphone affords a surprising show, a implausible design, and a terrific array of cameras. In fact, it would not be a brand new Samsung gadget and not using a suite of Galaxy AI options at your fingertips. Whereas it would not precisely blow me away with its efficiency, the beginning value of $650 is tough to disregard merely due to its worth proposition.

Advisable

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Galaxy S24 FE gives customers with an exquisite show to make use of, a sturdy digital camera array and a surprisingly nice battery life, making it a detailed up to date to the flagship collection.

Professionals

• Vivid 6.7-inch AMOLED show for streaming
• All-day battery life, exceeding Galaxy S24
• Sturdy digital camera array

Cons

• Exynos 2400e chipset is a downgrade
• No distinctive options to make FE standout

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Worth, specs, and availability

Out there now from Samsung, the Galaxy S24 FE begins at $650. The gadget is available in a variety of colours, together with Blue, Graphite, Grey, and Mint. I have been testing the Grey mannequin out for the previous couple of weeks, which is sweet and muted with a shiny end working throughout the again. Although from my hands-on preview final month, I have to say that the Mint colorway is by far my favourite of the bunch. Galaxy S24 FE is designed to imitate this yr’s Galaxy S24 Plus, so you will discover a attractive 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED show, that includes 120Hz assist and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits.

As well as, the Galaxy S24 FE helps each 128GB and 256GB storage choices. Below the hood, you will additionally discover that the mid-range gadget options 8GB of RAM and is powered by the Exynos 2400e chipset (extra on that quickly). There’s additionally an distinctive 4,700mAh battery accessible. Different notable options embrace an IP68 ranking for mud and water resistance. Your entire package deal involves be 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 inches (162 x 77.3 x 8 mm). It additionally weighs 7.51oz (213g).

In fact, we now have to try the digital camera array as effectively. Mimicking the three-camera structure of the Galaxy S24 Plus, you will discover the gadget helps a horizontal collection of lenses. Galaxy S24 FE affords a 50-megapixel, f/1.8 broad predominant shooter, an 8-megapixel, f/2.4 telephoto lens, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera. For these maintaining rating at residence, the one main distinction between the Galaxy S24 FE and its S24 Plus counterpart is the downgrade of a 10-megapixel telephoto lens to an 8-megapixel digital camera. For the selfie digital camera, The Galaxy S24 FE affords a 10-megapixel f/2.4 digital camera.

What I appreciated concerning the Galaxy S24 FE

A surprisingly spectacular battery provides a ton of worth to the Galaxy S24 FE

First issues first, I am a fan of how intently the Galaxy S24 FE resembles the Galaxy S24 Plus. Some might imagine it is a secure design selection, and I can not disagree with that. Nevertheless, in the event you do desire a bigger smartphone with a ton of display screen actual property at your disposal however wish to buy on a price range, I can not see the Galaxy S24 FE steering you incorrect. With such a large show to mess around with, I have been watching a ton of YouTube movies and streaming content material utilizing the Galaxy S24 FE. The Vivid viewing choice is ready by default, which reinforces the intense colours on the display screen. Paired with the HDR assist, the content material manages to pop fairly properly. Plus, you will discover Darkish Mode and Eye Consolation Protect choices, each of which I take advantage of completely with telephones to alleviate my eye pressure all through the day.

What I discovered most spectacular concerning the Galaxy S24 FE was its sturdy battery life. That includes a 4,700mAh battery, the Galaxy S24 FE really affords 700mAh greater than the Galaxy S24. Utilizing the gadget extensively daily, I used to be impressed by how a lot juice was left by the point I went to mattress. After a day of streaming movies, listening to music, and taking part in the odd sport right here or there, the Galaxy S24 FE nonetheless had round 20 p.c of its battery left by the following morning. Charging capabilities assist as much as 25W, which is quick sufficient.

This yr, Samsung has been selling Galaxy AI throughout all of its gadgets. Whether or not it is a flagship cellphone, pill, and so forth. — it is all constructed for the Galaxy AI ecosystem, and the Galaxy S24 FE isn’t any completely different. Regardless of it being positioned as a mid-range gadget, customers acquire entry to a set of on-board AI-powered options. I proceed to be impressed by the Circle to Search performance, which lets me circle an object in a picture on-line and have Google Search discover extra information on that object or comparable options. As per my workflow, the Stay Transcription function at all times turns out to be useful. Having Galaxy AI file audio, whether or not interview or assembly, and transcribe it in actual time saves me numerous hours or typing or writing.

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What I did not like concerning the Galaxy S24 FE

The Exynos 2400e chipset actually is not lower out for intensive AI features

Probably the most important variations between the Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy S24 Plus is the processor. Galaxy S24 FE options the Exynos 2400e chipset, which features a 10-core CPU. The Galaxy S24 Plus is notably powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. This chip has been particularly constructed for generative AI. Having used the flagship Galaxy S24 gadgets earlier this yr, I bought a reasonably good style of what the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip affords. Sadly, the Exynos 2400e is a tragic step again in pure processing energy.

It is probably the most obvious when loading into apps and utilizing Galaxy AI’s generative features. The loading occasions of launching a sport like Name of Obligation: Warzone Cellular are frustratingly lengthy. It is much less of an issue when utilizing utility apps like Chrome or Pictures, however even streaming providers like Netflix take a few further beats than I am used to when utilizing Galaxy S24 FE. The shortage of pure processing energy can also be obvious when utilizing onboard generative AI enhancing instruments in pictures. With instruments able to enhancing and eradicating objects from a photograph, Galaxy S24 FE struggles to carry out fluid duties. As a substitute, Galaxy AI persistently wants time to load and full every job.

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Do you have to purchase the Galaxy S24 FE?

Should you’re available in the market for a brand-new cellphone however are working inside a price range, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE is a good choice. Extra so than any earlier yr, the FE inches nearer to being a recent throughout the flagship collection. Whereas efficiency leaves a bit extra to be desired, the Galaxy S24 FE gives customers with an exquisite show to make use of, a sturdy digital camera array and a surprisingly nice battery life. If seamless generative AI use is not a precedence for you, I can not see why Galaxy S24 FE would not be a worthy buy this fall.

Advisable

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Galaxy S24 FE gives customers with an exquisite show to make use of, a sturdy digital camera array and a surprisingly nice battery life, making it a detailed up to date to the flagship collection.

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