Samsung Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24: Which Galaxy Should You Choose in 2025?
Introduction: Finding Your Perfect Galaxy Match
Standing before two seemingly identical smartphones while contemplating which deserves your hard-earned cash can feel overwhelming. Samsung’s latest Fan Edition device squares off against their compact flagship, both promising premium experiences with distinct priorities and price points. Let’s navigate this galaxy of choices together, helping you discover which Samsung phone aligns perfectly with your unique preferences and requirements.
Table of Contents
The Galaxy S24 FE: Premium Experience at a Friendlier Price
What Exactly is the Galaxy FE Series?
Samsung designed their “Fan Edition” lineup with a clear purpose: delivering flagship-adjacent experiences without the flagship-level price tag. The S24 FE positions itself as a compelling alternative to the main S-series, offering many premium features while making calculated compromises to achieve a more approachable price point. Think of it as getting most of what makes the flagship special, minus a few bells and whistles you might not even miss.
Design and Build Quality
The S24 FE embraces a larger footprint with its 6.7-inch form factor, making it noticeably heftier than its flagship counterpart—weighing nearly 50g more. Despite being the more budget-friendly option, Samsung hasn’t cut corners on construction quality. You’ll find a premium-feeling combination of Gorilla Glass backing and a sturdy aluminum frame, creating a device that feels substantial in your hands.
Like its pricier sibling, the S24 FE boasts IP68 water and dust resistance, ensuring protection against everyday accidents and environmental challenges. This certification means your device can withstand submersion in fresh water up to 1.5 meters for approximately 30 minutes—impressive durability for a non-flagship model.
Display: Going Big on Screen Real Estate
The display represents one of the most significant differentiators between these two models. The S24 FE showcases a sprawling 6.7-inch OLED panel that delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive contrast. With a 1080p resolution and smooth 120Hz refresh rate, content consumption feels fluid and immersive.
However, it’s worth noting the FE’s refresh rate bottoms out at 60Hz when idle, unlike the flagship S24’s more adaptive approach. While both phones offer comparable HDR video support and maximum brightness levels, the FE might prove more appealing if screen size ranks high on your priority list. The device utilizes an optical under-display fingerprint reader—perfectly functional, though slightly less advanced than the ultrasonic solution found in the flagship model.
The Galaxy S24: Compact Flagship Excellence
Design and Premium Materials
For those who prefer a more pocket-friendly experience, the S24’s compact 6.2-inch form factor offers welcomed relief in an era of increasingly massive smartphones. Beyond mere size differences, the flagship model boasts upgraded materials engineered for enhanced durability, complemented by noticeably slimmer bezels that contribute to a more refined aesthetic experience.
Like its larger FE counterpart, the S24 carries IP68 certification against water and dust ingress. Where it distinguishes itself is with its ultrasonic fingerprint reader, which offers faster recognition, higher accuracy, and better compatibility with glass screen protectors compared to the optical sensor in the FE model.
Display Technology Advantages
The S24’s 6.2-inch LTPO OLED panel might be smaller, but it packs a technological edge. The adaptive refresh rate can dynamically scale between 24Hz and 120Hz depending on your activity, substantially improving power efficiency during static content viewing. This LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology represents a genuine upgrade over the FE’s more conventional display approach.
Despite the size difference, both phones deliver comparable brightness levels and HDR capabilities, ensuring excellent visibility even under challenging lighting conditions. The choice ultimately comes down to your preference: maximized screen real estate or advanced display technology in a more compact package.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Key Differentiators
Performance Showdown
| Feature | Galaxy S24 FE | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 2400e | Exynos 2400/Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (market dependent) |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB |
| Benchmark Performance | Good | Slightly better |
| Sustained Performance | Moderate throttling | Better stability under load |
Under the hood, the S24 FE comes equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 2400e chipset paired with 8GB of RAM—a capable configuration that handles everyday tasks with ease. The standard S24, meanwhile, offers either an Exynos 2400 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor (depending on your market) with configurations including up to 12GB of RAM.
Benchmark testing reveals the flagship S24 edges out its FE counterpart across most performance metrics, though the difference proves marginal in typical daily usage scenarios. Where the gap widens slightly is during sustained performance testing, with the FE exhibiting more pronounced throttling during extended high-demand tasks, dropping to approximately 50% of peak performance. The standard S24 demonstrates somewhat better stability under similar conditions.
Battery Life and Charging
Despite housing a physically larger battery, the S24 FE falls marginally short of the S24 in overall battery endurance testing. This seemingly counterintuitive result likely stems from the flagship model’s more efficient display technology and potentially better power optimization. Nevertheless, real-world usage patterns reveal these devices perform nearly identically in terms of battery longevity.
Both phones support 25W wired charging, achieving comparable results during testing. After a 30-minute charge, the devices reached almost identical battery percentages, with full charging cycles completed within just 5 minutes of each other. Additionally, both models support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, allowing you to share battery power with compatible accessories.
Camera Systems Compared
| Camera | Galaxy S24 FE | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 50MP | 50MP (similar quality) |
| Ultra-wide | 12MP | 12MP (larger sensor) |
| Telephoto | 8MP (3x optical) | 10MP (3x optical) |
| Selfie | 10MP fixed focus | 12MP autofocus |
Photography enthusiasts will find capable camera systems on both devices, though with subtle differences worth considering. The S24 FE and S24 both feature 50MP main cameras that deliver strikingly similar daytime photo quality—you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish between them without detailed pixel-level examination.
The telephoto experience diverges slightly despite both cameras being marketed as offering 3x optical zoom. The FE’s zoom lens actually features a longer focal length, potentially delivering more appealing zoomed shots in certain scenarios. Meanwhile, the flagship S24 incorporates a higher-resolution 10MP telephoto sensor compared to the FE’s 8MP offering.
Low-light photography reveals more pronounced differences between these devices. While main camera night shots appear comparable in quality, the S24 demonstrates superior shadow detail development. The flagship’s advantage becomes more evident with ultra-wide night photography, where it significantly outperforms the FE model. For selfie enthusiasts, the S24’s 12MP autofocus front camera edges out the FE’s 10MP fixed-focus option, though both produce admirable results.
Video capabilities remain largely consistent across both phones, with each supporting up to 8K recording from their main cameras and 4K from their secondary lenses. Quality appears nearly identical, though the S24 demonstrates a slight advantage when shooting zoomed video.
Software Experience
Software represents one area where Samsung has maintained perfect parity between these models. Both devices run One UI 6.1 atop Android 14, delivering identical feature sets and user experiences. More impressively, Samsung has committed to providing both phones with 7 years of software support—a tremendous long-term value proposition regardless of which model you select.
This extended support window ensures your device will receive security patches, feature updates, and major Android version upgrades well into the future, substantially extending the practical lifespan of your investment. Whether choosing the FE or standard S24, you’ll enjoy the same comprehensive software package with equivalent longevity.
Price Comparison and Value Proposition
The S24 FE’s primary appeal lies in its more accessible price point, typically retailing for noticeably less than the standard S24 while delivering a larger display and many of the same core experiences. For budget-conscious shoppers, this value proposition proves compelling—especially considering the identical software support timeline.
The standard S24 justifies its premium through enhanced materials, more advanced display technology, slightly better camera performance (particularly in challenging lighting), and potentially superior processing power depending on your region. Whether these refinements warrant the price difference depends entirely on your personal priorities and usage patterns.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S24 FE?
The S24 FE represents an ideal choice for:
- Those prioritizing maximum screen real estate
- Budget-conscious shoppers seeking premium features
- Media consumption enthusiasts who’ll appreciate the larger display
- Users who prefer larger-format devices for content creation or gaming
With its generous display size and lower entry price, the FE delivers exceptional value while maintaining most flagship capabilities. If you frequently stream videos, play games, or simply prefer more screen space for multitasking, the FE offers these advantages without commanding flagship-level pricing.
Who Should Buy the Galaxy S24?
Consider the standard S24 if you:
- Prefer compact, pocket-friendly devices
- Prioritize cutting-edge performance
- Take numerous low-light photographs
- Value refined construction and premium materials
- Appreciate technological advantages like adaptive display refresh
The flagship S24 excels through its sophisticated engineering, premium build quality, and slight performance edges across several categories. For photography enthusiasts who frequently shoot in challenging lighting conditions or those seeking the most refined Samsung experience in a compact form factor, the S24 justifies its premium positioning.
Conclusion: Making Your Galaxy Decision
Both the Galaxy S24 FE and standard S24 deliver exceptional smartphone experiences with different priorities. The FE emphasizes screen size and value, offering a larger display and lower price point without significant functional compromises. The standard S24 focuses on refinement, advanced technology, and premium materials within a more compact package.
Your ideal choice depends primarily on your personal preferences regarding size, budget, and specific feature priorities. If screen real estate and value rank highest, the FE presents a compelling option. If you prioritize compact dimensions, premium construction, and slightly enhanced camera capabilities, the standard S24 justifies its higher entry price.
Regardless of which Galaxy you choose, you’ll receive Samsung’s comprehensive software package with industry-leading support longevity, ensuring your device remains current and capable for years to come. Both represent excellent choices—simply select the one that aligns best with your unique needs and preferences.
FAQ: Samsung Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24
What are the main differences between Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24?
The main differences include screen size (6.7″ vs 6.2″), weight (S24 FE is nearly 50g heavier), processor variations (Exynos 2400e vs Exynos 2400/Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), and camera capabilities (particularly in low-light photography where the S24 performs better).
Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE worth buying over the Galaxy S24?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE delivers exceptional value with its larger display and lower price point. It’s particularly worth considering if you prefer a bigger screen and want to maximize your budget while still receiving premium features and equivalent software support.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE have the same camera quality as the Galaxy S24?
During daylight conditions, both the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24 produce remarkably similar photos from their main cameras. However, the S24 demonstrates noticeable advantages in low-light scenarios, especially with its ultra-wide camera which captures significantly better night-time images.
Which has better battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE or Galaxy S24?
Despite featuring a larger physical battery, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE offers comparable but slightly shorter battery life than the more efficient Galaxy S24. In practical daily usage, most users would find negligible differences between the two devices’ endurance.
Will the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE receive the same software updates as the Galaxy S24?
Absolutely—Samsung has committed to providing 7 years of software support for both the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24. This ensures both devices will receive identical Android version upgrades, security patches, and feature enhancements throughout their lifespans.
