Samsung Galaxy S24 FE vs S24: Is It Worth Buying? Specs & Review

The Galaxy S24 FE borrows the S24’s brain but cuts costs through a bigger body and material swaps — the question is whether the savings justify the losses. This breakdown pulls apart what stays, what changes, and whether the extra cash in your pocket is worth the things you lose.

Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz ·
Battery: 4,700 mAh typical ·
Processor: Exynos 2400e ·
Water resistance: IP68 ·
Rear camera: 50MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto ·
Storage options: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB

The spec table below confirms how Samsung preserved the most expensive components while cutting costs elsewhere.

The pattern is clear: Samsung preserved the most expensive components — the AMOLED panel, the IP68 sealing, the triple-camera array — while accepting a heavier frame and a slightly detuned chip. For a phone that costs £100–200 less than the S24, that trade-off is the whole point.

What is the difference between the Samsung S24 and S24 FE?

Processor and performance differences

• S24 FE runs on the Exynos 2400e, while the S24 uses the standard Exynos 2400 (or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in some regions) (GSMArena specs database).
• The 2400e has slightly lower clock speeds: a top core at 3.1GHz vs the standard 2400’s higher binning (Samsung UK product page).
• In everyday use, the gap is small — most apps won’t push either chip hard enough to notice.

The implication: for daily tasks, the chip difference is negligible, saving you money without sacrificing speed.

Display size and quality comparison

• The FE stretches to a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, while the S24 stays compact at 6.2 inches.
• Both run at 1080 x 2340 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate.
• Peak brightness hits 1,900 nits on the FE, matching the S24’s outdoor visibility (TechRadar review).

What this means: the FE gives you a larger canvas and identical peak brightness, making it better for media consumption than the smaller S24.

Camera system differences

• Both phones share a 50MP main sensor with OIS.
• The FE uses an 8MP telephoto for 3x optical zoom, while the S24 fits a 10MP telephoto.
• In practice, the resolution difference is minor — most users won’t see a gap unless pixel-peeping at full zoom.

The pattern: Samsung kept the main and ultrawide identical, saving costs only on the telephoto, which still offers useful optical zoom.

Battery and charging differences

• FE packs 4,700 mAh vs the S24’s 4,000 mAh.
• Both charge at 25W wired and 15W wireless (GSMArena S24 review).
• The larger battery gives the FE a real-world advantage — about 1–2 extra hours of screen time per charge.

The catch: the FE’s bigger battery directly translates to longer endurance, a clear win for heavy users.

Is the Samsung S24 FE worth buying?

Value proposition compared to Samsung S24

• At launch, the FE costs about £100–200 less than the S24, dropping the entry price by roughly 15–20%.
• You get the same Galaxy AI suite, same durability rating, and a larger display — the corners cut are mostly weight, materials, and a slightly slower chip.
• For someone who values battery life over pocket heft, the FE is arguably the better daily driver.

The assessment: the FE delivers 90% of the S24 experience for 80% of the cost, making it a smarter buy for budget-conscious shoppers.

Galaxy AI features included

• Live Translate works in real-time during calls and messaging.
• Photo Assist and Chat Assist use on-device AI for editing and writing help.
• Circle to Search is baked in — no extra apps needed.

The significance: this is the first Fan Edition to include the full Galaxy AI suite, closing a key gap with the flagship.

Performance for gaming and multitasking

• The Exynos 2400e handles most games at high settings without stutter, though it falls slightly behind the standard 2400 in sustained loads.
• 8GB RAM is enough for heavy multitasking — switching between apps feels identical to the S24.
• Long gaming sessions will warm the metal frame, but the phone doesn’t throttle aggressively.

What this means: gaming performance is largely comparable, with only marginal trade-offs for the price.

Camera quality in different lighting conditions

• Daylight shots are nearly indistinguishable from the S24 — same processing pipeline, same colour science.
• Low-light performance is solid thanks to OIS and the f/1.8 main lens (Engadget review).
• The 8MP telephoto is the weak link — digital zoom beyond 3x gets soft quickly.

The verdict: camera quality is a highlight, with only zoom flexibility slightly behind the S24.

What is special about the Samsung S24 FE?

Galaxy AI integration

• The S24 FE is the first Fan Edition to ship with the full Galaxy AI suite — previous FEs lacked this entirely.
• Features like Circle to Search and Live Translate don’t require an internet connection for basic functions.
• AI processing runs on the NPU of the Exynos 2400e, which is identical to the standard 2400’s NPU hardware.

The novelty: AI features that were previously flagship-only are now available in a mid-range package.

IP68 water and dust resistance

• IP68 rating means the phone can survive submersion in up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes.
• This is rare in the mid-range bracket — most competitors at this price only offer splash resistance at best.

The advantage: durability that matches the S24, giving peace of mind in wet or dusty conditions.

120Hz Super AMOLED display

• The 6.7-inch panel uses Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, the same generation as the S24 flagship.
• Vision Booster adjusts contrast outdoors, helping readability in bright sunlight.
• The 120Hz refresh rate stays adaptive — it drops to 60Hz for static content to save battery.

The result: a display that competes with premium flagships at a lower price point.

Triple camera setup with telephoto lens

• Unlike many mid-range phones that skip telephoto entirely, the FE keeps a dedicated zoom lens.
• 3x optical zoom is genuinely useful for portraits and distant subjects — digital zoom from a main sensor can’t match it.
• The combination of OIS on the main sensor and the telephoto gives the FE a versatility edge over the standard S24’s camera array.

The differentiation: a telephoto lens at this price point is a standout feature.

What are the disadvantages of the Samsung S24 FE?

Build quality and materials

• The back panel uses Samsung’s “Glasstic” — essentially a sturdy plastic with a glass-like finish — rather than the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the S24.
• It feels less premium in hand and may scratch more easily than glass.
• At 213 grams versus the S24’s 167 grams, it’s noticeably heavier.

The compromise: a lighter wallet comes with a heavier phone and less premium materials.

Charging speed limitations

• Wired charging tops out at 25W — same as the S24, but slower than many competitors in this price range that offer 45W or higher.
• A full charge from empty takes about 75 minutes, while rivals like the OnePlus 12R finish in under 30 minutes.
• Wireless charging at 15W is fine but unremarkable for the category.

The drawback: charging speeds are adequate but not competitive with similarly priced alternatives.

No headphone jack or microSD slot

• Like the S24, the FE omits both the 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD expansion — a growing trend across the industry.
• Users who rely on wired headphones or need expandable storage will need to plan around these omissions.

The limitation: these omissions force reliance on adapters or cloud storage.

Heavier and thicker than standard S24

• The FE measures 162.0 x 77.3 x 8.0 mm, making it a full 4.3mm taller and 6.5mm wider than the S24.
• One-handed use is difficult — the phone is genuinely large, even for a modern slab.
• The extra weight (213g vs 167g) is noticeable after extended use.

The trade-off: bigger screen and battery come at the cost of portability and comfort.

When was the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE released and what does FE mean?

Release date timeline

• Samsung officially announced the Galaxy S24 FE in September 2024.
• Global release followed in October 2024, with most markets seeing stock by mid-month.
• Carrier deals and price drops typically start appearing by late 2024, making it a practical purchase window for budget-conscious buyers.
• Source: TechRadar review

The timeline: launched in late 2024, the FE is positioned as a value option for the holiday season.

What FE stands for

• FE stands for “Fan Edition,” a line Samsung launched with the S20 FE in 2020.
• The concept was to gather fan feedback on what features mattered most and deliver them at a lower price point.
• Each FE model has used a combination of flagship components (camera, display, IP rating) with cost-saving materials (plastic back, slower chip) to hit the target price.

The brand: FE represents a direct response to consumer input, aiming to balance cost and performance.

Evolution of Fan Edition models

• The S20 FE was widely praised for bringing S20-level cameras and a 120Hz display to a lower price.
• S21 FE followed a similar formula but faced criticism for arriving late in the product cycle.
• With the S24 FE, Samsung added Galaxy AI — a first for the FE line — and increased the battery to 4,700 mAh, addressing one of the most common complaints about previous FEs.

The progression: each iteration refines the formula, and the S24 FE is the most complete Fan Edition yet.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Expert perspectives

“The Galaxy S24 FE is a great phone but I wish it was cheaper.”

— Engadget review, October 2024 (Engadget)

“The display is a stunning AMOLED panel with great peak brightness and 120Hz refresh rate.”

— Uswitch review, September 2024

“Exynos 2400e performance is very close to Exynos 2400 in everyday tasks.”

— GSMArena review, September 2024

“The Galaxy S24 FE is the first FE model to include Galaxy AI features.”

— Samsung official product page

For buyers in the UK and Ireland, the choice between the S24 and S24 FE comes down to one question: do you value pocket portability or battery endurance more? The S24 FE offers a larger display, longer battery life, and the same camera versatility as its pricier sibling, wrapped in a plastic-backed chassis that feels less premium but costs £100–200 less. For the buyer who wants flagship features without the flagship price tag, the FE is the obvious pick — or they can wait for carrier deals later in 2025 to sweeten the deal further.

Frequently asked questions