Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review

The ‘FE’ line of Samsung phones is all about feedback. Since 2017 when the first Galaxy FE phone was released, Samsung have taken note of a range’s best features and distilled them down into the ‘FE’ model, albeit with some changes to separate it from the rest of the lineup.
The Galaxy S24 FE continues this philosophy, and in this review, we’ll be breaking down what it offers compared to the rest of the S24 range.
If the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE interests you, it can be picked up in a range of colours and with 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Specs
• Dimensions – 162 x 77.3 x 8mm
• Weight – 213g
• OS – Android 14
• Display – 6.7” OLED
• Resolution – 1080 x 2340
• Processor – Samsung Exynos 2400e
• RAM – 8GB
• Storage – 128GB & 256GB
• Rear cameras – 50MP; 12MP; 8MP
• Battery – 4700mAh
• Water and dust resistance – IP68
• Connectivity – 5G; 4G; Bluetooth 5.3
Design
Almost every design element of the Galaxy S24 FE borrows from the base S24 model, to the extent that it’s hard to tell them apart at first glance. Both share an aluminium frame and an aesthetic that’s focused on rounded corners, so the S24 FE is every bit as sleek as its sibling. This similarity is also apparent on the rear of the S24 FE, sporting the same triple column of cameras as the S24.
Where this phone differs greatly is in size. The S24 FE is quite a bit larger than the base S24 to accommodate for its 6.7” display, but it’s kept at a very reasonable weight of 213g to prevent it from feeling unwieldy or cumbersome. Like the vast majority of Galaxy phones, the S24 FE is exceptionally comfortable to use in both short bursts and longer gaming sessions, making it a great option for everyday users and gamers alike.
Rounding out the S24 FE from a design standpoint are some familiar features you’ll see on most mid-range phones, such as Gorilla Glass Victus Plus and IP68 ingress protection. The inclusion of Victus Plus glass isn’t quite as impactful as the base S24’s Victus 2 offering, but it protects against knocks and scratches to an impressive degree nonetheless.
Display
As we touched on previously, the S24 FE is equipped with a 6.7” screen. This puts the phone in an interesting position, and ultimately relates back to where the S24 FE is positioned among the S24 family. By offering a larger screen than the base model, but one that’s not as bright (the original S24 has a higher peak nit count), it sits between the base and Plus handsets as an alternative option for those that want a balance of the two.
Make no mistake though: the S24 FE’s display is a thing of beauty. As an OLED panel, it can showcase visuals in far greater clarity than the IPS variety, alongside stunning colour levels that look incredibly true-to-life. We’ve raved about OLED displays as a key smartphone ingredient in our top handset round-ups, so it’s great to see such impressive tech on the S24 FE, too.
‘FE’ handsets borrow from a range’s best features, and this continues in the refresh rate department. The S24 FE’s display is supported by a dynamic refresh rate that can automatically scale up or down depending on the content you’re watching. At maximum, this phone can reach highs of 120Hz for ultra-smooth visuals, while also scaling back down to 60Hz if the task doesn’t require a high refresh rate. This technology is nothing new, but it’s further evidence that if you’re after a mid-range phone that pulls no punches, the S24 FE is a top contender.
The good times don’t stop there on the S24 FE. Packed under the hood is support for HDR and the rich colour levels that it provides, giving any content a significant boost to vibrancy. Combine this with the dynamic refresh rate and you get a fantastic overall experience that can compete with many of the best phones out there.
Performance & software
Galaxy AI was the star of the show when we reviewed the S24 range, adding a new layer of functionality to Samsung’s smartphones. It also makes an appearance on the S24 FE, powered by the Exynos 2400e processor.
On its own, this chipset is capable of running most games on higher graphical settings, a feat which is supported by 8GB RAM. If you want to play your games at the best possible settings, the S24 Ultra is the one for you, but the S24 FE remains an excellent all-round entertainment device.
Jumping back to Galaxy AI, the S24 FE is equipped with many of the same AI features found across the S24 range such as Circle to Search and Live Translate. Being very much on par with the S24 Plus and Ultra makes the FE handset particularly enticing, as it means you can enjoy the functionality benefits of Galaxy AI without opting for a premium model. Android 14 is also present, working alongside Galaxy AI to provide features like AI-powered wallpapers and enhanced lock screens. There’s support for Android 15, too, which you can download via your phone’s ‘System’ menu.
Cameras
We again need to talk about the S24 FE’s display when assessing its photography credentials, as it’s important when deciding which phone you might prefer from a camera perspective. Aside from the 8MP telephoto lens having a slightly lower resolution, the S24 FE very much takes a leaf out of the base S24’s book; it even has the same 50MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide snapper. Given this is the case, then, the S24 FE’s significantly larger 6.7” screen starts to really show its importance. The base model is still a fantastic entry-level option, but if you want an almost-identical camera experience with a bigger display to boot, the S24 FE is the way to go.
AI also plays its part on the camera front, providing even more ways to capture vivid and detail-rich photos. Photo Assist and Generative Edit are two particular standouts; by leveraging the onboard AI, you can easily manipulate elements of an image to resize, move or even generate new elements on the fly. It works as well here as it does on the other S24 handsets, marking another feather in the S24 FE’s cap.
Battery
We’ve talked a lot about how similar the S24 FE is to its base sibling, but when moving onto the battery side of things, a gap starts to open up. Powered by a 4700mAh unit (ranking it 3rd overall in the S24 lineup), the S24 FE can last most of the day with battery life to spare. For gamers and regular video-watchers, this extra 700mAhs can be a lifesaver when travelling.
Recharging the S24 FE is also incredibly easy, thanks to the 25W wireless and wired charging support.
Summary
It’s clear that the Galaxy S24 FE owes a lot to the other phones in the lineup, but as you’ve seen, it has plenty of weapons in its arsenal to set itself apart. If you want a handset that doesn’t break the bank yet carries some extra bells and whistles, the S24 FE is a must-have.
For advice on moving data across from an old Android phone, check out our step-by-step guide.