Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy S24 FE, bringing excitement to tech enthusiasts eager for the latest features at a more accessible price point. Although it arrives later than expected, the S24 FE is already making waves with its competitive attributes, set to rival the upcoming flagship S25 series.
Affordably priced at R15,000, the Galaxy S24 FE showcases compelling design, capable performance, and camera capabilities suitable for budding photographers. Samsung cleverly emphasizes affordability, offering tech-savvy features without the exorbitant price associated with flagship models.
The design of the S24 FE is reminiscent of its flagship counterparts, complete with Gorilla Glass Victus+ for durability. With subtle differences such as weight and aesthetic details, it’s easy to mistake the FE for the S24+, yet it carries its own identity with elegant colors and distinct materials.
Powered by the Exynos 2400e chipset and 8GB of RAM, the S24 FE ensures smooth operation for gaming and multitasking, though it may not quite match the raw power of the premium models. Testing on Geekbench reveals it performs admirably, boasting scores comparable to the S24 and S24+, which adds to its appeal.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S24 FE is its promise of seven years of software updates—a significant commitment from Samsung, ensuring the device remains relevant through future Android iterations.
While the display is solid, with peaks of 1,900 nits brightness, users might find the 4,700mAh battery underwhelming—struggling to last throughout the day without recharging. This could be due to heavy usage and customization. Fortunately, fast charging capabilities lessen the inconvenience when battery life inevitably wanes.
Samsung is backing the S24 FE with features from its Galaxy AI suite, previously available on more premium devices. This includes capabilities like Circle to Search and Photo Assist, making AI functionality accessible to mid-range users. Samsung’s willingness to integrate hardware and software at this level is commendable.
Meanwhile, another buzz surrounds the upcoming One UI 7 software update, rumored to be exclusive to the Galaxy S24 lineup. Reports suggest this could leave older models, like the S23 and S22 series, without beta access, which has frustrated some users longing for the latest Android experience.
The potential for skipping beta access is notable, but Samsung plans to launch stable versions by February 2025, targeting older models for sequential updates. This approach contrasts with the standard practice of rolling out beta updates across many devices simultaneously.
North American leaker FamilyTaes mentioned no involvement for Galaxy A-series devices or last-gen flagships during the One UI 7 beta program. This could indicate significant changes for Samsung's beta programs moving forward.
The Galaxy S24 series is predicted to receive three additional beta updates between December 30, 2024, and early January 2025, potentially readying for the highly anticipated stable release. Internal test builds reportedly remain active for previous Galaxy models, offering hope for fans of those devices.
Reflecting on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, it has received high marks for its capabilities as the company’s flagship. With enhancements over the year, it has established itself as the best flagship of 2024, combining advanced display technology, performance, and camera quality to justify its premium pricing option.
Equipped with One UI 6, the S24 Ultra offers extensive customization features and usability. The UI continues to evolve, offering refined user experiences along with improvements to battery longevity and performance.
Users have praised the 200MP camera system and stunning display quality, reaffirming Samsung’s position as industry leaders. Video capabilities, including 8K shooting, present significant advantages over competitors, especially when paired with AI-enhanced features to streamline the capturing of creative moments.
At this point, it is clear Samsung is committed to maximizing user experience through both hardware innovation and advanced software solutions. With vibrant new Galaxy models and significant improvements, the company aims to cater to all consumer needs—whether through affordable options like the S24 FE or premium offerings like the S24 Ultra.
Overall, tech enthusiasts are eager to see how Samsung will implement the upcoming software update and how well the S24 FE performs amid the noise surrounding flagship releases. Those hunting for strong mid-range devices can find plenty of value with the S24 FE, as it effectively marries high-performance features with approachable pricing.
