The mid-range smartphone market is heating up once more.
On the identical day that Xiaomi unveiled its 14T sequence, Samsung has returned with the Galaxy S24 FE.
Nevertheless, Samsung already has a number of profitable mid-range telephones, together with the Galaxy A55, so what makes this new one value shopping for?
Whereas we haven’t had the possibility to overview the S24 FE, the specs and options revealed by Samsung paint and clear image of what to anticipate. For a extra in-depth take a look at the cheaper telephone, learn our full Galaxy A55 overview.
Design & construct high quality
The Galaxy S24 FE’s minimalistic design, carefully resembling the common Galaxy S24, provides it a modern look. Its numerous vary of color choices – Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, and Yellow – let you tailor the look of your telephone to match your style.
Its dimension and weight — 162.0 x 77.3 x 8.0mm and 213g — appears to present it a sturdy, premium really feel, though it might be barely cumbersome for one-handed use.
The IP68 ranking must also present strong safety towards mud and water, making it a dependable alternative for individuals who want a telephone that may face up to varied circumstances, whether or not you’re caught within the rain or on the seashore.
The Galaxy A55 additionally focuses on a refined, premium aesthetic, borrowing components from the Galaxy S24 sequence. What units the A55 aside is the distinctive ‘Key Island’ on the appropriate bezel, the place the Energy and Quantity Up/Down buttons are situated. It’s a easy raised edge that encompasses each the ability and quantity keys.
The telephone is available in solely two colors, Superior Iceblue and Superior Lilac, whereas its glass again and aluminum body make it really feel luxurious and sturdy. Nevertheless, the construct — 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm and 213g in weight — can also not be as comfy for extended, one-handed use, particularly for these with smaller arms.
The telephone includes a barely worse IP67 ranking, however can nonetheless survive most encounters with water or mud.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Whereas each telephones have a strong construct and share related weight and dimension, the Galaxy S24 FE gives the next water resistance ranking and extra color choices, making it a extra versatile alternative when it comes to design and sturdiness.
Show & adaptive refresh
The Galaxy S24 FE boasts a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X show that provides a 120Hz adaptive refresh price.
It adjusts dynamically between 60Hz and 120Hz primarily based on the content material, which not solely could improve the smoothness of scrolling and animations but additionally ought to assist preserve battery life when excessive refresh charges should not essential.
The bigger dimension of the display may additionally be good if you happen to eat plenty of media.
Alternatively, the Galaxy A55 includes a 6.6-inch FHD+ OLED show, which is barely smaller than the S24 FE’s however nonetheless gives a vivid and vibrant viewing expertise.
It additionally gives a 120Hz refresh price, nevertheless, it’s not adaptive. Don’t anticipate it to alter dynamically whilst you scroll via social media or play video games. You solely have the selection of a predetermined 60Hz or 120Hz.
Regardless of the minor dimension distinction, the Galaxy A55’s show remains to be excellent and appropriate for many customers.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Whereas the display brightness and color accuracy must be on par with the S24 FE, the dearth of adaptive refresh price know-how means it might not be as environment friendly in managing energy consumption throughout extended use.
Digicam capabilities
Images fans ought to respect the Galaxy S24 FE’s versatile digicam setup because it features a 50Mp major large digicam, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and an 8Mp telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Moreover, there’s additionally a 10Mp entrance digicam for selfies and video calls.
This array appears good to cowl a variety of taking pictures situations, making it an incredible alternative in order for you flexibility in your images.
The inclusion of options like Evening Mode and Tremendous Regular video recording additional enhances its enchantment for customers who need to seize high-quality pictures and movies in varied lighting circumstances.
The Galaxy A55 includes a succesful digicam setup, however it lacks the telephoto lens discovered within the S24 FE.
Its 50Mp major digicam performs effectively in most lighting circumstances and the 12Mp ultrawide lens is helpful for capturing wider scenes, however the 5Mp macro digicam, whereas enjoyable to make use of, doesn’t add as a lot worth as a telephoto lens would, making it a much less versatile possibility for severe photographers.
Selfies, nevertheless, are dealt with by a 32Mp entrance digicam, which excels in delivering clear and natural-looking pictures.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Finally, the inclusion of a telephoto lens on the S24 FE seems to supply larger flexibility if you happen to’re severe about telephone images. Whereas the Galaxy A55 gives strong efficiency in typical taking pictures situations, it lacks the optical zoom of a telephoto lens.
Different variations
That’s not all, nevertheless. Whereas the above options just about spotlight the distinction between the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy A55, there are a number of different notable variations between the 2 telephones which might be additionally value contemplating.
Efficiency
The Galaxy S24 FE makes use of the Exynos 2400e (4nm) chipset in Europe. It’s a variant of the common Exynos 2400 that powers the common Galaxy S24 and S24+ within the area, although seemingly barely much less succesful.
The Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, however, whereas environment friendly and highly effective for day-to-day duties, could not match the S24 FE’s efficiency in additional demanding use circumstances corresponding to gaming or intensive multitasking.
Battery & Charging
The Galaxy S24 FE gives a barely much less spacious 4,700mAh battery in comparison with the Galaxy A55’s 5000mAh cell, which could consequence within the latter providing higher battery life. We have been definitely impressed with it in our full overview.
In terms of charging, each provide speeds as much as 25W, however don’t embody chargers within the field. Utilizing a appropriate one, Samsung says you may stand up to 50% in half-hour on both.
The S24 FE, nevertheless, helps wi-fi charging and reverse wi-fi charging, which aren’t out there on the A55.
Software program
Each telephones run on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, however the Galaxy A55 misses out on Galaxy AI.
In the meantime, Samsung’s full vary of AI options are coming to the S24 FE, together with Circle to Search.
What’s extra, Samsung guarantees seven years of OS and safety updates for the S24 FE. That’s a major enchancment in comparison with 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches that Galaxy A55 will get.
This makes the Galaxy S24 FE a doubtlessly higher long-term funding with extra software program options.
Worth & Availability
The Galaxy S24 FE is priced at £649/$649.99 for the 128GB mannequin and £699/$709.99 for the 256GB variant, reflecting its extra premium characteristic set. Will probably be out there from 4 October 2024.
As with the Galaxy S23 FE, this 12 months’s mannequin shall be out there in each the UK and US through the Samsung web site and different third-party retailers.
The Galaxy A55, in the meantime, gives a extra budget-friendly possibility, costing £439 for the 128GB model and £489 for the 256GB mannequin. It’s already broadly out there instantly from Samsung and thru varied retailers within the UK.
Sadly, it’s not out there within the US, the place your closest alternative is the Galaxy A35 5G for $399. It’s not too dissimilar however remains to be a much less succesful product with a less expensive construct, inferior efficiency and a lesser digicam setup.
Must you purchase the Galaxy S24 FE or Galaxy A55?
Each telephones are sturdy mid-range choices with their very own set of strengths.
The Galaxy S24 FE stands out with its superior digicam setup, adaptive show, and strong software program help, making it ideally suited for these in search of a feature-rich machine with long-term worth.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy A55 nonetheless gives strong efficiency, construct high quality, and a cheaper price level, making it a compelling possibility for these on a tighter price range.
Finally, the Galaxy A55 is a well-rounded mid-ranger, however in order for you a extra feature-packed machine with prolonged software program help and superior digicam capabilities, the Galaxy S24 FE is value the additional funding.
And if you happen to dwell within the US, the S24 FE is your solely alternative.
