The mid-range smartphone market is heating up again.
The same day that Xiaomi unveiled its 14T series, Samsung returned with the Galaxy S24 FE.
However, Samsung already has a few successful mid-range phones, including the Galaxy A55, so what’s worth buying this new one?
While we haven’t had a chance to review the S24 FE, the specs and features revealed by Samsung give a clear idea of what to expect. For a closer look at the cheaper phone, read our full Galaxy A55 review.
Design and build quality
The minimalist design of the Galaxy S24 FE, which closely resembles the regular Galaxy S24, gives it a sleek appearance. Its diverse range of color options – blue, graphite, gray, mint and yellow – lets you tailor the look of your phone to suit your tastes.
Its size and weight – 162.0 x 77.3 x 8.0mm and 213g – seem to give it a sturdy, premium feel, although it can be slightly cumbersome for one-handed use.
The IP68 rating should also offer robust protection against dust and water, making it a reliable choice for those who need a phone that can withstand a variety of conditions, whether you’re in the rain or in the rain. beach.
The Galaxy A55 also focuses on a refined and premium aesthetic, borrowing elements from the Galaxy S24 series. What sets the A55 apart is the distinctive “Key Island” on the right frame, where the power and volume up/down buttons are located. It’s a simple raised edge that encompasses both the power and volume keys.
The phone comes in just two colors, Awesome Iceblue and Awesome Lilac, while its glass back and aluminum frame give it a luxurious and durable feel. However, the construction – 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm and 213g – may also not be as comfortable for extended one-handed use, especially for those with smaller hands.
The phone has a slightly lower IP67 rating, but can still survive most encounters with water or dust.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Although both phones are solidly built and share a similar weight and size, the Galaxy S24 FE offers a higher water resistance rating and more color options, making it a more versatile choice in terms of design and sustainability.
Adaptive display and refresh
The Galaxy S24 FE features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that offers an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
It dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on content, which not only can improve smooth scrolling and animations, but should also help preserve battery life when high refresh rates fail. are not necessary.
The larger screen size can also be perfect if you consume a lot of media.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 has a 6.6-inch FHD+ OLED display, which is slightly smaller than that of the S24 FE but still offers a vivid and dynamic visual experience.
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate, but it is not adaptive. Don’t expect this to change dynamically as you browse social media or play games. You only have the choice between predetermined 60 Hz or 120 Hz.
Despite the slight size difference, the Galaxy A55’s screen is still very good and suitable for most users.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
While screen brightness and color accuracy should be comparable to the S24 FE, the lack of adaptive refresh rate technology means it may not be as effective in handling the power consumption during prolonged use.
Camera Capabilities
Photography enthusiasts should appreciate the Galaxy S24 FE’s versatile camera setup as it includes a 50MP primary wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Additionally, there is also a 10MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
This range seems perfect for covering a wide range of shooting scenarios, making it a great choice if you want flexibility in your photography.
The inclusion of features like Night Mode and Super Steady Video Recording further enhances its appeal for users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
The Galaxy A55 has a capable camera setup, but it lacks the telephoto lens of the S24 FE.
Its 50MP main camera works well in most lighting conditions and the 12MP ultra-wide lens is useful for capturing wider scenes, but the 5MP macro camera, while fun to use, doesn’t add as much value as a telephoto lens, making it a less versatile option for serious photographers.
Selfies, however, are handled by a 32MP front camera, which excels in delivering clear and natural images.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Ultimately, the inclusion of a telephoto lens on the S24 FE seems to offer greater flexibility if you’re serious about phone photography. Although the Galaxy A55 offers solid performance in typical shooting scenarios, it lacks the optical zoom of a telephoto lens.
Other differences
But that’s not all. While the above features highlight the difference between the Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy A55, there are a few other notable differences between the two phones that are also worth considering.
Performance
The Galaxy S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400e (4nm) chipset in Europe. It’s a variant of the standard Exynos 2400 that powers the regular Galaxy S24 and S24+ in the region, although likely slightly less capable.
The Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, on the other hand, while efficient and powerful for everyday tasks, may not match the S24 FE’s performance in more demanding use cases such as gaming or heavy multitasking.
Battery and charging
The Galaxy S24 FE offers a 4,700 mAh battery that is slightly less spacious than the 5,000 mAh cell of the Galaxy A55, which could allow the latter to offer better autonomy. We were certainly impressed with it during our full review.
When it comes to charging, both offer speeds of up to 25W, but don’t include chargers in the box. Using a compatible model, Samsung says you can get up to 50% off in 30 minutes on either one.
The S24 FE does, however, support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which are not available on the A55.
Software
Both phones run Android 14 with One UI 6.1, but the Galaxy A55 misses out on Galaxy AI.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s full suite of AI features are coming to the S24 FE, including Circle to Search.
Additionally, Samsung is promising seven years of OS and security updates for the S24 FE. This is a significant improvement over the four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches the Galaxy A55 will receive.
This makes the Galaxy S24 FE a potentially better long-term investment with more software features.
Pricing and availability
The Galaxy S24 FE is priced at £649/$649.99 for the 128GB model and £699/$709.99 for the 256GB variant, reflecting its more premium feature set. It will be available from October 4, 2024.
As with the Galaxy S23 FE, this year’s model will be available in the UK and US via Samsung’s website and other third-party retailers.
The Galaxy A55, meanwhile, offers a more budget-friendly option, costing £439 for the 128GB version and £489 for the 256GB model. It’s already widely available directly from Samsung and from various retailers in the UK.
Unfortunately, it’s not available in the US, where your closest choice is the Galaxy A35 5G for $399. It’s not too different, but it’s still a less capable product with a cheaper build, lower performance, and a lesser camera setup.
Should you buy the Galaxy S24 FE or the Galaxy A55?
Both phones are solid mid-range options with their own strengths.
The Galaxy S24 FE stands out with its superior camera setup, adaptive display, and robust software support, making it ideal for those looking for a feature-rich device with long-term value.
However, the Galaxy A55 still offers solid performance, build quality, and a lower price, making it an attractive option for those on a tighter budget.
Ultimately, the Galaxy A55 is a well-rounded mid-ranger, but if you want a more feature-rich device with extensive software support and advanced camera capabilities, the Galaxy S24 FE is worth the extra investment .
And if you live in the United States, the S24 FE is your only choice.
Table of Contents
