Samsung Galaxy S24 FE vs. Galaxy S24 Plus: one’s (probably) better than the other

Samsung’s Galaxy S FE smartphone series holds a special place within the Galaxy S lineup, and the newly unveiled Galaxy S24 FE is no different. It was announced almost nine months after the mainline Galaxy S24 range and offers many of the same high-end features as the earlier models at a more affordable price. This “Fan Edition” model is most similar to the Galaxy S24 Plus, so it makes sense to compare the two models. Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE compares to the Galaxy S24 Plus, along with our take on which one you should buy.

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: design and display

The first thing that jumps out about these handsets are their huge display sizes. They both measure 6.7 inches, but they aren’t identical outside of this measurement. The Galaxy S24 Plus has a better display with a QHD+ resolution that offers more pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz, meaning it uses less power when you’re not interacting with the screen. The Galaxy S24 Plus also offers a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, which means it’s better in bright light.

The Galaxy S24 FE has an FHD+ display, which is slightly different from the QHD+ display on the other model. This doesn’t mean the newer phone has a lousy display; it’s just not as good due to having fewer pixels, a lower peak brightness, and a higher minimum refresh rate, which could consume more power during normal operations.

We haven’t had much time with the Galaxy S24 FE yet, but it’s worth noting that the Galaxy S24 Plus is slightly lighter and smaller than the Galaxy S24 FE, making it easier to hold. This is likely to be a big deal when it comes to phones this big.

As mentioned, we have not had the opportunity to review the Galaxy S24 FE yet, so some initial opinions about the phone may change. However, our impressions regarding the design and display are unlikely to change. Based on the specifications, the Galaxy S24 Plus appears superior in both these aspects.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: performance and software

The Galaxy S24 Plus is also likely to take the lead in performance. Like the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chipset with 12GB of RAM. The Galaxy S24 FE, meanwhile, includes Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2400e with 8GB of RAM. Again, until we test the newest Galaxy S24 model, we will not know how well it performs compared to the other model. Yet, we already know enough to make a tentative conclusion.

Our Galaxy S24 Plus review noted how its day-to-day performance was solid, whether we’re talking about opening apps or multitasking. We were also impressed with how well the phone performed during mobile gaming. Undoubtedly, 12GB of RAM and the superior chipset are the reasons for this.

We know little about the Exynos 2400e chipset in the Galaxy S24 FE. However, other sites have already said it’s not much of a step down from the Exynos 2400. Why does that matter? That’s the chip you’ll find in the Galaxy S24 Plus if you buy it outside of the U.S. However, if you’re based in the U.S., you would probably notice a difference because the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for the Galaxy S24 has better overall performance than the Exynos 2400, which is ever-so-slightly better than the Exynos 2400e.

The two handsets are identical software-wise. Both have Android 14 and One UI 6.1, and Samsung promises seven years of software updates. Additionally, both handsets are compatible with Galaxy AI and Gemini AI, two of the year’s most talked-about artificial intelligence products for handsets.

Despite having the same software options, the Galaxy S24 Plus will naturally run a little bit smoother than the FE because it has a better chip and more RAM. For some people, that could make all the difference.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: cameras

Both handsets offer strikingly similar camera specs, but there are just enough differences to make one stand out.

First, it’s important to note that the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24 Plus both feature a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera. This means regular, everyday shots and those that require a wide field of view should look similar. The Galaxy S24 Plus excels in the telephoto lens and selfie camera department. Both cameras capture higher megapixel counts, resulting in less pixelation and the ability to capture finer details in a scene. It’s very close, however. The Galaxy S24 Plus’ camera system was generally good, especially for still photography. However, we experienced some issues when capturing moving subjects.

The Galaxy S24 Plus’ 3x optical zoom telephoto lens left a weak impression, but it performed better as we approached an object. The Galaxy S24 FE’s telephoto lens is less impressive, at least on paper, so we expect to encounter similar or even worse performance during our tests of that device.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: battery and charging

The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts phenomenal battery life, thanks to its 4,900mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and the display’s refresh rate. With moderate use, the phone can last up to two days on a single charge.

When it’s time to recharge, the Galaxy S24 Plus supports 45-watt wired charging and 15W wireless charging. With the 45W wired charging, the S24 Plus can go from 3% to 43% in just 20 minutes and reach a full charge in over an hour. While these results may not be as fast as those of phones that support 80W charging, they are still impressive.

The Galaxy S24 FE has a slightly smaller 4,700 mAh battery, 25W wired charging, and 15W wireless charging. With a less efficient chipset, the phone is expected to provide a shorter battery life, but we still need to conduct tests to confirm this.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: availability and price

The Galaxy S24 FE is priced at $650 for the 128GB model, and for an additional $50, you can get the 256GB version. Both options come with 8GB of memory. At launch, the Galaxy S24 FE is available in five colors: Blue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, and Yellow.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 Plus, which includes 12 GB of RAM, is priced at $1,000 for the 256GB model and $1,120 for the 512GB model. Color options are Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Marble Gray, Onyx Black, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue, and Sandstone Orange.

As you can see, there is a significant price difference between the Galaxy S24 Plus and the Galaxy S24 FE.

Winner: Galaxy S24 FE

Galaxy S24 FE vs Galaxy S24 Plus: verdict

Glance at them and it seems as if these two phones are very close to being similar. But look a little longer and you, like us, will probably be surprised by how significant the differences between the two phones are. The Galaxy S24 Plus outperforms the Galaxy S24 FE in various aspects, including its better display, more efficient chipset, slightly superior camera system, and more available RAM and storage. However, the S24 Plus comes with a significantly higher price tag, while the lower price is one of the main attractions of Samsung’s “Fan Edition” phones.

It wouldn’t be fair to favor one handset without testing the Galaxy S24 FE. Although the Galaxy S24 Plus does offer better features overall, it’s essential to see how these differences translate into real-world performance, especially considering the price gap between the two.

Specs say the Galaxy S24 Plus is the winner here, but we still need to test the Galaxy S24 FE to make a final assessment. We’ll have a better understanding once we review the Galaxy S24 FE. We’ll update this post with the details once the review is complete.