Samsung's Galaxy S series often steals the show, but the "Fan Edition" lineup has managed to carve a niche for itself by delivering flagship-like performance at a more approachable price. The latest in this line, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, keeps that tradition alive, but does it take things far enough to warrant an upgrade from its predecessor?
Bigger First Impressions: Unboxing the Galaxy S24 FE
From the first moment I took it out of the box, one thing was clear: this phone is bigger. The most noticeable change from its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 FE, is the size. Samsung has bumped up the screen size from 6.4 inches to 6.7 inches, creating a much more immersive experience for media and gaming. What’s surprising, though, is that despite this increase, the device has only gotten 4g heavier. It seems how you handle this size-to-weight ratio will largely come down to personal preference. For me, the larger screen is a plus without the usual bulkiness you’d fear from such an upgrade.
So, who’s this phone really for? If you’re someone who spends a lot of time on your phone for media consumption—whether that’s streaming videos, scrolling social media, or gaming—this larger screen is a win. And for those of you familiar with Samsung’s ecosystem who don’t want to splurge on a flagship, this could be the phone you've been waiting for.
Design and Build: Minimal Changes on the Outside
Visually, not much has changed. The Galaxy S24 FE looks almost identical to the S23 FE. At first glance, you wouldn’t even realize they were different phones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The clean, minimal design worked well on last year’s model, and for many users, this design is still attractive.
However, there is one key upgrade: Gorilla Glass Victus now protects both the front and back of the phone. With so many of us dropping our phones daily, it’s great to see Samsung beefing up its protection without charging flagship-level prices. This addition of harder glass should provide more peace of mind without having to immediately slap on a case.
You might be wondering, is this the right design for you? If you're looking for a premium design on a budget, this will hit the mark. Those who were hoping for a bold redesign, however, might feel a bit underwhelmed.
A Larger, Brighter Display: Here’s What’s New
The biggest change, literally, is the display size. Samsung ramped up the screen from 6.4 inches to 6.7 inches. It’s hard to understate how much of a difference this makes, especially for those who are upgrading from an older, smaller device. Is this the largest display in the Fan Edition lineup to date? Absolutely.
Along with size, Samsung has also boosted the maximum brightness, which will be much appreciated if you spend a lot of time outdoors. This extra brightness makes the screen easier to see, even in direct sunlight. The phone retains Samsung's popular Dynamic AMOLED technology, meaning you’ll still get deep blacks, vibrant colors, and an overall stellar viewing experience.
If screen quality is a big part of your smartphone decision-making process, the Galaxy S24 FE delivers more than just size—it delivers clarity and brightness that make this phone a solid choice for movie lovers, mobile gamers, and anyone who spends hours on their screens.
Performance: Is the Exynos 400E Enough?
One major talking point is the absence of a Snapdragon chipset. Fans of Qualcomm’s chipsets might be disappointed, as the Galaxy S24 FE comes with the Exynos 400E chipset. Don’t let the lack of Snapdragon scare you off; this chipset is still based on the S24 and S24 Plus, albeit slightly underclocked. The difference in real-life usage? Hardly noticeable unless you're running intense benchmarks.
So, how does it perform? For everyday tasks like browsing, gaming, and multitasking, the S24 FE holds its own. Samsung has tuned it to deliver a flagship-like performance, but without the flagship price tag. In benchmark scores, it’s not going to shatter any records, but it doesn't need to. Real-world usage feels smooth without any noticeable lag or slowdowns.
Daily Performance
On the day-to-day, you likely won’t notice the difference unless you’ve been using a much older device. Even for mobile gamers or those using multiple apps simultaneously, the Exynos 400E gets the job done. Despite being slightly down-tuned compared to the full-blown S24, it's still more than capable.
If performance is a key factor for you, sure, it may not match a flagship experience like the Galaxy S24 Ultra—but at this price point, you’re getting heavyweight chops for much less.
Battery Life: Bigger is Always Better, Right?
With a bigger screen and a bigger device, you naturally need a bigger battery. The Galaxy S24 FE doesn’t disappoint here, as it includes a 4,700mAh battery. That’s an upgrade over last year’s model and a necessity given the increased footprint.
But, and it’s a big but—charging speeds are still capped at 25W. If you're expecting blazing fast charging, this is a bit of a letdown. The phone can charge up to 50% in about half an hour, which sounds good but feels average compared to many mid-range phones these days.
If you've been in the Samsung ecosystem for a while, you might already be used to their slow charging speeds. However, an improvement in this area would’ve been nice, especially as competitors push for 40W, 50W, and even faster charging solutions.
Camera: Is It Really an Upgrade?
The camera setup is essentially carried over from the Galaxy S23 FE in terms of megapixel count. While that may sound like a downer, in reality, Samsung has found a camera formula that works. The photos I snapped with it all came out clean, with natural colors and accurate white balance. It might not blow you away with any groundbreaking improvements, but it’s reliable.
For those of you who are camera junkies or active on social media, the S24 FE will handle your day-to-day shots pretty well, whether it's detailed cityscapes or well-lit selfies. If you're casually snapping and sharing on Instagram, you’ll hardly feel that the camera is lacking.
Is it a revolutionary camera experience? No, but it is consistent. Given the price tag, you’re still getting a great all-around camera package.
Price and Value: Is It Worth the Money?
Right now, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is listed at RM 2,999 in Malaysia. Sure, prices might fluctuate, so double-check Samsung’s website for current pricing where you are. At this price, the S24 FE sits comfortably in the mid-range bracket, where it offers excellent value for the money.
Looking beyond Samsung, you have strong competition, such as the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Xiaomi tends to offer excellent hardware and impressive cameras at similar prices. However, if you're already a fan of Samsung’s One UI and enjoy the perks of the Samsung ecosystem, shelling out for the Galaxy S24 FE makes sense. It delivers the signature Samsung experience at a fraction of the cost of their premium devices.
Staying In the Samsung Ecosystem: Why Choose the Galaxy S24 FE?
One of the most appealing features of the Galaxy S24 FE is its software experience. If you're already using Samsung smartwatches, tablets, or TVs, One UI keeps everything tied together seamlessly. Plus, Samsung’s AI features are fun to use, and One UI’s interface is both clean and intuitive for users already familiar with it.
If you’re used to One UI, the Galaxy S24 FE will feel like second nature. That’s one advantage over competitors—staying with Samsung means no learning curve.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE delivers on many fronts without over-promising. It keeps what’s good from the S23 FE while introducing a larger screen, a bump in performance, and a bigger battery. The design, though unchanged, is safer with better protection all around.
Could it be better? Sure, the slow charging speed and a lack of standout camera upgrades hold it back slightly, but for the RM 2,9999 price tag, it's hard to ask for more.
If you're considering a phone under 3,0000 and want something that balances performance, display, and price, the S24 FE could be your fan-favorite.
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