I exploit a mid-range smartphone and do not remorse it in any respect

Not way back, I used to improve my smartphone yearly as a result of I could not afford to overlook out on the newest options. I needed to expertise cutting-edge tech and loved the bragging rights that got here with proudly owning a flagship product. Nowadays, most telephone manufacturers have stagnated within the innovation division, and we get annual iterative updates which might be barely definitely worth the effort. It appears like manufacturers choose working inside their consolation zone, taking part in it protected to carry on to their established fan bases, and it is not value splashing money on the newest flagship.

A minimum of, that is how I felt when my Samsung Galaxy S22 lastly developed points after years of service, and I wanted to discover a alternative that was highly effective sufficient to deal with most day by day duties and had a good digital camera. Ordinarily, it might be a no brainer, and I might select from one of many newest flagships, which might imply one of many Galaxy S25+ or S25 Ultra fashions. Nevertheless, after buying round, I made a decision on a mid-range Galaxy S24 FE due to a mix of things. Because of this I exploit a mid-range smartphone and do not remorse it in any respect.

Value

Everybody desires the very best deal

Value might be the deciding think about most buying selections, as most of us have a finances and wish the very best worth for our cash. When evaluating costs on Amazon, the usual Samsung S25 prices $860 for the 256GB model and was marked right down to $780. The Samsung S25+ with an identical storage capability sells for $1,000 and was out there for $850 with a limited-time deal, whereas the S25 Extremely sometimes retails for $1,300 and was marked right down to $1,050. I wasn’t within the S25 Edge, which is obtainable on particular for round $1,100.

However, the Samsung S24 FE is obtainable for $590. It is $190 lower than the S25, $260 lower than the S25+, and a whopping $460 lower than the S25 Extremely. The S25 vary arguably has extra energy and higher options, and whether or not the value distinction is justified or not is dependent upon what I am utilizing the telephone for. In my case, it is day by day use and testing a variety of apps and AI options. To color a clearer image, I in contrast the options I exploit essentially the most to see how the S24 FE stacks up in opposition to its premium rivals.

Show

Giant and clear

The show is among the first issues I think about when shopping for a telephone, as a result of I am going to spend numerous hours it for work and play. It should be giant sufficient to work on whereas being responsive, providing vibrant colours, and that includes a excessive refresh price. The Samsung Galaxy S24 ticked most of my packing containers with a big 6.7-inch AMOLED show providing 1080 x 2340 decision, a 120Hz adaptive refresh price, and 1,900 nits of peak brightness. It is the identical measurement because the S25+, however cannot match the pricier telephone’s greater 1440 x 3120 decision, and a couple of,600 nits of peak brightness.

The S24 FE’s show would possibly lag on paper, nevertheless it nonetheless provides crisp visuals with vibrant colours and glorious distinction, making it ultimate for typing, watching motion pictures, and consuming content material. I solely discover its decrease total brightness when attempting to look at movies exterior within the sunshine, and it is not a dealbreaker for me as a result of I normally use my telephone indoors.

Digital camera

A necessary smartphone software

I would like a good digital camera on my telephone as a result of I typically take product images for work and luxuriate in taking out of doors images in my free time. The Galaxy S24 FE will get the job achieved with a 50-megapixel primary digital camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera, and an 8-megapixel telephoto digital camera. It is a comparable setup to the usual S24, which has a slight edge attributable to its bigger picture processor. One other space the place the S24 excels is the 12-megapixel selfie digital camera, which provides higher distinction in comparison with the S24 FE’s 10-megapixel variant.

The usual S25 and S25+ provide comparable digital camera capabilities to the S24, however are bolstered by AI instruments to enhance their imagery. Photographers and different professionals in search of the very best digital camera system will likely be higher off with the S25 Extremely supplied they’re glad assembly the hefty price ticket for its 200-megapixel primary and 50-megapixel ultrawide cameras.

Energy

The engine that runs all of it

Energy is a serious consideration when shopping for any telephone as a result of it should have sufficient oomph to deal with multitasking, apps, gaming, and different demanding duties. The Samsung S24 features a stripped-down model of the Exynos 2400e chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM, which is barely decrease than the usual S24’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400 with 8GB of RAM. It is no shock that the usual S24 provides superior efficiency to the S24 FE, though the distinction is not important and solely noticeable in intensive gaming and AI duties.

For me, the S24 FE provides clean efficiency and does not really feel underpowered for day by day duties.

Nevertheless, the hole is way wider in opposition to the newer Samsung S25, which runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM. The S25 provides noticeably higher efficiency attributable to its sooner chip and elevated reminiscence, and there isn’t any lag when working AI instruments or video games.

For me, the S24 FE provides clean efficiency and does not really feel underpowered for day by day duties, like working a number of apps, watching movies, and typing paperwork. I might most likely really feel otherwise if I have been into cellular gaming or utilizing resource-hungry AI instruments day by day. I believe the S24 FE provides enough capabilities for many smartphone consumers, however there isn’t any doubt that the premium S25 vary is a better option for energy customers wanting the very best.

Battery life

The longer, the higher

Most of us spend hours on our telephones per day and want the battery to final so long as doable earlier than recharging. The Samsung S24 FE includes a 6,700 mAh battery, 700 mAh greater than the usual S24, to accommodate the bigger show. The newer, however smaller S25 has a 4,000 mAh battery, whereas the S25+ has a 4,900 mAh battery to energy a equally sized 6.7-inch show.

Up to now, I’ve discovered the S24 FE to have glorious battery life. It simply lasts a complete day with heavy use, and I by no means have to fret about recharging it. That is seemingly attributable to a mix of the mid-range chip, which requires much less energy, and a big battery. That stated, most premium telephones have glorious battery life when new and can seemingly ship comparable outcomes, with a few hours distinction between them. In relation to charging, the S24 FE matches the S25’s 25W wired and 15W wi-fi speeds, however cannot compete with the S25+ and S25 Extremely, which supply 45W wired charging.

No regrets

A midrange telephone works for me

I used to be initially skeptical about getting a mid-range telephone, however my fears have been unfounded after attempting it out. It’s because the hole between flagships and different fashions has by no means been nearer, and yearly we’re solely seeing minimal efficiency and digital camera upgrades, with no groundbreaking options to get enthusiastic about.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE ticks most of my packing containers, providing acceptable energy, an acceptable display screen measurement, and respectable battery life for an affordable worth. Is it good? No, premium telephones are nonetheless a greater choice if you happen to want essentially the most processing energy, however you get what you pay for, and the S24 FE performs effectively contemplating its lower cost tag.

I’ve at all times chosen flagships up to now as a result of they provided a level of future-proofing, however now I am happier saving my cash and receiving seven years of software program updates on a mid-range mannequin that meets my wants.