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The mid-range smartphone market is heating up again.
On the same day that Xiaomi unveiled its 14T series, Samsung is back with the Galaxy S24 FE.
However, Samsung already has a few successful mid-range phones, including the Galaxy A55, so what makes this new one worth buying?
While we haven’t had a chance to review the S24 FE, the specs and features revealed by Samsung paint a clear picture of what we can expect. For a more in-depth look at the cheaper phone, read our full Galaxy A55 review.
Design and build quality
The minimalist design of the Galaxy S24 FE, which is very similar to the regular Galaxy S24, gives it a sleek appearance. Thanks to the wide range of color options – blue, graphite, gray, mint and yellow – you can customize the look of your phone to suit your taste.
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 provide 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 caught in the rain or at the beach.
The Galaxy A55 also focuses on a refined, premium aesthetic, borrowing elements from the Galaxy S24 series. What sets the A55 apart is the signature ‘Key Island’ on the right edge, where the power and volume up/down buttons are located. It’s a simple raised edge that includes both the power and volume keys.
The phone comes in just two colors, Awesome Iceblue and Awesome Lilac, while the glass back and aluminum frame make it feel luxurious and durable. However, the construction – 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2mm and 213g in weight – may also not be as comfortable for extended one-handed use, especially for those with smaller hands.
The phone has a slightly worse IP67 rating, but can still survive most encounters with water or dust.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
While both phones have solid construction and similar weight and size, the Galaxy S24 FE offers higher water resistance and more color options, making it a more versatile choice in terms of design and durability.
Rendering and adaptive innovation
The Galaxy S24 FE features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive refresh rate of 120Hz.
It dynamically adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the content, which can not only improve the fluidity of scrolling and animations, but should also help extend battery life when high refresh rates aren’t needed.
The larger size of the screen can also be perfect if you consume a lot of media.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 features a 6.6-inch FHD+ OLED display, which is slightly smaller than that of the S24 FE but still offers a vivid and vibrant viewing experience.
It also offers a 120Hz refresh rate, but is not adaptive. Don’t expect it to change dynamically as you scroll through social media or play games. You only have the choice of a predetermined 60Hz or 120Hz.
Despite the small size difference, the Galaxy A55’s display is still very good and suitable for most users.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
While the display’s brightness and color accuracy should be on par with the S24 FE, the lack of adaptive refresh rate technology means it may not be as efficient at managing power consumption during extended use.
Camera capabilities
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Galaxy S24 FE’s versatile camera setup as it includes a 50Mp wide main camera, a 12Mp ultra-wide lens and an 8Mp telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. In addition, there is also a 10 MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
This array seems perfect for a wide range of shooting scenarios, making it an excellent choice if you want flexibility in your photography.
The addition of features such as Night Mode and Super Steady video recording widens its appeal for users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos in a variety of lighting conditions.
The Galaxy A55 has a capable camera setup, but lacks the telephoto lens of the S24 FE.
The 50MP main camera performs well in most lighting conditions and the 12MP ultrawide 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, which makes him less suitable. versatile option for serious photographers.
Selfies, however, are handled by a 32MP front camera, which excels at delivering clear and natural-looking images.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Ultimately, the inclusion of a telephoto lens on the S24 FE seems to offer more flexibility if you’re serious about phone photography. While the Galaxy A55 delivers solid performance in typical shooting scenarios, it lacks the optical zoom of a telephoto lens.
Other differences
However, that’s not all. While the above features pretty much highlight the difference between the Galaxy S24 FE and 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 regular Exynos 2400 that powers the regular Galaxy S24 and S24+ in the region, though likely slightly less capable.
The Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, on the other hand, while efficient and powerful for everyday tasks, cannot match the S24 FE’s performance in more demanding use cases such as gaming or intensive multitasking.
Battery and charging
The Galaxy S24 FE offers a slightly less capacious 4,700mAh battery compared to the Galaxy A55’s 5,000mAh cell, which could lead to the latter offering better battery life. We were certainly impressed with it in our full review.
When it comes to charging, both offer speeds of up to 25W, but there are no chargers in the box. If you use a compatible one, Samsung says you can get up to 50% off both in 30 minutes.
However, the S24 FE supports 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 lacks Galaxy AI.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s full range of AI features come to the S24 FE, including Circle to Search.
In addition, Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates for the S24 FE. That’s a significant improvement compared to four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches that the Galaxy A55 gets.
This makes the Galaxy S24 FE a potentially better long-term investment with more software features.
Price and availability
The Galaxy S24 FE costs £649/$649.99 for the 128GB model and £699/$709.99 for the 256GB variant, reflecting its more premium features. It will be available from October 4, 2024.
As with the Galaxy S23 FE, this year’s model will be available in both the UK and US through 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, direct from Samsung and through various retailers in the UK.
Sadly, it’s not available in the US, where your closest choice is the Galaxy A35 5G for $399. It’s not that different, but it’s still a less capable product with a cheaper build, inferior performance and a lesser camera setup .
Should you buy the Galaxy S24 FE or Galaxy A55?
Both phones are strong mid-range options with their own strengths.
The Galaxy S24 FE stands out for 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 versatile mid-range device, but if you want a device with more features, with extensive software support and advanced camera capabilities, then the Galaxy S24 FE is worth the extra investment.
And if you live in the US, the S24 FE is your only choice.