I take advantage of 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 most recent options. I needed to expertise cutting-edge tech and loved the bragging rights that got here with proudly owning a flagship product. Nowadays, most cellphone manufacturers have stagnated within the innovation division, and we get annual iterative updates which are barely definitely worth the effort. It seems 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 price splashing money on the most recent flagship.

Not less than, that is how I felt when my Samsung Galaxy S22 lastly developed points after years of service, and I wanted to discover a substitute that was highly effective sufficient to deal with most each day duties and had an honest 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. Nonetheless, after procuring round, I made a decision on a mid-range Galaxy S24 FE due to a mix of things. This is the reason I take advantage of a mid-range smartphone and do not remorse it in any respect.

Value

Everybody needs one of the best deal

Value might be the deciding consider most buying choices, as most of us have a funds and need one of the best worth for our cash. When evaluating costs on Amazon, the usual Samsung S25 prices $860 for the 256GB model and was marked all the way down to $780. The Samsung S25+ with the same storage capability sells for $1,000 and was obtainable for $850 with a limited-time deal, whereas the S25 Extremely usually retails for $1,300 and was marked all the way down to $1,050. I wasn’t within the S25 Edge, which is offered on particular for round $1,100.

Then again, the Samsung S24 FE is offered 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 worth distinction is justified or not will depend on what I am utilizing the cellphone for. In my case, it is each day use and testing a variety of apps and AI options. To color a clearer image, I in contrast the options I take advantage of probably the most to see how the S24 FE stacks up in opposition to its premium rivals.

Show

Massive and clear

The show is among the first issues I take into account when shopping for a cellphone, as a result of I am going to spend numerous hours taking a look at it for work and play. It have to be giant sufficient to work on whereas being responsive, providing vibrant colours, and that includes a excessive refresh charge. The Samsung Galaxy S24 ticked most of my bins with a big 6.7-inch AMOLED show providing 1080 x 2340 decision, a 120Hz adaptive refresh charge, and 1,900 nits of peak brightness. It is the identical dimension because the S25+, however cannot match the pricier cellphone’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, however it nonetheless presents crisp visuals with vivid colours and wonderful distinction, making it preferrred for typing, watching films, 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 often use my cellphone indoors.

Digital camera

A vital smartphone device

I want an honest digital camera on my cellphone as a result of I usually take product photographs for work and revel in taking outside photographs in my free time. The Galaxy S24 FE will get the job performed with a 50-megapixel principal 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 presents higher distinction in comparison with the S24 FE’s 10-megapixel variant.

The usual S25 and S25+ supply comparable digital camera capabilities to the S24, however are bolstered by AI instruments to enhance their imagery. Photographers and different professionals looking for one of the best digital camera system shall be higher off with the S25 Extremely supplied they’re comfortable assembly the hefty price ticket for its 200-megapixel principal and 50-megapixel ultrawide cameras.

Energy

The engine that runs all of it

Energy is a significant consideration when shopping for any cellphone 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 presents 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 presents easy efficiency and would not really feel underpowered for each day duties.

Nonetheless, 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 presents noticeably higher efficiency attributable to its sooner chip and elevated reminiscence, and there is no lag when working AI instruments or video games.

For me, the S24 FE presents easy efficiency and would not really feel underpowered for each 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 cell gaming or utilizing resource-hungry AI instruments each day. I feel the S24 FE presents adequate capabilities for many smartphone patrons, however there is no doubt that the premium S25 vary is a more sensible choice for energy customers wanting one of the best.

Battery life

The longer, the higher

Most of us spend hours on our telephones per day and wish the battery to final so long as attainable earlier than recharging. The Samsung S24 FE incorporates 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 wonderful battery life. It simply lasts a complete day with heavy use, and I by no means have to fret about recharging it. That is possible attributable to a mix of the mid-range chip, which requires much less energy, and a big battery. That mentioned, most premium telephones have wonderful battery life when new and can possible ship comparable outcomes, with a few hours distinction between them. With regards 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 cellphone works for me

I used to be initially skeptical about getting a mid-range cellphone, 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 bins, providing acceptable energy, an appropriate display dimension, and first rate battery life for an inexpensive value. Is it good? No, premium telephones are nonetheless a greater choice when you want probably the most processing energy, however you get what you pay for, and the S24 FE performs effectively contemplating its cheaper price tag.

I’ve at all times chosen flagships prior 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.