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 newest options. I needed to expertise cutting-edge tech and loved the bragging rights that got here with proudly owning a flagship product. Today, most cellphone manufacturers have stagnated within the innovation division, and we get annual iterative updates which might be barely definitely worth the effort. It seems like manufacturers desire working inside their consolation zone, enjoying it secure to carry on to their established fan bases, and it is now not value splashing money on the newest flagship.

At the least, 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 a good digital camera. Ordinarily, it could be a no brainer, and I would select from one of many newest flagships, which might imply one of many Galaxy S25+ or S25 Ultra fashions. Nonetheless, after buying round, I made a decision on a mid-range Galaxy S24 FE due to a mixture of things. For this reason I take advantage of a mid-range smartphone and do not remorse it in any respect.

Value

Everybody desires the perfect deal

Value might be the deciding consider most buying selections, as most of us have a finances and need the perfect 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 accessible 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 obtainable on particular for round $1,100.

Then again, 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 worth distinction is justified or not depends upon 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 towards its premium rivals.

Show

Giant and clear

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

The S24 FE’s show may lag on paper, but it surely nonetheless affords crisp visuals with shiny colours and glorious distinction, making it best for typing, watching films, and consuming content material. I solely discover its decrease general brightness when making an attempt to observe movies exterior within the sunshine, and it is not a dealbreaker for me as a result of I normally use my cellphone indoors.

Digicam

A vital smartphone instrument

I would like a good digital camera on my cellphone as a result of I usually take product pictures for work and luxuriate in taking out of doors pictures in my free time. The Galaxy S24 FE will get the job carried out 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 affords 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 the perfect digital camera system will likely be higher off with the S25 Extremely offered they’re completely satisfied 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 serious consideration when shopping for any cellphone as a result of it will need to 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 affords 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 affords easy efficiency and does not really feel underpowered for each day duties.

Nonetheless, the hole is way wider towards the newer Samsung S25, which runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and 12GB of RAM. The S25 affords 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 affords easy efficiency and does not really feel underpowered for each day duties, like working a number of apps, watching movies, and typing paperwork. I would most likely really feel in another way if I have been into cellular gaming or utilizing resource-hungry AI instruments each day. I believe the S24 FE affords adequate capabilities for many smartphone patrons, however there isn’t any doubt that the premium S25 vary is a more sensible choice for energy customers wanting the perfect.

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 attainable earlier than recharging. The Samsung S24 FE contains 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.

Thus far, I’ve discovered the S24 FE to have glorious battery life. It simply lasts an entire day with heavy use, and I by no means have to fret about recharging it. That is possible attributable to a mixture 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 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 provide 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 making an attempt it out. It is 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 containers, providing acceptable energy, an acceptable display screen dimension, and respectable battery life for an affordable worth. Is it good? No, premium telephones are nonetheless a greater possibility in case you want probably the most processing energy, however you get what you pay for, and the S24 FE performs nicely contemplating its cheaper price tag.

I’ve all the time chosen flagships previously 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.