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. Today, most cellphone manufacturers have stagnated within the innovation division, and we get annual iterative updates which can be barely well worth the effort. It looks like manufacturers want working inside their consolation zone, enjoying it secure 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 every day duties and had an honest digital camera. Ordinarily, it will 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 purchasing round, I made a decision on a mid-range Galaxy S24 FE due to a mixture of things. This is the reason I exploit a mid-range smartphone and do not remorse it in any respect.

Worth

Everybody needs the very best deal

Worth might be the deciding consider most buying selections, as most of us have a funds 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 the same 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 on the market on particular for round $1,100.

Alternatively, the Samsung S24 FE is on the market 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 relies on what I am utilizing the cellphone for. In my case, it is every 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 without doubt one of 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 massive 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 packing containers 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 increased 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 brilliant colours and glorious distinction, making it ideally suited for typing, watching films, and consuming content material. I solely discover its decrease general brightness when making an attempt 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.

Digicam

A necessary smartphone instrument

I want an honest digital camera on my cellphone as a result of I usually take product images for work and luxuriate in taking outside images in my free time. The Galaxy S24 FE will get the job finished with a 50-megapixel fundamental 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 as a result of 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 in search of the very best digital camera system might be higher off with the S25 Extremely supplied they’re completely happy assembly the hefty price ticket for its 200-megapixel fundamental 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 does not really feel underpowered for every 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 as a result of its quicker chip and elevated reminiscence, and there is no lag when operating AI instruments or video games.

For me, the S24 FE presents easy efficiency and does not really feel underpowered for every day duties, like operating a number of apps, watching movies, and typing paperwork. I might most likely really feel in another way if I have been into cell gaming or utilizing resource-hungry AI instruments every day. I feel the S24 FE presents ample capabilities for many smartphone patrons, however there is no 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.

Thus far, 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 as a result of a mixture of the mid-range chip, which requires much less energy, and a big battery. That mentioned, most premium telephones have glorious battery life when new and can seemingly 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’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 appropriate display dimension, and first rate battery life for an affordable worth. Is it excellent? No, premium telephones are nonetheless a greater choice in case you 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 all the time chosen flagships up to now as a result of they supplied 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.