Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S24 FE
The Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 FE share their roots, so the useful question isn’t which is “good” but where each one differs. You can’t have it all with either one. The Galaxy S24 is the display pick, and the Galaxy S24 FE is the battery & charging pick. And the price tags aren’t close: the Galaxy S24 FE came in $150 below the Galaxy S24 at launch.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S24 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S24 wins
- Battery & Charging Galaxy S24 FE wins
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Galaxy S24 FE wins
- Display5.8
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.4
- Battery & Charging0.7
- Display5.0
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.3
- Battery & Charging1.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S24 FE has 18% more battery capacity
Among all the differences on this page, 4,700 mAh against 4,000 mAh is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Galaxy S24 FE. Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
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The Galaxy S24 has a 1.62 oz lighter build
The Galaxy S24 FE gives up a lot on weight: 7.51 oz, compared with 5.89 oz on the Galaxy S24. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
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The Galaxy S24 has 37% higher peak brightness
Few buyers will miss this one. The Galaxy S24 brings 2,600 nits to the table; the Galaxy S24 FE brings 1,900 nits. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
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The Galaxy S24 has a dedicated 10 MP telephoto camera
The Galaxy S24 FE comes close with 8 MP; the Galaxy S24 does slightly better with 10 MP. A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Galaxy S24 a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
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The Galaxy S24 FE has
Neither number is the right one in general (6.38 in on the Galaxy S24 FE, 5.79 in on the Galaxy S24), only the right one for you. Height decides how easily your thumb reaches the top of the screen and how the phone sits in a pocket.
Design & Size
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
- Galaxy S24 FE 6.38 in × 3.04 in × 0.31 in
Going by the official dimensions, the Galaxy S24 FE is the larger of the two. In the weight column, the Galaxy S24 leads by 1.62 oz. The Galaxy S24 keeps a lower profile: 0.02 in thinner than the Galaxy S24 FE.
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.79 in | 6.38 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.89 oz (winner) | 7.51 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S24 leads
The Galaxy S24 dominates the display section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Point to the Galaxy S24 for 37% higher peak brightness. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks. So if display tops your list, lean toward the Galaxy S24.
Peak brightness
Galaxy S24: 2,600 nits Galaxy S24 FE: 1,900 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Galaxy S24’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Screen size
Galaxy S24: 6.2 in Galaxy S24 FE: 6.7 in A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Performance
Too close to call
If performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Neither phone gives you a reason to choose it on performance.
CPU cores
Galaxy S24: 8 Galaxy S24 FE: 10 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Neither the Galaxy S24 nor the Galaxy S24 FE has a real advantage in the memory & storage category. So memory & storage is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Camera
Galaxy S24 leads
By a small margin, the Galaxy S24 is the stronger of the two in this area. Choose the Galaxy S24 and you get a dedicated 10 MP telephoto camera. A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact. On camera alone, the Galaxy S24 gets the nod.
Telephoto camera
Galaxy S24: 10 MP Galaxy S24 FE: 8 MP Telephoto lenses earn their keep at concerts, school events and portraits: anywhere you can’t simply walk closer.
Front camera
Galaxy S24: 12 MP Galaxy S24 FE: 10 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S24 FE leads
In the battery & charging category, the Galaxy S24 FE isn’t just ahead; it’s clearly ahead. The Galaxy S24 FE scores with 18% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance. If battery & charging is your priority, the Galaxy S24 FE is the phone to pick.
Battery capacity
Galaxy S24: 4,000 mAh Galaxy S24 FE: 4,700 mAh Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Galaxy S24 FE has more headroom left.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
The Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 FE match each other closely in this area. If software & updates was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 416 ppi (winner) | 385 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits (winner) | 1,900 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) | Exynos 2400e |
| CPU cores | 8 | 10 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 10 MP (winner) | 8 MP |
| Optical zoom | 3× | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 8K30 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,700 mAh (winner) |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.79 in | 6.38 in |
| Width | 2.78 in | 3.04 in |
| Thickness | 0.30 in (winner) | 0.31 in |
| Weight | 5.89 oz (winner) | 7.51 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Armor Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Galaxy S24 | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $800 | $650 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Galaxy S24 asked for $150 more at launch. That gap of 23% has to be justified by the specs. The Galaxy S24 FE saves you $150, and given the trade-offs, that saving deserves serious thought.
Based on US launch pricing as of October 2024. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you want the lighter phone (5.89 oz vs 7.51 oz)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,600 nits vs 1,900 nits peak brightness)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (10 MP vs 8 MP telephoto)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 in vs 0.31 in)
Choose the Galaxy S24 FE if…
- you want the bigger battery (4,700 mAh vs 4,000 mAh)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $150 matters
- you like more of everything, size included
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Galaxy S24 or the Galaxy S24 FE?
The Galaxy S24 FE offers better value, saving $150 compared with the Galaxy S24.
Which has better battery life, the Galaxy S24 or the Galaxy S24 FE?
Going by the official figures, the Galaxy S24 FE leads: 4,700 mAh versus 4,000 mAh for battery capacity. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the Galaxy S24 or the Galaxy S24 FE?
It’s the Galaxy S24 FE that is larger: 6.38 × 3.04 × 0.31 in, versus 5.79 × 2.78 × 0.30 in for the Galaxy S24.
Does the Galaxy S24 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S24 FE?
Going by the hardware, the Galaxy S24 comes out ahead: a dedicated 10 MP telephoto camera and a sharper 12 MP selfie camera.
Is the Galaxy S24’s display better than the Galaxy S24 FE’s?
Going by the numbers, the Galaxy S24’s screen comes out ahead: 37% higher peak brightness and 8.1% sharper pixel density.
Is the Galaxy S24 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 FE?
The Galaxy S24 FE is the cheaper option, launching at $150 less than the Galaxy S24 (launch prices as of October 2024).
Executive Summary
Choosing between siblings is my favorite kind of puzzle. The Galaxy S24 and the Galaxy S24 FE share a lot, so the details decide. Start with the headline difference (the Galaxy S24 FE has 18% more battery capacity), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Don’t write off the Galaxy S24 entirely: it has a 1.62 oz lighter build.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Galaxy S24 suits buyers focused on display; the Galaxy S24 FE suits those focused on battery & charging.
My pick: if it were my money, the Galaxy S24 FE, and the $150 would go somewhere more useful.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.