Phone Review

Galaxy S24 FE vs iPhone 16: Samsung’s FE takes intention at Apple’s base iPhone

Advertisement
Advertisement

Intro

The smartphone panorama may need simply witnessed a seismic shift with the arrival of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE. This mid-range marvel not solely challenges the iPhone 16 but in addition raises the bar for what we anticipate from a Samsung Fan Version gadget.
Samsung has upgraded its premium mid-range telephone a lot this yr that its chipset and most important digicam can rival that of flagships, gaining on the 2 areas the place iPhones sometimes excel. It even comes with AI options that Apple continues to be engaged on delivering to its new iPhones.

In fact, the iPhone 16 continues to be a fantastic, well-rounded telephone. It is spectacular which you can now run a console-level sport on the usual mannequin. However for $150 much less, you get a lot of that high-tier expertise, or much more in some instances, in case you go for the S24 FE.

Apple’s thorny hedges of its ecosystem backyard are extra necessary than ever now, with such aggressively priced competitors.

Desk of Contents:

Design and Show High quality

S24 FE is bigger and has a a lot better show

Samsung up to date the form of its Fan Version telephone with the Galaxy S24 FE, which now has a extra blocky look with flat sides and barely curved corners. This design is far in step with the remainder of the S24 sequence, and even the corporate’s newest finances “a” sequence. The blocky look of the S24 FE can also be shared by the iPhone 16, though iPhones have had this look because the iPhone 12.

We predict this design makes telephones simpler to carry, and so long as the sides will not be sharp, extra snug too. In fact, that’s in case you do not put a case on.

Measurement-wise, the S24 FE is greater than its already giant predecessor, measuring at 6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 inches, which is kind of a bit greater than the iPhone 16‘s 5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. Just like the iPhone, it comes with a glass again and an aluminum body, though the glass again panel is shiny as an alternative of the matte end of the iPhone’s.

The FE can also be a lot heavier at 7.51 oz vs 6.00 oz, and also you positively discover the distinction.

Each telephones have an IP68 mud and water resistance ranking, so you do not have to fret about water getting if it rains otherwise you drop one in a shallow physique of water.

Biometrics work very nicely on each telephones, so unlocking them or doing any funds is fast and simple.

The Galaxy S24 FE comes the next hues:

  • Blue
  • Graphite
  • Grey
  • Mint
  • Yellow
  • Black
  • White
  • Pink
  • Teal
  • Ultramarine

We already established that the S24 FE is in a totally completely different weight class than the iPhone 16, which often means a bigger show too. On this case, we’re taking a look at a 6.7-inch vs a 6.1-inch show in favor of the FE, which makes it extra immersive and nice for watching video content material.

The S24 FE’s show can also be a lot smoother when swiping and scrolling because of its 120Hz refresh price— a characteristic that the majority telephones, even finances ones have. When you already personal a telephone that helps this, it will be jarring to get the iPhone 16 till you get used to its a lot slower 60Hz show.

The iPhone ought to have a barely brighter show, however as you will note from the outcomes we acquired throughout our show lab checks, that is not the case, no less than from what we measured.

A the top of the day, the one saving grace of the iPhone 16‘s show is that it has thinner, uniform bezels that make it look a bit extra fairly. That, and it is greater sturdiness because of the Ceramic Defend glass that tends to be a bit much less vulnerable to scratches than the Gorilla Glass Victus on the S24 FE.

Our show lab checks confirmed us that, in truth, the S24 FE’s show is ever so barely brighter than that of the iPhone 16. However in addition they confirmed us that the iPhone 16 has a extra coloration correct show, which is necessary in case you intend to work with any visible content material. Coloration accuracy can differ from unit to unit although, so simply because our S24 FE and iPhone 16 are like this does not imply others might be.

Efficiency and Software program

Absolute powerhouses, however the iPhone continues to be lacking promised options

Samsung has geared up the Galaxy S24 FE with a way more highly effective chipset this yr, the Exynos 2400e. It is a barely toned down model of the Exynos 2400 that powers the corporate’s flagship Galaxy S24 lineup, so you’ll be able to say that the Fan Version has flagship-level efficiency.

The Exynso 2400e is spectacular, however so is the A18 Bionic contained in the iPhone 16. Apple jumped to TSMC’s 2nd-gen course of expertise, which provides higher energy effectivity on high of elevated stage of efficiency. This chip is the explanation the usual iPhone now helps super-demanding AAA video games, similar to the Professional fashions have since final yr.

For on a regular basis utilization there would not appear to be any distinction when working both of the telephones, as each are completely succesful at dealing with a mean shopper’s every day duties. It is just in these extraordinarily area of interest instances the place you’ll discover the prevalence of the A18 chipset.

Each telephones include 8GB of RAM, which can also be what permits them to hold out AI duties, though lots of these are nonetheless not accessible on the iPhone 16, whereas all AI options are at your fingertips the second you arrange your new Galaxy S24 FE. Is not {that a} poor search for Apple…

One thing that could be a huge letdown for the iPhone 16 is that lots of the AI options that Apple promised are nonetheless not accessible, scheduled to return in launch waves up till the top of Q1 subsequent yr. Alternatively, the S24 FE has all Galaxy AI options accessible, even when a few of them are deeply buried in Settings and arduous to search out.

Relating to software program updates, because the new Fan Version telephone from Samsung now comes with 7 years of assist, which matches what Apple tends to supply with its flagships.

The benchmark outcomes from our efficiency checks confirmed us that the S24’s Exynos 2400e chipset can ship the identical energy as Apple’s A18 Bionic in the case of 3D graphics. For processor-intensive duties, nonetheless, the iPhone is considerably forward, particularly in the case of single-core duties.

Digicam

Stunning leads to profit to the Fan Version

The Galaxy S24 FE comes with the identical 50MP most important digicam that the flagship Galaxy S24 sequence makes use of, even the processing behind the scenes is similar. So once we are evaluating it to the 48MP digicam on the iPhone 16 we’re virtually evaluating two flagship cameras.

Then you may have the 12MP ultra-wide cameras on each telephones, which produce related picture high quality since they share the identical decision and aperture of f/2.2.

However the Galaxy S24 FE has another digicam in its arsenal, and that’s the 8MP 3x telephoto, which does present a greater picture in comparison with the digital zoom of the iPhone 16. The iPhone is able to a 2x sensor crop, which capabilities as a 2x telephoto digicam, however even with that it merely cannot beat devoted optics.

By way of video recording, the S24 FE truly has a greater portfolio whenever you take a look at its specs. It’s able to capturing at 8K 30fps, 4K at as much as 120fps, and even at 720p and 960fps for tremendous gradual movement. The iPhone 16 is a little more tame on this space, maxing out at 4K 60FPS for normal recording, however with greater decision gradual movement (though not as quick) at 1080p and 240fps.

Lastly, you may have a 10MP selfie digicam on the S24 FE in comparison with a 12MP one on the iPhone 16. The distinction in decision is fairly insignificant. What makes extra of an impression on how pleasing the images look is the colour accuracy, particularly in the case of pores and skin tones. The iPhone tends to create softer pictures with lifted shadows, whereas the Galaxy provides a bit extra distinction and post-process sharpening.

Surprisingly, the extra cheap S24 FE scored one level greater in our digicam scoring system. This result’s principally because of the S24 FE’s most important digicam, which managed to attain 2 factors greater than the iPhone 16‘s for images, and what’s extra shocking — 3 factors greater for video! Normally it’s the iPhone that reveals superiority in video, however Samsung has actually stepped up its sport within the final couple of years.

Principal Digicam

The iPhone’s most important digicam captured a barely extra detailed picture, probably because of its default 24MP decision in comparison with the S24 FE’s 12MP. Moreover, the iPhone’s colours had been extra correct, whereas the FE’s picture exhibited extreme saturation and an unnatural inexperienced solid.

Zoom High quality

The Galaxy S24 FE‘s devoted 3x telephoto digicam captured a sharper picture. Nevertheless, the iPhone’s post-processing produced extra correct distinction and coloration copy, leading to a extra real looking illustration of the scene.

Extremely-wide Digicam

As soon as once more, the iPhone represents extra real looking colours, however on this case the S24 FE’s HDR has carried out higher and there’s extra element within the shadows of the foliage.

Selfies

The selfie digicam on the iPhone comes out with barely extra high-resolution pictures, however the distinction in high quality between the 2 telephones will not be that nice. We like each in the case of selfies.

Extra Digicam Samples

Video High quality

Video Thumbnail

The Galaxy S24 FE shoots very good video, particularly for a telephone of its value level. Whereas we do desire the video of the iPhone once we are within the shadows of the bushes, the scenario flips as soon as we acquired out into the daylight, the place the FE arguably does a greater job at making our colleague’s face seen.

The identical distinction in distinction and coloration saturation we noticed when taking images can also be seen throughout video recording.

Battery Life and Charging

An identical expertise between the 2

Now we have an enormous distinction in battery capability when evaluating these two telephones. Apple’s iPhones are already recognized for his or her smaller batteries in comparison with the competitors, and the iPhone 16 but once more an instance of this with its 3,561 mAh battery. Compared, the S24 FE comes with a a lot bigger 4,700 mAh battery.

However regardless of their small batteries, iPhones nonetheless handle to have among the greatest battery life. You will note from our battery life checks beneath that the iPhone has managed to do exactly in addition to the S24 FE on this section.

Charging-wise, the S24 FE comes with 25W speeds through cable, whereas the iPhone 16 maxes out at 20W. For wi-fi charging the tables are flipped, with the iPhone maxing out at 25W through MagSafe and the FE at 15W.

Reverse-charging is accessible with each telephones, however the iPhone can cost different units solely via cable, whereas the S24 FE can do it wirelessly.

PhoneArena Battery and Charging Check Outcomes:

As you’ll be able to see, the iPhone 16 gave very related outcomes to the Galaxy S24 FE throughout our battery life checks, regardless of the considerably smaller battery capability. What’s shocking is that even with the massive battery, the S24 FE took much less time to go from 1-100% cost, however the iPhone charged extra of its battery as much as the 30-minute mark.

Specs Comparability

Even with out trying on the telephones, you’ll be able to inform simply how completely different they’re visually. The S24 FE is within the “giant telephones” class by all accounts, and that additionally means it comes with a way more immersive show. The iPhone 16, alternatively, is smaller with a much less spectacular show (together with the refresh price), however it serves as a extra compact choice.

Similar to with earlier generations, the FE comes with a telephoto digicam whereas the usual iPhone doesn’t. One other clear distinction is which you can go as much as 512GB of storage on the iPhone however probably the most you get on the Galaxy S24 FE is 256GB.

Different, much less noticeable variations are the charging speeds. The S24 FE comes with barely quicker wired charging, whereas the iPhone 16 has higher wi-fi charging. In fact, there’s additionally the apparent distinction in battery dimension, though that’s considerably irrelevant on this comparability.

Abstract

It is humorous how Samsung’s high-end mid-range telephone can match and in lots of instances supply greater than Apple’s base flagship mannequin. We’re taking a look at a $150 value distinction right here, with the Galaxy S24 FE beginning at $649 and the iPhone 16 at $799.

Samsung has pulled an attention-grabbing transfer with this yr’s Fan Version, as additionally it is, in our opinion, so near what the Galaxy S24 provides that it nearly makes it out of date. So it isn’t so huge of a shock to us that it shapes up as a greater buy than the iPhone 16.

The one space the place the iPhone might have made a greater case for itself was the digicam efficiency, particularly for video recording, however even its standard strengths are not of a lot assist on this case.

In fact, it isn’t like Apple has made a worse iPhone than its earlier releases. This comparability, greater than something, highlights a curious determination from Samsung to vastly enhance the Fan Version Galaxy telephones.

So, after all, when you have been utilizing an iPhone you in all probability will not really feel the necessity to relearn an entire completely different working system regardless of the decision right here. However in case you are not tied right down to Apple’s ecosystem, the S24 FE is certainly value a glance.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button