Samsung Galaxy S24 FE SM-S721WLGAXAC Mint 128GB

The S24 FE is a flagship killer that actually comes from the flagship maker. Great cameras, clever AI, and expandable storage at this price make it the sensible pick for just about everyone.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a known quantity—it's fast, cool, and chews through anything you throw at it. Loading times and app switching feel snappy, and the 120Hz panel keeps everything fluid. What surprised me, though, wasn't the speed; it was the charging. Samsung stuck with 25W wired charging, and in a world where $400 phones ship with 45W bricks, that feels ancient. You'll be staring at the battery icon more than you'd like if you're coming from a OnePlus or even a recent Moto. Also, the UFS 3.1 storage is a step behind the UFS 4.0 in pricier Galaxies, so huge game installs take a beat longer. Day-to-day, it's not a dealbreaker, but it's the one spec that makes the phone feel its age.

The S24 FE's biggest rival is the OnePlus 15, which typically packs a newer chip and way faster charging, but usually stumbles on camera consistency and long-term software support. Then there's the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, which will almost certainly beat the Samsung in photography and offer a cleaner Android build, but it'll launch at a much higher price and likely skip the telephoto lens (unless you go Pro). The FE carves out a niche: it gives you that zoom lens and a huge feature set without the wallet shock. If you're already in the Samsung ecosystem or just want a dependable all-rounder with a microSD slot, there's nothing else quite like it.

At $754, this phone is a no-brainer. You're getting the camera system and display of a much more expensive device, plus Samsung's solid four-year update commitment. The expandable storage alone saves you from paying a $200 premium for more built-in memory, and the AI features aren't half-baked. If you can live with overnight charging instead of 15-minute top-ups, this is the value king of the Galaxy lineup.

The Galaxy S24 FE is Samsung's best-kept secret. It's a phone that grabs the best parts of the S24 family—the brilliant 6.7" 120Hz screen, the versatile triple-camera with a real 3x telephoto, and all the Galaxy AI tricks—and wraps them in a body that's a little less fancy to hit a price that's a whole lot easier to stomach. For $754, you're getting a phone that feels 90% flagship, and the remaining 10% is mostly stuff you'll forget about after a week.

The one thing to know: this is the phone for people who refuse to pay $1,000 but still want a telephoto lens, expandable storage, and Samsung's update promise. It runs on the still-excellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which means it flies through daily tasks and most games. The plastic back and slower storage are the trade-offs, but they're the kind of corners you'll gladly cut when you see the spec sheet.

If you're a hardcore mobile gamer or can't stand slow charging, skip this and grab an ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro or a OnePlus 15. Those phones will give you better cooling and charge speeds that actually feel fast. Also, if holding a phone that screams "premium" matters to you, the plastic back won't satisfy—pick up a regular Galaxy S24 or S24+ instead.

The Galaxy S24 FE is the phone I'd point almost anyone to. It's not the absolute best at any single thing, but it's so good at so many things that most people won't care. The camera zoom, vibrant screen, and genuinely handy AI tools make it a phone you'll enjoy using daily. It's a practical, sensible choice that doesn't feel like a compromise unless you're a spec-obsessed gamer or charging-speed junkie. For the price, it's brilliant.