Samsung rolled out the Fan Edition (FE) variant of its smartphones with the Galaxy S20 FE in 2020, featuring a somewhat simplified version of the flagship model at a price that won’t leave you gasping for air.
This pattern continued with the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S23 FE, although Samsung stumbled a bit and did not release a Galaxy S22 FE in 2022. With that situation in the back of our minds, there were concerns that the Galaxy S24 FE might also miss the boat.
But hang on, rumors are indicating that Samsung is back on the right path with the upcoming Fan Edition model, and the launch might be sooner than anticipated.
When will the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE be released?
At this moment, Samsung is keeping the release date of the Galaxy S24 FE under wraps. Initially, some source at The Elec suggested a summer 2024 launch. Yeah, right. Summer sailed by, and there wasn’t even a hint of a leaked image. Now, new reports mention it might debut as late as late 2024 or even early 2025. However, the newest leak (courtesy of Android Authority) hints at an October 2024 release, aligning perfectly with Samsung’s typical schedule.
The phone’s model number has emerged in databases from the UK and India, indicating it may launch in those regions. This isn’t surprising; if it shares the same journey as the S23 FE, it should hit shelves in most places where that device was available. MySmartPrice also suggests that the US variant has recently secured FCC certification, meaning things are definitely moving ahead.
Here’s when previous Fan Edition models were launched to refresh your memory:
- Galaxy S20 FE – October 2020
- Galaxy S21 FE – January 2022
- Galaxy S23 FE – October 2023
How much will the Galaxy S24 FE cost?
Samsung hasn’t officially disclosed anything regarding pricing yet, but we’re not naive – we can make a solid guess based on the previous Fan Editions.
Here’s what we’ve encountered so far for the base models:
- Galaxy S20 FE 4G: £599/€649 (US buyers missed out)
- Galaxy S20 FE 5G: £699/$699
- Galaxy S21 FE: £699/$699
- Galaxy S23 FE: £599/$579.99
Pricing hasn’t fluctuated much thus far, and with the Galaxy S23 FE, Samsung actually made a move in our favor by slightly lowering the price. Even the 256GB version was less expensive than the 128GB model of the Galaxy S21 FE. Well done, Samsung.
So, if they maintain this trend, we’re looking at around £599/$579.99 for the base 128GB Galaxy S24 FE, just like last year. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – we might want to wait and see if they spring a surprise.
What specs and features will the Galaxy S24 FE have?
The Galaxy FE series is like that mate who only buys drinks when they’re on discount – it’s all about scoring the best features without breaking the bank. So, while the S24 FE might resemble its higher-priced S24 counterpart, expect some compromises to keep costs down.
Rumors suggest that while it will retain most of the fan-favorite elements, some specifications might be slightly toned down. Let’s break it down.
Design & display
First off, a Twitter user named Connor Bhai believes the S24 FE will inherit much of its design aesthetic from the standard Galaxy S24. Not much of a surprise here, but he didn’t share additional details. Then there’s OnLeaks, another source who has leaked some slick 5K images (via Giznext), showcasing a device with a three-camera setup and a 6.5-inch display – just a hair larger than the Galaxy S23 FE’s 6.4-inch screen and the Galaxy S24’s 6.2-inch display.
So, what’s it going to look like? The standard fare: punch-hole camera at the top, nearly bezelless display, power and volume controls on the right side, USB-C port at the bottom – no surprises there. The back features three vertical cameras, just like the rest of the Galaxy S24 lineup.
Rumored dimensions suggest the S24 FE will be marginally larger than its forerunner, measuring approximately 162 x 77.3 x 8mm – not that you’d notice unless you’re a passionate measurer.
In terms of color options, Ross Young, the display expert, estimates the S24 FE will be available in five hues: grey, black, yellow, light blue, and light green – with black likely being the most popular since it shows fewer fingerprints.
For final details, there are whispers that the S24 FE could come with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides, upgrading from last year’s Gorilla Glass 5. Additionally, there could be an aluminum frame with a polished design, giving it a fancier look than expected at this price point.
Android Headlines
Android Headlines
Rumor has it that the display will be a 6.7-inch FHD+ screen with nearly invisible 1.99mm bezels. It’s expected to offer a 120Hz refresh rate with a striking brightness of 1,900 nits, ensuring your Instagram feed pops even under strong sunlight.
Android Headlines
Android Headlines
Performance
In terms of performance, we’re looking at two versions of the S24 FE, each powered by a different chipset. Some folks will end up with the Exynos 2400, while others may be fortunate enough to receive the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The Exynos 2400 is slated to power the Galaxy S24 and S24+ in the UK, so that’s likely what we’ll see here.
On the flip side, intel (thanks to a source from The Elec and Android Headlines) also hints that the device may run on an Exynos 2400e. The “e” likely indicates “eco-friendly,” but in reality, it probably means “it’s alright.”
The S24 FE has also appeared on Geekbench featuring the Exynos 2400 chip, yet it appears to be operating in Light Performance Mode, with the primary core clocked at 3.1GHz instead of the standard 3.2GHz. Whether you’ll really notice that 0.1GHz difference is about as likely as seeing Hylton Castle during a heatwave.
At least we’ll still be looking at 8GB of RAM as before. There are hints of a new 12GB option, which might be linked to storage configurations of either 128GB (UFS 3.1) or 256GB (UFS 4.0). EE’s leaked model even bears a name strikingly similar to the one identified on Geekbench (SM-S721U vs. SM-S721B), but let’s not get overly excited about it.
Cameras
Regarding cameras, a Dutch website, GalaxyClub (via PhoneArena), claims the Galaxy S24 FE will feature the same 50Mp main shooter found in the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 FE, and Galaxy S24. It supposedly has a 1/1.57-inch sensor with 1.0μm pixels, so it should still capture some decent shots, even during a night out.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The FE series has a history of reusing older camera technology to cut costs, but thanks to Samsung’s advanced AI-driven image enhancements, the camera on the S24 FE should provide quality shots worth sharing on social media.
No details yet on the additional cameras, but they likely will mirror those found in the Galaxy S23: a 12Mp ultrawide (f/2.2) and a 10Mp telephoto (f/2.4) featuring 3x optical zoom.
Android Headlines
Android Headlines
And if a leak (via Android Headlines) holds any truth, we may also see a 12Mp ultra-wide camera lens and an 8Mp lens offering 3x optical zoom.
