Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review: a successful edition for large format enthusiasts

Main module: 50 Mpx, f/1.8, eq. 24mm

The comparison is certainly not insignificant, but it is clear that at an equivalent price, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is among the best current photophones. In bright light, the latter does better than the Samsung model thanks to better reproduction of textures and less saturated colorimetry. Even if certain details are crushed, the fault of a slight overexposure, the sharpness of the S24 FE is high and we appreciate a good level of detail, even at the periphery of the image. The rendering is quite comparable to that of a Galaxy S24 with a good capacity to process specific elements, such as our printing characters.

Like the Galaxy S24, the FE model favors digital noise over smoothing in low light conditions, but with colorimetry that leans a little less towards yellow. The effect is therefore more natural. The textures are nevertheless erased and part of the details of our scene are erased, to which we must add a darkened periphery. Nevertheless, the whole thing is pleasant and largely usable.

Mode 50 Mpx
With a short manipulation, and above all a longer processing time, it is as always possible to capture images in 50 Mpx. This mode is above all effective during the day, where it allows you to find much more detail in all parts of the image. In low light, the smoothing is clearly there and the possibilities for cropping are less.

Module ultra grand-angle : 12 Mpx, f/2,2

With its 12 Mpx definition, the Galaxy S24 FE benefits from a definition identical to that of the S24, but not all of its competitors, such as the Pixel 8 Pro which houses a 48 Mpx sensor. The resulting photos lack slightly sharpness, but remain detailed, as evidenced by the color chips in our test charts or the texture of the book cover. On the other hand, there is a tendency for digital noise even in broad daylight. Let us point out that Samsung controls the distortion at the periphery of the image.

As noise appears much more in low light, the images lose many details, even in the center of our scene, despite an increase in contrast. The colors are faded and the rendering becomes more and more messy as we approach the periphery of the images. They are usable, but we have seen more convincing.

Telephoto module: 8 Mpx, f/2.4, eq. 75mm

The comparison with other smartphones is clear: the low definition of the sensor selected by Samsung penalizes the results of its S24 FE at telephoto. The images lack sharpness, contrast, and are noisy even when the light is good.

In broad daylight, the module is worth using, but in low light, the results are messy, noisy and severely lacking in detail, even in the center of the image. In short, if we have to look for a compromise in terms of image capture, it is hidden on the side of this third module.

Front module, portrait and video mode

Close to the Galaxy S24/S24+ for capturing wide-angle images, the Galaxy S24 FE also plays in the same league as its predecessors in terms of selfies, although with a definition increased to 10 Mpx. The images then lack a little detail, but the exposure is controlled, as is the clipping in portrait mode. We also appreciate the possibility of filming up to 4K at 60 fps in selfie mode. On the back, no compromise is to be deplored since it remains possible to film up to 8K at 30 fps, however, for those who do not fear saturating the memory of their smartphone.