Galaxy S24 FE • Unlocked vs Galaxy S25+ • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, released in October 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025, are both modern smartphones from Samsung's Galaxy lineup. While the S24 FE aims to deliver a flagship-like experience with a focus on popular features, the S25 Plus represents the latest iteration of Samsung's premium offerings, featuring updated internal components and enhanced capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, ensuring a consistent software experience.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 FE was released in October 2024, making it a slightly older model compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus, which launched in February 2025.
• Software Longevity: Both the Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy S25 Plus benefit from Samsung's commitment to providing seven years of Android OS updates and security updates. This extended support duration means both devices are designed to remain current and secure for a considerable period.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: With identical software support policies, the practical lifespan in terms of receiving new features and security patches is similar for both phones. Users can expect both devices to function reliably and receive updates well into the future.

The performance of a smartphone significantly impacts daily usage, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with the Samsung Exynos 2400e, an underclocked variant of a previous flagship processor, which provides powerful performance for both light and heavy tasks, ensuring smooth everyday operation and gaming. The Galaxy S25 Plus features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a newer flagship processor that delivers exceptionally fast and responsive performance, excelling in all conceivable tasks.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The S24 FE comes with 8 GB of RAM, which allows for smooth multitasking and app loading. The S25 Plus typically includes 12 GB of RAM, providing greater headroom for extensive multitasking and ensuring a highly fluid user experience even with numerous applications open simultaneously.
• Thermal Management: While the S24 FE generally maintains stable performance, some users have noted that it can become warm during prolonged heavy use or with high screen brightness. The S25 Plus, with its newer and more efficient processor, is designed to manage heat effectively, maintaining consistent performance during intensive activities.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences with some notable differences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S24 FE offers a 6.7-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340 pixels) resolution. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Plus provides a 6.7-inch QHD+ (1440 x 3120 pixels) resolution, resulting in a sharper and more detailed visual experience with a higher pixel density.
• Brightness and Clarity: The S24 FE has a peak brightness of 1900 nits, though real-world testing may show slightly lower sustained brightness. The S25 Plus boasts a higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility and clarity even in bright outdoor conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Viewing Experience: Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which contributes to smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The S25 Plus's adaptive refresh rate can scale down to 1Hz, optimizing power efficiency without compromising smoothness. The S24 FE has slightly larger bezels compared to the S25 Plus.

For many users, camera capabilities are a crucial aspect of a smartphone, and both models offer versatile camera systems.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 FE features a triple camera setup with a 50 MP main wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The Galaxy S25 Plus also has a triple camera system, including a 50 MP main wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS.
• Photography Performance: The S24 FE delivers pleasing and vibrant color reproduction, performing well in good lighting conditions, though some grain may appear in low-light environments. Its 3x optical zoom performs effectively. The S25 Plus offers good detail and dynamic range in daylight, with its main camera performing well in low-light scenarios. While its ultra-wide camera is competent, it lacks autofocus and can appear soft when viewed at full resolution.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. For selfies, the S24 FE has a 10 MP front camera. The S25 Plus features a 12 MP front camera that includes autofocus, which can enhance clarity for video calls and self-portraits.