Galaxy S24 FE Vs Galaxy Z Fold4

Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S24 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:329.00

Versus €991.15 new

See options
Galaxy Z Fold4
Galaxy Z Fold4
Starting at

Refurbished price:433.00

Versus €1,889.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (Fan Edition), released in October 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the S24 FE offers a traditional, high-performance slab phone experience, the Z Fold4 provides a unique foldable design with an expansive inner display for enhanced productivity and media consumption. Both devices operate on the Android platform, featuring Samsung's One UI for a consistent user experience, though they differ in their core form factor and the specific hardware powering them.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of software support it receives. These two Samsung devices offer different timelines in this regard.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 FE is a more recent device, having been released in October 2024. The Galaxy Z Fold4, on the other hand, was released earlier in August 2022. This difference in launch dates directly impacts their expected software support cycles.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 FE benefits from Samsung's extended software commitment, promising seven generations of Android OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its support until 2031. The Galaxy Z Fold4, while also receiving substantial support, was promised four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, with support expected until 2027. [1, 7, 9, 30, 41] This means the S24 FE will receive updates for a significantly longer period.
  • Physical Durability: The S24 FE features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a robust build for everyday use. [3] The Z Fold4 has an IPX8 water resistance rating, but no official dust resistance. Its outer display and back panel also use Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the inner foldable screen utilizes Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass, designed to withstand numerous folds. [1, 8, 12, 34] User experiences suggest the Z Fold4's inner screen, while durable for a foldable, may be more susceptible to scratches than a traditional glass display. [8, 15, 38, 44]

Year of Release

2024

2022

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer S24 FE generally offering more current processing capabilities, while the Z Fold4 provides ample power for its unique form factor.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with a current-generation processor, the Exynos 2400e, which delivers strong performance for demanding applications and multitasking. [2, 18, 26] This processor is noted for its efficiency and sustained performance, even during extended use. [31] The Galaxy Z Fold4 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a powerful processor from its release year, capable of handling complex tasks and gaming smoothly. [1, 10, 27]
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer a responsive user experience. The S24 FE, with its 8GB of RAM, manages multiple applications effectively. [2, 6] The Z Fold4, with its 12GB of RAM, is particularly well-suited for intensive multitasking, especially when utilizing its large inner display for multiple open applications simultaneously. [1, 10, 27]
  • Battery Performance: The S24 FE houses a 4700mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor, contributes to extended usage times. [4, 6, 22] The Z Fold4 has a 4400mAh battery. [1, 10, 27] While its battery life was considered respectable at launch, heavy usage of the large inner display can lead to more frequent charging. [44] Both support 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. [1, 22, 27]

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience varies significantly between these two devices, primarily due to the Z Fold4's unique foldable design.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 FE features a single 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display (also referred to as Dynamic AMOLED 2X in some sources) with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. [2, 3, 6, 23, 35, 36] The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers two displays: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover screen and a large 7.6-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display. [1, 12, 17] The inner display provides an expansive canvas for productivity and media.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The S24 FE's display boasts a peak brightness of 1900 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. [3, 22, 23] The Z Fold4's displays also offer good brightness, with the inner screen supporting HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color detail. [12] Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations. [1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 17, 22, 23]
  • Viewing Experience: The S24 FE provides a traditional, immersive viewing experience on its single, high-quality screen. The Z Fold4's main advantage is its large, foldable inner screen, which transforms the device into a tablet-like experience, ideal for multitasking, reading, and consuming content on a larger canvas. [1, 19, 34]

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1812 x 2176

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer versatile camera systems, designed to capture a range of photographic and videographic moments, though with some differences in their configurations and capabilities.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS. [5, 6, 16, 22] The Galaxy Z Fold4 also features a triple rear camera system, comprising a 50MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [1, 11, 13, 14, 20, 25, 27] The Z Fold4's main camera sensor is comparable to those found in other flagship Samsung devices from its release year. [11, 14]
  • Photography Performance: The S24 FE captures good low-light images, though some sources note that light flares could be handled better. [16] Its ultrawide camera is described as decent, while the wide camera delivers good detail. [33] The Z Fold4 is noted for producing vibrant and detailed shots, performing well as a point-and-shoot camera, with its main sensor being a significant upgrade over its predecessor. [14]
  • Front-Facing Cameras and Video: For selfies, the S24 FE has a 10MP front camera. [5, 6, 22] The Z Fold4 offers a 10MP camera on its cover display and a 4MP under-display camera on its inner screen, with the cover camera generally recommended for higher quality selfies. [1, 11, 20, 27] Both devices are capable of recording video at 8K resolution, with the S24 FE supporting 8K@24fps and 4K@30/60fps, and the Z Fold4 supporting 8K@24fps. [5, 22, 25]

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy Z Fold4 support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast mobile data speeds. They also include modern Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth for wireless connections to accessories and networks.
  • Ports and Sensors: Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. Neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The S24 FE incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. [6] The Z Fold4 has a side-mounted fingerprint reader. [8]
  • Design and Handling: The S24 FE presents a classic smartphone form factor, measuring 6.38 by 3.04 by 0.31 inches and weighing 7.51 ounces (213g). [2] Its design is sleek with an aluminum frame and glass panels. The Z Fold4, being a foldable, has distinct dimensions: when folded, it measures 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm and weighs 263g. When unfolded, it becomes much thinner at 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm. [1, 12, 27] This difference means the S24 FE offers a more conventional, lighter feel, while the Z Fold4 provides a compact phone when folded and an expansive tablet when unfolded, albeit with a heavier and thicker profile. [12]
  • Build Materials: The S24 FE uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame. [2, 3] The Z Fold4 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its cover screen and back panel, with an 'Armor Frame' made of aluminum, and its inner display is protected by Ultra-Thin Glass. [1, 12, 34]

Weight

213 g

263 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Choosing between the Galaxy S24 FE and the Galaxy Z Fold4 involves prioritizing different aspects of the smartphone experience. The S24 FE is praised for its strong performance, extended software support, and robust build, offering a premium experience in a traditional form factor. Users appreciate its long battery life and capable camera system for everyday photography. Some criticisms include its camera performance not quite matching flagship S24 models and its speakers being described as thin-sounding. [2] Overall, it is seen as a well-rounded device that delivers significant value.

The Galaxy Z Fold4 is lauded for its innovative foldable design, providing a large, immersive inner display that excels in multitasking and media consumption. Users often highlight its unique form factor as a major advantage for productivity and entertainment. However, common concerns revolve around the durability of the inner foldable screen, with some users reporting issues over time, and the device's overall weight and thickness when folded. [38, 44] Its battery life, while improved over predecessors, can still be a point of contention for heavy users due to the power demands of the large screen. [44]

Users prioritizing a long-lasting device with extensive software support, a traditional design, and strong all-around performance may find the Galaxy S24 FE well-suited to their needs. Its newer processor and longer update commitment make it a forward-looking choice. Conversely, users who value an expansive, tablet-like display for enhanced productivity, immersive media viewing, and a unique form factor will likely lean towards the Galaxy Z Fold4. It offers a distinct experience for those who can leverage its foldable nature, understanding the trade-offs in terms of physical durability and battery life compared to a standard smartphone. Both devices, whether new or as quality-assured refurbished options, offer compelling features for different user profiles.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons