Galaxy S24 FE Vs Galaxy Z Fold5

Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S24 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:329.00

Versus €991.15 new

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Galaxy Z Fold5
Galaxy Z Fold5
Starting at

Refurbished price:591.00

Versus €1,899.99 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, released in October 2024, offers a traditional smartphone experience with a focus on balanced features and performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, launched in August 2023, presents an innovative foldable design, transitioning from a compact phone to a tablet-sized display. Both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, but they cater to distinct user preferences through their unique form factors and capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these two devices, their release timelines and design philosophies play significant roles.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S24 FE, being a more recent model, is anticipated to receive software updates for a longer duration, potentially extending its practical lifespan by an additional year or two compared to the Galaxy Z Fold5. The S24 FE launched with Android 14 and is expected to receive up to seven major Android upgrades. [6, 8, 10] The Z Fold5 launched with Android 13 and is expected to receive four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. [4, 16, 26]
  • Physical Durability: The S24 FE offers the robust, straightforward durability of a traditional slab phone, featuring Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and rear. [2] The Z Fold5, while incorporating an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back panel, features a more delicate inner folding screen and a sophisticated hinge mechanism that requires careful handling. [4, 11, 21] The Z Fold5 also lacks official dust resistance. [11]
  • Repairability: Repairing a traditional smartphone like the S24 FE is generally less complex and potentially more straightforward than the intricate design of the Z Fold5, which involves multiple screens and a sophisticated hinge. [11]

Year of Release

2024

2023

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both devices deliver strong performance, though their capabilities are optimized for different user experiences and multitasking demands.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 FE is equipped with a current-generation processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. [2, 5] The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a high-end processor designed for efficient multitasking and demanding tasks across its expansive display. [3] User reports indicate the Z Fold5 is exceptionally fast, with quick app loading and seamless switching between applications. [3]
  • Multitasking Capabilities: The Galaxy Z Fold5 excels in multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously on its large inner screen, making it well-suited for productivity. [11] The Galaxy S24 FE, with its 8GB of RAM, provides a responsive experience for everyday use and gaming. [1, 8] The Z Fold5 offers 12GB of RAM, which can provide additional headroom for very intensive multitasking scenarios. [3, 7]
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer various storage configurations, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB for the S24 FE, and 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB for the Z Fold5. Neither device supports expandable storage. [1, 8, 13]

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The screen experience is a primary differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones, offering distinct viewing paradigms.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S24 FE features a single 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. [1, 5, 8] The Galaxy Z Fold5 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED cover screen and a large, foldable 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X inner display. [4, 7, 18] The inner display of the Z Fold5 provides a tablet-like viewing area when unfolded. [21]
  • Resolution and Clarity: The S24 FE's display has a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels, resulting in clear visuals. [1, 8] The Z Fold5's main inner display offers a higher resolution of 2176x1812 pixels, contributing to sharp images and text on its larger surface. [7, 9] The cover screen of the Z Fold5 has a resolution of 2316x904 pixels. [4]
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. [2, 9, 10] The S24 FE has a peak brightness of 1900 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. [2, 5, 10] The Z Fold5's displays also reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making them easy to view outdoors. [4, 9, 18]

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1812 x 2176

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems, designed to capture a range of photographic and video content.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 FE features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. [1, 2, 24] The Galaxy Z Fold5 also has a triple rear camera array, comprising a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. [3, 9, 17]
  • Photography Performance: The S24 FE's main camera delivers good detail and vibrant colors, with admirable low-light performance. [2, 24, 30] The ultra-wide camera can sometimes produce softer images, while the telephoto offers effective 3x optical zoom. [25] The Z Fold5's cameras provide good color reproduction, detail, and dynamic range in well-lit conditions, with excellent low-light performance. [3, 17, 22]
  • Video Recording and Front Cameras: Both devices support 8K video recording at 30 frames per second with their rear cameras. [1, 3, 23] For selfies, the S24 FE has a 10MP front camera. [1, 14] The Z Fold5 features a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the inner screen, with the latter offering lower image quality. [3, 17, 19]

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two Samsung devices.

  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 FE is a traditional slab smartphone, measuring 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm and weighing 213 grams, offering a familiar and comfortable grip. [8] The Galaxy Z Fold5, with its foldable design, is more compact when folded (154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm) but expands to a larger, thinner profile when unfolded (154.9 x 130.1 x 6.1 mm), weighing 253 grams. [4, 36] Its narrow cover screen can be convenient for one-handed use, while the unfolded screen provides an expansive canvas. [21, 36]
  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless speeds. [8, 36] The S24 FE features a USB Type-C 3.2 port, while the Z Fold5 uses a USB Type-C 3.1 port. [8, 7]
  • Biometric Security and Other Features: The S24 FE includes an in-display fingerprint sensor. [14] The Z Fold5 features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. [13, 36] The Z Fold5 also offers S Pen compatibility on its main inner display, enhancing its productivity potential, and supports Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience. [3, 18] The S24 FE integrates Galaxy AI features, providing advanced software capabilities. [2, 24, 30]

Weight

213 g

253 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User sentiment for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE often highlights its strong performance and impressive battery life as key advantages, making it a compelling option for those seeking a capable traditional smartphone. [2, 5] Its camera system is generally praised for vibrant colors and good detail, though some users note the ultra-wide lens can be softer. [2, 25] The inclusion of Galaxy AI features is also a frequent positive point. [2, 30]

For the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, users consistently commend its innovative foldable design and the versatility of its large inner display for multitasking and media consumption. [3, 21] The powerful processor and ample RAM contribute to a smooth and responsive experience. [3] While its camera system is considered capable, the lower quality of the under-display camera is a common criticism. [17, 19] Battery life is generally seen as good for a foldable, though heavy use of the inner screen can lead to more frequent charging. [12, 29]

Users prioritizing a robust, traditional smartphone experience with extended software support and strong battery life will find the Galaxy S24 FE well-suited to their needs. It offers a balanced set of features for everyday use, gaming, and photography. Conversely, users who value a unique, expansive display for enhanced productivity, immersive media consumption, and advanced multitasking capabilities may lean toward the Galaxy Z Fold5. Its foldable form factor and S Pen support cater to a more specialized use case, despite the trade-offs in physical durability and potentially shorter software longevity compared to the newer S24 FE. Both devices represent quality options, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be a sustainable choice for either model.

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