I’ve been kind to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. It has been highly rated in reviews and I enjoy using it. It’s hard to find fault with the hardware and software, but the price weakens the reason for the purchase. However, carrier sales, Samsung trade-in offers, and Best Buy gift cards soften the blow, making the Galaxy S24 FE a solid choice.
On the other hand, Google Pixel 8a is pixel Pixel since Pixel 3. It’s different from the Google Pixel 9 Pro, and it’s an unmistakable Google design. It’s compact, quirky, and has impressive credentials. However, choosing between the two means deciding between different views on what a mid-range phone should be. I used both side by side for a week. Here’s what you need to know:
Read reviews
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is one step away from greatness
facing stiff competition
What I like about Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
performance and design
I started my review by emphasizing how much I like the Galaxy S24 FE’s display. Do the same thing here. It’s a gorgeous 6.7-inch 1080p panel. We liked the Galaxy S23 FE’s display, but we also like the S24 FE’s panel. It’s a step up and good for a mid-range device. It’s crisp and vibrant, and games and movies look great too. I also like that Samsung has made the display so versatile that you can lower or increase the saturation.
The Galaxy S24 FE feels more like a flagship than the Pixel 8a. Although its design reflects Samsung’s more expensive phones, the Pixel 8a feels like a mid-range device. It’s not the Pixel 8a’s fault. However, if you’re looking for something similar to the Galaxy S24+ without paying that kind of money, the Galaxy S24 FE is the way to go.
Samsung has put a lot of effort into getting us excited about the S24 FE’s Galaxy AI, but I feel it’s the most bland part of the phone.
I don’t dislike Tensor chipsets, and I had no issues with the Pixel 8a’s performance. However, the Exynos 2400e chipset onboard the Galaxy S24 FE is impressive. Both handle everyday tasks efficiently, but when it comes to powering up your favorite AAA mobile games, you’ll find that the Galaxy S24 FE is better. I played the game with better frames at higher graphics settings. Additionally, the Galaxy S24 FE can stay cooler for longer thanks to its vapor chamber. If you’re a hardcore gamer, there’s only one option, even if it’s expensive.
At this point, we decided on One UI. You either like Samsung’s Android flavor or you don’t. Regardless of your preferences, Samsung has done a great job of promoting reliable and consistent software updates. The Galaxy S24 FE joins its more expensive siblings to receive 7th generation software updates with security patches.
Samsung has gone to great lengths to get us excited about the S24 FE’s Galaxy AI, but I feel it’s the most pedestrian part of the phone. Sketch to Image works well, and I’m happy with the performance of the Samsung version of Magic Editor, but that’s not why I would spend more money on the Galaxy S24 FE.
What I like about Google Pixel 8a
Camera and software support
The Google Pixel A series has always focused on the camera. Here’s how to take great photos with your smartphone without spending flagship prices. Mid-range cameras have improved over the past few years, but the Google Pixel 8a still tops the competition.
If you take 100 autofocus photos with the Pixel 8a and Galaxy S24 FE in a variety of lighting conditions, you’ll likely be happier with the Pixel 8a’s output more often than the Galaxy S24 FE. Photos will be clearer with even the smallest details. The S24 FE features a 3x optical zoom in addition to the primary and ultrawide sensors. Still, Google’s computational wizardry makes up for it not being as versatile as the Galaxy S24 FE.
Google Pixel 8a camera sample
Google doesn’t mess around with software. Android 15 with Material U runs great on Pixel 8a. The Pixel 8a comes with the same seven years of software support as the Galaxy S24 FE, with Pixel features removed several times a year. I think I’m one of the few people who enjoy using Gemini Live and see its potential. This isn’t unique to Google’s phones, but I feel the Pixel 8a has as much AI functionality as the Galaxy S24 FE without the premium price.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE camera sample
Tensor G3 may not match flagship chipsets or Exynos 2400e, but it outperforms them. You might find the Galaxy S24 FE better for gaming, but the Pixel 8a handles AI tasks just as quickly. There’s a difference in raw horsepower, but you won’t notice the difference when completing daily tasks or scrolling through social media.
Read reviews
Google Pixel 8a: A great smartphone you don’t know if you should buy
Google’s hardware lineup is in a sticky spot, and the Pixel 8a only confuses things further
Displays much better than previous Pixels
Some people complain that the Pixel 8a’s curvaceous design looks (and feels) like soap, but I think it’s great. I love compact phones with great performance, so I don’t mind the smaller 6.1-inch display. I’ve said a lot about the Galaxy S24 FE’s panel, but Google deserves credit for adding an Actua display to the Pixel 8a. This fixes a major flaw in early devices that had poor, dim screens. If you like small smartphones, the Pixel 8a feels good in your hand and offers plenty of performance for the price.
Don’t spend more money than necessary
If you can find a way to get the Galaxy S24 FE for less than $500, you win. Whether you use a trade-in, carrier deal, or an Amazon gift card your cousin gave you, be careful not to pay the full amount. Similarly, for me to be happy with this deal, I would have to buy the Google Pixel 8a for less than $450. Black Friday is a great sales opportunity. Still, if the difference between the two was less than $100, I’d buy the Galaxy S24 FE. It offers a better overall package than the Pixel 8a.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE aims to bring the experience of its 2024 flagship lineup to a more affordable smartphone. With a 6.7-inch display, triple camera lineup, and all the AI features you’d expect, it’s effectively two-thirds the price of the Galaxy S24+. However, it may lack enough features for some fans to choose the more expensive model.
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google pixel 8a
$415 $499 Save $84
The Pixel 8a wants you to forget the Pixel 8 ever existed. With several key upgrades over its predecessor, including a brighter display, faster processor, and bigger battery, Google’s latest midrange smartphone is the perfect combination of speed and AI smarts. And with seven years of OS upgrades, it’s the longest-lasting $500 smartphone available today.
