Pixel 8a vs S24 FE: Mid-Range Phones That Feel Like Flagships

When it comes to affordable smartphones, the Google Pixel 8a often steals the spotlight. But Samsung has quietly stepped in with the Galaxy S24 FE, offering a phone that challenges Google’s dominance in the mid-range space. After spending some time with both devices, it’s clear that the S24 FE isn’t just an alternative, it’s a strong contender that even surpasses the Pixel in several ways. Let’s break down how they compare in design, performance, battery, and overall value.

Design and Display

The first thing you’ll notice is the difference in size. The Pixel 8a is compact with its 6.1-inch OLED display, perfect for users who prefer a smaller, one-hand-friendly phone. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 FE offers a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED screen ideal for those who watch videos, play games, or just enjoy having extra screen space.

Both displays look crisp and vibrant, with Full HD+ resolutions. In independent brightness tests, the Pixel hit an impressive 1900 nits, making it slightly easier to read outdoors. The Galaxy isn’t far behind at 1750 nits, which is still plenty bright. However, Samsung’s minimal bezels give the phone a more modern look, while the Pixel’s thicker borders make it feel a bit dated.

Software and User Experience

Software is one of the biggest differences between these two phones. The Pixel 8a runs Google’s clean and minimal Android 15 experience, no unnecessary apps, no extra animations, and it always gets updates first. The S24 FE, on the other hand, runs Samsung’s One UI, which is more feature-rich. It includes tools like Samsung DeX, which lets you connect the phone to a monitor and use it like a computer. That’s something Google’s phone doesn’t support at all.

Both phones include AI features, but they’re handled differently. Pixel’s AI feels built into the system, things like smart photo editing and real-time translation are smooth and simple. Samsung adds its own Galaxy AI tools, some of which go beyond just the camera. However, one small annoyance with Samsung is that it still uses Bixby by default for voice commands, while Pixel summons Gemini more intuitively with a press of the power button.

If you like a clean, straightforward Android experience, the Pixel is your pick. But if you prefer customization, multitasking, and productivity tools, Samsung offers much more flexibility.

Performance and Gaming

Under the hood, both phones pack strong processors. The Galaxy S24 FE runs on the Exynos 2400E, essentially a toned-down version of Samsung’s flagship chip. The Pixel 8a uses Google’s Tensor G3, which is tuned more for AI and camera tasks. In benchmarks, the Galaxy comes out ahead, offering smoother gaming and better sustained performance thanks to improved heat management.

In daily use, both phones feel fast whether you’re scrolling social media, taking photos, or switching apps. But if gaming or multitasking is your thing, the Galaxy holds the advantage with higher frame rates and better cooling. The Pixel, while efficient, can get a bit warm during extended gameplay.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is another area where the Galaxy stretches ahead. It packs a 4700mAh battery compared to the Pixel’s 4500mAh. That might not sound like much, but in testing, it translates to around 30 minutes more screen timeabout 6 hours and 20 minutes for the S24 FE versus 5 hours and 50 minutes on the Pixel.

Charging speed also favors Samsung. The Galaxy supports 25W fast charging, while the Pixel maxes out at 18W. That’s roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes for a full charge on the Galaxy versus nearly 1 hour and 40 minutes on the Pixel. It’s not a dealbreaker, but if you’re often short on time, those extra minutes count.

Camera Comparison

Cameras are where both phones bring their A-game, but they take different approaches. The Pixel 8a has two rear cameras main and an ultra-wide powered by Google’s excellent image processing. The Galaxy S24 FE adds a third, a 3x telephoto lens, giving it a big advantage for zoom shots.

During the day, the Galaxy’s colors are vibrant and detailed, while the Pixel keeps things more natural. At night, however, Google’s computational photography shines it handles shadows, highlights, and noise better, giving cleaner low-light images.

In video, both phones deliver stable 4K footage, though Samsung supports 8K recording for those who want higher resolution. In reality, most users won’t need 8K, but it’s nice to have. The Galaxy also offers better zoom detail in videos, while the Pixel’s night video mode looks a bit cleaner.

Real-World Use

In everyday life, both phones feel reliable. The Pixel’s smaller frame makes it easy to handle, slip into pockets, or use one-handed. The Galaxy feels more premium, though slightly heavier, but you gain a larger screen for media, multitasking, and reading.

One thing that stands out for Samsung is how versatile it is. You can connect it to a monitor, pair it with accessories, and use it as a mini workstation. The Pixel keeps things simple; it just works, without all the extras.

Both phones also feature durable builds, water resistance, and long software support. Pixel promises seven years of updates, while Samsung now matches that policy, so neither will go obsolete anytime soon.

Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

So, which one wins the Pixel 8a vs S24 FE comparison? It really depends on your priorities.

If you want a compact, clean Android phone with great cameras and the latest updates first, the Pixel 8a is still one of the best mid-range phones you can buy. It’s affordable, reliable, and backed by Google’s software excellence.

But if you want more power, a larger and more immersive display, faster charging, and the flexibility of features like DeX and a dedicated zoom camera, the Galaxy S24 FE is the better long-term investment. It gives you more for the money, especially if you value productivity or gaming.

In 2025, both phones stand out in the crowded mid-range segment, but for most people, the S24 FE feels like the more complete package.

See Also What is the Difference Between Samsung S24 and S24+?

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