Samsung Electronics is reportedly increasing the likelihood of launching the budget-friendly flagship Galaxy S24 FE in the second half of 2024, aiming to hit the market ahead of Apple's iPhone SE 4, which is expected to be launched in early 2025. The Galaxy S24 FE is anticipated to feature Samsung's in-house AP and be released in October 2024.
According to reports from Seoul Economy Daily and Android Headlines, the Galaxy S24 FE is expected to come with a 6.7-inch display, the Exynos 2400e processor, a large 4,565mAh battery, and a thinner bezel design compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S23 FE.
Notably, Samsung's heavily promoted AI feature, "Galaxy AI," might also be integrated into the Galaxy S24 FE. Some sources speculated that the Galaxy S24 FE's operating system (OS) will be based on One UI 6.1.1, which was developed for the Galaxy Z Fold/Flip 6, although it might also use the upcoming One UI 7.
Additionally, Samsung's French website recently featured information about the Galaxy S24 FE. The French website reportedly added a support page for a product with the model number "SM-S721B," which industry speculations believe refers to the Galaxy S24 FE.
Generally, Samsung's FE series is a simplified version of the Galaxy S flagship series. While it may reduce some performance, it's offered at a more affordable price point.
However, given Samsung's focus on promoting Galaxy AI to target the high-end market, the company might emphasize the near-high-end performance of the Galaxy S24 FE rather than just its lower price. For instance, the Galaxy S23 FE, launched in 2023, was priced starting at US$599, but most media outlets predict the Galaxy S24 FE to be priced between US$649 - $699.
Another key point to follow is Samsung's plan to expand its market influence by launching a new model in its best-selling budget Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A16. Its predecessor, the Galaxy A15, was the top-selling Samsung smartphone globally in the second quarter of 2024.
Some viewpoints believe that Samsung's recent actions and strategies might be an effort to solidify its market position early before its biggest competitor, Apple, releases new devices.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 16 in mid-September 2024, with its AI feature, "Apple Intelligence," anticipated to be released a month later. Interestingly, Apple is rumored to be planning to integrate AI capabilities into its iPhone SE 4, setting the stage for an "AI smartphone showdown" with Samsung.
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to revamp its iPhone product lineup starting in 2025 and will resume its hardware sales strategy. Bloomberg believes the iPhone 16 series may merely serve as a bridge product to maintain sales stability until the new models are introduced in 2025.
However, according to a forecast from TechInsights, cited by the South Korean Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP), Samsung is predicted to lead the global smartphone market with a 19% market share in 2024, ahead of Apple's 17.4%.
