HMD Skyline vs Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Which Mid-Range Champion Reigns Supreme?

The HMD Skyline arrives as a strong contender in the increasingly competitive mid-range market, challenging Samsung’s established Galaxy S24 FE. While the S24 FE aims to deliver a flagship experience at a more accessible price, the Skyline focuses on delivering a balanced package with a focus on efficiency. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two 4nm-powered devices, focusing on real-world performance and user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and efficient performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer battery endurance (42:00h vs 10:47h) and brighter display (1372 nits) outweigh the Skyline’s more efficient chipset in most scenarios. However, the Skyline presents a compelling value proposition for those seeking a more affordable option.

PHONES
Phone Names HMD Skyline Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, July 182024, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 19Available. Released 2024, October 03
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.8 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.29 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)162 x 77.3 x 8 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· eSIM + eSIM
Weight209.5 g (7.41 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Size6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 144Hz, 1000 nits (peak), HDR10Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)10-core (1x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz + 3x2.6 GHz + 4x1.95 GHz)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Exynos 2400e (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Xclipse 940
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.5, (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 75mm (telephoto), 1/4.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.5, (wide), AF10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (market/region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD3.0 PPS, QC4 15W wireless (magnetic), Qi2 5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD, QC2, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless
Type4600 mAh, user replaceable4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsNeon Pink, Twisted Black, Blue TopazBlue, Graphite, Gray, Mint, Yellow
ModelsTA-1600SM-S721B, SM-S721B/DS, SM-S721U1, SM-S721U, SM-S721W, SM-S7210, SM-S721N
Price$ 330.00 / £ 249.95 / € 279.00$ 249.74 / C$ 498.99 / £ 335.00 / € 387.00 / ₹ 34,180
SAR-0.94 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.86 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-42:00h endurance, 2000 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class A (270 falls)
Repairability-Class C

HMD Skyline

  • More efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
  • Faster 33W wired charging with advanced protocols
  • More affordable price point

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Less bright display
  • Potentially less powerful camera system

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

  • Exceptional battery life (42:00h endurance)
  • Brighter and potentially more color-accurate display
  • More powerful Exynos 2400e processor

  • Potentially more prone to thermal throttling
  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1372 nits compared to the HMD Skyline’s 1060 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the S24 FE’s brighter panel will draw more power. The S24 FE’s panel technology is likely to be more advanced, potentially including LTPO for adaptive refresh rates (though not specified in the data), contributing to better power efficiency when static content is displayed. The Skyline’s display, while still respectable, will be noticeably less vibrant and may struggle more in bright outdoor conditions.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer sufficient detail for a comprehensive camera comparison. However, given Samsung’s history, the S24 FE likely features a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The absence of sensor size information for either device makes a direct comparison impossible. The Skyline’s camera is likely to be adequate for everyday photography, but the S24 FE is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions and with dynamic range. We can assume the S24 FE will have more advanced features like improved optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e, with its 10-core configuration (1x3.1 GHz + 2x2.9 GHz + 3x2.6 GHz + 4x1.95 GHz), offers a substantial theoretical performance advantage over the HMD Skyline’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55). The Exynos’s more complex core arrangement suggests a greater capacity for handling multi-threaded workloads and demanding games. However, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, built on a 4nm process, is known for its excellent thermal efficiency. This means the Skyline is less likely to experience significant throttling during sustained heavy use, potentially maintaining consistent performance for longer periods. The S24 FE’s Exynos chip, while powerful, may be more prone to thermal throttling, impacting sustained performance.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Galaxy S24 FE truly shines. Its endurance rating of 42:00h is more than four times that of the HMD Skyline’s 10:47h. While the Skyline supports faster wired charging at 33W (with PD3.0 PPS and QC4) compared to the S24 FE’s 25W (PD, QC2), the S24 FE’s significantly larger battery capacity and optimized power management more than compensate. The S24 FE also boasts a claimed 50% charge in 30 minutes, while the Skyline’s charging time is not specified. Both devices offer 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, but the S24 FE’s superior battery capacity makes reverse wireless charging more practical.

Buying Guide

Buy the HMD Skyline if you need a highly efficient phone with fast charging and are comfortable with a slightly less vibrant display. It’s ideal for users who prioritize battery longevity for everyday tasks and appreciate a more budget-friendly price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, and a longer-lasting battery, even if it comes at a higher cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy S24 FE overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2400e is a powerful chip, but it's known to generate more heat than some Snapdragon alternatives. While the S24 FE has thermal management systems, extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to noticeable throttling, reducing sustained performance. The HMD Skyline’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is more thermally efficient and less likely to throttle under similar conditions.
❓ How does the charging speed of the HMD Skyline compare to the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE in real-world use?
While the HMD Skyline supports 33W charging with advanced protocols like PD3.0 PPS and QC4, the Galaxy S24 FE’s larger battery capacity means it will still take a comparable amount of time to fully charge. The S24 FE’s claimed 50% charge in 30 minutes is competitive, and the difference in overall charge time is likely minimal given the battery size disparity.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging feature useful on either of these phones?
Reverse wireless charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. However, due to the HMD Skyline’s limited battery capacity, its reverse wireless charging capability will be less practical than the Galaxy S24 FE’s, which can leverage its significantly larger battery to provide a more substantial charge to other devices.