Hey everyone! I’ve been using my Samsung S20 FE for quite a while now, and I’ve been really happy with it. I don’t usually feel the need to switch phones every year, but it’s finally time for an upgrade. Unfortunately, the phone is starting to show some signs of wear and tear.
Here’s why I need a new phone:
The battery is no longer holding up.
The phone is getting slower, probably because it’s trying to save the old battery.
I’m not getting major updates past Android 13, and I need at least Android 14 to use passkeys.
The backplate keeps coming off because the glue isn’t sticking anymore.
GPS apps aren’t working correctly; it’s pointing slightly off.
The phone heats up a lot, which might be why the glue isn’t holding.
So, I’m thinking of these options:
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Looks great and I could enjoy ONE UI 7.
Samsung S24+: A more affordable option, but I’m in Portugal, so no Snapdragon version available here.
Galaxy Event: It’s almost here, but I need a phone now, especially with the backplate issue.
I’m really indecisive and overthink everything, so any advice would be really helpful! Thanks in advance!
If you need a phone right away, get the S24 Plus or the S24FE to save some cash. But if you can wait, hold off until the S25 comes out. I switched from Samsung to Pixel and wasn’t too happy with it, so I went back to Samsung. Stick with them for sure. The S24 Plus or S24FE should work well if you’re on a budget.
I had an S20 FE 5G and loved it for a long time, but then the battery started draining really fast. I could have kept it another year, but I was excited for the S23 series. I got the S23 Plus and it’s been great for me. It has Snapdragon Gen 3, which is awesome here in Canada. I plan to keep it until 2027, at least.
If I were looking at new phones today, I’d choose between the S24+ and Pixel 9 Pro (not XL). Reviews for the Pixel are great, so I’d probably go with it. But, price and software updates would be my deciding factors.
As for the S25 series, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra money. Plus, the S24 prices probably won’t drop much after the S25 is released, so there’s no point in waiting.
Definitely grab a good case and screen protector, especially since you keep your phones for a long time like me. It’s worth the investment, given how expensive phones are these days. Good luck!
I’m also from Portugal. I upgraded from an S21 FE to the Vivo X100 Ultra, and I don’t think I’ll be going back to Samsung anytime soon. The battery is incredible, and the camera never takes a bad photo. The display is great too. Even though it’s a China release, it works with Portuguese networks, so that’s not an issue.
The S25 series will likely cost 150+ EUR more than the S24 series, and honestly, the upgrade from the S24 isn’t that big. If you can grab an S23 Ultra or S24 Ultra, that’d be a great option.
I’ve seen a lot of reports of phone backs falling off on Galaxy devices. My S10e is also having the same issue. I wonder if Samsung uses bad glue or something.
Sidney said:
I’ve seen a lot of reports of phone backs falling off on Galaxy devices. My S10e is also having the same issue. I wonder if Samsung uses bad glue or something.
Yeah, probably. Mine came off after 5 years, so I had it reglued at a local repair shop.
I’m on the S20 FE, upgrading from an A41. It was a huge upgrade in performance and quality. I’ll stick with the S series and probably get the S25 Ultra when it comes out. The S25+ or S24 FE should also be solid options, especially with the price staying reasonable.
Seeing how well the Snapdragon 8 Elite is performing in other phones, I’d suggest going for the S25 or S25+ at launch. Samsung often has crazy trade-in deals, so your S20 FE could be worth 600-800 EUR. Just get the back glued at any repair shop and keep using it for now.