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Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, $650 Offers many of the same features as Galaxy S25 for $800but with notable changes to help phone Access this lowest price. Since the S25 FE’s size deviates significantly from the $1,000 Galaxy S25 Plus, this could be an especially tempting option for someone who’s eyeing that larger screen but can live without the fastest processor or brightest screen possible.
Watch this: Galaxy S25 FE review: Samsung software raises the bar for this entry-level model
However, if you’re considering the FE model, it’s important to know the ins and outs to make sure it’s the right choice for you. For some people, it will definitely be worth the extra $150 to get an S25 model equipped with the latest Snapdragon processor and better cameras. It may be better to wait if you like the latest technology, as we expect Samsung to announce the Galaxy S26 line early next year.
Let’s review the most important differences between the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S25. You can use this information, along with our specifications chart, to help decide if the discounts are worth it.
Samsung Galaxy S25 (right) pictured with Galaxy S25 Plus.
design
The most noticeable difference between the Galaxy S25 FE and the Galaxy S25 is the size of the design, with the former having similar dimensions to the Galaxy S25 Plus. The S25 FE has a 6.7-inch display, while the Galaxy S25 has a smaller 6.2-inch display. Both phone screens display content at 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
If you regularly use your phone in direct sunlight, the S25’s 2,600 nits peak brightness will serve you better than the S25 FE’s 1,900 nits peak brightness. However, a cheaper phone’s screen should still be visible in those environments even at a lower maximum brightness level.
Due to its smaller dimensions, the S25 is lighter than the S25 FE, at 162 grams (5.71 oz) versus 190 grams (6.7 oz). Both phones have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. They also have under-display fingerprint sensors, although the S25 has a faster-reading ultrasonic sensor compared to the optical sensor found on the S25 FE.
The cameras look identical on the Galaxy S25 (shown here) and Galaxy S25 FE. The main difference is the telephoto camera, which is powered by a 10-megapixel sensor on the S25 and an 8-megapixel sensor on the FE.
Cameras and processing power
The S25 and S25 FE feature similar camera systems on paper, but it’s worth noting that there’s more than just megapixels when it comes to image quality.
Starting with the similarities, the S25 and S25 FE have a 50MP wide-angle camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera on the back. Each phone also has a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, although the S25 has a 10-megapixel sensor and the S25 FE has an 8-megapixel sensor. Both phones have a 12-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calling, and can shoot 8K footage at 30 frames per second (fps) alongside 4K footage at 60 fps.
But there’s a very clear gap between phones when it comes to processing power and image signal processor (ISP), especially in low-light settings. The S25 has Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for the Galaxy, a specially modified version of the processor Samsung phones. Meanwhile, the S25 FE uses Samsung’s Exynos 2400 processor, which is closer to last year’s Galaxy S24 chip in terms of power.
Sunset view captured with Galaxy S25 FE.
Night photo taken with Galaxy S25.
Both phones are capable of handling everything from food photos to photos taken in dark bars, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s ISP and extra power make the S25 better equipped to handle mixed-light situations and high-contrast scenes. In my review of the Galaxy S25 FE, I had more mixed results with photos taken in dimmer environments, which sometimes resulted in some image noise. Meanwhile, in her review of the Galaxy S25, my colleague Abrar Al-Hiti found that the phone can take advantage of various AI-related features to take great, clear night photos.
The Galaxy S25 FE charges faster than the Galaxy S25.
Battery and charging speed
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S25 have noticeably different battery sizes and charging speeds. Although this may make a cheaper phone better when you need to recharge the battery, the results for daily use are more comparable.
In terms of specifications, the Galaxy S25 has a 4,000 mAh battery which is noticeably smaller than the 4,900 mAh battery in the S25 FE. It’s a similar story when it comes to charging speed, with the S25 having a 30W wired charging speed versus the 45W speed mentioned on the S25 FE. You will need to purchase a higher capacity charging adapter to get maximum speed.
In terms of charging speeds, the S25 FE was clearly faster in our 30-minute wired charging test. This phone recharged from 0% to 69% in 30 minutes, even with a larger battery than the S25. The Galaxy S25 recharged from 0% to 47% in the same 30-minute charging test, even though the battery capacity is smaller.
But the phones are close to each other when it comes to streaming and battery endurance tests. The S25 FE drained from 100% to 83% in our 3-hour YouTube streaming test, while the S25 drained from 100% to 85%. In our 45-minute battery endurance test, which includes a variety of tasks like video watching, gaming, and social media scrolling, the S25 FE drained from 100% to 92% while the S25 drained from 100% to 93%.
Check out more differences using the specs chart below, comparing the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S25.
Comparison between Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and Samsung Galaxy S25
| Samsung Galaxy S25 FE | Samsung Galaxy S25 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, resolution | 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels; 120 Hz refresh rate | 6.2 inch AMOLED; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels; Adaptive refresh rate 1-120Hz |
| Pixel density | 385 dpi | 416 dpi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 inches | 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches. |
| Dimensions(mm) | 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Weight (oz, grams) | 190 grams (6.7 ounces) | 162 grams (5.71 ounces) |
| Mobile software | Android 16 | Android 15 |
| camera | 50 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultra-wide), 8 MP (3x zoom) | 50 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultra-wide), 10 MP (3x zoom) |
| Front camera | 12 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Capture video | 8 k | 8 k |
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2400 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy phone |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB | 12 GB RAM + 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | no one | no one |
| Battery/charger | 4,900mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under the offer | Under the offer |
| conductor | USB C | USB C |
| Headphone jack | no one | no one |
| Special features | Brightness up to 1900 nits; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mm wave); IP68 water and dust resistance; Wireless PowerShare technology to charge other devices; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; WiFi 6E | Brightness up to 2600 nits; 7 years of OS and security updates; 5G (mm wave); IP68 water and dust resistance; Wireless PowerShare technology to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7 |
| Off-contract price (in USD) | $650 (128GB), $710 (256GB) | $800 (128GB), $860 (256GB) |
| Price (GBP) | £649 (128GB), £699 (256GB), £799 (512GB) | £799 (128GB), £859 (256GB), £959 (512GB) |
| Price (AUD) | AU$1,099 (128GB), AU$1,199 (256GB), AU$1,399 (512GB) | AU$1,399 (256GB), AU$1,599 (512GB) |
