The FE branding no longer holds the same significance it once did.
There is an abundance of tech products available. Some represent excellent value, while others fall short. Most are in between.
If you can’t afford to purchase one of each, you must determine if a product is suitable for your needs. This can be challenging; manufacturers will insist you need their product for a complete life, those who received a dud or were dissatisfied will label it worthless, and reviewers simply cannot cover everything.
So many tech products! It helps to pause, step back, and reflect on your genuine needs. We’re here to assist with that!
Often, it’s wise to distance yourself and consider what you’ll actually receive within that attractive packaging. Was it worth the price? Will it provide enough utility to make it worthwhile? Or perhaps you should wait and see what future options appear.
We can’t make those choices for you, but we can share our thoughts and suggest where to begin your decision-making journey.
Samsung has introduced the “budget” Galaxy S25 FE. Should you go for it, or would the original S25 be a better option?
The pricing seems appealing. At first looking, the features appear promising. Thus far, the performance has been satisfactory. Is there a valid reason to pay a bit more for the standard S25?
What makes the original Galaxy S25 exceptional
The Samsung Galaxy S25 lineup stands as the pinnacle of the company’s offerings, available in three sizes and price tiers for all preferences. With the addition of the S25 Edge and the latest S25 FE, there’s something for everyone.
Samsung’s Galaxy series consistently delivers one key aspect: performance. You might not be fond of certain features or the aesthetic, but any device with the “Galaxy” label is among Samsung’s elite. Both the compact Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25 FE exemplify this quality. They are truly excellent phones.
However, they do have distinct differences. Here’s where the standard Galaxy S25 excels.
It boasts a superior display. I begin here as this is the most crucial distinction. The S25 FE features a solid screen—a 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED panel. The regular Galaxy S25, however, offers a better display; it has a higher pixel density for clearer visuals, greater brightness, and full HDR support. These nuances might seem trivial, but since the display occupies your full attention when using your phone, nothing is more critical than it.
The chipset is superior. The Galaxy S25 is equipped with a Qualcomm SM8750-AB, the Snapdragon 8 Elite. In contrast, the FE relies on a Samsung Exynos 2400 S5E9945. Both chips are adequately powerful for everyday tasks, but the Snapdragon significantly enhances battery life and network performance. If you enjoy benchmarks, the Snapdragon significantly outperforms the Exynos.
It has an improved camera system. The telephoto lens on the standard S25 is a higher-grade component, offering superior zoom and focal length. If you prefer to step back and zoom in, you will notice the difference.
The fingerprint scanner is enhanced. A slight detail that bothers me. I dislike in-screen sensors, and the S25 FE employs an optical sensor, while the standard version uses an ultrasonic variant.
What’s appealing about the S25 FE
The S25 FE features some qualities that the standard version lacks, despite being a bit more affordable. The standout features and specifications include:
It’s larger. Previously, many brands aimed for the smallest phone possible. That’s not the case anymore! For many users, bigger devices are preferable, and the FE strikes a balance with its size. A 6.7-inch·2340x1080px display hits the sweet spot for lots of people, and the FE excels in this regard.
The battery. It’s larger, nearly 20% more substantial. The FE has a 4,900 mAh battery compared to the 4,000 mAh in the standard S25. Although the more efficient Qualcomm chip in the standard S25 means it often lasts longer, the additional capacity of the FE accounts for its advantage—a rarity when comparing Exynos devices to Qualcomm ones, making the larger battery an excellent choice.
The update cycle. The FE comes with Android 16 and promises seven years of updates. The original S25, which launched much earlier, was released with Android 15 and also receives seven years of updates. In the end, the FE might secure one extra platform update due to its release timing.
My conclusion
You will be satisfied with either of these devices. They are remarkably
