On paper, it doesn’t look like Samsung has changed the display with the Galaxy S25 FE — it’s still a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display with FHD+ resolution and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. But despite a premium look and construction, I’m really shocked by how easily scuffed the Galaxy S25 FE can get. At this point, I’d say it’s a boring design that’s long overdue for a makeover, but at least it feels solid in the hand. I also feel the same way comparing it to the cheaper Pixel 9a and iPhone 17, which both come in at $499 and $599 respectively. At $649 for the base model, that's a really attractive figure compared to the $999 cost of the comparably sized Galaxy S25 Plus. 50MP main (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 8MP telephoto (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom

• The phone features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 1900 nits (same as the S24 FE and 700 nits lower than the other S25 models).
• The past tense of Hate is hated.
• 21Availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model and market.
• The meanings of abhor and hate largely overlap; however, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.
• Compared to other phones, the Galaxy S25 FE definitely doesn’t get quite as bright as I’d like, which makes it a chore trying to use.
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• Please try again with a different device.
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• Sticking with the same scene and snapping it with their ultrawide cameras, the Galaxy S25 FE again holds up well with its slightly stronger contrast.
• This display also has thinner bezels, which is easily perceived as being more premium.
• Both phones do a good job here, but the Pixel 10’s image processing algorithms are pulling out more of the wooden fence’s textures.
• But despite a premium look and construction, I’m really shocked by how easily scuffed the Galaxy S25 FE can get.
• You can charge up to 65% in just 30 minutes with fast wired charging, so you’re ready to go in no time.16

However, the cheaper phone's screen should remain visible in those environments even at the lower maximum brightness level. Both phone displays show content at a 1,080p resolution and have a 120Hz refresh rate. For some people, it will absolutely be worth the extra $150 to get an S25 model equipped with the latest Snapdragon processor and better cameras.

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When comparing 4K videos taken with both of these Galaxy phones, we were surprised to find that the S25 FE actually captures sharper videos with better contrast during the day. Below we have a few framegrabs from the videos taken by the two phones at each focal length, so it's easier to compare them to one another. As far as the ultrawide goes, both phones upscale their photos to 12 megapixels and there is hardly a clear winner.

What has changed about the design of Galaxy S25 FE?

In any event, we’re glad to see Samsung offering a significant battery capacity boost and much faster wired charging. Meanwhile, Now Bar is a lock screen widget that displays contextual info, including music controls, sports scores, clocks, and timers. So I have to wonder whether the phone might miss out on some advanced AI features down the line. We’ve seen smartphone brands, including Samsung, offer more RAM in recent years due to on-device AI workloads. Furthermore, the device also brings some software features previously seen on the Galaxy S25 series and Z7 foldables.

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The main difference is its telephoto camera, which as a 10-megapixel sensor on the S25 and an 8-megapixel sensor on the FE. Samsung really has a degree in ruining FE phones, the battery is so damn bad it drains faster than you would expect and no snapdragon is just not it Outside of tech, he enjoys producing mini documentaries and fun social clips for small businesses, enjoying the beach life at the Jersey Shore, and recently becoming a first time homeowner. The S25 FE gains newer features, like the Now Bar and Now Brief, among all the other productivity features Galaxy AI offers — like Call Assist, Writing Assist, Interpreter, and much more.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Design

Sticking with the same scene and snapping it with their ultrawide cameras, the Galaxy S25 FE again holds up well with its slightly stronger contrast. The 50MP main camera holds up well when there’s plenty of good lighting, like the scene above. Despite a lack of meaningful upgrades, the Galaxy S25 FE sells itself as a serious camera shooter thanks in large part to Samsung’s robust camera app.

Galaxy S25 FE in the news

Sure, the rolla dolla Galaxy S25 FE offers more value at $649 than other phones, like the iPhone 16e, but it has a tougher time convincing me it’s better than the Pixel 10. Availability of Galaxy AI features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model, and phone carrier. Galaxy S25 FE features a 4900 mAh battery for reliable, all-day performance.