Samsung's $649 Galaxy S25 FE Shines with Flagship AI - A Deep Dive vs S25 Ultra, Pixel 9, iPhone 16 & More

Key Facts & Highlights

• Unveiled at IFA 2025, $649 launch – Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy S25 FE on Sept. 4, 2025, pricing it at $649.99. It’s available immediately and even includes 6 months of free “Google AI Pro” service (for Gemini AI, Google’s Flow, NotebookLM, etc.) as a launch perk news.samsung.com. This Fan Edition model is pitched as a budget-friendly gateway to Samsung’s premium Galaxy S25 experience.
• Big screen, big battery, solid specs – The S25 FE packs a 6.7-inch Full HD⁺ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (120Hz) with minimal bezels. It’s built on a sturdy Armor Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and is rated IP68 water-resistant. Under the hood is Samsung’s 4nm Exynos 2400 chipset, 8 GB RAM, and 128 or 256 GB storage (no microSD). A 4,900 mAh battery keeps it going, supporting 45 W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (65% charge in ~30 min) and 15 W wireless charging. Despite its large screen and battery, it stays relatively slim at 7.4 mm and 190 g.
• Triple camera with AI enhancements – It features a triple rear camera setup: 50 MP main (f/1.8, OIS), 12 MP ultra-wide (123°), and 8 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom, OIS). Notably, it’s one of the cheapest phones to include a dedicated telephoto lens for true optical zoom. The selfie camera jumps to 12 MP (up 20% in resolution over last year’s FE tomsguide.com) with Dual Pixel autofocus. Samsung’s new “Pro Visual Engine” AI processor refines image quality – expect more accurate skin tones, less low-light noise, and improved background detail tomsguide.com. In Samsung’s words, the S25 FE “empowers more people to bring greater convenience and creativity into their everyday lives” with its AI-powered photography.
• Galaxy AI software on board – Running One UI 8 (Android 16), the S25 FE gets the full suite of Samsung’s latest Galaxy AI features seen on the pricier S25 models. The phone acts as a personal AI companion: Gemini Live is a new multimodal assistant that can see through the camera and answer questions about your view (point it at two outfits and ask which is better for the weather, for example). The Now Bar/Now Brief proactively surface contextual info (live updates, daily summaries, traffic, reminders) right on the lock screen. For creators, Generative Edit uses on-device AI to let you magically erase or reposition objects (with an AI-generated fill), adjust subjects’ skin tone, remove video background noise (Audio Eraser), and even convert standard videos into instant slow-motion clips. These advanced AI editing tools are all present on the S25 FE, “democratizing mobile AI” by bringing flagship Galaxy S25 capabilities to a lower price tier.
• Long-term updates & durability – Samsung promises 7 years of software and security updates for the S25 FE, matching the industry-leading support of Google’s Pixels and even exceeding Apple’s typical iOS support window. That means Android version upgrades into the 2030s – huge longevity for a $649 phone. The device ships with Android 16 and will get updates through Android 23. Build quality isn’t skimped either: the FE uses premium materials (Victus+ glass, aluminum) and is as water-resistant as the $1K flagships (IP68, submersible 1.5m). Like recent Samsungs, it omits a charging brick in-box (you get the USB-C cable, SIM ejector, and guides).
• Premium experience for less – The Galaxy S25 FE delivers many of the same features as the standard Galaxy S25 (and even S25+) while costing ~$150 less than the base model. It’s positioned as an affordable AI-centric flagship: “Galaxy S25 FE plays an important role as a gateway into the broader Galaxy AI ecosystem”, said Samsung’s Jay Kim. Compared to rival devices, the S25 FE undercuts Google’s Pixel 9 Pro (launched around $799) and Apple’s iPhone 16 (~$799+) significantly on price, yet still offers high-end perks like a 120 Hz OLED, telephoto zoom lens, and robust AI features. (Even Google’s $499 Pixel 9a and Apple’s $599 iPhone 16e lack some of the camera hardware or AI tools that the S25 FE includes.) In short, Samsung is aggressively using the S25 FE to “double [its] Galaxy AI adoption by 2025” by making cutting-edge features more accessible.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE in three of its available colors (White, Navy, and Icy Blue). The Fan Edition inherits the S25 series’ sleek design – an armor aluminum frame with individual camera lenses and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides.

Galaxy S25 FE Overview: Flagship DNA at a Lower Price

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE (Fan Edition) is essentially a value-focused remix of its Galaxy S25 series flagships. Announced at Samsung’s September 2025 Galaxy Event (held during IFA in Berlin), the S25 FE aims to bring top-tier features to a wider audience. “Galaxy AI tools are a critical feature on [Samsung’s] premium devices… the Galaxy S25 FE takes many of the top features of the best Samsung phones and puts them in a more affordable package,” notes Tom’s Guide. In practice, that means the S25 FE looks and feels much like its pricier siblings and runs the same software experience, with strategic cost-cutting in a few areas (such as the chipset and some hardware components).

Design & display: The S25 FE sports a refined design nearly identical to the S25 series. It has a 6.7-inch flat AMOLED display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling. The panel is only Full HD+ resolution (1080 × 2340) rather than Quad HD, but at this size it still delivers sharp ~393 ppi density and vibrant colors – plus it helps extend battery life. Samsung’s Vision Booster tech is on board to keep the screen visible in harsh sunlight. The FE’s chassis uses the same tough materials: Gorilla Glass Victus + on the front and back and a rigid Armor Aluminum frame, so it’s durable yet relatively lightweight. It measures 161.3 mm × 76.6 mm with a slim 7.4 mm profile, virtually the same dimensions as the S25+ (and actually thinner than the chunkier S25 Ultra). An IP68 rating means it can survive accidental dunks (up to 1.5 m for 30 min). Samsung offers four colors – Navy Blue, Jet Black, White, and a pale Icy Blue – though availability varies by carrier. Overall, the S25 FE looks every bit a modern premium phone, with minimal bezels, no headphone jack, and an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader for biometrics.

Performance & battery: Under the hood, the S25 FE does make a notable swap: it runs on Samsung’s in-house Exynos 2400 8-core processor instead of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 “Elite” chip found in the main S25 series. The Exynos 2400 was cutting-edge in 2024, but by late 2025 it’s a step behind the latest 3 nm silicon. In fact, Samsung’s own new Exynos 2500 (with next-gen Oryon cores) powers devices like the Z Flip 7 launched just weeks prior. This means the S25 FE won’t benchmark as high as the standard S25 or competing 2025 flagships. “Easily, the biggest compromise… involves the chipset,” one reviewer noted, expecting the Exynos 2400-powered FE to “lag behind” the Snapdragon 8 Elite S25 and even Apple’s mid-range A18-based iPhone 16e in raw speed. That said, this chip is no slouch for everyday use – it’s paired with 8 GB of RAM and has a competent Mali GPU, so the phone handles multitasking, gaming and AI tasks smoothly. (The prior S24 FE used a throttled “2400e” chip, so the new FE actually gets a small performance bump over last year.)

Where the S25 FE excels is endurance. Its 4,900 mAh battery is substantially larger than the 4,000 mAh pack in the regular S25 and even a touch bigger than the S25 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh. Coupled with the efficient 1080p screen, Samsung is aiming for all-day battery life. (The S24 FE managed ~11.5 hours in web browsing tests; the S25 FE should beat that thanks to a 200 mAh increase and software optimizations.) Notably, the smaller S25 (with Snapdragon chip) actually outlasted the old FE by ~4.5 hours in tests – highlighting how much efficiency the chipset can contribute. It will be interesting to see if the Exynos 2400 can “close that gap” in real-world battery life on the S25 FE. For charging, the FE gets a welcome upgrade to 45 W wired fast charging, matching the S25 Ultra’s spec. Samsung says you can hit 65% in 30 minutes with a compatible 45 W USB-C PD charger. (No charger is included – a separate purchase.) 15 W wireless charging (Qi/PMA) is supported as well, including the newer Qi2 standard, though unlike the S25 Ultra, the FE lacks the magnet array for perfect alignment on chargers. Reverse wireless PowerShare is also supported for topping up earbuds or a friend’s phone on the go.

Cameras & photography: Samsung kept the camera hardware on the S25 FE largely the same as the last Fan Edition, but with some useful tweaks. The rear setup is triple-lens: a 50 MP f/1.8 main shooter with OIS, a 12 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (123° field of view), and an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3× optical zoom and OIS. This is essentially the same configuration as the S24 FE (which itself mirrored the S23’s cameras) – aside from the tele lens, which remains 8 MP (where the base S25 got an upgraded 10 MP 3× lens). In practice, that means the S25 FE can capture normal and wide shots with the same quality as the $799 S25, but its zoom shots won’t be quite as detailed (8 MP vs 10 MP sensor). Still, having a real telephoto lens at this price is rare – “one of the least expensive ways to get… a phone with its own zoom lens,” Tom’s Guide emphasizes. Digital zoom can extend up to 30× for far-off subjects, though quality will drop at extreme levels.

Where the S25 FE leapt forward is the front camera: it’s now a 12 MP sensor (versus the previous 10 MP) with Dual Pixel autofocus tomsguide.com. Samsung says this 20% resolution boost and better AI processing yield clearer selfies and video calls tomsguide.com. The improved Pro Visual Engine chip in the phone leverages AI to enhance both rear and front camera output. Expect more natural skin tones, improved low-light selfies, and generally sharper results than last year’s model tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. Samsung’s acclaimed “Nightography” modes are on board too – with an updated Low Noise Mode for cleaner night shots and Super HDR for balanced videos, as the company highlighted.

Crucially, the S25 FE benefits from all the new AI-powered camera features introduced with the S25 series. This includes Generative AI editing: after you snap a shot, you can use the built-in “Photo Assist” tools to reshape or move objects in the photo, and the phone will generate new background details to fill the gap. You can also erase unwanted people or clutter from images with a tap (using Object Eraser and the more advanced generative fill). There’s even Audio Eraser for videos – removing background noise like wind or crowds from your clips, a feature that debuted on the S25 flagships. Another fun addition is Instant Slow-Mo: you can convert portions of a recorded video into slow-motion automatically, without needing high-FPS recording beforehand. All these AI tricks are processed on-device or in Samsung’s cloud, and they’re free to use at least through 2025 (Samsung has promised no extra charge for Galaxy AI features during the launch year). Samsung has also refined the underlying algorithms – e.g. better shadow detection and background analysis for more realistic edits and portrait blurs. Overall, while the hardware of the S25 FE’s cameras is upper-midrange, the software is flagship-grade, relying on AI to narrow the gap in photography between this $649 phone and the $1,199 S25 Ultra.

AI and software features: The Galaxy S25 FE’s headline feature is indeed “Galaxy AI” – Samsung’s umbrella for the new AI capabilities in One UI 8. In fact, Samsung calls the S25 FE’s role a “bridge” or gateway into the Galaxy AI ecosystem for users who might not buy a full-priced flagship. Practically, using the S25 FE feels very similar to using an S25 or S25 Ultra, thanks to these shared AI features:

• Gemini assistant: Samsung worked with Google to integrate Gemini, a powerful generative AI model (successor to Google’s Bard/LaMDA) as a virtual assistant on Galaxy devices. On the S25 FE, you can invoke Gemini Live – a voice-based chat mode – that can answer questions or perform tasks with a more human-like conversational flow. Uniquely, Gemini is multimodal on Samsung phones: it can use the phone’s camera and sensors as input. For example, point the camera at something and ask Gemini about it – “What kind of plant is this?” or “Which of these products is better?” – and it will analyze the image and respond in context. In one demo, Samsung showed a user asking Gemini which of two outfits would be better for the weather in Seoul, by showing the camera view of the clothes; Gemini understood the visual and gave informed advice. This “see what you see” capability makes the assistant far more useful in daily scenarios. (Notably, Google’s own Pixel 9 uses a similar on-device Gemini AI with the camera – underscoring that AI assistants are the new battleground in smartphones.)
• Now Bar & Now Brief: These are Samsung’s take on proactive AI info at a glance. Now Brief is like a personal daily digest – each morning (or whenever invoked) it gives you a summary of your day ahead: schedule, weather, traffic, reminders, news headlines, fitness stats, etc., tailored to your preferences and usage patterns tomsguide.com. The more you use it, the more it learns what info you care about. Now Bar is a persistent widget (akin to iOS Live Activities or the Pixel’s At-a-Glance) that lives on the lock screen or Always-On Display. It shows timely info “at just the right moment” – for example, your Uber ride status, sports scores, or a boarding pass will pop up on the Now Bar when relevant. It can also be customized to display media controls, smart home shortcuts, Modes & Routines, and more. The S25 FE supports all of this out of the box, bringing flagship-level convenience to a mid-priced device.
• “Circle to Search” with Google: Another neat trick – while gaming or in any app, you can draw a circle on screen around an item (e.g. an in-game object or some text) and instantly perform a Google search in a floating window. This leverages Google Lens and search AI to provide tips or information without leaving your game/app. It’s a niche but cool feature aimed at power users (Samsung notes it’s great for getting quick tips during gameplay without interrupting play).
• Privacy and security for AI: With so much personal data involved in these AI features, Samsung has doubled down on security. The S25 FE comes with Knox Vault hardware security and a new feature called Knox Enhanced Encryption Protection (KEEP), which creates encrypted “containers” for each app’s sensitive data. Essentially, AI features that learn your preferences (via Samsung’s Personal Data Engine) keep that data siloed on-device, under lock and key. Samsung’s aim is to reassure users that personalized AI can be used privately, with minimal cloud sharing. (Notably, some generative features still require network connections – e.g. Generative Edit needs to query Samsung’s server and it watermarks AI-modified images for transparency – but things like Gemini’s basic vision Q&A can run locally on the device’s AI engine.)

All these capabilities make the S25 FE remarkably feature-packed for the price. Importantly, Samsung isn’t treating FE buyers as second-class citizens in software. The S25 FE ships with the latest One UI 8 (same as the S25 series) and will get the same feature updates concurrently. And with Samsung committing to 7 years of updates on this device, it may even outlast some more expensive phones in terms of software life. “Like its predecessor – and like the other S25 models – the Galaxy S25 FE gets seven years of software and security updates,” Tom’s Guide emphasizes. This matches Google’s update policy for Pixel 9/10 and sets a new bar for Android longevity, showing Samsung’s confidence in the FE line to keep users in the ecosystem long-term.

Pricing & availability: The Galaxy S25 FE is available starting September 4, 2025 in the US, UK, and select markets, sold through Samsung and carriers. As noted, it starts at $649.99 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant news.samsung.com (£649 in the UK). The 256 GB model’s MSRP is around $729 (Samsung hadn’t announced it at launch, but it’s often a ~$80 upgrade; some regions get only the 256 GB version). Samsung is aggressive with promotions: at launch, they offered a free storage upgrade (256 GB for the 128 GB price) and up to $400 trade-in credit, meaning some users could snag the S25 FE for as low as $249 with an old phone trade. In the US, carriers like AT&T even advertised the S25 FE for $5.99/month on installment with no trade-in needed. Four color options are offered (Black, Navy, White, Icy Blue), though not all colors might be available on every carrier. Notably, the S25 FE’s $649 tag is the same launch price as last year’s S24 FE and significantly undercuts the main S25 models. For reference, the base Galaxy S25 (6.2″) debuted at ~$799, the S25+ (6.7″) around $999, and the S25 Ultra (6.9″) at $1199 and up. Samsung clearly priced the FE to hit a sweet spot between premium and mid-range – it’s a direct competitor to devices like Google’s ~$799 Pixel and OnePlus’s ~$699–799 flagships, and even challenges Apple’s mid-tier offerings. Below we’ll compare how the S25 FE stacks up against both its Galaxy siblings and rival phones.

Galaxy S25 FE vs Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra

How much of the full Galaxy S25 experience do you really give up by choosing the $649 FE? Samsung’s strategy with Fan Editions is to cherry-pick the most important flagship features and drop or trim the rest. In the case of the S25 FE, it actually out-sizes the base S25 and even matches the S25+ in some areas, while inevitably falling short of the ultimate S25 Ultra. The table below summarizes the key differences:

(Table: Galaxy S25 FE vs other S25 series models)  The S25 FE actually has more in common with the S25+ than with the compact base S25. It shares the Plus model’s large 6.7″ screen and 4,900 mAh battery, although the Plus and Ultra boast higher-resolution displays (1440p “QHD+”) and the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Where the FE falls behind the S25/S25+ is in raw performance (Exynos 2400 vs the newer Snapdragon) and memory (8 GB vs 12 GB). It also lacks some “luxury” touches of the Ultra – like the 200 MP quad-camera system with dual telephoto lenses, S Pen stylus support, and options for 16 GB RAM or 1 TB storage. The base S25, meanwhile, trades a much smaller size for its higher-end processor – it has the same 50 MP main camera, but a lower 3,900–4,000 mAh battery and no telephoto lens on some regional variants.

In real use, the S25 FE offers an experience closer to the S25+ (big screen, big battery) but at a mid-range price. You get the exact same UI, OS, and AI features as all S25 models. The compromises – a slightly slower chip and less premium camera hardware – are unlikely to bother average users, especially when the phone costs $150+ less. In fact, last year’s reviewer of the S24 FE argued it was “more compelling than the standard [Galaxy] S24, given the lower price and extensive AI support”. Samsung is clearly hoping the S25 FE makes a similar case in 2025: unless you absolutely need the S25 Ultra’s bleeding-edge specs (or the S Pen niche), the S25 FE delivers 90% of the flagship Galaxy experience for a fraction of the cost.

Galaxy S25 FE vs Rival Flagships

Samsung isn’t just competing with itself – the Galaxy S25 FE enters a crowded field of 2024–2025 flagship phones and upper-midrange offerings. Here’s how it compares to some notable rivals:

Google Pixel 9 Series (Pixel 9 Pro / Pro XL)

Google’s Pixel 9 family, launched a year earlier in late 2024, shares a similar ethos to the S25 FE: pushing AI as a key selling point. In fact, the Pixel 9 was described as a “vessel for the AI technology that is expected to reshape how people live and work”. Google loaded the Pixel 9 series with its own generative AI features – the Pixels were first to get the “Gemini” AI assistant deeply integrated, replacing Google Assistant on those phones. Pixel 9 Pro models can run on-device versions of Gemini and have exclusive AI experiences like “Pixel Studio” for text-to-image generation, Add Me for inserting people into photos, Call Screen/Call Notes for live call transcription and summaries, and more. Samsung closely collaborated with Google to bring many of those capabilities (in slightly different form) to the Galaxy S25 series and FE – e.g. Samsung’s Generative Edit is analogous to Google’s Magic Editor, and Samsung’s Now Brief mirrors some of the Pixel’s At-a-Glance and Assistant Snapshot features. Where Pixel still leads is in pure computational photography and AI integration: Google’s camera software is second to none in things like Night Mode and realistic AI photo edits. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, for instance, wowed reviewers with its AI photo abilities – “the Pixel 9 Pro XL showed me the future of AI photography,” wrote The Verge en.wikipedia.org. Samsung is catching up fast, though, leveraging its own AI engines to improve photo post-processing on the S25 FE (especially for portraits and low-light selfies tomsguide.com).

In terms of hardware, the Pixel 9 Pro XL (6.7″) is probably the closest matchup to the S25 FE. It has a similarly large OLED (but at higher 1440p resolution and LTPO 120 Hz), and it one-ups Samsung in camera hardware with a 5× 48 MP periscope telephoto lens in addition to a 50 MP main and 48 MP ultrawide. That gives the Pixel an edge for long-range zoom quality. The S25 FE counters by offering a telephoto at all in its price class (the smaller base Pixel 9 lacks any telephoto lens). Pixel’s front camera is unusually high-res (a 42 MP ultrawide selfie cam on Pro models), whereas Samsung sticks to 12 MP but with presumably larger pixels for low light. Performance-wise, Google’s custom Tensor G4 chip in Pixel 9 was not designed to win speed tests – it prioritizes AI tasks and fell behind Apple and Qualcomm chips in raw performance. The Exynos 2400 in the S25 FE is likely in a similar ballpark: adequate, but not topping charts. Both Samsung and Google provide 7 years of OS updates now (Google extended Pixel 9 support through 2031, matching Samsung’s promise), which is great for consumers.

One big difference is price: the Pixel 9 Pro launched around $999 for the XL model, versus $649 for the S25 FE. By late 2025 the Pixel 9s may have seen discounts, but Samsung undercut Google while offering a very competitive feature set. Unless the Pixel’s superior camera system or clean Android experience are must-haves, the S25 FE arguably gives more bang for buck (expandable storage aside, since neither has microSD). And if you care about satellite connectivity: Pixel 9 series introduced emergency SMS via satellite (SOS) using Garmin/Skylo, free for 2 years. Samsung partnered with T-Mobile/Starlink for a similar satellite text feature on some Galaxy phones, and the S25 FE hardware is “Satellite-capable” (per carrier spec sheets), though availability of that service may depend on carriers and updates. Overall, Pixel vs S25 FE comes down to ecosystem and AI approach: Pixel offers Google’s vision of ambient AI (with some exclusive perks like the call-screening and that ultra-zoom camera), while Samsung offers a broader feature set (Dex, more UI customization, etc.) and tighter integration of AI with everyday apps (gallery, camera, etc.). Both are excellent in software; the S25 FE just gives you more hardware for the money.

Apple iPhone 16 Series (2024)

Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup (released late 2024) represents the iOS camp’s latest and greatest that the S25 FE will inevitably be measured against. The direct price competitor would be Apple’s lower-end iPhone 16 or 16 Plus, which start around $799 and $899 respectively, but those models are actually more “mid-range” in Apple’s roster (they have older A17 chips and only 60 Hz displays). For a fair flagship comparison, consider the iPhone 16 Pro (6.3″) or 16 Pro Max (6.9″) – though these cost roughly double the S25 FE.

In hardware, Apple’s strengths are the raw performance and polish: the iPhone 16 Pro/Max run on the mighty A18 Pro chip, a 3 nm SoC with custom Apple cores that deliver class-leading CPU/GPU speeds. Any synthetic benchmark will show the A18 handily outperforming the Exynos 2400 – Apple touted “amazing performance” gains and efficiency from the A18 Pro’s new 6-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine. In day-to-day use, this means an iPhone feels snappier in certain high-end games or intensive apps, but for most typical tasks the S25 FE’s chip is sufficient (and Android is more forgiving with multitasking RAM, whereas iPhones have “only” 8 GB RAM by design). The iPhone 16 Pros also introduced a titanium chassis, making them lighter and more durable, whereas the S25 FE uses aluminum (still premium, but not titanium). Apple finally moved to USB-C on iPhone 15/16, but the iPhone 16’s port, while supporting faster USB 3.2 speeds, is primarily there for data – the iPhone still charges at only ~27–30 W max and has no ambition for things like reverse wireless charging (features Samsung has long had). On the battery front, the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a ~4,685 mAh battery en.wikipedia.org and exceptional iOS optimization, so its battery life is among the best of any 2024–25 phone. The S25 FE’s larger 4,900 mAh battery narrows the gap, but iPhones historically eke out more endurance per mAh thanks to Apple’s tight hardware-software integration.

Camera-wise, Apple took a leap in the 16 Pro/Max by adding a 5× periscope telephoto (120 mm focal length) on at least the Pro Max model. The iPhone 16 Pro Max thus has a triple camera: 48 MP main, 48 MP ultrawide, and 12 MP 5× tele + LiDAR sensor. The smaller iPhone 16 Pro might retain a 3× lens due to size constraints (Apple’s pattern in iPhone 15). In any case, Apple’s image quality is excellent but they are more conservative with AI. Apple uses computational photography (Smart HDR, Deep Fusion) and has a powerful Neural Engine in the A18, but they haven’t unleashed generative AI features like Samsung and Google have. There’s no official “erase people” magic in Photos (beyond simple object removal in iOS), no AI that adds people into images, etc. Apple’s approach focuses on real-time processing to make captured images look as good as possible, rather than heavily altering them after the fact. For instance, iPhone 16 Pro got a new “48 MP Fusion” sensor that can shoot full-res HEIF photos and enhanced portraits you can refocus later. Video is an area iPhones still lead – e.g. 4K 120 fps slow-mo Dolby Vision recording is a headline iPhone 16 Pro feature, whereas the S25 FE tops out at 4K 60 (and relies on AI slow-mo conversion for higher FPS effects).

The software ecosystems differ greatly, of course: iOS vs Android. If you’re embedded in Apple’s world (Macs, Apple Watch, iMessage, etc.), an iPhone will complement that better. But Samsung has its own ecosystem advantages – more flexible multitasking, the DeX desktop mode, and broader compatibility (the S25 FE even supports Thread for IoT and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is present on higher Galaxy models for precise tracking, though the FE lacks UWB). Apple is slowly adding AI capabilities (some rumors point to an AI assistant revamp, but nothing like Gemini on-device yet). Notably, Apple did introduce on-device Siri transcription and enhanced dictation, and leverages the Neural Engine for things like Live Voicemail and personal voice synthesis in iOS 17/18. But these are relatively subtle compared to Samsung/Google’s flashy AI features. Apple’s mid-range entry, the iPhone 16e (Essential?) at $599, was mentioned as offering “the same AI capabilities as its flagship siblings in a lower-cost package” – likely referring to features like on-device Siri and the full iOS experience, albeit in a cheaper phone. That iPhone 16e (if it indeed exists as rumored) would compete more directly on price with the S25 FE, but it presumably has a less expensive build (maybe aluminum or plastic) and still no telephoto camera.

All told, an iPhone 16 Pro will beat the Galaxy S25 FE in raw horsepower and pro-grade camera/video capabilities, but you pay a hefty premium for those. The S25 FE, meanwhile, offers a more feature-rich out-of-the-box package (120 Hz display versus iPhone 16/16e’s 60 Hz, faster charging, more versatile camera app, etc.) at a much lower price. Both phones are extremely refined; the “better” choice often comes down to OS preference and budget. The S25 FE certainly makes a persuasive value argument – you can buy one for ~$650 and still have enough left over to purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab or Galaxy Watch, for the price of a single iPhone 16 Pro Max.

OnePlus 13 (2024/2025)

OnePlus has long been known for delivering top-tier specs at aggressive prices, and the OnePlus 13 – launched in late 2024 – is no exception. In many ways, OnePlus 13 is positioned as a “flagship killer” and could be seen as an Android alternative to the S25 FE, albeit targeting a slightly higher segment. It debuted first in China (global release in early 2025) with a starting price of ¥4499 (~$630) for 12 GB RAM/256 GB storage – roughly the same range as the S25 FE’s MSRP.

On paper, the OnePlus 13 outguns the S25 FE in raw specs. It’s one of the first phones powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 “Elite” chipset (the same generation chip that the Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra use) tomsguide.com tomsguide.com. This gives OnePlus a clear performance advantage over the Exynos-powered FE – indeed, early benchmarks were impressive, and the OnePlus 13 “should make [for] a powerful device” in terms of CPU/GPU prowess. The OnePlus also packs up to 16 or even 24 GB of RAM in top configurations, an enormous amount for a phone (Samsung caps the FE at 8 GB). In storage, OnePlus offers options up to 1 TB (with UFS 4.0 speeds).

The display on the OnePlus 13 is a beast: 6.82-inch LTPO OLED at QHD+ (1440p) resolution, capable of a blazing up to 1440 nits full-screen brightness and peaks of 4500 nits HDR. It also features a unique quad-curved design (the edges of the screen are curved on all sides) for a futuristic look. By comparison, the S25 FE’s 6.7″ 1080p flat panel is a step down in resolution and doesn’t get nearly as bright (Samsung hasn’t disclosed nits for the FE, but it’s likely around 1200–1500 nits peak). Both are 120 Hz, though the OnePlus can variably scale 1–120 Hz with LTPO tech, which the FE lacks.

Battery and charging is another area OnePlus flexes: it has a gigantic 6,000 mAh battery – achieved with a new silicon-carbon cell that fits more capacity in the same volume. This is larger than even the S25 Ultra’s battery, let alone the FE’s 4,900 mAh. Despite the big battery, OnePlus 13 supports 100 W wired charging (and 50 W wireless) which can refill it extremely fast. OnePlus is known for its “Warp Charge,” and here it continues to lead – the S25 FE’s 45 W looks pedestrian next to 100 W (OnePlus can go 0–100% in around 25 minutes). OnePlus even includes the charger in the box typically, whereas Samsung does not. Both phones have wireless charging, but OnePlus’s is faster (if you have their proprietary wireless dock for 50 W). In real-world terms, the OnePlus 13 is a battery life champ – one review noted it “continues to add [a] powerful battery… with the company’s fast charging” pairing to great effect.

Camera-wise, it gets interesting. The OnePlus 13 features a triple 50 MP camera system co-developed with Hasselblad: a 50 MP f/1.6 main (with a large 1/1.4″ sensor), a 50 MP ultrawide, and a 50 MP telephoto (3× optical). On paper that’s superior to the S25 FE’s mix of 50/12/8 MP. OnePlus’s main sensor is larger and likely performs better in low light. The telephoto being 50 MP means even zoom shots have plenty of detail (though it’s only 3× magnification, not periscope level). OnePlus also touts advanced algorithms via the Hasselblad Master Style imaging and has features like 4K Dolby Vision video on all cameras. In practice, OnePlus cameras have improved a lot, but Samsung still tends to have an edge in overall image processing and consistency. The FE’s camera software has more AI tricks (OnePlus focuses more on pro tuning and less on AI editing, though it does have things like XPan mode and some AI scene optimization). OnePlus 13’s front camera is a high-res 32 MP shooter, beating the FE on specs for selfies as well.

Build quality on both is premium: OnePlus 13 has an aluminum frame and comes in glass or even vegan leather back options (depending on color). It is IP68 (and even IP69K) rated, meaning it can survive harsher conditions (IP69K is protection against high-pressure water jets). Samsung’s IP68 covers 1.5 m submersion, which is enough for most. OnePlus also included an alert slider switch (a trademark feature for toggling mute) which some users love – Samsung doesn’t have a physical slider, but offers software toggles.

Software is where the philosophies differ: OnePlus 13 runs OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) which in China is ColorOS-based, and globally has become closer to Oppo’s skin. It’s fast and customizable, but Samsung’s One UI is arguably more feature-rich (with things like Samsung DeX, Knox security, etc.). OnePlus promises up to 4 major Android updates and 5 years security on the 13 – a big improvement for them, but still shy of Samsung’s 7-year promise for the FE. Enthusiasts might prefer OnePlus’s lighter approach and faster update cadence, while mainstream users may appreciate Samsung’s ecosystem and longer support.

In summary, the OnePlus 13 is a specs beast: it outmatches the Galaxy S25 FE in display resolution, processing power, RAM, battery size, and charging speed. It’s the choice for those who want bleeding-edge hardware. As one tech editor put it, OnePlus delivered “impressive specs that we’ve already seen” with the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and even an “unheard-of 24GB of RAM” option. However, the S25 FE counters with a more balanced package of hardware + software. Samsung’s camera processing and AI features are arguably more advanced (OnePlus has no direct equivalent to Samsung’s generative editing suite or Knox privacy features). And Samsung’s brand and support network are stronger in many regions. The decision might come down to priorities: if you value extreme performance and charging – OnePlus 13 has the edge. If you value AI features, camera versatility, and longer updates – the Galaxy S25 FE is a safer bet. Both phones show how far ~$650 can go in 2025’s smartphone landscape, each undercutting the likes of Apple and Google while carving their own niche.

Quotes & Perspectives: Industry analysts see Samsung’s FE strategy as a deliberate play to broaden its user base with AI. “Samsung’s latest foray into the mid-range market with the Galaxy S25 FE… underscores a calculated strategy to democratize access to AI-driven technologies,” writes one market observer, noting that the $650 price and inclusion of flagship AI tools align with Samsung’s goal to “double Galaxy AI adoption” by making it more accessible. Early reactions from tech reviewers are positive about the value – many point out that for $649, the S25 FE delivers features (telephoto lens, 120 Hz OLED, advanced AI) that some competitors reserve for much pricier models. There is an expectation, however, that the Exynos chipset will place the FE a notch below true flagships in raw speed. As Tom’s Guide candidly puts it, “you’re unlikely to see comparable performance between the Galaxy S25 FE and the Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered Galaxy S25”, though it quickly adds that the FE “promises the same AI experience as the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup” despite those hardware trade-offs tomsguide.com.

Samsung’s own Mobile eXperience VP, Jay Kim, emphasized the phone’s role within the ecosystem at launch: “Galaxy S25 FE plays an important role as a gateway into the broader Galaxy AI ecosystem, making these experiences more attainable for a wider range of users”. In other words, Samsung is betting that users drawn in by this affordable flagship will get hooked on its AI features and stay with the Galaxy family for years to come. Given the package on offer, the Galaxy S25 FE indeed looks like one of 2025’s strongest value phones, bringing high-end innovation down to earth – and giving Samsung a powerful weapon against its Pixel, iPhone, and OnePlus rivals in the process.

The Galaxy S25 FE in Icy Blue (front) and Navy (rear). With a 6.7″ 120 Hz AMOLED display, aluminum/victus+ build, and triple-lens camera, the S25 FE closely resembles its pricier S25-series siblings. It ships with One UI 8.0 (Android 16) and will receive 7 years of updates, carrying Samsung’s latest features well into the future.

Sources: Official Samsung Newsroom news.samsung.com; Samsung Mobile Press; Tom’s Guide; Droid-Life; Wikipedia and tech specs for Pixel 9, iPhone 16 Pro, and OnePlus 13; AInvest Market Brief; The Verge en.wikipedia.org.