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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the premium option here, and it shines in certain areas like photography with its 3x optical zoom lens. In my testing, the S23 FE's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor delivers seriously impressive performance, while the A25 5G offers a budget-friendly experience with a class-leading display. So, if you're on a budget and want a great display, the A25 5G is worth considering, but if you need top-tier performance and camera capabilities, the S23 FE is the smarter buy.
📱 Display: 6.4" vs 6.5"🔋 Battery: 4500 mAh vs 5000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 7.37 oz vs 6.95 oz
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8
(13)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
★4.6
(176)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.4"
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.5"Winner
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
120Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
8GBWinner
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6GB (Standard US config)
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
4,500mAh (Typical)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
5,000mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
7.37 oz (209 g)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.95 oz (197 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
★4.8(13)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
★4.6(176)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE | Samsung Galaxy A25 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(13)Best Buy | ★4.6(176)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific* | Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm) |
Graphics | Adreno 730 | Mali-G68 |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB (Standard US config) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.4" | 6.5" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive) | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1,450 nits (Peak) | 1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV | 8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS) |
Front Camera | 10MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2 |
Battery | 4,500mAh (Typical) | 5,000mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | 15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse) | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back) | No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back) |
Dimensions | 6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm) | 6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm) |
Weight | 7.37 oz (209 g) | 6.95 oz (197 g) |
Biometrics | Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet |
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Rating:★4.8(13)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) — *Note: US/Canada model specific*
Graphics:Adreno 730
RAM:8GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB (No microSD expansion)
Display Size:6.4"
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 1,450 nits (Peak)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:60Hz / 120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,450 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP, f/2.2, 123-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:8MP, f/2.4, OIS, 3x Optical Zoom
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x
Video Recording:8K @ 24fps; 4K @ 30/60fps
Front Camera:10MP, f/2.4
Battery:4,500mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:15W Fast Wireless Charging; Wireless PowerShare (Reverse)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6/mmWave), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water/Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back)
Dimensions:6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in (158.0 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm)
Weight:7.37 oz (209 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Samsung DeX, Stereo speakers, Samsung Knox
✓ Pros:
- • Dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket)
- • Premium build with IP68 rating and aluminum frame
- • Bright 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (1,450 nits)
- • Full flagship software experience including Samsung DeX
- • Guaranteed long-term software support (4 OS updates)
✗ Cons:
- • Significantly thicker bezels compared to standard S23
- • Uses older Gorilla Glass 5 (vs. Victus 2 on S23)
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset can be less power-efficient than Gen 2
- • Optical fingerprint sensor is slower than the Ultrasonic sensor on S23
- • Charging speed capped at 25W
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Rating:★4.6(176)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
RAM:6GB (Standard US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz
Peak Brightness:1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS)
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.2
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back)
Dimensions:6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm)
Weight:6.95 oz (197 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 120Hz Super AMOLED display (1,000 nits)
- • Guaranteed 4 major OS updates (matches flagship standard)
- • Main camera features OIS (rare for this price point)
- • Includes stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
✗ Cons:
- • Exynos 1280 performance is average compared to competitors
- • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
- • Dated water-drop notch design and thick bezels
- • No charger included in the box
- • Video stabilization (EIS) crops heavily into the frame
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is the better buy for most people - its dedicated 3x optical zoom crushes the A25 5G's camera capabilities.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if: you want the best camera performance with a 3x optical zoom, you need flagship-level performance for gaming, or you value premium build quality with an IP68 rating.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G if: you want a budget phone with a stunning 120Hz display, you prioritize battery life with a 5,000mAh capacity, or you prefer expandable storage options.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE excels if you value dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens (rare in this price bracket). Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is better if you prioritize class-leading 120hz super amoled display (1,000 nits). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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