Galaxy A25 Vs Galaxy S23 FE

Galaxy A25
Galaxy A25
Starting at

Refurbished price:£121.00

Versus £272.58 new

See options
Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:£175.00

Versus £605.75 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A25, released in December 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, launched in October 2023, are both Android smartphones from Samsung. While the A25 is positioned as a capable device for everyday use, the S23 FE aims to deliver a more premium experience by incorporating features typically found in Samsung's flagship S series. The primary differences lie in their processing power, camera capabilities, and overall build quality, catering to distinct user priorities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support and physical durability.

  • Software Updates: The Galaxy A25 is promised four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, offering a substantial period of software support. The Galaxy S23 FE, as part of the S series family, also benefits from a similar commitment to software longevity, typically receiving four major OS updates and five years of security patches, ensuring it remains current for an extended duration.
  • Build Materials: The Galaxy A25 features a glass front, but its frame and back are constructed from plastic, contributing to its lighter feel. The Galaxy S23 FE, on the other hand, utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for both its front and back panels, paired with a matte aluminum frame, providing a more robust and premium construction.
  • Water and Dust Resistance: The Galaxy S23 FE boasts an IP68 rating, indicating a high level of resistance to dust and immersion in water. For the Galaxy A25, some sources indicate an IP67 rating, suggesting protection against dust and temporary immersion. However, official Samsung listings for the A25 can be inconsistent, and some user experiences suggest its water resistance may not be as robust as higher-end models.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone dictates its responsiveness and ability to handle various applications and tasks. Both devices offer capable performance, but with different levels of power.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A25 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly, including browsing, social media, and light gaming. The Galaxy S23 FE features a more powerful processor, which was a flagship-tier chip at its release, allowing for very smooth multitasking, demanding applications, and graphically intensive games with ease.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy A25 typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing sufficient capacity for most users to switch between apps without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy S23 FE consistently offers 8GB of RAM, contributing to its ability to maintain a high level of responsiveness even with numerous applications running simultaneously.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer 128GB and 256GB internal storage options. A notable difference is that the Galaxy A25 supports expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB, providing flexibility for users who require extensive storage for media and files. The Galaxy S23 FE does not include a microSD card slot, meaning users must rely solely on the internal storage chosen at purchase.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A25 features a larger 5000mAh battery, which generally provides excellent endurance, often lasting a full day or more with typical usage. The Galaxy S23 FE has a 4500mAh battery, which typically lasts a full day for moderate users, though heavy use, especially with demanding tasks, may require more frequent charging.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with some key distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy A25 and Galaxy S23 FE feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their deep blacks and vibrant colors. Both offer Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), ensuring sharp and clear visuals for everyday content consumption.
  • Brightness Levels: The Galaxy A25 can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, which aids in outdoor visibility. The Galaxy S23 FE also offers strong brightness, making it comfortable to view in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both smartphones feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience, particularly noticeable during gaming or navigating user interfaces. The A25's refresh rate may need to be manually toggled between 60Hz and 120Hz, while the S23 FE often offers adaptive refresh rate capabilities for better battery management.
  • Screen Size and Design: The Galaxy A25 has a 6.5-inch display with an Infinity-U notch for the front camera. The Galaxy S23 FE features a slightly smaller 6.4-inch display, typically with a punch-hole cutout for the camera, offering a more modern aesthetic and slightly thinner bezels.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture moments, but they differ in their versatility and performance across various scenarios.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A25 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor (with OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The Galaxy S23 FE also has a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor (with OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The A25's main camera performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing decent detail and colors, though it may struggle in low-light environments. The S23 FE's camera system, benefiting from more advanced processing, delivers strong results in various lighting, including low-light situations, and its telephoto lens provides greater flexibility for zooming without significant loss of quality.
  • Video Recording Capabilities: The Galaxy A25 supports video recording up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps) with its main camera, and 1080p at 30/60fps. The Galaxy S23 FE offers more advanced video recording, capable of 4K at 60fps and even 8K at 24fps, providing higher resolution and smoother footage.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy A25 includes a 13MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S23 FE features a 10MP front camera, which delivers good detail and color accuracy for self-portraits.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity Standards: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A25 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy S23 FE typically supports newer standards like Wi-Fi 6E and a recent Bluetooth version, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections.
  • Ports and Biometrics: The Galaxy A25 retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature appreciated by users who prefer wired audio solutions. Both phones utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. For security, the A25 integrates a fingerprint sensor into its side power button. The S23 FE features an in-display optical fingerprint sensor.
  • Additional Features: The Galaxy S23 FE includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, allowing it to power other compatible devices. These features are not present on the Galaxy A25. Both devices include NFC for contactless payments.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy A25 measures 161 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm and weighs 197g. The Galaxy S23 FE is slightly more compact in height and width but heavier, measuring 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm and weighing 209g.

Weight

197 g

209 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A25 often highlights its strong battery life and vibrant Super AMOLED display as key advantages, especially considering its positioning. Users appreciate the inclusion of a headphone jack and expandable storage, which are becoming less common in newer smartphones. Criticisms sometimes point to its performance not being suited for the most demanding tasks and its camera struggling in very low-light conditions. The Galaxy S23 FE receives praise for its powerful performance, capable camera system with optical zoom, and premium build quality. Some users, however, have noted that its battery life, while generally sufficient for a day, might not be as extended as some other devices, particularly under heavy usage, and its processor, while powerful, is not the absolute latest generation.

Users prioritizing extended battery life, expandable storage, and the convenience of a headphone jack for everyday communication and media consumption may find the Galaxy A25 well-suited to their needs. It offers a solid experience for browsing, social media, and casual gaming. Conversely, individuals who require higher processing power for intensive gaming, advanced multitasking, and superior camera versatility, including optical zoom and more robust low-light performance, will likely lean towards the Galaxy S23 FE. Its premium build and additional features like wireless charging also cater to those seeking a more refined smartphone experience. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons