Samsung Galaxy S25 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung

Good

Samsung Galaxy S26+

Samsung

Pre-Release Hands-On

What Reviewers Agree On

Dynamic AMOLED display is excellent for the price — vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz
Galaxy AI features bring flagship-level intelligence to a more affordable price point
Camera system is capable in good lighting with a solid 50MP main sensor
Samsung's update commitment (6 years) adds long-term value
Design looks and feels premium despite the lower price point

Deal Breakers

Exynos 2400 performance lags noticeably behind Snapdragon 8 Elite competitors
Build quality concerns — phone scratches more easily than expected

Detailed Comparison

Design & Build

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The S25 FE adopts the flat-edge design language of the S25 series, giving it a modern, premium look. However, build quality concerns have emerged, with the polycarbonate back and Gorilla Glass Victus scratching more easily than expected.

Flat-edge design mirrors the mainline S25 series — it looks like a flagship from the outside
IP68 water and dust resistance is a welcome inclusion at this price tier
The phone scratches surprisingly easily — several reviewers noted visible marks within days of use
At 6.7 inches, it's a large phone that may not suit those wanting a compact option

Samsung Galaxy S26+

The S26+ adopts a more "Ultra-like" design with less rounded corners for a unified family look. The Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection are solid. At ~7.3mm thin and ~190g, it's comfortable to hold.

The more angular design brings it closer to the Ultra aesthetic — Samsung is creating a more unified design language across the S26 family

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What Reviewers Agree On

The $100 price increase from $999 to $1,099 is difficult to justify given the incremental hardware upgrades
Camera hardware is essentially unchanged since the Galaxy S23+ — three years of the same sensors
One UI 8.5 AI features and software polish are genuinely improved across the board
Build quality and display remain excellent for the price tier
A solid upgrade for S23 or older owners, but poor value for recent Samsung flagship users

Deal Breakers

No Privacy Display — the most exciting S26 feature is Ultra-exclusive
Return of the Exynos/Snapdragon split after the S25 used Snapdragon globally
$100 price hike with recycled camera hardware

Display

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is one of the S25 FE's strongest features. Samsung's display expertise shines here, delivering flagship-quality visuals at a mid-range price.

The FHD+ AMOLED display is vibrant, sharp, and smooth at 120Hz — hard to fault for $649
Peak brightness is sufficient for outdoor use, though not as high as the mainline S25 series
HDR content looks excellent — the display punches well above its price bracket for media consumption

Samsung Galaxy S26+

The 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate is familiar territory — essentially the same excellent display as the S25+. No Privacy Display here; that remains an Ultra exclusive.

The 6.7-inch QHD+ panel continues to be one of the best in its class with vibrant colors and excellent brightness
No Privacy Display on the S26+ is a real missed opportunity — the best S26 feature is locked to the Ultra

Camera System

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The triple camera system with a 50MP main sensor produces good results in ideal conditions, but the processing and low-light performance don't match the mainline S25 series.

50MP main sensor captures pleasing photos in good light with accurate colors
Night mode results are noticeably softer and noisier than the S25's camera output
The 8MP telephoto offers 3x optical zoom which is useful but image quality drops off quickly
Video recording at 4K is available but stabilization isn't as smooth as flagship competitors

Samsung Galaxy S26+

The camera system is the S26+'s weakest link: the same 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto setup Samsung has used since the Galaxy S23. Software processing improvements from One UI 8.5 may help, but the hardware is unchanged.

The same 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto that Samsung has used since the Galaxy S23 — three years without a hardware upgrade
One UI 8.5 brings AI photo processing improvements and AI ISP for the selfie camera, which may improve results despite the same hardware