Samsung Galaxy S25 FE vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The Exynos 2400 is the S25 FE's most divisive aspect. While it handles everyday tasks fine, it noticeably lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the regular S25 lineup, particularly in gaming and sustained workloads.

• Everyday performance is smooth enough for most users — social media, messaging, and web browsing are fine
• Exynos 2400 struggles to keep up with Snapdragon 8 Elite in demanding tasks and gaming
• Galaxy AI features work well, bringing the same AI capabilities as the more expensive S25 models
• One UI 7 runs adequately but occasional stutters hint at the processor's limitations

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12GB RAM, the Z Fold 7 handles multitasking across its large inner display with ease. Samsung's foldable-optimized One UI 7 continues to improve the multi-window experience.

• Snapdragon 8 Elite handles everything thrown at it — true desktop-class multitasking on the inner screen
• Multi-window mode on the 8-inch display is the best argument for foldable phones as productivity tools
• Galaxy AI features are particularly compelling on the larger display — more room for AI summaries and translations
• App optimization for the foldable format continues to improve, with most major apps now supporting the aspect ratio

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 Z Fold 7

For the first time, a Galaxy Fold features a truly flagship camera system. The 200MP main sensor, borrowed from the S25 Ultra, finally puts the Z Fold 7 on par with traditional slab flagships in photography.

• 200MP main sensor is a massive upgrade — the Z Fold finally has a camera system worthy of its price
• 3x telephoto is a welcome addition that handles portrait and distant shots well
• Using the cover display as a viewfinder for rear camera selfies produces exceptional results
• Still not quite at the S25 Ultra's level — the 5x periscope zoom is absent, limiting long-range shots

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The 4,500mAh battery provides solid all-day endurance. The less power-hungry Exynos 2400 chip actually helps battery life compared to the more powerful Snapdragon alternative.

• Battery comfortably lasts through a full day of moderate use — a strong point for the FE
• The Exynos 2400's lower power draw actually benefits battery life compared to Snapdragon devices
• 25W wired charging is adequate but increasingly dated compared to competitors
• 15W wireless charging is included, which is a nice-to-have at this price

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Battery life remains the Z Fold 7's most persistent weakness. The 4,400mAh cell has to power two large displays, and while the Snapdragon 8 Elite's efficiency helps, heavy use of the inner display still drains the battery quickly.

• Using primarily the cover display, the Fold 7 can last a full day — but heavy inner screen use cuts that short
• 4,400mAh is an improvement over the Fold 6, but still feels insufficient for a $2,000 device
• 25W charging hasn't improved and feels outdated when competitors offer 65W or faster
• Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are included, as expected at this price point

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

At $649, the S25 FE faces intense competition from both Samsung's own discounted flagships and rivals like the Pixel 9a and iPhone SE 4. The value proposition depends heavily on how much weight you give to Samsung's ecosystem and update commitment.

• At $649, it undercuts the S25 by $150 but the compromises may not be worth the savings
• Samsung's 6-year update commitment and Galaxy AI features add genuine value at this price
• The Pixel 9a offers a significantly better camera at a lower price, making it a tough competitor
• Wait for a sale on the regular S25 — the price gap often closes to $50-100, making the FE hard to justify

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

At $2,000, the Z Fold 7 is one of the most expensive phones on the market. But with its dramatically improved design and camera, it finally delivers a foldable experience that justifies the premium for enthusiasts and productivity users.

• This is foldable nirvana — the best book-style foldable ever made, and it's not close
• $2,000 is still a lot of money, but Samsung trade-in deals make it more accessible
• The OnePlus Open 2 and Google Pixel Fold 2 offer compelling alternatives at lower prices
• For the first time, you don't have to compromise on camera or design to go foldable with Samsung