By Tech Gear Hub • Last updated: November 15, 2026
Tech Gear Hub may earn a commission from links on this page. Prices change often — the prices below were checked on November 15, 2026.
Quick Verdict: For most people, the Galaxy S25 FE is the better buy in 2026. It is lighter, thinner, charges twice as fast, has a better selfie camera and a bigger battery — and it now costs less than the S24 FE new on Amazon. The S24 FE only makes sense if you find it clearly cheaper, which right now it is not.
Tech Gear Hub compared the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE with the Galaxy S24 FE to find which Fan Edition is worth your money in 2026. The two phones look almost identical on a spec sheet — same 6.7-inch display, same rear cameras, same $649.99 launch price — but the details underneath tell a different story. The Galaxy S25 FE packs a 4,900mAh battery with 45W wired charging, versus 4,700mAh and 25W on the S24 FE. And the S25 FE is 23g lighter and 0.6mm thinner than the S24 FE at 190g and 7.4mm.
Table of contents: Specs at a glance · What is the same · What is actually different · Performance · Cameras · Battery and charging · Price and value · Our assessment · Common mistakes · FAQ
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE vs S24 FE specs at a glance
| Specification | Galaxy S25 FE | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits peak | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits peak |
| Chip | Exynos 2400 (4nm) | Exynos 2400e (4nm, prime core slightly down-clocked) |
| RAM / Storage | 8GB; 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 8GB; 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Rear cameras | 50MP wide (OIS) + 8MP telephoto 3x (OIS) + 12MP ultrawide | 50MP wide (OIS) + 8MP telephoto 3x (OIS) + 12MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 12MP | 10MP |
| Battery | 4,900mAh | 4,700mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired (65% in 30 min), 15W wireless | 25W wired (50% in 30 min), 15W wireless |
| Weight | 190 g | 213 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mm | 8.0 mm |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| OS at launch | Android 16, One UI 8 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Software updates | 7 major OS updates promised | 7 major OS updates promised |
| Launch price (US) | $649.99 (128GB) | $649.99 (128GB) |
| Released | September 4, 2025 | October 3, 2024 |
What is the same
More than you would expect. Both phones share the same 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh, HDR10+ and a 1,900-nit peak brightness, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. The rear camera hardware is identical — a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide. Both are IP68 rated, both have 8GB of RAM, both support Samsung DeX, and both were promised seven major OS updates. If you only look at the headline specs, these are the same phone.
That is why this comparison is worth doing properly: the differences are in the details, and they add up to a meaningfully better daily experience on the newer model.
What is actually different
Chip: The S25 FE runs the full Exynos 2400, while the S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400e — the same 10-core design with its prime core slightly down-clocked. In everyday use the difference is small, but the full chip holds peak performance a little longer under sustained load.
Front camera: The S25 FE upgrades the selfie camera from 10MP to 12MP. It is a modest bump on paper, but it is the one camera difference in the whole comparison — rear cameras are identical.
Battery and charging: The S25 FE's 4,900mAh battery is 200mAh bigger, and its 45W wired charging is nearly twice as fast as the S24 FE's 25W — 65% in 30 minutes versus 50%. Both charge wirelessly at 15W.
Design: The S25 FE is 23g lighter (190g vs 213g) and 0.6mm thinner (7.4mm vs 8.0mm), with an Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame. Pick both up and the newer phone feels noticeably more refined in the hand.
Software: The S25 FE launched on Android 16 with One UI 8; the S24 FE launched on Android 14 with One UI 6.1. Both are promised seven major OS updates, so the S24 FE is not abandoned — but the S25 FE starts a year ahead.
Performance: closer than the names suggest
GSMArena's lab testing puts the two phones almost level. In AnTuTu v10 the S24 FE actually scored slightly higher (1,548,896 vs 1,521,140 for the S25 FE), while in Geekbench 6 the S25 FE pulled ahead (6,948 vs 6,299). GSMArena's own verdict is blunt: the S25 FE does not fully convince as a premium upgrade, because the S24 FE delivers "largely the same user experience." That is honest — and it is also why the price section below matters so much. Performance is not the reason to pick the S25 FE; the battery, charging, weight and price are.
Cameras: identical at the back, better at the front
There is nothing to choose between the rear cameras — same sensors, same lenses, same 3x optical zoom, same 8K video. If you shoot mostly with the rear camera, the S24 FE takes the same photos as the S25 FE. The front camera is the only photographic upgrade: 12MP on the S25 FE against 10MP on the S24 FE, with slightly better detail in selfies and video calls. It is not a reason to upgrade on its own, but it is a real difference in the newer phone's favor.
Battery and charging: the S25 FE's clearest win
The S25 FE's 4,900mAh battery is bigger, and GSMArena's active-use test gave it 11 hours 57 minutes against 11 hours 48 minutes for the S24 FE — a small but real advantage. The bigger win is charging speed: 45W wired charging fills 65% of the battery in 30 minutes, against 50% for the S24 FE's 25W. If you charge in short bursts between meetings, that difference is something you feel every day. One caution for either phone: read our One UI 9 battery drain report for the Galaxy S24 and S25 before updating, so you know what to expect from the latest software.
Price and value: the twist that decides it
Both phones launched at $649.99 for 128GB. A year later, the street prices have flipped in a way nobody would have predicted: the newer phone is now the cheaper one. The Galaxy S25 FE (128GB, JetBlack, new) is selling for around $420 on Amazon, based on price snapshots from November 10–14, 2026 — check the current price of the Galaxy S25 FE on Amazon. The Galaxy S24 FE (128GB, Blue, new) was $467.86 on Amazon on November 15, 2026, with other sellers listing it higher — check the current price of the Galaxy S24 FE on Amazon.
That is the whole comparison in one number: the S24 FE now costs about $48 more than the S25 FE new, while being heavier, slower to charge, and a year older. The only way the S24 FE wins is if you find it at a genuinely lower price — a refurbished unit, a carrier deal, or a clearance sale below $400. At list-adjacent prices, there is no case for the older phone.
For context on where the FE line sits in Samsung's range, our Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24 flagship comparison covers the full-price models, and our Galaxy A36 vs Pixel 9a comparison covers the cheaper end of Samsung's lineup.
Our specification-based assessment
The scores below are our specification-based assessment, based on the manufacturers' published specifications and GSMArena's independent lab measurements cited in this article — not hands-on testing. Our full methodology is on our How We Test & Review page.
| Criterion | Galaxy S25 FE | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Performance | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Camera | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Battery | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Design | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Value | 9.0 | 7.5 |
| Overall | 8.7 / 10 | 8.1 / 10 |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying more for the older phone. Check both prices before you buy — the S24 FE currently costs more than the S25 FE new on Amazon. Never assume the older model is the cheaper one.
- Buying a bundle by accident. Several Amazon listings pair the S25 FE with Buds 3 FE earbuds at a higher price. Make sure the listing you buy is the phone alone, unless you actually want the bundle.
- Confusing Renewed with new. Renewed S25 FE and S24 FE listings exist at lower prices, but they are refurbished, not new. Compare new against new.
- Expecting an LTPO display. Some comparison sites call the S25 FE's screen "LTPO" — Samsung and GSMArena both list it as Dynamic AMOLED 2X without LTPO. The refresh rate still goes up to 120Hz, but it is not an adaptive LTPO panel.
- Upgrading from the S24 FE for the camera. The rear cameras are identical. If your S24 FE still works well, the upgrade case rests on battery, charging and weight — not photos.
Who should buy which
Buy the Galaxy S25 FE if you are buying a Fan Edition now. It is lighter, thinner, charges faster, takes better selfies, has a bigger battery — and it is currently the cheaper of the two new. For most buyers in 2026, it is the obvious pick.
Buy the Galaxy S24 FE only if you find it clearly cheaper — a refurbished unit, a carrier deal, or a clearance price well under $400. At similar prices it loses on every point that matters. And if you already own an S24 FE, keep it: GSMArena is right that the day-to-day experience is largely the same, and the upgrade is not worth $420.
If you are torn between the FE line and Samsung's full flagships, our Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24 comparison covers the price jump to the flagship models.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Galaxy S25 FE worth it over the S24 FE?
Yes, if you are buying now. The S25 FE is lighter, thinner, charges at 45W instead of 25W, has a better front camera and a bigger battery — and it currently sells for less than the S24 FE new. GSMArena's verdict is fair that the experience is largely the same, but at a lower price the newer phone is the better buy.
Is the S25 FE better than the S24 FE?
Yes, in the areas that matter daily: battery (4,900mAh vs 4,700mAh), charging (45W vs 25W), weight (190g vs 213g) and front camera (12MP vs 10MP). The display and rear cameras are identical, and lab performance is nearly tied.
Should I upgrade from the S24 FE to the S25 FE?
Probably not. The rear cameras, display and everyday performance are the same, so the upgrade buys you faster charging, a lighter body and a better selfie camera — not a new experience. Keep the S24 FE until the next generation.
How much does the Galaxy S25 FE cost in 2026?
The launch price was $649.99 for 128GB. On Amazon it is selling for around $420 new, based on price snapshots from November 10–14, 2026 — check the current price before buying, as holiday pricing moves fast.
Do both phones get the same software updates?
Both were promised seven major OS updates. The S25 FE launched on Android 16 with One UI 8, a year ahead of the S24 FE's Android 14 launch software, so the newer phone's update window runs a year longer.
Sources & references
- GSMArena — Galaxy S25 FE vs Galaxy S24 FE comparison and lab tests (AnTuTu, Geekbench, battery, display measurements): gsmarena.com
- Samsung US Newsroom — Galaxy S25 FE launch, September 4, 2025: news.samsung.com
- Samsung US Newsroom — Galaxy S24 FE launch, September 26, 2024
- pricehistory.app — Amazon US price snapshots, November 10–15, 2026 (S25 FE around $420; S24 FE Blue $467.86 on November 15, 2026)
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