Samsung Galaxy S25 FE SM-S731W Jet Black 128GB

The S25 FE is incredibly fast, landing in the top 15% of our performance charts thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The 120Hz AMOLED screen looks great, but the camera and battery are just okay. At $1257, it's hard to recommend over more complete flagships unless raw speed is your only priority.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 puts the S25 FE in the top 15% of all phones we've tested for raw performance, which means instant app launches and smooth multitasking with its 8GB of RAM. The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel runs at 120Hz, so scrolling is buttery and games look great. That said, our gaming score of 61.9/100 hints that this phone isn't tuned for marathon gaming sessions; it can get warm under sustained load. For everyday use and most games, though, it's a pocket rocket that won't leave you waiting.

Stacked against the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the S25 FE's camera is worlds behind, but its raw CPU performance trades blows thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The OnePlus 15 offers similar speed at often a lower price, making it a better value. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro smokes the S25 FE in gaming with superior cooling and a higher-refresh screen. Even the Motorola G Stylus at a fraction of the price delivers comparable battery life. The S25 FE's connectivity (87%) is a bright spot, outshining many of these rivals, but overall, it's a one-trick pony in a very competitive field.

At $1257, the Galaxy S25 FE asks flagship money but delivers only mid-range camera and build. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gives you blazing speed that rivals phones costing hundreds more, so if performance is your only metric, the price is okay. Newegg's fast shipping and top-rated service add a little extra value, but overall, you're paying a premium for a chip in a humdrum body. Wait for a sale and it becomes a much smarter buy.

The Galaxy S25 FE impresses where it counts most: raw speed. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 under the hood, it outperforms 85% of the phones in our database, making it one of the fastest options for the money. The 6.7" AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh beats 81% of competitors for smoothness and color accuracy. But the camera is a letdown, landing only in the middle of the pack (59%) for photo quality. Battery life and build are similarly average. Connectivity is a strong suit, outranking 87% of phones with blazing 5G and Wi-Fi 6. The 8GB of RAM handles everything you throw at it, but storage is stuck at 128GB with no expansion. If you prioritize performance over camera and premium build, the S25 FE is compelling, but that price tag stings when you consider the compromises.

If camera quality, battery life, or rugged build are important to you, the S25 FE will frustrate. Ruggedness scores a dismal 32.3/100, so it's not for outdoor adventurers or clumsy users. Shutterbugs will find the 59% camera ranking underwhelming, and power users will recoil at the fixed 128GB storage. At this price, the iPhone 17 or Pixel 10 Pro XL offer a more complete package.

The Galaxy S25 FE is a speed demon in an unassuming shell. Our benchmarks show it outperforms 85% of phones, so if you want a device that never chugs, this is it. But the camera, battery, and build are all firmly average, and at $1257, that's a compromise too far. Unless you find it on sale or place performance above all else, the Pixel 10 Pro XL or OnePlus 15 offer a more well-rounded experience for similar money.