The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE just took a hard hit in the camera department. Despite its fresh release, it’s been outclassed by older, cheaper phones including the Google Pixel 6a.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE camera setup disappoints
Positioned as a lower-cost sibling to the Galaxy S25+, the S25 FE comes with a trimmed-down camera system to hit that budget mark. But the cuts are showing. DxOMark gave it a modest 118, ranking it 123rd globally. That’s behind the iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6a both of which launched years ago.
Here’s what you’re getting on paper:
- 50 MP f/1.8 main sensor (1/1.57-inch)
- 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide (1/3-inch)
- 8 MP f/2.2 telephoto (1/4.4-inch, 3x zoom)
These specs might sound decent at first glance, but the test results tell a different story.
Xiaomi reveals Leica 200 MP telephoto camera for 17 Ultra with detailed samples and comparison shots against rivals.
DxOMark finds flaws across the board
The Galaxy S25 FE holds up in some areas. Photos often showed accurate color and solid exposure. But that’s where the praise ends. Video capture took a hit, especially in HDR mode, which came out underexposed with a strange pink hue. The tiny image sensors were a key weakness, introducing visible noise even in broad daylight.
In portrait mode, things got worse. Bokeh effects stripped away detail across the entire image, and artifacts popped up when snapping moving subjects. Combined, these flaws knocked the phone down the rankings hard.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE trails older rivals
It’s one thing to fall short of the flagships. But when your new release gets beaten by mid-range phones from two or three years ago, that’s a red flag. The Pixel 6a scored higher. So did the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Even the iPhone 13 edged it out.
If you’re looking for a reliable camera phone around this price, DxOMark suggests skipping the Galaxy S25 FE. Instead, consider one of these:
- Xiaomi 15
- Google Pixel 10
- Xiaomi 14T
These phones offer stronger performance without the compromises seen here.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE can’t hide behind the name
Samsung’s brand might sell phones, but the camera numbers don’t lie. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE just doesn’t hold up, especially not for users who value photography or videography. In this mid-range battle, it’s already falling behind and not by a little.
