Samsung’s smartphone lineup offers something for everyone, but choosing between the upcoming Galaxy S25 FE and the current Galaxy A36 5G can be tricky. Both phones target different segments of the market, yet they share some surprising similarities that might leave you wondering which one deserves your hard-earned money.
The Galaxy A36 5G currently sits at $399, positioning itself as Samsung’s premier mid-range option in the United States. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 FE is expected to launch later this year with a price tag under $700, aiming to bridge the gap between Samsung’s flagship and budget offerings.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Meets Practical
Galaxy S25 FE: Flagship Materials in a Fan Edition Package
Samsung’s Fan Edition devices have always been about bringing flagship design language to a more accessible price point. The Galaxy S25 FE continues this tradition with premium materials that immediately communicate quality. You’ll find Gorilla Glass Victus+ protecting both the front and back of the device, while an aluminum frame provides structural integrity without feeling cheap.
The S25 FE measures 161.4 x 76.6 x 7.4mm and weighs approximately 190 grams, making it notably thinner and lighter than its budget counterpart. This attention to dimensions isn’t just about aesthetics – it translates to better comfort during extended use and a more premium feel in your pocket.
Galaxy A36 5G: Function Over Form
The Galaxy A36 takes a different approach, prioritizing durability and cost-effectiveness over premium materials. Its plastic frame might not win any luxury awards, but it’s practical and resistant to everyday wear and tear. The distinctive “Key Island” camera bump gives the A36 a unique visual identity within Samsung’s lineup, though it does make the phone feel somewhat dated compared to current design trends.
At 161.7 x 78 x 8.1mm and 195 grams, the A36 is slightly larger and heavier than the S25 FE. While this difference might seem minimal on paper, it becomes noticeable during daily use, especially for users who prioritize one-handed operation.
Performance: Where the Real Differences Emerge
Processing Power That Actually Matters
The performance gap between these two devices represents one of the most significant differences in the comparison. The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to feature Samsung’s Exynos 2400 processor, the same chip found in some variants of the flagship Galaxy S24. This 4nm processor delivers genuine flagship-level performance, handling everything from intensive gaming to professional photo editing without breaking a sweat.
In contrast, the Galaxy A36 5G relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a 5nm chip that performs adequately for basic tasks but shows its limitations during demanding workloads. Real-world usage reveals noticeable differences in app loading times, multitasking capabilities, and overall system responsiveness.
Memory and Storage Configuration
The S25 FE comes equipped with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, providing ample headroom for modern Android’s memory requirements and future-proofing for years to come. Storage options include 256GB and 512GB variants with UFS 4.0 technology, ensuring fast file transfers and app installations.
The Galaxy A36 offers 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB or 256GB storage options using older UFS 2.2 technology. While 8GB remains sufficient for most users today, the slower storage standard and older RAM technology create noticeable performance differences in side-by-side comparisons.
Camera Systems: Professional vs Practical Photography
Galaxy S25 FE: A Photographer’s Companion
Camera capabilities represent another area where the S25 FE justifies its higher price point. The triple-camera system includes a 50MP main sensor with a larger 1/1.57″ size, providing better light gathering capabilities and improved image quality across various lighting conditions.
The 12MP ultrawide camera captures expansive scenes with minimal distortion, while the 8MP telephoto lens offers genuine 3x optical zoom – a feature that’s increasingly rare in mid-range smartphones. This configuration enables versatile photography options, from sweeping landscapes to detailed close-ups without digital quality loss.
Galaxy A36 5G: Basic but Functional
The A36’s camera system takes a more conservative approach with its 50MP main camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro lens. While the main camera produces decent results in good lighting, it struggles with challenging conditions and tends to over-process images, resulting in unnatural-looking photos.
The absence of a telephoto lens means you’ll rely on digital zoom for distant subjects, which inevitably compromises image quality. The macro lens, while present, offers limited practical value for most users, feeling more like a checkbox feature than a useful addition.
Display Technology: Bright Ideas and Visual Excellence
Both phones feature 6.7-inch AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. However, the similarities end there, as the underlying technology reveals important differences.
Brightness and Visibility
The Galaxy S25 FE is expected to achieve peak brightness levels of 2600 nits, significantly outperforming the A36’s 1900 nits maximum. This difference becomes crucial when using your phone outdoors in direct sunlight or viewing HDR content that demands high dynamic range capabilities.
Color accuracy and calibration also favor the S25 FE, which benefits from Samsung’s flagship display tuning. While the A36’s screen remains perfectly usable for daily tasks, side-by-side comparisons reveal the premium device’s superior color reproduction and overall visual quality.
Battery Life and Charging: Convenience vs Capacity
Power Management and Daily Use
The Galaxy A36 houses a slightly larger 5000mAh battery compared to the S25 FE’s expected 4900mAh capacity. In real-world usage, this 100mAh difference rarely translates to meaningful battery life improvements, as the S25 FE’s more efficient processor often compensates for the smaller battery.
Both devices support 45W fast charging, ensuring quick top-ups when needed. However, the S25 FE adds 15W wireless charging capability, providing the convenience that many users have come to expect from premium smartphones. This feature might seem minor, but wireless charging becomes increasingly valuable for desk workers and car commuters.
Software Experience: Android with Samsung’s Touch
One UI and Long-term Support
Both phones will run Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 7 interface, but their software experiences differ in meaningful ways. The Galaxy S25 FE receives Samsung’s complete Galaxy AI suite, including features like Live Translate, Generative Edit, and advanced photo enhancement tools.
The A36 includes a simplified AI package called “Awesome Intelligence,” which provides basic smart features without the advanced capabilities found on Samsung’s premium devices.
Update support also favors the S25 FE, with Samsung promising seven years of security updates and OS upgrades compared to six years for the A36. This difference might not seem significant initially, but it affects long-term value and device longevity.
Value Proposition: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
The Galaxy A36 5G makes sense for users who prioritize essential smartphone functions without requiring flagship performance. At $399, it delivers reliable daily performance, good battery life, and Samsung’s ecosystem integration at an accessible price point.
The Galaxy S25 FE targets users willing to invest more for significantly enhanced capabilities. Its expected sub-$700 pricing positions it as a compelling alternative to full-flagship devices while providing most premium features that matter to enthusiast users.
Consider the S25 FE if you frequently use your phone’s camera, value long-term software support, or need reliable performance for demanding applications. The A36 remains an excellent choice for users who primarily use their phone for communication, social media, and basic productivity tasks.
Final Thoughts: Choose Based on Your Priorities
The comparison between Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy A36 5G ultimately comes down to understanding your specific needs and budget constraints. While both phones serve their intended markets well, the performance and feature gaps are substantial enough that your choice should align closely with how you actually use your smartphone.
The extra investment in the S25 FE pays dividends in camera quality, processing power, and long-term usability, making it worthwhile for users who can stretch their budget. However, the A36 remains a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who need reliable smartphone functionality without premium frills.