Image: Techloy.com
Every year, we expect smartphones to become more expensive due to their richer features. You either have to spend more money for a feature-rich flagship phone or settle for a cheaper alternative with fewer features.
However, this year, Samsung and Apple have brought a refreshing twist: the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE and iPhone 16e, two budget flagships that promise premium experiences without causing too much of a dent in your finances.
On one side, Samsung is pushing hard with a big AMOLED display, versatile cameras, and speedy charging. On the other hand, Apple offers raw performance with its new A18 chip, satellite messaging, and the hyped iOS ecosystem. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let’s break down their features side by side.
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/1. Design & Build
The Galaxy S25 FE brings Samsung’s aluminum-and-glass design, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides and an Armor Aluminum frame. At 6.7 ounces, it’s lighter than last year’s FE and comes in fun colors like Icyblue, Navy, and Jetblack, and is IP68-rated.
The iPhone 16e sticks with Apple’s sharp-edged design and matte glass back, protected by Ceramic Shield up front. At 167g, it’s lighter in hand than the Galaxy S25 FE. It’s also IP68-rated, but scratches on the display seem easier to pick up.
Verdict: Samsung wins for durability.
/2. Display
Samsung gives you a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 1080p resolution, variable 60–120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,900 nits peak brightness. It looks gorgeous indoors, but outdoors, it struggles a bit against direct sunlight.
Apple’s iPhone 16e runs smaller at 6.1 inches with an OLED Super Retina XDR panel. Resolution is slightly higher (2532 x 1170), but it’s stuck at 60Hz. Brightness tops at 800 nits normally and 1,200 nits HDR, which is noticeably dimmer than Samsung’s.
Verdict: Samsung wins for better display and refresh rate.
/3. Performance
The Galaxy S25 FE runs on Samsung’s Exynos 2400 with 8GB RAM. It’s capable but not on par with the Snapdragon 8 Elite in pricier S25 models. It should be fine for multitasking and gaming, but for power use, you may hit limits.
Apple, on the other hand, packs the A18 chip with 8GB RAM in the iPhone 16e, the same CPU as the standard iPhone 16 (minus one GPU core). Combined with iOS 18 optimizations, performance is stellar, even handling 4K editing and AAA gaming. Plus, the new C1 modem enables efficient 5G and even satellite messaging.
Verdict: iPhone 16e clearly wins in performance.
/4. Cameras
Samsung gives you flexibility. It comes fully equipped with a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto (3x zoom). The FE’s weakness historically has been image processing, but having multiple lenses means more shooting versatility. Selfies step up to 12MP this year.
The iPhone 16e, on the other hand, has only one rear camera, a 48MP Fusion sensor that defaults to 24MP shots. The 2x zoom is just a crop, and there’s no ultrawide. Still, thanks to Apple’s Photonic Engine, photos and videos are consistently sharp, true-to-life, and excellent in low light. The 12MP front camera also impresses.
Verdict: Samsung has the overall edge, but Apple is consistent.
/5. Battery & Charging
Samsung equips the S25 FE with a 4,900 mAh cell, 45W wired fast charging (65% in 30 minutes), plus wireless and reverse wireless charging. That’s impressive for the price point and gives you more flexibility on the go.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e has a 4,005 mAh Li-ion battery. It supports fast charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging, but no MagSafe. Apple’s optimizations with the A18 chip still make it efficient, lasting comfortably through a full day, though charging speeds remain slower than Samsung’s.
Verdict: Samsung wins for faster charging and a bigger battery.
/6. Software & AI
Samsung ships the S25 FE with Android 16 and Galaxy AI features like Call Assist (live translations) and Writing Assist. You also get seven years of OS updates, a big deal at this price.
Apple runs iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence baked in. Features like Visual Intelligence, Clean Up, and Genmojis are both fun and functional, although Siri still lags behind its rivals. Customization has improved a lot, and Apple promises long-term updates too, although the support term is unclear.
Verdict: Both have excellent AI support, but Samsung wins for stable AI features.
/7. Price
The Galaxy S25 FE starts at $649 with 128GB storage, while the iPhone 16e is cheaper at $599 for the same capacity. Both scale up to 256GB, with Apple also offering 512GB. Samsung gives you more display and more cameras, Apple gives you stronger performance and smarter connectivity.
Verdict: Apple edges it for lower entry price, but Samsung gives more hardware for your money.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, both the Galaxy S25 FE and iPhone 16e are strong contenders in the budget-flagship space, just tailored for different kinds of users. Samsung’s offering is the better pick if you care about screen quality, battery life, and having multiple cameras to play with.
On the other hand, Apple’s iPhone 16e is built for those who value performance, future-proof connectivity, and the seamless Apple experience at a friendlier price. Neither is a wrong choice; it all boils down to whether you want Samsung’s hardware-heavy approach or Apple’s ecosystem.
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