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Sample Testing: S25 FE vs. A56: The Upper Mid-Range Melee

(Topic created on: 12-10-2025 08:24 AM)
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GusB
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If you're deciding where to drop your cash, ive compared 2 Sammy devices youmay be cross-shopping,A56 (previous sample test) and the newly releasedS25 FE. It's Power vs. Price.

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A34, A35, A56

Price & Value (accurate at time of posting on S.com)

A56 (256GB): The mid-range champ, is currently around £425, great value for money,OR better still theA36 for slightly less spec for that sweet lower mid price of £324.

S25 FE (128GB): The premium entry. Starts at £649. You pay a £200+ premium for flagship DNA and a string of multiple little improvements dotted about here and there that youmay benefit from.

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S25 FE 

Performance & Specs

This is where the money goes. The S25 FE is running a seriously beefier engine.

Processor

-A56: Uses theExynos 1580. Fast and smooth for daily use and lighter games, many people I'm sure would be totally satisfied.

-S25 FE: Packs the Exynos 2400. This is the 2024flagship chip, offering a massive leap in power for heavy multitasking and mobile gaming. It's 50% more power in single core and almostdouble in multi core (geekbench 6)PLUS dont forget image processing, video capture etc etc... it's just a better chip.

Display

Both are 6.7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED, but the S25 FE gets the brighter Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. Sammy are FAMOUS for their mobile screens, I mean even Apple use them, and these are no exception.

Durability

The S25 FE features the superior IP68 rating(better water/dust protection), while the A56 has a very good IP67 rating. Depends how often your planning on dropping your phone down the toilet I guess.

Charging

Both support fast wired charging (up to 45W), but the S25 FE adds the convenience ofWireless Charging.

Battery

The A56's larger 5,000mAh battery, combined with its less powerful chip, would likely win on real-world endurance but I'm not able to do a true side by side as I gave the A56 back before reviewing the S25FE... 

Camera Showdown

More to come on this topic with sample shots; both phones take great main photos, but they swap one key lens for another.

-A56: Triple camera system with a 50MP Main, 12MP Ultrawide, and a 5MP Macro(mostly a fun-but-niche lens).

-S25 FE: Triple camera system with a 50MP Main, 12MP Ultrawide, and a crucial 8MP 3xOptical Telephoto lens. This gives the FE a massive advantage for high-quality portraits and zooming into action without losing detail.

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A56

Final Words

- Get theA56: If you only need great performance for everyday apps and light gaming. It’s built well, great specs at this upper-mid range, and good cameras for those family and holiday snaps.

- Get theS25 FE: If you're more of a power user, you need the better camera flexibility (that 3x zoom!), or you absolutely require wireless charging. It’s the affordable path to a flagship feel. 

** Disclaimer ** I'm not areal reviewer, I find it quite hard to compare some of these devices are they are SO SIMILAR. I currently use the S25 Ultra which makes it harder as there's no comparison🤣

I guess ultimately, the more you spend, the more you do get, but will you benefit from those increased specs? Stick to your budget and buy what's RIGHT for you.

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**Photography IG: @slappa_da_tubs | Travel Vlogs YT: GusBan Travels **
21 REPLIES 21
GusB
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Side by side for the design difference 7W5QxnF76O.jpg1760255172573.jpg
**Photography IG: @slappa_da_tubs | Travel Vlogs YT: GusBan Travels **
Ferenc75
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1st personally
GusB
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I was thinking that it the S26 series changes the camera line similar to Fold7... Then the S25 FE will date faster and the A56 will look more up-to-date right?!
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Ferenc75
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@GusB thank you for your professional review as always.
Very well detailed 👌 👏
GusB
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It's a nice phone, materials feel good, it would have been good to have it side by side with the A56
**Photography IG: @slappa_da_tubs | Travel Vlogs YT: GusBan Travels **
GusB
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Thank you sir 😊
**Photography IG: @slappa_da_tubs | Travel Vlogs YT: GusBan Travels **
Ferenc75
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100%
GoanGeek
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Good comparison 👏👏👏.

Just yesterday was checking between the difference the S25 FE and the S25 and it seems it mostly boils down to the processor exynos vs snapdragon.

So I guess they mostly boil down to the chip power and a bit of camera updates.
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Tourbillon De La Vie
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I liked A56 when I trialed it. Excellent phone, as described