Google Pixel 10a vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Battle for the affordable flagship crown
Which one of these two will win the affordable flagship crown? Let's find out!
The Pixel 10a will be launching in February, probably in order to compete with the iPhone 17e, which will be unveiled around the same time. Meanwhile, Samsung has its own version of the affordable flagship—the Galaxy S25 FE.
The Fan Edition launched last year, and it's still the latest FE phone from the Korean company. Pricewise, the Pixel 10a is expected to retain the same $499 price tag, which is good news! The Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, retails for $649, which is $150 more.
For that amount of extra cash, you're getting an additional telephoto camera, a larger screen, and faster charging, compared to the Pixel. The latter is expected to be a minor upgrade from the last generation, featuring a Tensor G5, a dual camera on its back, and the same 6.3-inch OLED.
Pixel 10a vs Galaxy S25 FE expected differences:
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| More compact device, but a tad heavier | Lighter, thinner but larger phone |
| 6.3-inch display, punch hole camera, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.7-inch screen, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Google Tensor G5 processor, slower in raw performance | Exynos 2400 processor (4nm) |
| Dual camera system - 48 MP main + 13 MP ultrawide | Triple camera - 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP telephoto |
| 5,100 mAh battery, slower charging | 4,900 mAh battery, faster charging |
| 8GB/128GB base configuration | Same base configuration, there's a 512GB model available |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
More of the same
The Google Pixel 10a design is still under wraps, but some images leaked a few weeks ago (courtesy of by Android Headlines). The renders look almost identical to the Pixel 9a, with just additional colors expected in terms of design differences.
The Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, is a known entity and follows the same design language as its predecessor. It's a slim and sleek phone with three separate camera cutouts on its back, small bezels around the screen, and a flagship feel.
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8.9 mm | Thickness 7.4 mm |
| Dimensions 154.7 x 73.3 mm | Dimensions 161.3 x 76.6 mm |
| Weight Around 186 grams | Weight 190 grams |
We don't know much about the actual size and weight of the Pixel 10a, but according to all the leak info, pointing toward a very similar device to its predecessor, we expect these specs to remain similar to the Pixel 9a.
The Galaxy S25 FE weighs 190 grams, but it's a very thin 7.4 mm phone. It features a larger display and given the footprint, Samsung did a really good job at keeping the weight under 200 grams.
Even more impressive when we factor in the glass back and aluminum frame of the S25 FE. The Pixel 10a is expected to feature a plastic back and still weigh more, despite the smaller screen.
The Pixel 10a is expected to arrive featuring new colors, following Google's latest Nest cam and thermostat, these are Berry (bright red), and Fog (light gray color with a greenish tint) in addition to the usual Obsidian and Porcelain. The Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, is available in Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White.
Display Differences
The main difference here can be found in sheer size. The Galaxy S25 FE comes equipped with a big 6.7-inch panel, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, good brightness and vivid colors. The Pixel 10a will most likely carry over the same panel from its predecessor - a 6.3 inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.7" |
| Brightness 2000 nits (peak) | Brightness 1,900 nits (peak) |
| Refresh rate 120Hz | Refresh rate 120Hz |
*based on rumors
We already measured the Galaxy S25 FE screen, and it managed quite well in our test with 1700 nits of brightness at 20% APL, 2 nits of minimum brightness, and decent color accuracy. We expect the Pixel 10a to be able to output more nits judging from the last Pixel 9a generation and the Pixel 10 series as well. We need to do some tests, so stay tuned for those once the Pixel 10a arrives in our lab.
In terms of biometrics, both phones rely mainly on under-display fingerprint scanners, both are optical and doing what they're intended to do. There's facial recognition as well, but it relies on the selfie camera, no fancy radar tech or ToF magic.
Performance and Software
Tensor versus Exynos
This battle already happened, featuring slightly different heroes. The Tensor G5, which we expect inside the Pixel 10a, was already pitted against the Exynos 2400, and the results are pretty close. The Tensor G5 scored around 2300/5600 points in the Geekbench single- and multi-core tests, respectively, while the Galaxy S25 FE managed around 2200/7100 in the same tests.
Now, the Pixel 10a might be underpowered, or there are even some rumors pointing toward a Tensor G4 chipset, but either way, we're in for a tight battle. We'll share the real numbers between the Pixel 10a and the Galaxy S25 FE once we lay our hands on the new affordable Pixel.
Now, the Pixel 10a might be underpowered, or there are even some rumors pointing toward a Tensor G4 chipset, but either way, we're in for a tight battle. We'll share the real numbers between the Pixel 10a and the Galaxy S25 FE once we lay our hands on the new affordable Pixel.
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| Chip Google Tensor G5 | Chip Exynos 2400 |
| Process 3nm | Process 4nm |
| RAM, Storage 8/128GB 8/256GB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 3.1 storage | RAM, Storage 8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 4.0 storage |
The RAM and storage situation is expected to be identical - both models will start at 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard memory - a rather modest configuration for the year 2026. The Galaxy S25 FE is available in some regions with more onboard memory—512GB. The software support is also identical—seven years—but the Pixel 10a will have an advantage, being a newer device.
Camera
3 versus 2
The Galaxy S25 FE features a triple camera system—which is rare for affordable flagships and other phones in this price range. Granted, it's not a camera phone, not by any stretch of the imagination, but having a dedicated telephoto camera helps a lot and gives the phone some flexibility.
The Pixel 10a is expected to feature the same 48MP main camera as its predecessor, coupled with the same 13MP ultrawide. No telephoto on board.
The Pixel 10a is expected to feature the same 48MP main camera as its predecessor, coupled with the same 13MP ultrawide. No telephoto on board.
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.7 25mm (wide) 1/2.0" sensor size | Main 50 MP, f/1.8 24mm (wide) 1/1.57" sensor size |
| Ultrawide 13 MP, f/2.2 120˚ (ultrawide) 1/3.1" sensor size | Ultrawide 12 MP, f/2.2 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide) 1/3.0" sensor size |
| Telephoto - | Telephoto 8 MP, f/2.4, 75mm (telephoto), 3x optical zoom 1/4.4" sensor size |
We need to measure the camera on the Pixel 10a in our lab, whether it is identical to the last gen or not, but if we look at the Pixel 9a results, we find it scored 134 points in our test. The Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, managed a respectable 143 (out of 158), so we expect this gap to remain rather big.
Stay tuned for side-by-side samples soon.
Stay tuned for side-by-side samples soon.
Battery Life and Charging
No silicon-carbon
Samsung and Google have some homework to do, as the battery revolution is happening around them while they wait. Modern Chinese phones now ship with huge 7,500-8,000 mAh batteries, even midrange and affordable models, and 5,000 mAh on a flagship doesn't cut it anymore.
The Galaxy S25 FE ships with a 4,900 mAh cell inside, and it ranked #79 for phones tested in the past 2 years with a composite score of 6h 59m. Quite a mediocre result. The Pixel 10a is expected with a slightly larger 5,100 mAh battery, the same as the one found on the Pixel 9a, but don't expect miracles, the Tensor G5 is not very efficient. For reference, the Pixel 10 ranked #63 in the same test with a score of 7h 16m.
We'll test the Pixel 10a when it arrives, but it should be quite close to the Galaxy S25 FE as far as battery life is concerned. Which is not the case when it comes to charging.
The Galaxy S25 FE ships with a 4,900 mAh cell inside, and it ranked #79 for phones tested in the past 2 years with a composite score of 6h 59m. Quite a mediocre result. The Pixel 10a is expected with a slightly larger 5,100 mAh battery, the same as the one found on the Pixel 9a, but don't expect miracles, the Tensor G5 is not very efficient. For reference, the Pixel 10 ranked #63 in the same test with a score of 7h 16m.
| Pixel 10a* | Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|
| Battery size 5,100 mAh | Battery size 4,900 mAh |
Charging speeds 23W wired 7.5W wireless charging USB-C 3.0 | Charging speeds 45W wired 15W wireless USB-C 3.0 |
The Galaxy S25 FE supports 45W of wired charging, and it's able to fill its battery in roughly one hour. The wireless charging support caps at 15W, which is still twice as fast as what the Pixel 10a has in store. Speaking of which, the Pixel is expected to retain the rather slow 23W wired charging, and the same goes for the 7.5W wireless.
Specs Comparison
|
|
| Google Pixel 10a | Samsung Galaxy S25 FE |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm (~8.9 mm with camera bump) | |
| Weight | |
| 190.0 g | |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.3-inch | 6.7-inch |
| Type | |
| P-OLED, 120Hz | Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Exynos 2400 S5E9945 (4 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 8GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB (UFS 3.1) 8GB/256GB | 8GB/128GB 8GB/256GB |
| OS | |
| Android (16), up to 7 OS updates | Android (16), up to 7 OS updates |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5100 mAh | 4900 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 23.0W Wireless: 7.5W |
Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 15.0W |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 48 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/2" Pixel size: 0.8 μm |
50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.8 Focal length: 24 mm Pixel size: 1.0 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 13 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 Sensor size: 1/3.1" Pixel size: 1.12 μm |
12 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 |
| Third camera | |
| 8 MP (Telephoto) Optical zoom: 3.0x Aperture size: F2.4 |
|
| Front | |
| 13 MP | 12 MP |
See the full
Google Pixel 10a vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Summary
There are a few key areas that can sway people when they're considering which one of these two phones to buy. First and most obvious is the screen size—if you want a big-screen phone, the Galaxy S25 FE is the better option.
Second, the camera system is more versatile on the S25 FE with the extra telephoto snapper, and the overall quality is rather impressive. When it comes to hardware and software, both phones are pretty close together, and the same goes for the battery life.
So, if you want one extra camera, a larger screen, and faster charging, you'll need to pay $150 more—the Galaxy S25 FE starts at $649, while the Pixel 10a is expected to launch at $499. We'll update this comparison with tests and a final verdict once the Pixel 10a arrives in our lab.
Second, the camera system is more versatile on the S25 FE with the extra telephoto snapper, and the overall quality is rather impressive. When it comes to hardware and software, both phones are pretty close together, and the same goes for the battery life.
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