The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Review: The "Flagship Killer" is Back?
The "Fan Edition" (FE) series has always been Samsung’s balancing act offering premium features without the premium price tag. After the Galaxy S25 series launched earlier this year, the anticipation for the budget-friendly sibling was high.
Now that the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE has officially hit the shelves (released September 2025), the question is simple: Did Samsung cut the right corners to make this the best value phone of late 2025?
I’ve dived deep into the specs, performance, and real-world usage. Here is the complete rundown.
1. Design and Display: Brighter and Slimmer
At first glance, the S25 FE looks undeniably like its premium siblings, the S25 and S25+. Samsung has finally trimmed down the bezels a major complaint with the S24 FE. The chin is thinner, giving it a much more modern, immersive look.
Build: It features an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back. It feels substantial in the hand but lighter than last year's model at 190g.
Display: You get a massive 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel.
Brightness: This is the biggest upgrade. With a peak brightness hitting 1,900 nits (and some tests showing peaks near 2,600 nits in HDR), outdoor visibility is flawless.
Refresh Rate: It finally adopts a true LTPO panel, allowing the refresh rate to scale from 1Hz to 120Hz to save battery a feature previously reserved for the top-tier flagship models.
Colors Available: Icy Blue, Jet Black, Navy, and White.
2. Performance: The Exynos 2400 Powerhouse
Under the hood, the S25 FE is powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset. While US users often prefer Snapdragon, the Exynos 2400 has proven itself in 2025 as a capable performer, efficiently handling gaming and multitasking without the overheating issues of the past.
RAM: It comes standard with 8GB of RAM. While 12GB would have been nice for future-proofing, the 8GB is sufficient for heavy multitasking thanks to One UI's optimization.
Storage: Options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. (Note: No microSD card slot, so choose your storage wisely).
Gaming: The GPU handles ray-tracing titles reasonably well, and the larger vapor chamber keeps the phone cool during extended Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Warzone sessions.
3. Cameras: A Familiar but Polished Trio
Samsung didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but they polished it. The camera island features the classic triple-lens vertical alignment.
Main Camera: 50MP (f/1.8) with OIS. It captures crisp, vibrant shots typical of Samsung’s color science. Nightography has been improved with better noise reduction.
Ultrawide: 12MP (f/2.2) with a 123˚ field of view. It’s great for landscapes, though edge distortion is still slightly visible.
Telephoto: 8MP (f/2.4) with 3x Optical Zoom. This is where the FE shines over competitors like the Pixel 'a' series or standard iPhones, which often lack a dedicated telephoto lens.
Selfie Camera: Upgraded to 12MP (from 10MP). Selfies are sharper, with better skin tone accuracy and 4K video support.
4. Battery Life & Charging: Finally, 45W!
One of the most welcome upgrades is the charging speed.
Battery: A 4,900 mAh cell (up from 4,700 mAh in the S24 FE). Combined with the efficient LTPO screen, this easily acts as a reliable "all-day" phone.
Wired Charging: It now supports 45W Super Fast Charging, capable of getting you to roughly 60-65% in just 30 minutes.
Wireless: Supports 15W Fast Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging (PowerShare) for your buds or watch.
5. Software and Galaxy AI
The S25 FE ships with Android 15 (upgradable to 16) and One UI 7/8. Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates, meaning this phone will stay relevant until 2032.
It is also fully loaded with Galaxy AI features:
Circle to Search: Instant Google searches from any screen.
Live Translate: Real-time voice translation during calls.
Photo Assist: Generative edit features to move or remove objects in photos.
Detailed Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz LTPO, FHD+ |
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2400 (4nm) |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (No microSD) |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Main (OIS) + 12MP Ultrawide + 8MP Telephoto (3x Zoom) |
| Front Camera | 12MP |
| Battery | 4,900 mAh |
| Charging | 45W Wired, 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus+ (Front/Back), Aluminum Frame, IP68 |
| OS Support | 7 Years of Android & Security Updates |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 190g |
Price & Verdict
Official Pricing (USD):
128GB: $649.99
256GB: $709.99
The Verdict:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is arguably the most rational purchase in the Samsung lineup right now. It sits $150+ cheaper than the standard Galaxy S25 Plus while offering the same screen size, essentially the same performance, and the same software longevity.
If you can live without the titanium build of the Ultra or the slightly sharper telephoto lens of the main S25 series, the S25 FE is a no-brainer recommendation for late 2025.
