Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Affordable flagship done the right way
The next Fan Edition Galaxy flagship is out! Here are our first impressions
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Smartphone prices have been on the rise in the past couple of years, and to combat this, Samsung created the Fan Edition lineup — an affordable take on the flagship experience, offering much of what makes a Galaxy S device great, but at a more accessible price. The first Galaxy S-series Fan Edition launched in 2020, and five years later, we now have the latest iteration: the Galaxy S25 FE.
With five years to refine the formula, Samsung has polished the S25 FE into a device that feels every bit like a member of the flagship S family. It takes on direct rivals such as the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e, while making sure not to step on the toes of the Galaxy A-series.
The Galaxy S25 FE starts at $649.99 for the 128GB version, putting it right between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e (both $599) and the Galaxy A56, which comes in cheaper but lacks the real flagship feel and feature set. After spending time with the S25 FE and putting it through our tests, here’s how it stacks up.
The Galaxy S25 FE starts at $649.99 for the 128GB version, putting it right between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e (both $599) and the Galaxy A56, which comes in cheaper but lacks the real flagship feel and feature set. After spending time with the S25 FE and putting it through our tests, here’s how it stacks up.
Table of Contents:
Galaxy S25 FE Specs
Deja vu
Let's start with an overview of the Galaxy S25 FE specs:
| Galaxy S25 FE | Galaxy S24 FE |
|---|---|
| Size and Weight 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm 190 grams | Size and Weight 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm 213 grams |
| Display 6.7-inch FHD+ 60/120Hz refresh rate AMOLED | Display 6.7-inch FHD+ 60/120Hz refresh rate AMOLED |
| Processor Exynos 2400 (4 nm) | Processor Exynos 2400e (4 nm) |
| Software Android 16 up to 7 major Android upgrades One UI 8 | Software Android 14 up to 7 major Android upgrades One UI 6.1 |
| Cameras 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera F2.2, FOV 123˚ 50 MP Wide Camera OIS F1.8, FOV 84˚ 8 MP Telephoto Camera 3x Optical Zoom, OIS F2.4, FOV 32˚ 12MP Front Camera F2.2, FOV 80˚ | Cameras 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera F2.2, FOV 123˚ 50 MP Wide Camera OIS F1.8, FOV 84˚ 8 MP Telephoto Camera 3x Optical Zoom, OIS F2.4, FOV 32˚ 10MP Front Camera F2.4, FOV 80˚ |
| Battery Size 4,900 mAh | Battery Size 4,700 mAh |
| Charging Speeds 45W, up to 65% in 30 min 25W wireless | Charging Speeds 25W, up to 50% in 30 min 15W wireless |
| Prices $649.00 for the 8/128GB model | Prices 649.99 for the 8/128GB model |
Galaxy S25 FE Design and Display
Definitive S-series
The Galaxy S25 FE follows closely in the footsteps of its predecessor and the S-series design language in general. The phone is almost indistinguishable from its predecessor, but there are some subtle differences. The bezel around the screen is slightly thinner, the camera rings are bigger, and the dimensions are a tad more compact.
In terms of materials, the Galaxy S25 FE relies on the same armored aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ as the previous model, and it feels quite premium in the hand, very similar to the Galaxy S25+, to be honest.
In terms of materials, the Galaxy S25 FE relies on the same armored aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ as the previous model, and it feels quite premium in the hand, very similar to the Galaxy S25+, to be honest.
The S25 FE comes in four colors: Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White, our favorite being the Icyblue option.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display looks and feels the same as the one used on the previous generation. It can go up to 120 Hz, but it's not an LTPO panel, so you can only choose between 60 Hz and 120 Hz display refresh rates.
In our lab tests, the panel reached a maximum brightness of 1761 nits (20% APL) and 1090 nits full-screen white, making it bright enough for outdoor use. These results are slightly higher than last year’s S24 FE but put the S25 FE behind the Pixel 9a, which still dominates the brightness race. Color accuracy is good, with a Delta E of 2.36 (RGB/CMY), though grayscale accuracy was only average at 6.12. Gamma was measured at 2.08, which is close to ideal, meaning contrast looks natural.
Galaxy S25 FE Camera
A new selfie camera
The Galaxy S25 FE earns a PhoneArena Camera Score of 143, putting it near the top of the mid-range class. The main 50 MP image sensor is the standout performer with detailed, well-exposed shots (79 points), while the upgraded 12 MP selfie camera also does well (27 points). The telephoto and ultra-wide are serviceable but clearly weaker, especially in low light. Video recording is a bit worse compared to photos at 139 overall, though the main camera holds up with good stabilization and color reproduction. Overall, the S25 FE offers a reliable, versatile camera setup, with great main and selfie shooters.
The Galaxy S25 FE carries over the main camera system from its predecessor. The wide camera uses a 50 MP sensor under a lens with an f/1.8 aperture and has OIS. There's a 12 MP ultrawide camera with a 123° field of view and an f/2.2 aperture. Finally, we have an 8 MP telephoto camera with 3X optical zoom.
The selfie camera has been upgraded, and this year we have a 12 MP (up from 10 MP on the previous model), f/2.2 snapper.
The selfie camera has been upgraded, and this year we have a 12 MP (up from 10 MP on the previous model), f/2.2 snapper.
Galaxy S25 FE Performance & Benchmarks
Exynos silicon with a new vapor chamber
There's Exynos silicon on board of the Galaxy S25 FE, namely the Exynos 2400 chipset, built using a 4 nm manufacturing process. It's a 10-core chip we're familiar with from the Galaxy S24 family (in specific markets), and it's also the blueprint for the Tensor G4.
It’s interesting to see how this silicon performs in practice, and in our testing it clearly outpaced Tensor G4.
CPU Performance Benchmarks:
The Galaxy S25 FE manages to outperform both its predecessor (which uses a low-power version of the same chipset—Exynos 2400e) and the Pixel 9a, as well as the Galaxy A56. The single-core score is very close to what the S24 FE achieved, but there's a substantial difference in the multi-core result.
It appears that both the Tensor G4 and the Exynos 1580 are no match for the 2400, so the S25 FE wins the CPU benchmark round.
It appears that both the Tensor G4 and the Exynos 1580 are no match for the 2400, so the S25 FE wins the CPU benchmark round.
GPU Performance
The graphics performance test paints an even clearer picture—the S25 FE performs better in the raw single-pass run, and it's very similar to its predecessor under sustained load. The phone again outperforms the Pixel 9a and the Galaxy S24 FE, as well as its cousin from the A-series, the Galaxy A56.
Of course, the Exynos 2400 is no match for the Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the non-FE S25 models, but that's to be expected. In real life, the S25 FE works smoothly and without any lag or stutter.
Galaxy S25 FE Software
The Galaxy S25 FE ships with Android 16 and Samsung’s One UI 8, and the software experience feels consistent with the rest of the S25 lineup.
Samsung leans heavily into AI this year. You get Now Bar (contextual updates and routines directly on the lock screen), Now Brief (daily summaries with traffic, calendar, and fitness), and Google’s Circle to Search. Samsung also bundles six months of Google AI Pro, which includes Gemini Live, Flow, and NotebookLM.
Long-term support is excellent: 7 years of OS and security updates. This means the S25 FE is guaranteed updates until 2032, making it one of the most future-proof devices in its class.
Galaxy S25 FE Battery
Good but not class-leading
When it comes to battery capacity, more is always better — and the Galaxy S25 FE adds a small but welcome bump over its predecessor. The Galaxy S25 FE adds 200 mAh on top of the capacity of last year's model to offer 4,900 mAh in total.
The main rivals of the S25 FE feature bigger batteries; the Pixel 9a comes equipped with a 5,100 mAh cell, while the upper-midrange Galaxy A56 has a 5,000 mAh cell on board, both of which lasted longer in our tests (see below).
PhoneArena Battery Test Results:
The Galaxy S25 FE shows a noticeable step up over its predecessor when it comes to battery life. In our testing, it lasted just under 7 hours, an improvement from the S24 FE’s 6h 20m. That said, it still falls short of the Pixel 9a’s excellent 8h 11m, and even the Galaxy A56 comes out slightly ahead with 7h 3m. Considering the S25 FE runs on the most powerful chip of the bunch, though, its endurance looks well balanced, especially if gaming is part of your daily use. The Pixel and A56 mainly outperformed it in our Browsing test, but overall the S25 FE offers a balanced battery life.
The S25 FE also benefits from faster charging this year. With Samsung's 45W wired charger (not included in the box), it reaches 64% in 30 minutes and a full charge in just 1h 1m. That’s significantly faster than the Pixel 9a’s 1h 42m and even quicker than the S24 FE’s 1h 21m. Wireless charging is supported at 15W, though it wasn’t as fast in our tests.
Galaxy S25 FE Audio Quality and Haptics
Audio is delivered via stereo speakers, and in our experience, the S25 FE gets loud without major distortion. The bottom-firing speaker carries more weight than the earpiece, but sound quality is good enough for YouTube, Netflix, and even casual music listening.
There’s no headphone jack, but Bluetooth audio is strong with LDAC and aptX support.
Haptics are crisp and tight, on par with Samsung's flagships, and provide satisfying feedback for typing and notifications.
Should you buy it?
That's an interesting question. And the answer is "it depends." If you already own last year's Galaxy S24 FE, there's no reason to upgrade. The previous model has very comparable specs, especially in terms of chipset, display, and camera, and it will last you seven years.
Now, if you want an affordable flagship, or you're coming from a much older Galaxy S-series device (Fan Edition or not), the S25 FE is a great choice. It offers all the bells and whistles of a modern flagship at a decent price.
Now, if you want an affordable flagship, or you're coming from a much older Galaxy S-series device (Fan Edition or not), the S25 FE is a great choice. It offers all the bells and whistles of a modern flagship at a decent price.
You can also go down a notch and get the Galaxy A56 if you want to save even more money (it's $200 less), but there's no telephoto and the chipset is much slower. The Pixel 9a, on the other hand, is probably the strongest alternative to the S25 FE — the only things you are losing there is the better chip performance and the better video quality.
If you do decide to go for the S25 FE, though, you can rest assured that it is a safe choice, especially if you are a fan of Samsung's UI and additional software features.
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