Samsungās Galaxy S25 lineup now feels complete with the introduction of the Galaxy S25 FE (Fan Edition). Positioned as the entry point into the 2025 flagship range, it slots in below the Galaxy S25 and S25+, yet intriguingly borrows some of their strengths. Then thereās the Galaxy S25 Edgeāa curiously placed variantāand of course, the powerhouse Galaxy S25 Ultra sitting at the top of the food chain.
In a year where Galaxy AI has evolved significantly, Samsung is making sure even the most affordable S-series phone doesnāt get left out.
šø Price and Positioning
The Galaxy S25 FE is priced from ā¹65,999, and credit to Samsungātheyāve managed to avoid price overlap between this and the S25 or S25+. Thatās rare in todayās smartphone market.
While this may be the most affordable of the five, its specs tell a different story. In fact, the S25 FE shares several key features with the Galaxy S25+, including:
- A 6.7-inch display
- Similar battery size and charging speed
- A familiar camera setup
- Inclusion in the full Galaxy AI suite
This parity ensures the FE isn’t just a “lite” version, but a solid alternative that delivers premium functionality at a more accessible price.
š± Design & Build
Samsungās design language continues to impress with the S25 FE. The Navy Blue variant stands outāitās subtle, elegant, and unique. The frame is made from what Samsung calls enhanced armour aluminiumānot quite as strong as the Armor Aluminium 2 in the S25+, but still a welcome upgrade over standard builds.
The phone feels lighter and more comfortable than many similarly sized competitors, a real advantage for daily use.
Some cost-saving measures are noticeable though:
- The fingerprint scanner is optical, not ultrasonic (but fast and accurate nonetheless).
- The display resolution is the same as the smaller Galaxy S25, though still crisp and vivid thanks to Samsungās panel tuning.
š Battery & Performance
The battery sees a modest bump in capacity over its predecessor, and the results are impressive:
- Up to 11 hours of active screen time
- Easily 1.5 days of typical usage
This efficiency can be chalked up to a combination of:
- One UI 8 software optimisations
- Improvements brought by the Exynos 2400 chipset
Speaking of whichā¦
āļø Performance: Exynos 2400 Delivers
The Exynos 2400 positions the S25 FE alongside devices running the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and Dimensity 9400, with solid results across the board.
- Base configuration: 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
- Optional upgrade: 512GB storage
- A 12GB RAM variant could round off the offering (fingers crossed for a future release)
š”ļø Heat & Throttling
You may notice heat buildup during intensive tasks, especially near the metal frame. In some casesālike prolonged 4K recording or extended gaming sessionsāminor throttling is noticeable. But for everyday use, the S25 FE maintains its poise well.
šø Camera: Consistent, If Not Flashy
The camera trio remains tried and tested:
- 50MP main wide sensor
- 8MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
- 12MP ultra-wide
Photos are:
- Balanced and detailed in good light
- Geared more toward accuracy than vibrancy
- 3x telephoto shots deliver sharp detail
- Portraits lack deep separation but capture fine subject detail
In low light, you’ll want to manually enable Night Mode. Without it, results can be soft with noise around edges.
Samsungās image processing has improved, but this is not a camera system aimed at wow-factorāitās about reliability, and it nails that.
š§ One UI 8 & Galaxy AI: Parity Achieved
Despite being the most affordable in the series, the Galaxy S25 FE doesnāt miss out on Galaxy AI. From real-time translation to AI-powered image editing, the feature suite is identical to what you get on the S25 Ultra.
One UI 8 feels familiar yet subtly refreshed:
- Improvements in multitasking
- An overhauled Samsung Internet
- Updates to Samsung Health, Reminders, and DeX
The software experience is cohesive and fluid, making the S25 FE feel every bit a flagship in daily use.
š Final Verdict: A Smart Flagship Shortcut
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE plays two vital roles in the companyās 2025 lineup:
- Lowering the barrier to flagship ownership ā ideal for those unwilling to spend ā¹1 lakh-plus on a phone.
- Serving as a long-term anchor device ā likely to remain relevant throughout 2026 thanks to aggressive pricing, cashback offers, and software support.
ā Pros:
- Excellent build and in-hand feel
- Great battery life and efficient performance
- Full Galaxy AI and One UI 8 experience
- Strong main camera
- Attractive pricing
ā Cons:
- Heating under load
- Optical fingerprint sensor
- No 12GB RAM variant (yet)
š„ Competition Check
In its price band, the Galaxy S25 FE competes with:
- Nothing Phone (3)
- Vivo X200 FE
- Possibly older discounted flagships like Pixel 8 or iPhone 14
But with the Samsung badge, full AI suite, premium design, and consistent updates, itās clear the S25 FE holds its own.
š¦ Bottom line: If youāre looking for a flagship experience without breaking the bank, the Galaxy S25 FE is the smartest way to enter the S-series world in 2025.
