Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Review: A Fan’s Edition Done Right
October 4, 2025- Performance: Exynos 2400, 8GB RAM
- Main Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x
- Weight: 190g
- Storage: 256GB
- OS/Software: Android 16, One UI version 8
- Battery: 4,900 mAh
- Features: 8K, 4K, 1080p video recording
- Rear Camera: 50 MP Main + 12MP Ultrawide + 8MP Telephoto
- Front Camera: 12MP Front Camera, 4K,1080p Video recording
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, OTG
- Colour: White
- Price: RM 3,099
The Galaxy S25 FE brings together Samsung’s signature design and performance with the accessibility fans have come to expect from the Fan Edition series. Equipped with Galaxy AI, advanced camera capabilities, and a powerful battery, it offers a complete smartphone experience without pushing into flagship pricing. It’s a device made to deliver value, reliability, and innovation in one package
Design
The Galaxy S25 FE introduces one of the most noticeable design upgrades in the FE lineup. While the Galaxy S24 FE featured a glossy back that looked stylish but was prone to fingerprints and smudges, the new model takes a different approach. Samsung has adopted a matte finish, branded as Premium Haze, which not only enhances the phone’s refined and premium look but also significantly improves usability. The matte surface resists fingerprints far better, allowing the device to stay cleaner and fresher throughout the day.
Another major improvement lies in the weight and thickness. One of the key complaints about the S24 FE was its heft, coming in at 213 grams. The Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, weighs just 190 grams — a noticeable 23-gram reduction. Combined with a slimmer profile (7.4mm vs. 8.0mm on the S24 FE), the phone feels far more comfortable in hand and easier to carry around.
This reduction in weight and thickness transforms the S25 FE into a much more enjoyable daily driver. The changes are not just cosmetic — they directly improve the overall user experience, making the device feel lighter, sleeker, and more premium.
Display
At first glance, the Galaxy S25 FE and its predecessor may seem to share the same display — and to some extent, they do. Both feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340) and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and smooth animations. On paper, the specifications remain unchanged.
However, the key improvements make the S25 FE’s display feel more refined in daily use:
Narrower Bezels: The S25 FE trims down the bezels, giving the phone a sleeker, more modern appearance. This subtle change enhances immersion, as the screen occupies a larger portion of the front.
Higher Peak Brightness: Visibility has taken a step forward. The S25 FE achieves a higher peak brightness than the S24 FE, making it easier to use outdoors in direct sunlight or in bright environments.
Slimmer, Lighter Build: While not a direct display change, the thinner and lighter body of the S25 FE complements the screen experience, making the phone more comfortable to hold during extended viewing sessions.
In short, while the core display technology remains the same, Samsung has polished the experience with slimmer bezels, improved brightness, and a more ergonomic design. These refinements make the S25 FE’s screen feel more premium and practical in real-world use.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE delivers impressive performance for its price, powered by a flagship-class chipset carried over from the previous generation. This ensures users get premium-level speed and responsiveness without paying flagship prices.
Key Specifications and Their Impact
Chipset: Exynos 2400 – The same top-tier processor found in the Galaxy S24 and S24+ (in Exynos regions), delivering excellent raw power for everyday use, gaming, and AI features.
Cooling: Larger Vapor Chamber – A significantly upgraded cooling system helps dissipate heat, maintaining stable performance during prolonged gaming or heavy multitasking.
RAM: 8GB LPDDR5X – Provides smooth multitasking and reliable performance across demanding apps and Samsung’s feature-rich One UI.
Software: Android 16 with One UI 8 – Optimized software enhances efficiency, offering a snappy, fluid user experience.
Real-World Performance
Daily Use & Multitasking:
The S25 FE feels fast and responsive in everyday scenarios, whether browsing, switching between apps, or streaming. Paired with the 120Hz LTPO display, navigation and scrolling feel seamless and premium.
Gaming:
This phone handles modern, graphics-heavy titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings with smooth frame rates. While it doesn’t quite match the sustained performance of ultra-flagship or gaming-dedicated devices, it remains more than capable for casual and even semi-serious gamers.
Galaxy AI Features:
With the Exynos 2400’s powerful NPU, Galaxy AI tools such as Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Generative Edit run smoothly and quickly, making AI-powered productivity and creativity easily accessible on this device.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE carries forward the proven triple-lens rear setup from its predecessors, but this year’s model stands out with a major upgrade to the selfie camera and the integration of Galaxy AI tools. Together, these enhancements deliver one of the most versatile and user-friendly camera systems in its class.
The Triple Rear Camera System: Pro-Grade Versatility
Samsung keeps things familiar yet reliable with a well-rounded trio of lenses, covering wide, ultrawide, and telephoto needs.
Main (Wide) – 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
The workhorse of the system. By default, it uses pixel-binning to produce detailed 12MP shots with vibrant colors and strong dynamic range. Thanks to OIS and Samsung’s Night Mode, it’s equally capable in low-light situations, delivering sharp and stable results.
Ultrawide – 12MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV
Ideal for landscapes, group shots, and architecture. It captures expansive scenes with minimal distortion and consistent color tuning compared to the main lens. In dim lighting, however, details soften, which is expected for an ultrawide sensor in this segment.
Telephoto – 8MP, f/2.4, 3× Optical Zoom, OIS
A dedicated zoom lens ensures clarity at 3× magnification, outperforming digital zoom solutions on most mid-range phones. It’s perfect for portraits or distant subjects, maintaining sharpness and natural depth without sacrificing image quality.
The Selfie Upgrade
One of the biggest changes comes on the front: the new 16MP selfie camera replaces the older 10MP sensor. Combined with Galaxy AI’s Portrait Studio and improved HDR processing, selfies now look sharper, better exposed, and more natural across different lighting conditions.
Galaxy AI in Photography
AI is the secret ingredient that elevates the S25 FE’s camera experience. Features like Generative Edit, Best Take, and AI Zoom optimization simplify complex edits and improve shot composition. Whether it’s erasing distractions, choosing the perfect facial expression, or enhancing details at higher zoom levels, Galaxy AI ensures photos look polished without requiring advanced editing skills.
Now, let’s take a look at a few shots I captured with the Galaxy S25 FE to see its camera in action.
Forget wrestling with complicated settings indoors—the Galaxy S25 FE makes things simple. In real-world use, especially during my own events, the camera was fantastic. Photos and videos came out much clearer than expected, showing sharp detail even under ambient lighting. The best part is its intelligent processing, which means you don’t have to struggle to get a great shot—it just works, letting you focus on the moment.
The biggest and most pleasant surprise during my testing was the S25 FE’s Nightography performance—when there’s good ambient light. If you’re in the city at night, standing under bright street lamps, or near a well-lit landmark, don’t hesitate to take that photo. The camera handles it beautifully, capturing detail and light without the heavy noise or blown-out highlights you often see in other phones. In these conditions, it truly delivers a flagship-level night photography experience.
And then there’s video. If the stills impressed me, the video performance absolutely sealed the deal. The S25 FE delivers consistently smooth and stable footage, making it stand out as a true “Fan Edition” highlight. You get pro-level results without hassle: crisp 4K at 60fps, even 8K at 30fps for future-proofing, and rock-solid stability thanks to OIS and EIS working together. No need for a gimbal here.
Vloggers will love the upgraded front camera too, now capable of shooting sharp 4K at 60fps to match the rear cameras. On top of that, Galaxy AI adds extra magic with features like Instant Slow-mo and Auto Trim, making editing quick and effortless.
Powering the Day: Fast Charging and Endurance
Forget “adequate” battery life; the Galaxy S25 FE delivers a power system that truly excels, making it a reliable all-day workhorse.
Key Power Upgrades:
The Big Cell: A large 4,900\text{mAh} battery easily handles the 120\text{Hz} display and demanding camera use, providing comfortable all-day endurance. You won’t be scrambling for an outlet before bedtime.
Flagship Charging: This is the game-changer. The S25 FE features 45\text{W} Super Fast Charging 2.0. This allows you to get back over 60\% battery in just 30 minutes (with a separate 45\text{W} charger).
Wireless Convenience: Standard 15\text{W} wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare (reverse wireless charging) for quickly topping up your Galaxy Buds or Watch.
Final Verdict: The S25 FE is the Ultimate Value Flagship
| Category | Highlights | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Flagship-tier 50MP main sensor. 4K@60fps video is consistently brilliant. | Unmatched Value |
| Performance | Exynos 2400 delivers fast, fluid performance for any task. | A True Upgrade |
| Power | 4,900mAh battery + 45W Fast Charging for all-day reliability. | Highly Recommended |
| Durability | Premium build, IP68 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus+. | Future-Proof |
| Longevity | Full Galaxy AI suite + 7 years of OS and security updates. | The Best Buy |
The Conclusion:
The S25 FE is the best-balanced Galaxy phone this year. It feels like a flagship, performs like a flagship, and is committed to lasting for years.
If you want the S25 experience without paying for the S25 Ultra name, this is the phone you must buy.
