Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE options a number of notable upgrades over final yr’s telephone

Samsung has held its late-summer Galaxy Unpacked occasion, unveiling a refreshed lineup of gadgets simply forward of IFA 2025 in Berlin. Shortly after debuting the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 a number of months in the past, the corporate is again with its entry-level Galaxy S25 Fan Version (FE). I just lately went hands-on with the Galaxy S25 FE at a latest preview occasion to see the way it stacks as much as final yr’s Galaxy S25 FE and the S25 sequence.

For so long as I have been a fan of Samsung’s smartphones, the FE line has by no means actually spoken to me. The bridge between the flagship Galaxy S sequence and the FE all the time felt far too huge for me to humor the concept of utilizing it as my every day driver. Even testing last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, I famous that whereas the worth proposition is tantalizing, the Exynos 2400e would not provide sufficient processing energy to wow me. Fortunately, this yr’s gadget opts for the marginally extra highly effective Exynos 2400 chip, alongside a number of different notable upgrades.

The Galaxy S25 FE comes with a well-known but comfy design

This yr’s FE opts to cut back thickness and weight in comparison with the Galaxy S24 FE

This yr as an entire, Samsung has spoiled us with skinny smartphones. Between the Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (my favourite gadget of the yr), I am changing into a snob about overtly thick smartphones. The Galaxy S25 FE makes an attempt to deal with the issues of its predecessor’s measurement. The gadget measures in at 6.3 × 3.× 0.29-inches (161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4mm). This marks a discount of thickness by 4% over the Galaxy S24 FE. The thinness of the gadget is not as notable because the Galaxy S25 Edge, but it surely’s sufficient that it stood out to me throughout my hands-on time.

What caught out to me is its weight. Even a yr after conducting my overview, I nonetheless bear in mind how heavy the Galaxy S24 FE was. This yr’s mannequin weighs 6.7oz (190g), an 11% discount in comparison with the Galaxy S24 FE, which weighs 7.5oz (213g). Whereas the Galaxy S25 FE is not as mild because the mainline Galaxy S25, it nonetheless contains a welcome discount in weight. Holding it, it was comfy in my fingers and, most significantly, it did not give me any pressure on my wrists throughout use.

Past this, the general design of the Galaxy S25 FE stays largely unchanged from final yr’s mannequin. It options the identical 6.7-inch AMOLED show as its predecessor. The three-camera array on the rear can also be carried over. As a refresher, you will discover a 12-megapixel f/2.2 (ultrawide) lens, a 50-megapixel f/1.8 (broad) shooter, and an 8-megapixel 3x f/2.4 (telephoto) lens rounding the digicam array out. Whereas the rear digicam has been left alone, Samsung has made enhancements to the front-facing shooter (extra on that in a second). Storage choices are additionally unchanged at 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB choices, with pricing beginning at $650.

Galaxy S25 FE options an improved selfie digicam

In the end, Samsung is transferring away from the FE’s 10-megapixel front-facing digicam

Since 2023, Samsung’s Galaxy FE gadgets have been leveraging a 10-megapixel selfie digicam. Whereas sufficient for the second, an improve has been sorely wanted. The Galaxy S25 FE now contains a 12-megapixel f/2.2 lens housed on the entrance of the gadget. Lastly, the FE helps the identical sensor as the bottom mannequin Galaxy S24 and this yr’s Galaxy S25.

With this in thoughts, customers can count on better-looking selfies in comparison with final yr’s gadget. I used to be solely capable of mess around with the digicam for a brief time period, and the lighting on the hands-on venue wasn’t the best for showcasing doable enhancements. If the chance arises, and I will use the Galaxy S25 FE open air or in higher lighting situations, the selfie shooter is one which I will be spending extra time experimenting with.

Including to this, the Galaxy S25 FE consists of a number of Galaxy AI features proper out of the field. In an try to copy the AI toolbox of the flagship S25 sequence, the Galaxy S25 FE consists of options like Generative Edit and Audio Eraser when taking photographs and movies. One of many AI options I will all the time give Samsung credit score for is its Generative Edit. This function is simpler to make use of and simpler at eradicating undesirable components than Apple Intelligence. Plus, Samsung consists of the usage of Immediate Slowmo, which can converse to particular customers and use circumstances.

Behold, the biggest battery in a Galaxy FE gadget

This yr’s FE options an improve to a 4,900mAh battery, which is bigger than the bottom S25

One of many points I’ve complimented the FE in earlier years is battery life. Holding with custom, Samsung improves on the Galaxy S24 FE by upgrading the Galaxy S25 FE to a 4,900mAh battery. This not solely outsizes the 4,700mAh battery its predecessor options, however the Galaxy S25 as nicely. This yr’s flagship sports activities a 4,000mAh battery and continues to be capable of present all-day use, Samsung says. With a 4,900mAh battery, the Galaxy S25 FE options the largest battery within the FE sequence so far. To coincide with the 4,900mAh battery, Samsung can also be supporting 45W wired charging, which ought to ship secure charging speeds. It additionally helps 15W wi-fi charging, so getting a fast and handy top-up must be sooner.

That stated, it is troublesome to quantify how impactful the battery improve shall be in the long run. Though 200mAh is not a large improve, the all-day longevity the gadget provides is perhaps impacted by the additional processing energy. Nevertheless, like my points with the Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e, the truth that the Galaxy S25 FR would not function a Qualcomm chipset may find yourself being its greatest challenge. It is arduous to say with out spending extra time with the gadget.

The Galaxy S25 FE is offered to pre-order on Samsung’s web site. The gadget launches in navy, icyblue and white colorways to select from.