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

Samsung has held its late-summer Galaxy Unpacked occasion, unveiling a refreshed lineup of units 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 collection.

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 collection and the FE at all times felt far too huge for me to humor the thought of utilizing it as my each day driver. Even testing last year’s Galaxy S24 FE, I famous that whereas the worth proposition is tantalizing, the Exynos 2400e does not provide sufficient processing energy to wow me. Fortunately, this yr’s system 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-recognized 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 system of the yr), I am changing into a snob about overtly thick smartphones. The Galaxy S25 FE makes an attempt to handle the issues of its predecessor’s dimension. The system 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 system is not as notable because the Galaxy S25 Edge, however it’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 evaluate, 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 gentle because the mainline Galaxy S25, it nonetheless incorporates 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 be carried over. As a refresher, you will discover a 12-megapixel f/2.2 (ultrawide) lens, a 50-megapixel f/1.8 (vast) 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 shifting away from the FE’s 10-megapixel front-facing digicam

Since 2023, Samsung’s Galaxy FE units have been leveraging a 10-megapixel selfie digicam. Whereas sufficient for the second, an improve has been sorely wanted. The Galaxy S25 FE now incorporates a 12-megapixel f/2.2 lens housed on the entrance of the system. 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 anticipate better-looking selfies in comparison with final yr’s system. I used to be solely capable of mess around with the digicam for a brief time frame, and the lighting on the hands-on venue wasn’t the best for showcasing attainable enhancements. If the chance arises, and I can use the Galaxy S25 FE outside or in higher lighting circumstances, 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 duplicate the AI toolbox of the flagship S25 collection, the Galaxy S25 FE consists of options like Generative Edit and Audio Eraser when taking pictures and movies. One of many AI options I will at all times give Samsung credit score for is its Generative Edit. This function is simpler to make use of and simpler at eradicating undesirable parts than Apple Intelligence. Plus, Samsung consists of the usage of Immediate Slowmo, which can communicate to particular customers and use instances.

Behold, the biggest battery in a Galaxy FE system

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

One of many features I’ve complimented the FE in earlier years is battery life. Maintaining 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 most important battery within the FE collection up to now. To coincide with the 4,900mAh battery, Samsung can be supporting 45W wired charging, which ought to ship steady charging speeds. It additionally helps 15W wi-fi charging, so getting a fast and handy top-up needs to be sooner.

That stated, it is tough to quantify how impactful the battery improve will probably be in the long run. Though 200mAh is not an enormous improve, the all-day longevity the system provides is likely to be 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 does not function a Qualcomm chipset would possibly find yourself being its greatest problem. It is arduous to say with out spending extra time with the system.

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