The “FE,” or “Fan Edition,” series has been a long-standing and popular offering from Samsung, designed to bring the most-loved features of their flagship Galaxy S phones to a more accessible price point. Historically, these phones have been well-received for striking a near-perfect balance between premium features and affordability. They’ve consistently delivered on key aspects like smooth, high-refresh-rate displays, powerful processors, and capable camera systems, often sharing many of the same core components as their more expensive siblings. The FE series has built a reputation for giving fans exactly what they want: a top-tier smartphone experience without the flagship price tag.
DESIGN
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE features a sleek and modern design that aligns with Samsung’s premium aesthetic. The device boasts a glass front and back, with an aluminium frame that adds to its durability. The placement of buttons and ports is ergonomic, ensuring ease of use. The phone is available in a variety of colours, catering to different tastes and preferences. The overall build quality feels solid, and the device is comfortable to hold, thanks to its well-balanced weight distribution. The design also features an IP68 rating, making it resistant to dust and water, which enhances its durability and longevity.
DISPLAY
The Galaxy S25 FE features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display that delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks. The Full HD+ resolution ensures sharp and clear visuals, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming. The display also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and an enhanced user experience. The screen is bright enough to be easily readable in direct sunlight, and the HDR10+ support ensures a great viewing experience for HDR content. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which adds to its durability and resistance to scratches and minor drops.
CAMERAS
Equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, the Galaxy S25 FE excels in photography. The primary 50MP sensor captures detailed and bright images, while the 12MP ultra-wide lens is ideal for capturing landscapes. The 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom allows for clear close-up shots. The front-facing 32MP camera delivers excellent selfies and supports 4K video recording. The camera software is intuitive and user-friendly, offering various modes and features such as Night Mode, Pro Mode, and Super Steady video. The AI enhancements help in optimising the settings for different scenes, ensuring that you get the best possible shot every time. The camera app also features Single Take, which captures multiple photos and videos with a single press of the shutter button, and Director’s View, which enables switching between different camera lenses while recording video.
In good lighting conditions, the results are genuinely excellent and will make any point-and-shoot happy snapper pleased. Photos exhibit that signature, vibrant Samsung colour profile that is immediately pleasing to the eye, coupled with great depth and dynamic range. The primary 50MP sensor captures ample detail, and the 3x telephoto lens produces sharp, usable images for portrait and zoomed shots.
As expected, performance is less impressive in lower light, but still delivers very acceptable results. The dedicated Night Mode works well to brighten up dark scenes and retain some colour, but you may notice a slight increase in noise and a reduction in fine detail compared to the flagship S-series phones. For a phone in this price bracket, however, the low-light capability is strong and certainly suitable for sharing on social media.
The camera software is intuitive and user-friendly, offering various modes and features such as Night Mode, Pro Mode, and Super Steady video. The AI enhancements help in optimising the settings for different scenes, ensuring that you get the best possible shot every time. The camera app also features Single Take, which captures multiple photos and videos with a single press of the shutter button, and Director’s View, which enables switching between different camera lenses while recording video.
PERFORMANCE AND USER EXPERIENCE
Powered by the Exynos 2200 processor, the Galaxy S25 FE offers robust performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The device comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking. The One UI 5.0 interface is intuitive and user-friendly, providing a seamless experience. The phone also supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast internet speeds. The overall user experience is smooth and responsive, with apps opening quickly and running without any lag. The device handles multitasking with ease, allowing you to switch between apps without any noticeable slowdown. The gaming performance is also impressive, with the device able to handle graphically intensive games without any issues. The One UI 5.0 interface adds several useful features and customisation options, allowing you to tailor the device to your preferences. The software experience is further enhanced by Samsung’s commitment to regular updates and security patches, ensuring that your device remains up-to-date and secure.
BATTERY LIFE
The Galaxy S25 FE is equipped with a 4500mAh battery that provides all-day battery life. The device supports 25W fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups. Additionally, it supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding to its convenience. The battery life is impressive, with the device easily lasting a full day of heavy usage. The power management features in One UI 5.0 help in optimising battery usage, ensuring that you get the most out of your device. The fast charging support means that you can quickly recharge your device when needed, and the wireless charging feature adds to the convenience, allowing you to charge your device without the need for cables.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is competitively priced, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. It is available in multiple storage variants, with the base model starting at AU$1,099.00 for the 128GB version and AU$1,199.00 for the 256GB. The device is widely available through various retailers and carriers, making it easy to purchase. The pricing is reasonable considering the features and performance that the device offers, making it a great value for money. The availability of different storage options allows you to choose the variant that best suits your needs and budget.
CONCLUSION
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a premium experience at a more affordable price point. With its impressive display, versatile cameras, strong performance, and long battery life, it stands out as a great option for those looking for a high-quality device without breaking the bank. The design and build quality are top-notch, and the device offers a smooth and responsive user experience. The camera performance is excellent, and the software experience is enhanced by Samsung’s commitment to regular updates. Overall, the Galaxy S25 FE is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone.
