Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Review – A Grown-Up Fan Edition, But Still Hard to Recommend
Samsung’s FE phones have always been a strange in-between option. They sit below the flagship S-series in price but share much of the same software and some hardware. The problem is, with promotions, the standard Galaxy S25 now starts at RM3,399 — only slightly higher than the Galaxy S25 FE’s RM3,099 starting price. That makes it hard to see where the FE really fits.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Video Review
Design and Display
Compared to its predecessors, the Galaxy S25 FE feels like it has matured. It’s slimmer and lighter than before, weighing 190g — the same as the Galaxy S25+. It even matches the larger model’s 6.7-inch screen size.
The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel pushes FHD+ resolution at 120Hz with 1,900 nits peak brightness. While it doesn’t reach the QHD+ sharpness of the S25, the difference is barely noticeable in daily use. In fact, the FE’s larger display might make it more appealing than the smaller 6.2-inch Galaxy S25.
The phone uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back instead of the tougher Victus 2 found on the flagship models, but protection against scratches and drops is still decent.
An upgraded armor aluminum frame also improves durability, and the IP68 water and dust resistance remains intact. Overall, it’s a very robust device for its price point.
Performance and RAM Controversy
The Galaxy S25 FE runs on Samsung’s Exynos 2400 chip with 8GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Performance is snappy in daily use and it holds up well in gaming, with solid graphics output across titles.
However, limiting it to just 8GB of RAM in 2025 is baffling. At this price, even the cheaper Galaxy A56 comes with 12GB.
This means the S25 FE suffers more frequent app reloads, weaker multitasking, and possibly limited support for future on-device AI features. Samsung’s decision here seriously hurts the FE’s long-term value.
Galaxy AI Features
On the bright side, the S25 FE includes the full suite of Galaxy AI tools seen on Samsung’s more expensive models. Features like photo object removal and productivity assistants are here, making the phone feel modern and future-ready.
The only uncertainty is whether Samsung will start charging for Galaxy AI features after 2025 — something buyers should keep in mind.
Camera Setup
The cameras are another area where the FE lags behind. The setup is unchanged from last year: a 50MP main camera with OIS, 8MP telephoto with 3x zoom, and 12MP ultrawide.
The main shooter produces good photos in most conditions, including low light. But the 8MP telephoto feels dated and lacks detail, especially when cropping. The camera system also misses out on modern standards like 4K60 video. It’s not bad by today’s measures, but it doesn’t excite either.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is solid thanks to a 4,900mAh cell — a 5% bump from last year. Moderate users can easily get two days on a single charge, with around 50% left by day’s end. Charging is respectable too: 45W wired charging brings less frustration compared to the Fold series’ 25W, while 15W Qi2 wireless charging is more efficient and runs cooler than before.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 FE is a well-built phone with strong durability, a big display, full Galaxy AI, and good battery life. It’s a big improvement over older FE models and could have been the spiritual successor to the excellent Galaxy S20 FE. But in 2025, 8GB RAM feels unacceptable, the camera system is dated, and the small price gap to the standard Galaxy S25 makes the FE a tough sell. Unless you specifically want the larger display, the regular S25 offers better value overall.
Pricing in Malaysia
Warren
The geeky dictator of KLGG.
