Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Good phone, bad value

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Our verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is quite a puzzling entry into the S25 family. Yes, it looks the part, and it performs exceptionally well in most areas. The problem is, it simply doesn't need to exist, when the regular S25 can be purchased at, essentially, the same price.

From $1,038 RRP

What we love

Capable cameras
Gorgeous display
Speedy performance

What could be improved

Mediocre battery life
Low-light photography struggles
Confusing value proposition

The essentials

Performance

Zippy enough to handle day-to-day tasks and mobile gaming.

Battery

Somewhat disappointing. Needs a top-up to get through the day.

Screen

Stunning. Big, bright, colourful, smooth.

Camera

Great performance during daytime, below-average shots at night.

View on Shopee

Flagship phones are the best of the best, but that quality and performance come at a steep cost. In 2020, Samsung released its first-ever Fan Edition device, the Galaxy S20 FE, in an attempt to make flagship features more accessible, coming in at $200 cheaper than the original S20. A solid discount, sure, but there's a problem. The FE launches in September each year, around seven months after the main Galaxy S line, and in those seven months, the original device's price has usually dropped considerably. In fact, keen-eyed shoppers can even find the Galaxy S25 for cheaper than the S25 FE right now.

All that's to say, the Galaxy S25 FE is a great phone. It's just not the phone you should get.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE plans Singapore

In the market for a new Samsung phone plan? Here's how much the Galaxy S25 FE will set you back on a plan through Singtel, StarHub, and M1.

#1	Singtel	Singtel Enhanced XS 5G+ 80GB data Singtel 5G network Contract (24 mths) 100 Minutes 100 Messages Deal: Free 6 months Google AI Pro worth $173.94 + Enjoy up to $685 OFF this device including device discount and other special offers $62/mth + $512.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,000.70 Go	$62/mth + $512.70 Upfront Min. cost $2,000.70	Go
#2	M1	M1 50GB Bespoke Contract 50GB data M1 5G network Contract (24 mths) 300 Minutes 300 Messages Deal: $100 off any device on new this Bespoke Contract Plan for new sign ups $62.95/mth + $24 Upfront Min. cost $1,534.80 Go	$62.95/mth + $24 Upfront Min. cost $1,534.80	Go
#3	StarHub	StarHub Medium 5G SIM Only 150GB data StarHub 5G network Device Payments (24 mths) 1000 Minutes 500 Messages Deal: $290 off when you buy now, pay later $63.58 Min. cost $1,019.92 Go	$63.58 (plan + phone) Min. cost $1,019.92	Go

What we like about the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Sleek design and beautiful display. The Galaxy S25 FE has taken a lot of inspiration from its namesake's Plus version with a spectacular 6.7-inch display, slim, lightweight body, aluminium frame, same IP68 rating, 120Hz refresh rate and even similar colourways. The only downgrade you get from the flagship in terms of display is a lower peak brightness (1,900 nits vs 2,600 nits), but it's still more than bright enough even in full sun.

Excellent daytime camera performance. The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been known for its photography prowess, and although not quite on par with its pricier siblings, the Galaxy S25 FE can take some stunning shots in well-lit conditions, with bright, true-to-life colours. The only letdown was its nighttime performance, which I'll get into a bit later.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE camera samples

Check out these camera samples taken on the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.

Powerful enough to get you through daily tasks. Although the Galaxy S25 FE's 8GB of RAM and Exynos 2400 processor aren't quite as performant as the regular S25's 12GB RAM and Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, it's highly unlikely that most users would notice a difference. The S25 FE is more than capable of handling multitasking and demanding mobile games.

Something I really appreciate, too, is the fact that the Fan Edition gets the same seven years of software support as the S25 and S25 Ultra.

What we dislike about the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Battery life leaves a lot to be desired. We ask a lot of our phones, but no matter how demanding our use is, one full day is a reasonable expectation. Unfortunately, I found I was barely able to make it to bedtime without a top-up. At least the 45W wired charging is quick, and the phone is Qi2 wireless compatible, but to use it, you'll need a special case that supports it.

The cameras struggle in low-light scenarios. This isn't an issue exclusive to the Galaxy S25 FE, as many phones (both mid-range and flagships) struggle with night photography. It's just that it was so difficult to get a non-blurry shot of my subject, no matter how still I stood while taking the photo.

You can get the Galaxy S25 for the same price or cheaper. And when you can get the flagship for the same price as the budget version, well, that kind of defeats the purpose of having a budget version at all. Unless you can get the Fan Edition at a significantly discounted price, just go with the OG.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE - Final thoughts

If you can find a great promotion on the Galaxy S25 FE, by all means, go for it. It's an extremely capable device with a nice design, great cameras, and excellent performance. The only problem is, the Galaxy S25 is not only better, but oftentimes cheaper. So why not just get it instead?