Galaxy S25 FE review

A Familiar Look That Wont Surprise You — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The Galaxy S25 FE weighs 190g and comes in Finishes vary by region and storage. Its protection is listed as IP68. Those details affect grip, pocket comfort, and how carefully the phone must be handled.

Screen and Fingerprint Sensor Feel a Step Behind — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The display is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. On paper, that sounds competitive, but the panel uses an older LTPS technology rather than the newer LTPO type. That means the screen cannot dynamically drop to refresh rates as low as 1Hz or 10Hz to save power. Instead, it generally stays at 60Hz or reaches as low as 30Hz when playing video, which is a missed opportunity for battery optimization.

Some users may also notice the screen appears to stop refreshing entirely after a few seconds of inactivity, a trick to conserve energy. Outdoors, the display remains readable, but the older panel tech holds it back compared to similarly priced rivals. For biometrics, Samsung stuck with an optical in-display fingerprint sensor instead of upgrading to a faster ultrasonic scanner. The optical sensor is still fast and accurate, but it feels like a cost-saving measure that keeps the phone from feeling truly current.

If you want a phone with a more advanced screen and sensor, it is worth checking out our full collection of phone reviews.

Three Cameras That Cover the Basics Well — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The camera setup on the Galaxy S25 FE is the same triple array found on the previous model: a 50MP main lens with f/1.8 aperture, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The main camera captures images with strong color and detail in daylight, and the telephoto lens gives you optical reach that is rare at this price. The ultrawide lens is serviceable, though it does not match the sharpness of the main sensor.

Samsung's Galaxy AI tools are included, and they work as well as they do on the more expensive S25 models, helping with object eraser, photo remastering, and live translation. For video, the phone records at up to 4K resolution with solid stabilization. While the cameras cannot compete with a dedicated flagship setup, they produce pleasant pictures for everyday use. One reviewer noted that the $499 Google Pixel 9a still takes better photos for less money, but the S25 FE offers more optical zoom and a larger battery.

The rear design is simple: three lenses housed in individual cutouts on a matte glass back. For $649, the camera package is reliable but not groundbreaking.

Battery Life Disappoints Despite a Large Pack — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The Galaxy S25 FE packs a 4,900mAh battery, which is a larger capacity than what many mid-range phones offer. Samsung also includes 45W wired and wireless charging for faster top-ups. However, at least one reviewer found the battery performance to be poor.

The issue may lie in the screen. Samsung stuck with a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel that uses older LTPS technology. This means the screen cannot drop to very low refresh rates, like 1Hz or 10Hz, to save power. Instead, it only lowers to 60Hz, and sometimes to 30Hz when playing video. This older panel likely works against the larger battery, leading to disappointing battery life in daily use.

Performance and Galaxy AI Software — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The phone runs on the Exynos 2400 chip with 8GB of RAM. One reviewer noted that real-world AI performance feels fast. All of Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools are included and work well on this phone, just like on more expensive models.

The 50MP main camera with 3x optical zoom takes pleasant pictures, and the IP68 water resistance adds peace of mind. The phone also feels light for its size at 190g, and the matte finish resists fingerprints. For the price of $649, this model offers solid performance and features that match its higher-priced siblings in the Galaxy S25 lineup.

Is the Galaxy S25 FE right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Review: The Real Trade-Offs

The biggest complaint from reviewers is the design. The Galaxy S25 FE looks almost identical to its two predecessors, the Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S23 FE. One reviewer called it a boring design that is long overdue for a makeover. While the build quality remains strong, the lack of change may disappoint those looking for something fresh.

Another trade-off is the fingerprint sensor. Samsung uses an optical in-display sensor, which is older technology. While it is fast and accurate, it is not as premium as the ultrasonic scanner found on many phones in this price range. The phone also lacks a microSD card slot and a headphone jack.

Reviewers compared the S25 FE to the Google Pixel 9a, which costs $50 less and offers better cameras and AI tools. If you want to explore other options, check out our phone finder or use our side-by-side comparison tool to see how this phone stacks up against the competition.