Galaxy S25 FE hands-on: Slimmer, lighter, and more refined

Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 FE keeps the Fan Edition formula alive for another year, blending flagship-level features with a more accessible price. We spent some hands-on time with the Galaxy S25 FE to see how it all comes together, and here are our initial impressions.

The big story here is size and weight. The S25 FE weighs 190g (11% lighter than last year) and is just 7.4mm thin. Slimmer bezels give it a modern look, while Armor Aluminum sides and Victus+ glass add durability. The 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display is as smooth as ever but now gets brighter, topping out at 1,900 nits peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.

Samsung hasn’t changed much on the camera front. The main 50MP sensor is the same one used on several recent Galaxy S flagships, paired with a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

The only real upgrade is the selfie camera, which jumps to 12MP with a better sensor for sharper shots. While the hardware may feel recycled, Samsung is counting on its AI features—like Generative Edit, Instant Slow-mo, and Audio Eraser—to make the overall experience feel more current.

Under the hood, the phone uses the Exynos 2400, a step up from last year’s slightly weaker 2400e. It’s paired with a 4,900mAh battery, larger than before, and support for 45W fast charging finally makes its way to the FE line. Samsung has also upgraded the cooling system with a bigger vapor chamber to keep performance steady.

The Galaxy S25 FE is the first in the S25 lineup to ship with One UI 8 (Android 16) out of the box and offers the exact same software experience. With Samsung’s new seven years of updates policy, this phone is set to stay current well into the next decade. As it launches with newer software, it will get an additional year of updates than the other S25 models.

The thinner, lighter design is the standout improvement, and the brighter screen and bigger battery, which we're looking forward to testing, only add to the appeal. The cameras haven’t moved forward in hardware, but Samsung’s AI tools help keep the experience fresh. All told, the S25 FE looks like a strong value pick for anyone wanting a flagship feel without the flagship price.

Watch out for our full review of the Galaxy S25 FE in the coming weeks.