Balancing Flagship Feel with Mid-Premium Price
Samsung has extended its Galaxy S25 series with the new Galaxy S25 FE. Priced at ₹59,999, it is pitched as the entry point into the premium lineup while keeping some flagship features intact. It carries a triple-camera system, AI-powered tools, and a larger battery, all packed inside a design that mirrors its pricier siblings. On paper, it feels like a safe middle ground for buyers who want the Samsung experience without paying Ultra prices. But the smartphone market has shifted. Competitors like OnePlus 13s, Vivo X200 FE, and Google’s Pixel 10 offer tough alternatives. And with Apple’s iPhone 16e now at a similar price, the real question is whether the Galaxy S25 FE does enough to convince.
Design That Feels Premium Yet Familiar
The Galaxy S25 FE is slim at 7.4 mm and light at 190 grams, making it comfortable in hand despite the big size. The matte haze finish, especially in the navy color, resists fingerprints and gives it a clean look. Samsung has paired Gorilla Glass Victus+ with an Armor Aluminum frame, which adds durability without making it bulky.
The bezels are slimmer than before, and the flat 6.7-inch panel stretches nicely edge to edge. From the front, it looks closer to the Galaxy S25+ than a cut-down edition. The design is safe, polished, and durable. Yet, it lacks the boldness that some rivals bring with curved edges or flashy finishes. For anyone who values practicality, Samsung ticks the box well.
Display That Sets the Standard
Samsung rarely slips on display quality, and the S25 FE is proof. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is sharp and vivid, with a 120 Hz refresh rate that keeps animations smooth. Vision Booster makes outdoor use brighter, and HDR content looks crisp. Compared to Apple’s iPhone 16e, Samsung takes the lead with higher refresh and better HDR.
However, compared with last year’s S24 FE, the improvements are subtle. The brighter panel and slimmer bezels are welcome, but not game-changing. Still, if binge-watching and gaming are priorities, this is one of the better displays in the segment.
AI at the Core of the Experience
Running on Android 16 with One UI 8, the S25 FE leans into Samsung’s AI push. Features like live transcription, instant translation, smarter gallery search, and the ProVisual engine are not just gimmicks — they work consistently well. Extracting text from screenshots or summarizing notes feels quick and natural.
This is a clear upgrade from last year’s edition, where AI felt more experimental. The S25 FE makes it part of daily use. It is Samsung’s way of matching rivals that push AI branding hard, but the good part is that the features feel polished and reliable.
Performance That Stays Consistent
Samsung powers the phone with its Exynos 2400 processor. Paired with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, it runs daily tasks effortlessly. Scrolling, multitasking, and streaming 4K video are smooth. Gaming also feels stable. Call of Duty and Genshin Impact both ran at high settings without lags, and thermal management kept heat in check.
The benchmark scores show strength, though rivals like OnePlus 13s still edge ahead in raw value. For its price, the S25 FE delivers solid consistency, something the S24 FE sometimes struggled with. But in a market where Snapdragon chips dominate, Samsung’s Exynos choice may still feel limiting for performance-hungry buyers.
Cameras That Impress the Most
The triple camera system — 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 8 MP telephoto — is the highlight of the phone. Daylight photos look sharp with natural colors, and night shots benefit from improved sensors and AI processing. Portraits carry creamy bokeh and clean edge detection, while the telephoto lens adds flexibility that many rivals skip.
The front 12 MP camera captures crisp selfies without heavy softening. Video goes up to 8K, but 4K 60 fps offers the best balance of quality and stability. In real use, the camera stands out as one of the strongest in this price bracket. Compared with the iPhone 16e, the S25 FE has the clear edge in versatility thanks to the telephoto lens.
Battery That Lasts Long Enough
With a 4900 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE lasts more than a day and often stretches to one and a half. Even with gaming and camera use, it comfortably survives a full day. Charging at 45W wired is decent, reaching 65 percent in 30 minutes, though not industry-leading. Wireless charging is also present. Samsung balances practicality here, though rivals offer faster wired charging.
Verdict: A Strong Phone at a Risky Price
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a well-rounded smartphone. It looks premium, the display is gorgeous, performance is consistent, and the camera is among the best in its class. At ₹59,999, it brings flagship features like IP68 durability, AI tools, and a telephoto lens that even Apple skips at this price.
But convincing buyers won’t be easy. The competition is fierce, and several rivals deliver similar or even stronger performance at lower prices. The S25 FE is reliable and polished, but the value equation is less clear this year. For loyal Samsung fans, it is a smart entry into the Galaxy S25 family. For price-sensitive buyers, though, it may not feel like the best deal.
