The Samsung Galaxy S25 series has become a stalwart in integrating AI into phones. Since introducing Galaxy AI with last year’s Galaxy S24 lineup, Samsung has continued refining how AI fits into everyday smartphone use—and they’ve also been generous in making it accessible to more users through the Fan Edition line.
The Galaxy Fan Edition, or FE, has built its reputation as a mid-range alternative to Samsung’s flagship S-series. It offers a near-flagship experience in both software and design, and this year’s FE device pushes that even further, coming closer than ever to the real thing.
Design: 4/5
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE features a 6.7-inch 120 Hz AMOLED display that’s vivid, sharp, and easily comparable to the rest of the S25 series. It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides and framed in aluminum, making it lighter than its predecessor without losing its premium feel.
Design-wise, it follows the familiar S-series aesthetic, complete with the now-iconic triple camera layout at the back. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of Samsung’s choice to keep the same look for three years, but to be fair, it still works. The clean, minimalist design feels refined, not dated.
At the front is a 12MP selfie camera, while the back houses the 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. Around the frame, you’ll find the speaker and USB-C port at the bottom, the dual nano-SIM tray, and the power and volume buttons neatly placed on the right.
Hardware: 4/5
Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 FE runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 2400 chip, the same SoC found in last year’s Galaxy S24 and S24+. It comes with 8GB of RAM and three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.
The Exynos 2400 isn’t quite on par with the Snapdragon version of Samsung’s flagships, but it gets the job done well. Games like Teamfight Tactics and Honor of Kings ran smoothly, and even Genshin Impact held up nicely at high settings. The phone does get warm during long gaming sessions, but performance stays consistent.
Powering the Galaxy S25 FE is a 4900mAh battery with 45W fast charging. In real-world use, I got about two days with light activity (checking emails, social media) and a full day with heavier workloads like gaming or all-day video shooting. Charging from 15% to 100% takes a little over an hour, and yes, it supports wireless charging too.
The cameras are among the best in its class. The main 50MP shooter produces vivid, detailed images in bright light, while low-light shots remain usable for social media. For video, the Galaxy S25 FE punches above its weight—footage is sharp and stable, even without a gimbal. It became my go-to shooter over my Pixel during testing.
User Experience: 4.5/5
Using the Galaxy S25 FE was surprisingly enjoyable. I found myself reaching for it more often than my usual daily driver. It offers nearly everything I need—smooth performance, a stunning AMOLED display, and reliable cameras.
Galaxy AI integration is another highlight. Photo editing is fast and intuitive. Compared to Google’s Magic Eraser, Samsung’s version is equally accurate and sometimes even better at masking complex areas. Other AI-powered tools like Note Assist, Live Transcription, and Live Translate round out the experience, though I didn’t get to test all of them extensively.
For entertainment, the AMOLED display makes binge-watching on Netflix or YouTube an absolute treat. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, with minimal distortion even at higher volumes. Add IP68 water resistance, and you’ve got a phone that’s durable enough for real-world use.
If there’s one thing I’d like to see improved, it’s memory. 8GB of RAM is decent by 2025 standards, but more would definitely help with multitasking and heavy AI workloads.
Value: 4/5
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE starts at PHP39,990 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, PHP44,990 for the 8GB + 256GB model, and PHP53,990 for the top-tier 512GB configuration. It’s priced on the higher side for a mid-range phone, but you’re paying for a refined balance of performance, design, and long-term support.
Samsung also promises seven years of software and security updates—a huge advantage at this price point, where most competitors only offer around five. That alone makes the Galaxy S25 FE a smart long-term buy.
Bottomline
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE earns its place alongside the flagship S25 lineup. It delivers a near-premium experience without the premium price tag. You get solid performance, capable cameras, and Samsung’s best AI features in a package that looks and feels high-end.
It’s not trying to be a “flagship killer,” but rather a dependable all-rounder for people who want the best of Samsung’s ecosystem without spending top-tier money. For many users, this might just be the sweet spot.
What’s Hot:
- Excellent Galaxy AI integration
- Seven years of software and security updates
- Fast and reliable optical fingerprint sensor
- Flagship-grade camera performance
- Great display and build quality
What’s Not:
- Only 8GB of RAM
- Gets warm during long gaming sessions
- Slightly expensive for its segment
Specifications
- Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (1080 × 2340), 120 Hz
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400
- OS: One UI 8 (Android 16)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
- Rear Cameras: 50MP (main) + 12MP (ultrawide) + 8MP (telephoto, 3× optical zoom)
- Front Camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4900mAh with 45W fast charging, wireless charging
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
- Others: In-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock, IP68 water resistance
- Dimensions: 161.3 × 76.6 × 7.4mm
- Weight: 190g
Reviewed by Gabriel Pe
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Volume 26 Issue No. 4