Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Solid everyday performer with a few caveats

Priced at Rs 59,999, the new Galaxy S25 FE is being positioned as the most affordable device in the Galaxy S25 lineup.

The design and feel

With the Galaxy S25 FE, Samsung seems to have managed to slim down the device when compared to the Galaxy S24 FE. The new S25 FE is also 20 grams lighter. While the 6.7-inch screen is manageably large, one-handed use can feel challenging at times, especially with the plain flat back panel. Bezels that resemble iPhones have become commonplace in recent years, and the Galaxy S25 FE is no exception. It has sharp corners that detract from the overall comfort.

The Galaxy S25 FE’s triple-lens setup stands out against its matte navy blue back. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The one thing that I like the most about the phone is its navy blue colour. Samsung is offering the phone in Jet Black, Icy Blue, and White colours. Apart from the stunning colour, the phone has a matte finish that excels at preventing fingerprints and smudges. I found this impressive, as my hands are often clammy. The armour aluminium frame coupled with the Victor Plus glass on both sides offers a premium touch. The device comes with IP68 water and dust resistance. I could saunter in light rains and walk in dusty winds with absolutely no care.

The slim, IP68-rated design feels premium and sits securely during long calls. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The software experience and display

The Galaxy S25 FE comes with Android 16 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 8 on top. It also comes with Samsung’s customary seven years of updates. Overall, the phone has a stable software experience. It is snappy, and you can multitask effortlessly.

Samsung’s One UI 8 on Android 16 delivers a clean, snappy software experience. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The Galaxy S25 FE is loaded with AI features, including a cool translation tool and a daily briefing that informs you about the calendar and weather. Even the lock screen can change photos to reflect the current weather. It needs to be noted that most of the AI tools are the same as seen on other Samsung or Pixel phones. While Samsung AI features are decent at best, the Google integration is simply amazing with handy features like Circle to Search and call-related enhancements.

The beauty of advanced display technology is that now most phones come with stunning screens. The S25 FE comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X offering Full HD+ resolution. While this is not as crisp as the displays seen on other S25 phones, it is sharp enough for daily use.

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen stays bright and sharp in daylight.

The display supports HDR10+, and it gets bright enough for outdoor use without much discomfort. The LTPO technology allows the refresh rate to scale from 1 to 120 Hz, and you can adjust colours to some extent. The stereo speakers are quite good, delivering reasonably loud and rich audio without serious distortion at maximum volume.

On performance

While the flagship S25 models feature the high-end Snapdragon 8 Elite, the FE ships with Samsung’s proprietary Exynos 2400. This is the same chip that was used in the Galaxy S24 series. Although the Exynos 2400 is efficient, it is definitely not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

HDR10+ support and loud stereo speakers make videos look and sound rich.

While playing some demanding games such as Wreckfest, Wuthering Waves, Honkai: Star Rail, etc., you may observe occasional frame drops. This happens on the highest graphics settings. Considering the price tag, one may expect more smoothness. However, to get a stable performance, we recommend playing on medium settings. Also, during gaming the phone may get warm but not at an alarming level.

Camera performance and battery life

When it comes to camera setup, the device includes a 50MP main shooter, a 1/1.56-inch sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto that has 3x optical zoom. The main camera performs well for everyday photography. But, at times, like every other Samsung phone, it produces oversaturated images.

While clicking in poor lighting conditions or capturing objects in motion, there may be some blur in the final output. It has a portrait mode that is decent; overall, low-light performance is adequate from the main camera. The ultrawide camera works well in good light; however, it struggles in darker conditions. On the other hand, the telephoto camera is seemingly weak in low light and is not great with digital zoom.

The 50 MP main sensor captures vivid outdoor shots with plenty of detail. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The main camera can record 4K videos at 60 fps with HDR with solid stabilisation. Video calls are reliably clean, as the front camera handles 4K video calls with ease. One can also record videos in 8K; just remember the output may not be as you desire.

Wall art captured indoors shows balanced colours and controlled noise. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Outdoor lamp post highlights the camera’s sharpness and natural colour reproduction. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Trees and sunlight demonstrate the main sensor’s ability to handle shadows and bright skies. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Playground spring rider reveals fine details and accurate colours. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Leaves and open sky showcase strong contrast and minimal noise. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The Indian Express building at night displays good clarity with low noise. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

White blooms against deep green leaves show accurate colour and focus. (Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

Compared to the 4,700 mAh on the S24 FE, the S25 FE comes with 4,900 mAh, which is very similar to the Galaxy S25 Plus and much higher than the newly launched Galaxy S25 Edge. The battery life is passable, and with moderate usage most users can pass a full day. Even for demanding users, with streaming, photography and light gaming, the phone lasts for a full day. Charging is adequate, as the wired charging takes about an hour and twenty minutes for a full charge. The phone also features 15W wireless charging support.

Should you buy a Galaxy S25 FE?

The storage option seems a bit off, as the base model comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Anyone would require a bigger storage considering the number of pictures clicked or large files being downloaded. While there is no MicroSD, the phone gets both SIM and eSIM options.

The Galaxy S25 FE is a well-rounded phone with a premium feel and strong software support. While it uses the Exynos 2400 chip rather than Samsung’s latest flagship processor, it still delivers dependable everyday performance. At Rs 59,999, it faces stiff competition from similarly priced devices, but Samsung’s seven-year update commitment and occasional launch offers add to its long-term value.