Samsung Galaxy S25 FE arrived on September 4, 2025 as the lower priced member of the Galaxy S25 family. Samsung lists the United States starting price at $649.99 for the 128GB model, the same starting price as the Galaxy S24 FE. The new phone is slimmer and lighter than the model it replaces, it has a larger battery, faster wired charging, a full Exynos 2400 chip, a new 12MP front camera, and Android 16 with One UI 8. This guide explains what changed, what stayed the same, and what to check before you buy.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE at a glance: what changed
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE was announced and made available in the United States on September 4, 2025, starting at $649.99 for 128GB, according to Samsung. The main changes are a slimmer 7.4mm body, a 4,900mAh battery, 45W wired charging, the Exynos 2400 chip, a 12MP front camera, and Android 16 with One UI 8.
The price is the first thing to get right. Samsung says the Galaxy S25 FE is available in the United States from September 4, 2025, starting at $649.99, and it comes with six months of free access to the Google AI Pro plan, with access to features in Gemini, Flow, NotebookLM, and more. That starting price is for the 128GB model with 8GB of RAM. Samsung lists a 256GB model with 8GB of RAM as well in the United States.
The phone is part of the Fan Edition line, which Samsung uses for a lower priced version of its Galaxy S phones. A buyer gets a large screen, a triple rear camera, Galaxy AI tools, and long software support, without paying the price of the standard Galaxy S25 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This article does not claim hands on testing by TechNewsNest. Facts come from Samsung and from PhoneArena lab tests, and each claim is tied to the source that reported it.
Design, display and durability
Galaxy S25 FE is 161.3 by 76.6 by 7.4mm and weighs 190 grams, according to Samsung, so it is slimmer and lighter than the Galaxy S24 FE. The screen is a 6.7 inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a refresh rate up to 120Hz, and the phone has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
The size change is easy to feel in the hand. PhoneArena lists the Galaxy S24 FE at 162 by 77.3 by 8mm and 213 grams, so the new model is 0.6mm thinner and 23 grams lighter. Samsung says the frame is enhanced Armor Aluminum, and PhoneArena notes that the phone uses the same armored aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ as the previous model. The phone comes in four colors in the United States: Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, and White.
The display itself is largely the same as the previous model. Samsung lists a 6.7 inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate up to 120Hz, and the resolution is 2340 by 1080 pixels. The panel is not an LTPO panel, according to PhoneArena, so the refresh rate switches between 60Hz and 120Hz. Samsung lists an IP68 rating, based on lab tests for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, and Samsung says the phone is not advised for beach or pool use.
Performance and the Exynos 2400 chip
Galaxy S25 FE uses the Samsung Exynos 2400 chip built on a 4nm process, with 8GB of RAM, according to Samsung. PhoneArena found that it beats the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy S24 FE and the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9a, but it is slower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite in other Galaxy S25 models.
The chip change is one of the main upgrades over the Galaxy S24 FE. That phone used the Exynos 2400e, a lower power version of the same chip family. The Galaxy S25 FE uses the full Exynos 2400, a 10 core chip that Samsung also used in the Galaxy S24 family in some markets. PhoneArena says the single core score is very close to what the Galaxy S24 FE achieved, but there is a substantial difference in the multi core result. PhoneArena also found it beats the Pixel 9a and the Galaxy A56 in graphics tests.
PhoneArena says the Galaxy S25 FE works smoothly in real life and without lag or stutter. Memory is fixed at 8GB of RAM in the United States, with 128GB or 256GB of storage, and there is no microSD card slot listed. The phone supports 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth 5.4, according to Samsung.
Cameras and the new front camera
Galaxy S25 FE has a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultra wide camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, according to Samsung. The front camera is new at 12MP, up from 10MP on the Galaxy S24 FE, and PhoneArena rates the main and selfie cameras as the best parts of the system.
The rear camera system is carried over from the Galaxy S24 FE. Samsung lists a 12MP ultra wide camera, a 50MP wide camera with optical image stabilization, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. PhoneArena says the main 50MP sensor is the standout performer, with detailed and well exposed shots, while the telephoto and ultra wide cameras are serviceable but clearly weaker, especially in low light.
The front camera is the one clear camera upgrade. Samsung lists a 12MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture and an 80 degree field of view, and it says the camera is enabled by the AI powered ProVisual Engine. Video recording goes up to 8K at 30 frames per second on the rear camera, according to GSMArena. PhoneArena rates video at 139 overall, a bit worse than photos at 143.
Battery life and 45W charging
Galaxy S25 FE has a 4,900mAh battery, which is 200mAh larger than the 4,700mAh battery in the Galaxy S24 FE, according to Samsung and PhoneArena. Samsung says wired charging reaches up to 65 percent in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter, and PhoneArena measured 64 percent in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1 hour and 1 minute.
The battery gain is small on paper, but the charging gain is larger. PhoneArena lists the Galaxy S24 FE at 25W wired charging, with up to 50 percent in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1 hour and 21 minutes. The Galaxy S25 FE at 45W reaches 64 percent in 30 minutes in PhoneArena testing, and a full charge in 1 hour and 1 minute. The 45W adapter and 5A cable are sold separately, according to Samsung, so a buyer who does not already own a 45W Samsung approved charger will need to buy one to get the fastest wired charging speed.
Battery life in daily use is good but not class leading, according to PhoneArena, which measured an estimate of 6 hours and 59 minutes in its battery test. Samsung lists the typical battery capacity as 4,900mAh, with a rated minimum capacity of 4,755mAh.
Galaxy AI, Gemini and photo editing
Galaxy S25 FE ships with Galaxy AI tools and One UI 8, according to Samsung, including Gemini Live, Now Bar, Now Brief, and Circle to Search with Google. It also has Generative Edit, Instant Slow-mo, Audio Eraser, and Auto Trim for photos and video, and Samsung includes six months of free access to the Google AI Pro plan.
Gemini Live is the most visible AI feature in the Samsung announcement. Samsung says Gemini Live enables real time visual conversations with multimodal AI, so the device can see what the user sees and answer contextual questions. Now Bar shows helpful information on the lock screen, and it can be customized to display live notifications, music, modes, and routines.
Photo and video editing tools are a second part of the AI package. Samsung says Generative Edit automatically detects passersby in the background of photos and proactively recommends what to remove, while Portrait Studio lets users create personalized avatars. Instant Slow-mo turns a clip into slow motion with a single tap. Audio Eraser cleans up noise in videos by isolating audio elements such as voices, music, wind, ambient nature, crowd noise, and background interference. Auto Trim automatically selects the best moments from footage. The Google AI Pro plan offer is six months free, with access to features in Gemini, Flow, NotebookLM, and more, according to Samsung. For more on the software that carries these tools, see the TechNewsNest guide to One UI 8.
Android 16, One UI 8 and seven years of updates
Galaxy S25 FE ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.0, according to Samsung, and Samsung promises seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date. PhoneArena says that support runs until 2032, which makes the phone one of the most future proof devices in its class.
The software timing is a real advantage over the rest of the Galaxy S25 family. The standard Galaxy S25 models launched with Android 15 and One UI 7, while the Galaxy S25 FE launched with Android 16 and One UI 8.0. Samsung says One UI 8 will be available on more devices including the full Galaxy S25 series with updates starting in September 2025, so the other models catch up by update, but the FE starts ahead.
Seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates is a long promise, and it is the same promise Samsung gives for the rest of the Galaxy S25 family. PhoneArena says the phone is guaranteed updates until 2032. On first setup, sign in with a Samsung account and a Google account, restore apps and data from a previous phone, and check for a software update.
Galaxy S25 FE compared with Galaxy S24 FE
Galaxy S25 FE is slimmer, lighter, faster to charge, and newer in software than the Galaxy S24 FE, while the price, screen size, and rear camera system are largely the same. PhoneArena says there is no reason to upgrade from the Galaxy S24 FE, because the previous model has very comparable specs and will last seven years as well.
Comparison: Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S24 FE
Price in the United States at launch: S25 FE starts at $649.99 for 128GB, according to Samsung. S24 FE started at $649.99 for 128GB, according to PhoneArena. The starting price did not change.
Size and weight: S25 FE is 161.3 by 76.6 by 7.4mm and 190 grams, according to Samsung. S24 FE is 162 by 77.3 by 8mm and 213 grams, according to PhoneArena.
Display: Both have a 6.7 inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate up to 120Hz.
Processor: S25 FE uses the Exynos 2400. S24 FE uses the Exynos 2400e.
Software at launch: S25 FE ships with Android 16 and One UI 8, according to Samsung. S24 FE shipped with Android 14 and One UI 6.1, according to PhoneArena.
Front camera: S25 FE has a 12MP front camera. S24 FE has a 10MP front camera.
Rear cameras: Both have a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra wide camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
Battery: S25 FE has a 4,900mAh battery. S24 FE has a 4,700mAh battery.
Wired charging: S25 FE supports 45W wired charging, with up to 65 percent in around 30 minutes, according to Samsung. S24 FE supports 25W wired charging, with up to 50 percent in 30 minutes, according to PhoneArena.
Galaxy S25 FE compared with Galaxy S25
Galaxy S25 FE is the lower priced, larger screen member of the Galaxy S25 family, while the standard Galaxy S25 uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, according to PhoneArena. The FE keeps a 6.7 inch screen, a 4,900mAh battery, and 45W wired charging, and it starts at $649.99 in the United States, according to Samsung.
The chip is the main difference between the two phones. PhoneArena says the Exynos 2400 in the Galaxy S25 FE is no match for the Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the non FE Galaxy S25 models, but that is to be expected at the lower price. In real life, PhoneArena says the Galaxy S25 FE works smoothly and without lag or stutter. The FE also has 8GB of RAM, while the standard Galaxy S25 has more memory, and that difference matters for multitasking.
The screen is the second difference. The FE has a 6.7 inch FHD+ display, while the standard Galaxy S25 has a smaller screen. The FE display is not an LTPO panel, according to PhoneArena, so it switches between 60Hz and 120Hz. Price is the reason to choose the FE. Samsung lists the FE from $649.99 in the United States, and PhoneArena places it between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e, both at $599, and the Galaxy A56, which is cheaper but lacks the flagship feel and feature set. This draft does not list a current price for the standard Galaxy S25, because that price was not verified from an opened Samsung or PhoneArena source for this article. Check the current Samsung store price for both models before you buy. For a look at another large screen rival in the same price range, see the TechNewsNest guide to the Google Pixel 10 series.
Who should buy, and who should wait
Galaxy S25 FE suits buyers who want a large Samsung phone with a good main camera, fast charging, and seven years of updates, without paying flagship prices. Buyers who own a Galaxy S24 FE, who want the fastest chip, or who want the longest battery life in this price range should check the alternatives first or wait.
Buyers who should wait include people who already own a Galaxy S24 FE, because PhoneArena says there is no reason to upgrade from that model. People who want the longest battery life should also check the Pixel 9a, which PhoneArena found lasts longer in its battery test, with 8 hours and 11 minutes against 6 hours and 59 minutes for the Galaxy S25 FE. People who want the fastest chip in the Galaxy S25 family should check the standard Galaxy S25, which uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite, according to PhoneArena. People who need more than 256GB of storage in the United States should also check, because Samsung lists only 128GB and 256GB models there.
Before you buy, confirm the storage size you need, because it cannot be expanded later, and confirm the 45W charger is in the box or buy one separately. If those checks pass, the Galaxy S25 FE is a solid lower priced Galaxy S25 phone with a large screen, a good main camera, and long software support.
Frequently asked questions
When was Samsung Galaxy S25 FE released?
Samsung announced Galaxy S25 FE on September 4, 2025, and Samsung says it was available in the United States that same day, starting at $649.99 for the 128GB model.
How much does Samsung Galaxy S25 FE cost?
Samsung lists the United States starting price at $649.99 for the 128GB model with 8GB of RAM. A 256GB model is also listed in the United States. Prices can change after launch, so check the current Samsung store price before you buy.
What chip does Galaxy S25 FE use?
Galaxy S25 FE uses the Samsung Exynos 2400 chip built on a 4nm process, with 8GB of RAM, according to Samsung. PhoneArena found it beats the Exynos 2400e in the Galaxy S24 FE and the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9a in CPU tests.
How long does the battery last on Galaxy S25 FE?
Samsung lists a 4,900mAh battery. PhoneArena measured an estimate of 6 hours and 59 minutes in its battery test, with 15 hours and 3 minutes of browsing, 10 hours and 29 minutes of video, and 10 hours and 27 minutes of gaming.
How fast does Galaxy S25 FE charge?
Samsung says wired charging reaches up to 65 percent in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter, which is sold separately. PhoneArena measured 64 percent in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1 hour and 1 minute.
Does Galaxy S25 FE get seven years of updates?
Yes, according to Samsung. Samsung promises seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date. PhoneArena says that support runs until 2032.
Is Galaxy S25 FE waterproof?
Galaxy S25 FE has an IP68 rating, according to Samsung, based on lab tests for submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Samsung says it is not advised for beach or pool use, and the rating does not mean the phone is waterproof for all uses.
Sources
- Samsung Newsroom US, Meet Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: The Gateway to Galaxy AI and Flagship Essentials: https://news.samsung.com/us/meet-samsung-galaxy-s25-fe-gateway-galaxy-ai-flagship-essentials/
- PhoneArena, Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Affordable flagship done the right way: https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s25-fe-hands-on-preview_id7637
- GSMArena, Samsung Galaxy S25 FE full phone specifications: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s25_fe_5g-14042.php
- 9to5Google, Samsung’s slimmer, lighter Galaxy S25 FE is available now: https://9to5google.com/2025/09/04/samsung-galaxy-s25-fe-slim-light-official-650-available-today/
