Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Unboxing, Hands-On & First Impressions! (Navy Blue)

Summary

In this review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, Wade from Tech Daily dives into the phone’s design, display, performance, and pricing. He discusses how the phone offers solid features like a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, 45W fast charging, and seven years of software updates, but falls short in performance with the Exynos 2400 chip and only 8GB of RAM. While it has an improved battery and camera upgrades, the phone no longer offers the same value as its predecessors. Wade questions the phone's place in Samsung’s lineup, given the overlap with other models at better prices and specs.

Takeaways

• 📦 The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE comes in a simple unboxing package: phone, SIM ejector, paperwork, and USB-C cable.
• 💰 Pricing for the S25 FE is $649 for 128 GB and $709 for 256 GB, with current promotions making the 256 GB model effectively $649 plus potential Amazon gift card deals.
• 📱 The S25 FE features a 6.7-inch screen, same as the S25 Plus and last year's S24 FE, with slightly smaller bezels for a marginally better screen-to-body ratio.
• 🎨 The back panel uses a matte Gorilla Glass Victus Plus finish with enhanced armor aluminum frame; color options are limited and less vibrant compared to previous FEs.
• 🔋 Battery improved to 4,900 mAh with 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging support.
• 📸 Camera setup remains mostly unchanged from last year, with minor improvements to the 12 MP selfie camera and software features like Galaxy AI and Pro Visual Engine.
• ⚡ Performance uses the Exynos 2400 chip with 8 GB RAM, which is less powerful than flagship S25 models and lacks the previous FE advantage of flagship-level processors.
• 🖥️ Display remains a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 2340x1080 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate; no major hardware upgrades, but still a solid viewing experience.
• 📲 Software is fully featured with 7 years of Android and Samsung OS updates, plus access to all Galaxy AI features.
• 🤔 The S25 FE faces challenges justifying its place in Samsung’s lineup due to overlapping features with A-series phones and older FE models, offering limited unique value.
• 💡 Overall, the S25 FE has incremental upgrades in battery, charging, and minor software enhancements but falls short in performance and standout features compared to other Samsung devices.

Q & A

What is the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and how does it differ from previous models?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is the latest iteration of Samsung's fan edition series. It comes with some useful upgrades over last year's version, including a larger battery, faster charging, and a slightly improved design. However, it no longer features the same flagship processor found in the S25 series, which could be a drawback for some users.

What are the storage options for the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and what promotions are currently available?

The Galaxy S25 FE comes with two storage options: 128GB for $649 and 256GB for $709. Currently, Samsung is offering a free storage upgrade, so the 256GB model is priced at $649. Additionally, Amazon is offering a $100 gift card with this purchase.

How does the screen size and quality of the S25 FE compare to other models in the Samsung lineup?

The S25 FE features a 6.7-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2340x1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, similar to last year's model. While it lacks the higher resolution found in the S25 Plus, it's still a solid display with sharpness, smoothness, and sufficient brightness for most users.

What has changed in terms of the design of the Galaxy S25 FE?

The S25 FE now sports a matte finish on the Gorilla Glass Victus Plus back panel and a slightly darker, sparklier aluminum frame. The color options are more subdued compared to previous years, with only white, jet black, icy blue, and navy available.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE still have a microSD card slot for expandable storage?

No, the Galaxy S25 FE no longer has a microSD card slot for expandable storage. This feature was removed a few years ago, and the phone offers internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB.

What kind of processor is in the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and how does it compare to the flagship models?

The S25 FE is powered by the Exynos 2400 chip, which is slightly more capable than the Exynos 2400E found in the S24 FE but still falls behind the flagship Snapdragon chips in terms of performance. This shift has led to a less impressive price-to-performance ratio compared to previous FE models.

What are the camera specifications on the S25 FE, and are there any significant improvements?

The camera setup on the S25 FE includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The main improvement is in the 12MP selfie camera, which has a new sensor for better image quality. However, most other camera features remain similar to last year's model, with improvements mainly in software through Galaxy AI.

How long will the Galaxy S25 FE receive software updates?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE will receive up to 7 years of Android and Samsung OS updates, ensuring longevity and continued software support throughout its life cycle.

What improvements have been made in the battery and charging speed of the S25 FE?

The S25 FE features a larger 4,900mAh battery compared to last year's 4,700mAh. It also supports faster 45-watt wired charging, up from the previous 25-watt charging. Wireless charging remains at 15 watts, and the phone also offers reverse wireless charging.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE offer any unique features that make it stand out in the crowded Samsung lineup?

While the Galaxy S25 FE offers a large display, fast charging, and solid camera features, it no longer stands out in terms of performance. With many Samsung phones available at different price points, including the A56 series, it is harder to justify the FE's existence in the current lineup. The S25 FE doesn't offer much that the other models don't already, making it less appealing in comparison.