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Buy or wait: Samsung Galaxy 25 FE is currently still too expensive

Good performance and features at an increasingly attractive price: The Galaxy S25 FE in review. (Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
Good performance and features at an increasingly attractive price: The Galaxy S25 FE in review. (Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
The Galaxy S25 FE is the cheapest Galaxy S model to date and proves to be a solid device in our review. However, its price is currently a bit of a hindrance. However, those willing to wait could snap up a real bargain.

With the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, Samsung is following a well-known principle that debuted with the Galaxy S20 FE. The "FE" suffix in the product name stands for "Fan Edition" and denotes a slightly slimmed-down smartphone with a particularly good price-performance ratio.

Users of the 6.7-inch Fan Edition get slightly less performance and features than the four other Galaxy S models: Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, the Galaxy S25 FE also costs less and is still tailored to the wishes of Samsung customers without compromising on the core qualities of the Galaxy S.

Sharp price decline has begun

In practice, it is primarily the purchase price that determines whether a smartphone sells or becomes a shelf hugger. The Galaxy S25 FE initially faced a tough sell in this regard. With Samsung's ambitious RRP of $649 for the smallest 128 GB storage variant at its market launch in September, the Galaxy S25 FE costs as much as the Galaxy S25+, which also has a 6.7-inch screen. However, the latter is better equipped in every respect.

In the meantime, however, the purchase price has shifted in favor of the Galaxy S25 FE. Within a month, it has now fallen to just under $550 if you opt for the 128 GB version, while the 256 GB model is now available for around $610 (RRP $710). The top-of-the-line 512 GB model, not available in the USA due to a strategic business decision by Samsung, costs the equivalent of $932 in Europe.

This puts the Galaxy S25 FE at roughly the same price level as the Galaxy S25, which, with its 6.2-inch form factor, isn't for fans of large smartphones. On the other hand, the Galaxy S25's features differ only in minor details from those of the Galaxy S25+, which in turn speaks against the Galaxy S25 FE.

If the price falls below $500, which is probably only a matter of time, the Galaxy S25 may become even more interesting for buyers. This is also because its slightly slimmed-down features mostly revolve around things that are hardly noticeable or not noticeable at all in everyday use. Examples include WiFi 6E instead of WiFi 7, an LTPO panel with refresh rates of 60 and 120 Hz instead of an LTPS panel.

Find all pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE in our detailed review

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2025 10 > Buy or wait: Samsung Galaxy 25 FE is currently still too expensive
Manuel Masiero, 2025-10-19 (Update: 2025-10-19)