Samsung Galaxy S25 FE review: Key differences to the Galaxy S25+
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, also known as the "Fan Edition", is the most affordable current Galaxy S smartphone and sits between the budget Galaxy A series and its significantly more expensive Galaxy S25 sister models: the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The 5.8-millimeter-thin Galaxy S25 Edge is positioned as a rival to the Apple iPhone Air, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra is in a completely different league in terms of price and features, and the Galaxy S25 is significantly smaller than the test candidate at 6.3 inches. A direct comparison between the Galaxy S25 FE and the Galaxy S25+, which also measures 6.7 inches, is thus the most fitting comparison.
Galaxy S25 FE vs. Galaxy S25+: What the most important differences are
- Housing: The Galaxy S25+ has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for the display and back cover, while the Galaxy S25 FE has Gorilla Glass Victus+, which offers a slightly lower level of protection. The frame is made of aluminum in both models, but the Galaxy S25+ uses a more resistant alloy called Armor Aluminum. Both smartphones are IP68-rated and weigh 190 grams. The Galaxy S25 FE is slightly longer.
- Storage: The Galaxy S25+ has 12 GB of RAM in all configurations and offers at least 256 GB (alternatively 512 GB). The Galaxy S25 FE has 8 GB and 128 GB (alternatively 256 and 512 GB). In the smallest storage variant, the Fan Edition also only uses UFS 3.1 storage, otherwise UFS 4.0 like the Galaxy S25+.
- Features and connectivity: This is where the Galaxy S25 FE makes the most compromises. Instead of WiFi 7, it only has WiFi 6E, ultra-wideband is not supported, and the USB-C speed remains at USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.2 Gen.1. On the other hand, the Fan Edition supports DeX desktop mode.
- Software: The Galaxy S25+ launched with Android 15, while the Galaxy S25 FE runs Android 16, which is its only advantage. Both smartphones use the complete Galaxy AI suite and will receive updates for a total of 7 years.
- Cameras: Both Samsung smartphones feature a 12 MP selfie camera and a triple camera with 50 MP wide angle, 12 MP ultra wide angle, and 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. In terms of image quality, the Galaxy S25+ has a slight edge.
- Display: Like the Galaxy S25 FE, the Galaxy S25+ has 1080p resolution, but can also be switched to 1440p for even greater image sharpness. In addition, the more expensive Galaxy model uses an LTPO panel that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate between 1 and 120 Hz. In the Galaxy S25 FE, on the other hand, Samsung uses a less bright LTPS panel that only has two fixed refresh rates of 60 and 120 Hz.
- Performance: Another advantage for the Galaxy S25+ because its Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy offers significantly more performance than the Galaxy S25 FE, which only has the Samsung Exynos 2400. Nevertheless, everyday performance is still very high.
- Battery: On paper, both Galaxy smartphones are on par, as both have a 4900 mAh battery and charge at almost the same speed (Galaxy S25 FE: 40 watts; 45 watts for the Galaxy S25+). In tests, however, the Galaxy S25 FE comes up short, as its battery life is clearly inferior.
Read the full review of the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE here.
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My fascination for computers started with the C64. Since then, I’ve put everything that comes my way in terms of hardware through its paces. From the C64 to the Amiga 500 and the first PC with an 8088 CPU, my list of projects has grown increasingly longer. For more than 20 years now I have also turned my hobby into my profession and have been active in the mobile section of Notebookcheck since 2021. Before that, I worked as a hardware editor for IDG Media (tecChannel.de) and VNU Business Publications (PC professional), among others.
Growing up in regional Australia, I first became acquainted with computers in my early teens after a broken leg from a football (soccer) match temporarily condemned me to a predominately indoor lifestyle. Soon afterwards I was building my own systems. Now I live in Germany, having moved here in 2014, where I study philosophy and anthropology. I am particularly fascinated by how computer technology has fundamentally and dramatically reshaped human culture, and how it continues to do so.
