6 reasons I’d buy the Galaxy S25 FE instead of the pricier S25

Every year, the routine repeats. Samsung reveals its latest Galaxy lineup, which includes some of the best Samsung phones. They feature fast chips, sharp cameras, and a matching price.

A quieter FE (Fan Edition) release comes a few months later. Based on a decade of industry patterns, the S25 FE delivers about 90% of the experience of a flagship at a lower cost.

That’s a refund on features you likely don’t need, and I’m here to tell you that buying the flagship S25 would be a mistake for most people.

Here are the six reasons why it’s the phone I’d buy.

6

Exynos 2400 is more than enough for apps, games, and multitasking

The Galaxy S25 uses a custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Benchmarks show a clear raw power edge over the Exynos 2400 in the S25 FE.

On paper, the S25 is the faster phone. In daily use, that headroom is overkill. Modern flagship chips already exceed the demands of nearly all mobile apps.

We reviewed the S24 FE, which runs on the same chip and delivered solid performance.

It handles demanding games, 4K video edits, and heavy multitasking without issue. Will Instagram scroll faster on the S25? No. Will emails load faster? No.

The S25’s extra power is like a Ferrari for a grocery run — impressive but unnecessary.

Unless you plan to do high-end gaming, the S25 FE has enough power to stay fast and smooth for years.

5

Paying more doesn’t buy you a better viewing experience

Samsung’s displays are excellent, and you don’t have to pay top dollar to get the best.

Both the S25 and S25 FE use an FHD+ HDR10+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. On either phone, you’ll get vivid colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling.

The flagship S25 has a higher peak brightness and a marginally greater pixel density, but these are lab specs.

The differences are so subtle they’re invisible unless you’re holding the phones inches from your face in perfect conditions. The extra nits don’t add much practical value unless you spend long hours outdoors in direct sunlight.

The S25 FE may be the better pick for media lovers, thanks to its larger 6.7-inch screen compared to the standard S25’s 6.2-inch panel.

4

Buying the FE could keep you one Android version ahead

With performance and display close, software is where the S25 FE pulls ahead. Both phones will run the same One UI software and access the powerful suite of Galaxy AI features.

More importantly, Samsung has committed to its industry-leading update policy across its flagship lines. Both the S25 and the S25 FE will receive eight years of major OS upgrades and security updates.

From a longevity standpoint, they are identical investments.

But here’s the twist. The S25 FE launched later in the year with One UI 8 (based on Android 16) right out of the box. The regular S25 arrived earlier and shipped with One UI 7 (Android 15).

This cheaper phone could remain one major OS version ahead of the flagship for its entire lifecycle.

3

The FE’s camera covers everyday needs with ease

Smartphone camera talk often fixates on extremes. While the Galaxy S25 undoubtedly has a better camera system, the S25 FE’s camera is perfectly built for everyday use.

Think about your last 20 photos. Were they moon shots, birthday candles, a goofy pet, a great meal, or a sunset?

For those moments, the S25 FE delivers sharp, vibrant results that are hard to tell apart from the pricier S25.

The S25 and its Ultra sibling have better camera hardware, particularly regarding telephoto zoom features. However, this does not mean the S25 FE uses cheap parts.

You get a flagship-grade 50MP main sensor, a capable 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP 3x optical telephoto lens.

The S25’s 100x Space Zoom is a party trick. You rarely need a noisy photo of something miles away.

The S25 FE’s 3x optical zoom is the practical sweet spot. Its focal length is great for portraits and architectural details without distortion.

To top it off, the S25 FE will get an upgraded 12MP selfie camera, matching the resolution of the S25 line, so your front-facing shots will be just as good.

2

The FE packs nearly 25% more battery capacity than the S25

The S25 FE’s standout hardware advantage is its battery. It comes with a 4,900mAh cell, compared to the 4,000mAh battery in the standard Galaxy S25.

That’s nearly 25% more capacity, which can be the difference between finishing the day with enough battery to spare or scrambling for an outlet before dinner.

That extra headroom is a lifesaver for anyone who relies on their phone for navigation, streaming, gaming, or photography.

The S25’s 4,000mAh cell is serviceable, but with today’s power-hungry apps and constant 5G connectivity, being serviceable isn’t enough to keep battery anxiety away.

1

For the cost of an S25, you can build a complete Samsung kit

Pricing highlights the real choice. The S25 is around $800 in the US, while the S25 FE is expected to be $650.

Saving $150 leaves room for extras that matter more in daily use than the minor gains of the flagship.

Let’s frame the decision differently. Instead of purchasing only a phone, what if you built a complete technology package?

For the approximate $800 price of a standalone Galaxy S25, you could pick up the Galaxy S25 FE and add a pair of Samsung Galaxy Buds FE, which retail for around $70.

With the remaining $80, you could buy a Galaxy SmartTag2 tracker and still cover a case and a fast-charging adapter, which are no longer included in the box.

That means you can use this year’s upgraded 45W ultra-fast charging.

Imagine heading out for a weekend trip. Galaxy Buds FE cuts background noise. Since you have a tracker, you won’t have to worry about lost bags when you land.

Moreover, since you have a fast charger, your phone quickly powers up during a layover or coffee stop. It’s a package that makes the whole experience better.

The S25 is built for enthusiasts, while the FE fits most people

The Galaxy S25 is a great phone, but it targets a niche audience. Power users track benchmarks, push hardware with console emulation, and fully use the Snapdragon 8 Elite’s peak performance.

Mobile creators and professional photographers can also use the S25’s advanced camera system. For this small group, the S25 is the clear choice, while for most others, the S25 FE makes more sense.

When you upgrade, ignore the hype. Look past spec-sheet showdowns and decide what you need. Save your money, buy the Galaxy S25 FE, and move on. It’s the smartest buy this year.