When Samsung unveiled the brand new Galaxy S25 FE at IFA Berlin, I used to be excited to see what the South Korean tech big would ship. Like its forbears, its key enchantment is that it presents a flagship-like Samsung expertise at a extra inexpensive $649 / £649 / AU$1,099 worth level.
And, after I was capable of get a glance backstage a number of weeks in the past, nothing I noticed or felt dimmed that pleasure. It is significantly thinner and lighter than the S24 FE from 2024, is stuffed to the brim with Samsung’s newest AI smarts, and presents an improved 12 MP selfie digicam.
However, regardless of its AI proficiency making it a extra succesful counterpart to its premium siblings, I believed its most vital improve was flying underneath the radar. Tucked contained in the S25 FE’s slimmer body was a much bigger battery. I hoped that this larger battery, mixed with its AI instruments, bigger show, and matching digicam, would make it a greater purchase than the Galaxy S25 for most individuals – not only a nice midrange different.
In our Samsung Galaxy S24 FE evaluate from final yr, our author cherished its battery life. The S25 FE improves on it not simply with the next battery capability, however with a bigger vapor-chamber cooling system that additionally (in concept) permits for higher energy effectivity.
Nonetheless, earlier than getting my arms on the gadget, I might fearful that the bigger capability of the S25 FE won’t truly equate to improved battery life. After spending two weeks with the gadget, I’m a bit of disheartened to say that these issues turned out to be warranted.
Let’s again up a bit of bit. Whereas I am upset with the S25 FE’s battery life, it nonetheless presents all-day life – it is simply not the S24 FE improve I believed it may very well be. I’d guess that the explanation for that’s as a result of the bigger vapor chamber and elevated capability are counteracted by the cellphone being slugged with extra battery-draining duties due to a much bigger lean into AI. So, whereas there is a sooner processor and bigger battery, neither get to actually shine because of the extra demanding performance of the cellphone.
The actual story is that, regardless of not hitting the highs I might hoped for, for a mid-range worth Samsung has delivered a tool that feels unquestionably premium in each different manner that issues.
Flagship-matching battery
The S24 FE provided even higher battery life than the traditional S24 due to its 4,000mAh unit. Boosted as much as 4,900mAh (simply 100mAh behind the Galaxy S25 Extremely) I had hoped that the S25 FE would take the following step and change into a real multi-day champion –making it the definitive greatest inexpensive cellphone for many who prioritise battery life.
It falls wanting that title, however its battery life continues to be at least glorious.
Its stamina in actuality
It goes with out saying that how lengthy your cellphone lasts per cost will differ from individual to individual, however my day begins at round 5am, and I am utilizing my cellphone for lots of the morning previous to work. For instance, I am typically listening to music or podcasts whereas strolling the canine, watching a present throughout breakfast, and studying the information (scrolling TikTok) for an hour on my commute. I normally do the identical factor on the best way house 8 hours later. All in all, that is about 6 to 7 hours of display time a day, principally made up of social media, textual content messaging and watching the greatest streaming providers.
Because the proprietor of an iPhone 15 (who’s making an attempt to withstand the attract of the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Professional) my day-to-day handset normally must be charged earlier than I head out to lunch. The S25 FE did not have that drawback – sitting effectively above 50% at lunch and 30% after I clocked out for the day if I did not put it on cost, it at all times had loads of juice left to final by means of the night till bedtime.
Whereas I felt the S25 FE’s display, cameras and battery had been a giant enchancment over my growing older iPhone 15, it is from particular on this planet of Android mobiles – and it isn’t the S25 Extremely-level life I might hoped it could be.
I wasn’t fully blindsided, although. I discussed above that I feared the improved cooling and greater battery can be cancelled out by extra taxing duties (performance-wise) on the gadget, however that wasn’t my solely fear.
I used to be additionally given pause by the S25 FE’s Exynos 2400 chip. As talked about in our hands-on of the Galaxy S25 FE, my colleagues have discovered that Exynos-powered telephones draw extra energy than their Snapdragon counterparts. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Edge (Snapdragon) just lately outlasted the Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Exynos) in our exams, regardless of the Edge having a smaller battery.
The rabbit up its sleeve
General, I discovered the S25 FE’s battery to be greater than satisfactory. Whereas it is not class-leading, customers who prioritize battery life and wish flagship energy with out the premium worth should not write it off. Whereas the budget-priced Galaxy A56’s 5,000mAh battery would possibly equal and even last more than, it would not supply fairly the identical flagship-like expertise because the S25 FE.
Anyway, even when the all-day battery is not fairly sufficient in your wants, one other key spec improve arguably makes it a moot level – sooner 45W wired charging boasted by the Galaxy S25 and S25 Extremely. Upped from 25W final yr, it enables you to recharge to almost 70% in half an hour – making its battery life a non-issue so long as you’ve got a charger available.
At its MSRP, I believe the FE is the clear alternative over the flagship S25. Whereas its digicam and efficiency is not fairly on par, the variations can be negligible for most individuals. As you may see under, the FE offers good digicam outcomes and the massive show is a giant win for many who need it. That mentioned, the S25 is not new – and it is now often accessible for near the value of its new inexpensive sibling, and in case you have the chance to select up the flagship for across the FE’s worth, we’d advocate the previous.
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Whereas I might cherished to have seen extra of a battery improve, there ought to be no query of the S25 FE’s validity as an actual member of the S25 household. The selection between the FE and the S25 merely is determined by your price range and whether or not a much bigger show (6.7-inch vs 6.2-inch) or higher digicam system (10MP vs 8MP telephoto lens) is extra vital.
Nonetheless, if a giant display is your precedence, I discover it very tough to advocate the S25 Plus over the S25 FE as a result of the screens are the identical dimension, the battery life is negligible and the digicam efficiency is not well worth the worth distinction.
The S25 FE is a wonderful smartphone, and what it packs in for its price ticket is unbelievable. For those who balk on the concept of dropping $800 / £800 / AU$1,500 on a brand new flagship, the S25 FE ought to completely be in your shortlist when you’re seeking to level-up from a price range cell.
