Our verdict
The Galaxy S25 FE has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen that refreshes 120 times a second (120Hz), so scrolling and video look smooth. Its rear cameras are 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 8MP telephoto, and the telephoto gives 3x optical zoom, meaning it zooms with a real lens rather than by cropping. Samsung promises 7 OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security updates, so the phone can stay current for a long time. It is IP68 rated for dust and water, has a 4,900mAh battery and weighs 190g. The £549 version has 128GB of storage and no microSD slot, so check how much space you use now. Its value depends on the deal, not the FE badge.
Buy it if
- You want a large, smooth screen for reading and video, and like Samsung's software
- You would use a dedicated 3x zoom camera for subjects further away
- The current price is clearly below other Galaxy models that meet your needs
Skip it if
- You want a smaller phone you can use with one hand
- Your current phone already uses close to 128GB and you cannot add a memory card
- Another suitable Galaxy costs about the same with fewer compromises
How it would fit your home
Reading and video on a big screen
The 6.7-inch screen has room for text and video. Try your preferred text size in a shop, because a screen that looks spacious with tiny demonstration text can feel different once you enlarge it.
Framing something further away
Use the 12MP ultrawide to fit more into a scene and the 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom to frame a subject from a distance. Neither is automatically the right choice in every light.
Comparing the deal fairly
Put the exact 128GB version, seller and delivered price beside your alternatives. A lower headline price is less attractive if you would soon need more storage.
The details, in plain English
Screen
The display is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 1080 x 2340 resolution (Full HD+) and a 120Hz refresh rate. AMOLED means each pixel makes its own light, which gives strong contrast. The 120Hz rate means the image refreshes 120 times a second, so scrolling through web pages, messages and social feeds looks smoother than on a 60Hz screen. Samsung's page also lists a 6.6-inch measurement with rounded corners, which is the usual way of counting the visible area.
Cameras
The rear cameras are a 50MP main, a 12MP ultrawide and an 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and the front camera is 12MP. Optical zoom uses a lens made for distance, so a 3x shot keeps more detail than cropping into the main camera. Samsung also lists up to 30x digital zoom, but digital zoom enlarges the image and loses detail as you go further. Most people will use the main and 3x cameras most often.
Battery, charging and durability
The battery is 4,900mAh. Samsung lists 45W wired charging, reaching 65% in 30 minutes, and 15W wireless charging. Both are Samsung's figures, not our measurements, and the charger is a separate purchase on many phones, so check the box contents. The phone is IP68 rated, meaning it is sealed against dust and can survive up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes. That helps with spills and rain, though it is not designed for swimming.
Software and storage
Samsung UK states 7 OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security updates, so the phone should keep receiving fixes for years. It has an Exynos 2400 processor and 8GB of memory for running apps. The £549 version has 128GB of storage and no microSD slot, so extra space means cloud storage. Check how much your current phone uses, and how quickly that grows, before deciding this version is enough.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 6.7-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen: roomy for reading and video, and smooth when you scroll
- 3x optical zoom telephoto camera alongside 50MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras
- 7 OS upgrades and up to 7 years of security updates, according to Samsung UK
- IP68 dust and water resistance, and 45W wired charging (Samsung's figure)
What to watch out for
- The large body (190g, 6.7-inch screen) will not suit every hand or pocket
- 128GB with no microSD slot may run short if you keep a big photo and video library
- A shared Galaxy S name does not make every model equally capable
- The value case depends on the actual price, not the FE badge
Compare the exact version and current delivered price. Other Galaxy S models may cost about the same with different strengths, and it may be worth keeping your present phone if it still meets your needs and receives security updates.
Make the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: 128GB with no microSD slot may run short if you keep a big photo and video library
Samsung Portable SSD T7 1TB MU-PC1T0T/WW Not yet reviewed by us
Offers external storage for exported photos and video when internal storage cannot be expanded. It does not add internal app space.
Check first: Adds external file storage, not RAM or internal upgradeability.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (this one) | The S25 FE suits you if you want a big, smooth screen and a real zoom camera, provided the price beats other Galaxy models you could buy instead. | £649RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy A57 | A reassuring, well-built everyday phone with long support, whose slow moments and ordinary cameras weaken its value. | £529RRP · 256GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy S25 | An excellent compact flagship for anyone who wants premium Android performance and a real 3x optical zoom in a phone they can use one-handed, especially when discounted. | £799RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung Galaxy A56 5G | A sensible Samsung for everyday apps, provided you are comfortable with its 6.7-inch size and do not need a dedicated zoom camera. | £499RRP · 256GB storage (the only official UK model, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
We email three options and one clear recommendation, around your budget and home, within three working days.
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Where our findings come from
Research-based assessment using the manufacturer sources below, checked 9 September 2026. Practical recommendations are our interpretation of those features; we have not carried out hands-on camera, battery or performance tests. Displayed retailer prices retain their original recorded dates.