Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways The Samsung S25 FE lineup has officially launched with a starting price of $649. It features a better front camera, battery, and chipset, as well as a more compact form factor. With holiday sale season on the horizon, you can expect discounts on the flagship phones soon, making the price difference less enticing. As phones continue to get flashier features, more unique factors, powerful cameras, and more advanced processors capable of supporting the increasing need for on-device AI processing, prices also continuously become steeper. Luckily, for consumers who just want the essentials, budget phones exist, and Samsung just unveiled its newest lineup: the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. Also: The best Samsung phones to buy in 2025 At a glance, the S25 FE is almost indistinguishable from its flagship counterparts. It sports the same signature Galaxy aesthetic with a rectangular shape, rounded edges, a three-camera array on the back, and clean matte finishes. However, after holding it, the differences that make the $150 price gap a thing became apparent. After spending a morning with the S25 FE, here is a roundup of the new phone's biggest standouts and what you could expect if you make the switch. 1. Enhanced Galaxy AI features Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET At the January Unpacked event, Samsung launched its flagship S25 device lineup, and one of its biggest standouts was the plethora of AI features. Now, all of those same productivity and communication features are available in the FE version too, enabling you to experience the suite without shelling out the extra cash. "Galaxy S25 FE plays an important role as a gateway into the broader Galaxy AI ecosystem, making these AI-powered experiences more attainable for a broader range of users," said Jay Kim, EVP and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics in the release. Also: The secrets that made Pixel 10 Pro the world's smartest phone camera - from inside Google As expected, many of the AI features benefit the camera and photo experience of the phone. In addition to Photo Assist, already available on last year's S24 FE, the new model features a Generative Edit feature, which detects photobombers in the background of your photos and suggests what to remove. Audio eraser allows you to adjust the volume of various sound elements in your videos, such as voices, wind, noises, and more. Meanwhile, the Auto Trim feature automatically slices your video to highlight the best moments. The core of the new features is geared toward more personalized experiences in an attempt to market the offerings as a "true AI companion." For example, users can now access their Now Brief, which gives them insights that summarize and anticipate their daily needs, such as surfacing navigation suggestions or schedule reminders. Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET The Now Bar on the lock screen also surfaces other tools and relevant information. Purchasing the S25 FE comes with six months of free access to Gemini Advanced, Google's premium AI plan, which retails for $20 per month. The plan's perks include Gemini in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, Deep Research, Canvas, and more. 2. Better specs for power users Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET The S25 FE got improved specs where it matters to deliver the most optimal performance. This starts with the inclusion of the Samsung in-house Exynos 2400 chipset, a step up from the S24 FE's Exynos 2400e. While the two chipsets sound nearly identical, the faster CPU clock speed of the S25 FE should, in theory, offer a performance boost. Of course, the Exynos chip won't compete with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite found on the pricier S25 models -- that's a sacrifice you'll be making by opting for the FE. On a more positive note, the S25 FE features a larger 4,900mAh battery this year. This, paired with the 45W wired charging, should provide better endurance overall. We'll have to see for ourselves during the review. Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET The selfie camera has also been upgraded to a 12MP sensor that Samsung says should yield crisper and more vivid pictures. While that is the only camera upgrade on this year's FE model, the three-camera array on the back of the phone still consists of a versatile 12MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide, and 8MP telephoto. Paired with the AI features above, you can expect an improved photo-taking experience. 3. Lighter and thinner form factor Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET Recently, there has been an influx of lighter and slimmer phone designs, as seen by the S25 Edge, and the S25 FE is the latest to join the trend. While it's not to the same degree of slimmness as the Edge model, a Samsung spokesperson tells me that the company took the Edge concept and carried it to the S25 FE. Also: I've tested every single Galaxy S25 phone - and my favorite isn't the flagship model Weighing just 190g, the S25 FE is not only lighter than its predecessor, which weighed 213g, but also 0.6mm slimmer. The dimensions are fairly similar to the Galaxy S25 Plus, so if you like the look and feel of that device, you will enjoy this one. Despite the compactness, the display was not compromised. It still sports a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the same size as that of the Galaxy S25 Plus, with up to a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth browsing experience. Even in my limited time with the phone, the picture was not something to scoff at, with rich contrasts and vibrant colors, as seen in the Star Trek app visuals below. Pricing and availability Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNET The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE retails for $649 and can be purchased today from the Samsung website. It is available in Navy, Jetblack, White, and Icyblue. From my short time with the devices, Samsung seems to have delivered a solid phone with all the essentials, ideal for someone who isn't a power user and doesn't need the additional specs and performance boost that comes with pricier flagships. While you consider making the purchase, it is worth noting that the holiday season is on the horizon, which means sales galore. It is very likely that the flagship Galaxy S25 lineup becomes discounted, closing the gap between those models and the S25 FE. However, this isn't guaranteed and will require some patience, so if you just want a phone without all the bells and whistles, the S25 FE may be a more sensible pickup today.