I tried the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and it got big upgrades in several ways

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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 ...