Sometimes I find myself thinking, "How much phone do I really need?"

Because I review phones, I'm in the privileged position of being able to use most of the latest and greatest pretty much the moment they hit the shelves - sometimes even before. (Humble brag)

But do I actually need a phone with a terabyte of storage?

Probably not.

Am I going to use that pop-out stylus on a daily basis?

Unlikely.

Am I making the most of that folding display or do I just like to casually flip it open and see if anyone notices?

I think we know the real answer. 

So once again, I'm trying out a mid-range handset and I'm thinking, "This would probably do the trick."

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE has fit directly into my daily life, pretty much seamlessly. Like I say, when I'm not actively reviewing a phone, it's a pretty safe bet I'll be rocking on of the best of the best in my pocket as my everyday device.

What I can tell you straight off the bat is the S25 FE has slipped right into that same pocket and I've noticed zero compromises or shortfalls in my regular routine.

Without currently having an S25+ to compare the FE directly with, I think I'd be hard-pressed to spot the difference. Both devices have a 6.7-inch AMOLED display (so larger than the base-model S25). Both feature Armor Aluminium frames and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for durability, although admittedly the S25+ does go one generation stronger with its display glass and the screen is a higher resolution.

However, the S25 FE still sports a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth on-screen response and also boasts a larger vapour chamber than last year's model to keep things running cool - especially when gaming.

Both the FE and S25+ also have the same sized batteries, a generous 4900mAh - which will cruise through even the longest day on a single charge. And yes, the FE charges fast - at up to 45W - and it charges wirelessly too. 

The FE comes in four colours; Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy and White and it's slim and light - just 190 grams.

And here's the kicker; the S25 FE starts at just NZ$1199.00 - $400 cheaper than the least expensive S25+.

To be fair, the S25+ has more RAM, a more powerful processor and the option of 512GB internal storage - but as I keep saying, those are differences I'm just not noticing.

Oh, and just to really pull the rug out, I'm not usually using an S25+, typically its an S24 Ultra I'm pulling out of my pocket - surely one of last year's finest phones.

Honestly, the S25 FE just keeps stacking up - okay, the camera module doesn't quite match that of this year's Ultra but again, it's not much different to what you get with the next model down, the S25+.

The primary shooter is a 50MP Wide sensor, teamed with an 12MP Ultra Wide and an 8MP Telephoto, capable of 3x optical zoom and digital zoom up to 30x.

The selfie cam is a very respectable 12MP lens and there are all the premium video settings you could wish for; 8K UHD recording, slow motion, great stabilisation - it's all there.

The other thing that's all there is Galaxy AI. And Gemini AI. Well, both. I still can't really tell which is which but the important thing is all the clever tools like Circle to Search, the Now Bar, Audio Eraser and Instant Slow-mo can be found on this phone, just like any other late model Samsung flagship.

The best thing is, the latest version of Samsung's operating system, One UI 8.0, integrates all these AI features seamlessly into various apps, settings, options and even the on-screen keyboard. This means when I was discussing when we should walk the dog with the Domestic Manager online yesterday, I was able to send her a picture of him being flown like a kite. (It was very windy and he has large ears) I don't know if it was Gemini, Galaxy AI or a combination of the two. But it was easy as.

Which pretty much sums up my experience using the S25 FE; so easy. No problems. Well, one problem - but it's not my problem.

Is the FE too good? If too many people buy one, are those the same people who might have considered upgrading to an S26 or S26 Ultra when they come along in just a few months time? Is Samsung running the risk of cannibalising its own market?

Perhaps not. As much as we all love these Fan Editions and although they've been regular additions to Samsung's lineup in recent years, there's no guarantee Samsung will release a Galaxy S26 FE around this time next year - they've only been doing FE iterations since the S20 and there wasn't one at all in 2022.

That's the cool thing about it; it really does feel a bit special when an FE release comes along - almost as though there's part of the market who would definitely consider a flagship handset if it was in their budget but usually have to compromise on the latest style, camera capabilities or AI features. This one's definitely for them. And for me, as it turns out.

Click here for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE.