I have often found myself uncertain about the precise category into which Samsung’s Galaxy FE devices should be placed. Should they be considered a refined form of the midrange tier, a so‑called “midrange plus,” or perhaps a slightly stripped‑down version of a flagship handset? The reality is that the Fan Edition line has always occupied a liminal space, a territory positioned somewhere between the fully premium models and the more affordable mid‑tier options. Regardless of the label we might choose, Samsung has decided to continue this experiment by reintroducing the concept in 2024 with the Galaxy S25 FE — a device that still carries the ‘Fan Edition’ designation. True to tradition, it enters the market at the same $650 price point established by its immediate predecessor, the S24 FE, and maintains its signature 6.7‑inch display. This makes the S25 FE a particularly compelling option for consumers who want the physical presence and immersive experience of a large phone without venturing into the cost of ultra‑premium models.
Samsung has also broadened today’s announcements beyond smartphones, appealing especially to users who favor expansive screens. Alongside the new FE model, the company introduced the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, which boasts an impressively large 14.6‑inch display, and the more compact Galaxy Tab S11, which comes with an 11‑inch screen. These tablets are positioned at $1,199 and $799 respectively, thereby catering to different segments of the tablet market: one clearly targeted at professionals or enthusiasts who may consider the device a laptop replacement, and the other aimed at those desiring portability balanced with performance.
My colleague Dominic Preston recently had the opportunity to test all three of these freshly unveiled products firsthand. His impressions emphasize that each device is thinner and lighter than its direct predecessors, signaling Samsung’s consistent effort to refine not only the technological capabilities but also the ergonomics and physical usability of its hardware. The Galaxy S25 FE, in particular, benefits from a small yet meaningful enhancement in its battery, increasing capacity from 4,700mAh to 4,900mAh. It also sees an upgrade to its front‑facing selfie camera, which moves from a 10‑megapixel sensor to a 12‑megapixel unit, potentially offering sharper and more detailed images. Nonetheless, it retains the 8‑megapixel telephoto lens with 3x zoom, a feature that, while useful, still lags behind the more advanced telephoto systems installed in Samsung’s full‑fledged flagships such as the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus. On the performance front, the S25 FE comes equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 2400 chipset, complemented by 8GB of RAM and offered in storage variants of either 128GB or 256GB — a configuration intended to balance speed with affordability.
If one were to describe the FE as belonging to a “flagship‑lite” or “almost‑premium” category, then Google’s Pixel 10 could easily be seen as a parallel competitor this year. Much like the FE, the Pixel 10 deliberately avoids matching the top‑tier camera capabilities present in its company’s premium siblings, but it does include an optical zoom lens that grants it a respectable imaging advantage. The Pixel, however, enters the market at $799, slightly more expensive than Samsung’s offering, although the underlying philosophy remains aligned: creating a product that preserves many high‑end features while lowering the cost barrier. Why does Samsung persist with the FE then? Part of the explanation most likely resides in strategic positioning. The S25 FE seems designed to be placed prominently next to the flagship devices Samsung plans to showcase imminently, speaking not only to existing Galaxy loyalists but also as a subtle lure to prospective iPhone buyers. It is especially notable that at a lower price point than Apple’s standard iPhone model, this Fan Edition still provides a telephoto camera — a specification Apple continues to reserve exclusively for its higher‑end Pro models.
Turning back to the tablets, Samsung has ensured that both the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra are bundled with a feature that consistently distinguishes them from Apple’s iPad lineup: an included stylus. While this stylus does not support Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity — meaning it lacks certain advanced functionalities like remote air gestures — its mere inclusion enhances value significantly, particularly for students, digital illustrators, or note‑takers who would otherwise have to purchase an accessory separately. The Tab S11 Ultra further extends its appeal by offering an anti‑reflective display coating. This design choice mirrors an appreciated feature already present on the Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone and is especially relevant for a device with a screen size approaching that of a small laptop. Such a coating reduces glare, thereby improving usability in brightly lit environments and making it more practical for productivity or media consumption.
All three of these devices — the Galaxy S25 FE, the Galaxy Tab S11, and the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra — come preloaded with One UI 8, Samsung’s customized interface built on top of Android 16. This ensures users receive the latest iteration of Samsung’s ecosystem refinements, ranging from improved multitasking to enhanced personalization options. Importantly, each product is officially available for purchase starting today, signaling Samsung’s intent to deliver its new lineup directly into the hands of customers without delay.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/770776/samsung-galaxy-s25-fe-tab-s11-ultra-price
