IFA Berlin, one of the tech industry’s biggest stages, is usually when brands go all out—unveiling headline-grabbing experiments, audacious concepts, and major flagship upgrades. But in September 2025, Samsung surprised the world not by chasing hype, but by doubling down on two familiar formulas: a “Fan Edition” Galaxy S smartphone and a flagship Android tablet duo. The new Galaxy S25 FE and the Galaxy Tab S11 series didn’t promise seismic hardware leaps, but rather a mix of modest design refinement, incremental hardware boosts, and a major push for software and AI innovation. In a tech cycle dominated by foldables, AI hype, and talk of XR headsets, these devices are both a return to basics and a strategic move to democratize the best of Samsung’s mobile experiences.

So, do thinner bezels, slightly lighter frames, and upgraded AI editing tools matter in a sea of futuristic hardware? What does “Fan Edition” mean in 2025, and how do the Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra stack up against Apple and a resurgent Android competition? Let’s break it down:

Galaxy S25 FE: technical specs and right-sized ambitions

Hardware and design: an evolution, not a revolution

Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE is unmistakably a product of steady refinement. The device sheds both millimeters and grams—down to 7.4mm thick and 190g—making it slimmer and lighter than its FE and standard S25 siblings. Armor Aluminum sides and Gorilla Glass Victus+ continue the brand’s strategy of trickling flagship durability down to affordable tiers. The new S25 FE’s bezels are notably narrower, giving it a modern, immersive look, while color options (Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy and White) echo the muted, matte finish trends of 2025.

On the front, you get a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness up to 1900 nits (great for outdoor viewing), and FHD+ (2340 x 1080) resolution. The glass is flat, not curved, which many fans actually prefer for grip and practicality. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, the device is IP68 rated, meaning you’re covered against accidental splashes and dust.

Under the hood sits the Exynos 2400 chip (Samsung’s own 4nm silicon) and 8GB of RAM, with storage options at 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB—all non-expandable. The battery has been bumped up to a generous 4,900mAh supported by 45W wired fast charging (distinctly faster than last year’s model) and 15W wireless charging. The thermals are better managed thanks to a 10–13% larger vapor chamber, aimed at smoother gaming and heavy task performance even as the phone pushes new AI workloads.

• Cameras: The S25 FE packs a familiar triple rear setup—50MP primary (f/1.8, OIS), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), and 8MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4, OIS)—with its major camera innovation being an AI-powered, 12MP front sensor. AI smarts promise cleaner selfies, improved night shots, and even Super HDR video on the main camera.
• Durability and connectivity: It’s still IP68 certified, with the aforementioned aluminum frame, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, under-display fingerprint sensor, and USB Type-C 3.2.
• No in-box charger: This is now standard for Samsung’s mid-to-premium phones.

The software angle: Galaxy AI gets personal

So what’s really “new”? The big story with the S25 FE is software—Samsung’s fresh One UI 8 (Android 16), which debuts here and will soon roll out to the rest of the Galaxy S25 lineup. One UI 8 brings the full Galaxy AI feature suite previously seen in pricier S and Z series models to an affordable tier, making the S25 FE Samsung’s “gateway” to the Galaxy AI ecosystem.

Some standouts:

• Generative Edit for proactive photo suggestions and AI object removal
• Instant Slow-Mo for video, enabled by on-device AI
• Now Bar and Now Brief: real-time, at-a-glance summary cards of your schedule, actionable notifications, and tailored suggestions, all personalized by contextual data (location, calendar, habits)
• Audio Eraser: enhanced to automatically strip out background noise during voice and video recording
• Circle to Search: now supports in-game help and timestamped walkthroughs thanks to AI scene recognition
• Seven years of OS and security updates: Matching Google’s Pixel line, Samsung commits to a longer lifecycle than most Android peers

Samsung is also bundling six months of access to Google AI Pro (including Gemini’s most advanced models and 2TB of Google cloud storage with the S25 FE), setting up the device as an affordable experiment with the best mobile AI experiences of 2025.

Galaxy Tab S11 and S11 Ultra: leaner, meaner productivity machines

Design and build: ultra-thin, ultra-modern

The new Tab S11 series is about refinement, not reinvention. The regular Tab S11 (11-inch) returns after a hiatus—smaller and lighter at 5.5mm thick and just 469g—and the Ultra stretches tablet thinness even further at a razor-thin 5.1mm and 692g despite its laptop-sized 14.6-inch display. You won’t mistake these for budget slates. Both models are encased in sturdy Armor Aluminum, with smooth, flat sides, and muted silver or gray tones reflecting a more professional aesthetic.

• Tab S11 Ultra: 14.6-inch, 2960×1848 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh, 1,600 nit max brightness, anti-reflection coating, slightly smaller notch for the front camera
• Tab S11: 11-inch, 2560×1600 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh, also 1,600 nits peak

Both are IP68 water/dust resistant, and the Ultra’s screen-to-body ratio now surpasses the previous generation, while the S11 maintains an easy-to-carry compact profile.

Internals: power and endurance

• Processor: Both use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+ (3nm), newly competitive with Apple’s M4 and Qualcomm’s top Snapdragon chips for multitasking, gaming, and especially on-device AI (for tasks like Drawing Assist or live screen translation).
• RAM / storage configurations: Tab S11 starts at 12GB RAM (up to 512GB), the Ultra offers 12GB or 16GB with 1TB—supporting microSD expansion.
• Battery: 8,400mAh (Tab S11) and 11,600mAh (Ultra), both supporting 45W fast charging.
• Cameras: Tab S11 Ultra has a dual rear setup (13MP main, 8MP ultrawide) and the standard S11 sticks with a single 13MP shooter. Both have a 12MP ultrawide front camera.
• Connectivity: 5G-ready, Wi-Fi 6E on S11 and Wi-Fi 7 on Ultra, in-display fingerprint sensors, proprietary four-speaker audio tuned by AKG.

New S Pen

In 2025, Samsung finally gives its S Pen for tablets a design rethink. Both models come bundled with the new, chunkier, hexagonal S Pen (magnetic side snap-on, pencil-shaped, improved grip, bigger nib), echoing Apple Pencil’s tactile appeal but without Bluetooth camera remote tricks. Users found it immediately more comfortable for drawing, sketching, and long writing sessions.

Software upgrades: productivity, multitasking, and AI

Both Tabs ship with One UI 8 (Android 16), reworked to push desktop-like multitasking even closer to replacing a laptop. Key features include:

• Galaxy DeX improvements: Multi-window support, Extended Mode for dual-screen setup (tablet as main or second screen), and switchable workspaces—up to four custom presets, a first for DeX.
• AI tools: Drawing Assist converts rough sketches to near-polished visuals, Writing Assist polishes grammar/tone, and Gemini Live powers real-time screen sharing and contextual Q&A, even using the camera for live object recognition and shopping advice.
• Third-party app partnerships: New or expanded creative and productivity apps preinstalled or offered with free trials/discounts—Notion, LumaFusion, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint.

These updates, paired with lighter build and all-day batteries, target not just creative professionals and students, but any “pro-sumer” seeking a true all-in-one Android work/play device.

Comparison — Galaxy S25 FE vs Galaxy Tab S11/Ultra

Feature	Galaxy S25 FE	Galaxy Tab S11	Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Display	6.7″ FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz	11″ AMOLED, 2560×1600, 120Hz	14.6″ AMOLED, 2960×1848, 120Hz
Processor	Exynos 2400 (4nm)	Dimensity 9400+ (3nm)	Dimensity 9400+ (3nm)
RAM	8GB	12GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128/256/512GB (non-expandable)	128/256/512GB (expandable)	256/512GB, 1TB (expandable)
Main Cameras	50MP + 12MP + 8MP	13MP	13MP + 8MP
Front Camera	12MP	12MP	12MP
Battery	4,900mAh	8,400mAh	11,600mAh
Charging	45W wired, 15W wireless	45W wired	45W wired
OS & Interface	One UI 8 (Android 16)	One UI 8 (Android 16)	One UI 8 (Android 16)
AI/Smart Features	Circle to Search, Generative Edit, Audio Eraser, Now Bar/Brief	Gemini Live, Drawing Assist, Writing Assist, DeX	Same + Multi-desktop DeX
Build/Colors	Armor Aluminum, CG Victus+, IP68, Navy/Jet Black/Icy Blue/White	Armor Aluminum/Glass, IP68, Gray/Silver	Same
Thickness & Weight	7.4mm, 190g	5.5mm, 469g	5.1mm, 692g
Price (base/global)	$649.99	$799.99	$1,199.99

The key spec differences—particularly that the S25 FE is a phone optimized for performance and durability at an attainable price, while the Tab S11 series is designed for next-generation productivity and AI-powered creativity.

The S25 FE stands out for compactness and value, with hardware geared toward general users and content creators on the move. The Tab S11 series, meanwhile, emphasizes pro-level tasks, with expansive screens, beefier RAM/storage configurations, and S Pen upgrades.

Market positioning: value-first, AI-forward

S25 FE: fan edition, evolved

The FE (“Fan Edition”) philosophy is in flux. The S20 FE of 2020 was a watershed, democratizing premium specs for a budget audience, even selling 10 million units in the first year. But later models—S21 FE, S23 FE, and the effectively skipped S22 FE—showed Samsung shifting from “flagship killer” expectations toward a value-proposition centered on smoother design, customer support, and tight Galaxy integration.

The S25 FE doesn’t promise “wow” hardware jumps, but rather the “flagship essentials” in a thinner, lighter shell, highlighted by generational leaps in software stability, update policy, and privacy. It targets value-conscious users who want the S25 look and core features but don’t need ultimate specs, or who can’t stomach $999+ for top-tier flagships. It also attracts camera enthusiasts who’d rather have decent lenses plus smarter AI tools for editing, rather than hardware alone.

Pricing is a pivotal point in its competitive strategy. At $649, with no year-over-year price increase despite modest upgrades, the S25 FE seriously undercuts the entry points for Apple’s iPhone 16 and Google’s Pixel 10/8a series, yet offers a bigger screen, a larger battery, and a longer support window.

Tab S11 series: filling the Android premium gap

With Apple’s iPad Pro-cemented in the premium tablet space, Samsung’s Tab S line has become the only credible Android alternative—not just globally but especially in massive, price-conscious markets like India. There, Samsung holds a commanding 41% market share, more than three times that of Lenovo and Apple.

The Tab S11 and S11 Ultra aren’t designed to be disruptive, but to fill critical gaps: offering an 11-inch option for smaller hands or lighter workloads, and a 14.6-inch Ultra clearly targeted at laptop replacements and digital artists. Thinner builds, brighter screens, a better S Pen, and a suite of improved DeX/AI tools are meant to lure both upgraders and users seeking a first premium tablet.

The Tab S11 series also aims to ride the wave of surging consumer and educational demand for detachable, productivity-centric tablets, as even business and government purchases slump. By keeping their hardware light and their software (especially DeX and AI-assisted creativity) robust, Samsung is carving out an Android alternative to traditional laptops and the iPad ecosystem.

Pricing & availability

• Galaxy S25 FE: Starts at $649 (8GB/128GB), with 256GB and 512GB options priced upwards. No price hike compared to last year, despite hardware and software upgrades—a strong strategic stand in today’s climate of inflation and price-creep.
• Tab S11: Starts at $799 for the 12GB/128GB Wi-Fi version; Ultra begins at $1,199 for the base model. These prices align closely with their premium competition while providing more RAM/storage for the money in several regions.

All devices begin shipping immediately in key global markets.

Historical evolution: FE and Tab series, then and now

The FE line rose to prominence with the S20 FE, delivering a flagship-like package at a shockingly low price—and selling millions. Subsequent models have prioritized incremental improvement—better displays, design tweaks, improved update policies, and expanded AI software—over headline hardware value. As flagship prices have soared, FE has become a vessel for making flagship design and AI features as accessible as possible, even as the “wow” factor has diminished for enthusiasts.

Similarly, the Tab S series has carved out a distinct place in a market long dominated by Apple. Iterative, not radical, hardware and major investments in productivity software (read: DeX, S Pen, AI) have allowed Samsung to own the Android tablet premium space. The Tab S11’s slimmer build, improved S Pen, superior display, and stamina confirm Samsung’s “if it ain’t broke, refine it” approach.

Final take: the value of incrementalism

Samsung’s 2025 IFA launches don’t grab headlines with wild speculation or conceptual leaps. Instead, they show a disciplined approach: thinner, lighter, and smarter refinement as a subtle but powerful competitive weapon. Both the Galaxy S25 FE and Tab S11/Ultra are more about expanding the ecosystem, anchoring user loyalty, and delivering AI-driven “flagship essentials” to a wider audience than ever.

For mainstream consumers, these are the new “good enough”—good enough to feel premium, work smart, last a long time, and even excite power users for less money. For Samsung, they’re proof that the mobile wars aren’t just about folding screens or XR headsets, but about keeping millions of everyday users delighted, and making artificial intelligence feel personal, accessible, and even fun.

In a world obsessed with the spectacular, Samsung’s latest S25 FE and Tab S11 launches show there’s still quiet power in getting the basics very, very right.