Galaxy S26 FE might utilize an older chip, as initial tests indicate a significant performance disparity.

      The debut of the Galaxy S26 FE on Geekbench confirms it will feature last-generation silicon, a trade-off that Samsung fans have come to find frustrating over the years.

      Although Samsung has yet to announce the Galaxy S26 FE, it has already surfaced in the benchmark listings. Notable Indian leaker Abhishek Yadav discovered the device in Geekbench’s database with the model number “SM-S741U.”

      While the screenshot of the listing remains available, the Galaxy S26 FE achieved scores of 2,426 in the single-core and 8,004 in the multi-core Geekbench 6 CPU tests, operating on Android 17 with 8GB of RAM.

      What does the benchmark data indicate?

      Looking back, those scores are significantly lower than those recorded by the standard Galaxy S26. The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chips, achieve around 3,250 points in single-core tests and about 11,350 points in multi-core tests.

      The disparity is quite evident. The issue lies with the chipset. The Geekbench data suggests Samsung is using the Exynos 2500, the same processor found in the Galaxy Z Flip 7, paired with the Xclipse 950 GPU.

      I’m not suggesting that the Exynos 2500 isn’t a solid chip, but it doesn’t rank as Samsung’s top performer, and this distinction is visible in benchmarking results.

      Is this a letdown or simply standard procedure?

      Considering the S25 FE launched with the Exynos 2400 chip, it stands to reason that the S26 FE would upgrade to the Exynos 2500. This was somewhat anticipated. Nevertheless, the S26 FE should provide a noticeable performance improvement.

      Another possible reason for utilizing the Exynos 2500 in the S26 FE could be to manage manufacturing costs. Is Samsung the first to implement this strategy? Look at the Google Pixel 10a equipped with the Tensor G4 chip (which debuted with the Pixel 9 series), and you'll see the answer.

      Regardless, we can expect Samsung to unveil the S26 FE sometime around September 2026, with One UI 9 based on Android 17. Rumored specifications also suggest a 6.7-inch OLED display and a 4,900 mAh battery. Whether the pricing aligns with these features remains to be seen.

      Beyond specifications, I'm particularly interested in the pricing of the Galaxy S26 FE.

      For over five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in consumer technology and shared insights…

      This discontinued LG Rollable phone makes current designs seem outdated.

      A rare teardown reveals an innovation that remains unmatched.

      The canceled LG Rollable smartphone illustrates how far contemporary designs lag. A recently released teardown by JerryRigEverything showcases that this device was not merely experimental; it ventured beyond what is available today. Although the LG Rollable smartphone never hit store shelves, a few internal users had hands-on experience. A teardown video now highlights the extensive engineering behind a phone that nearly launched in 2021.

      Apple’s iOS 26.5 public beta is live, but you might want to skip it for now.

      Apple has rolled out the iOS 26.5 public beta, making it available for early testing. This release follows closely behind the developer version, yet it doesn't offer the substantial upgrade most iPhone users have been anticipating.

      The more significant story revolves around what’s absent. There’s still no indication of the much-anticipated AI-driven Siri overhaul, which was expected to be a key feature. In its absence, the update feels more like a placeholder than a significant advancement.

      The Galaxy S26 Ultra is impressive, but my two-year-old device is still performing very well.

      It has been just over a month since Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series. For someone who has followed and used Samsung phones for years, this launch felt… familiar. Not necessarily disappointing, but not particularly thrilling either. Sure, the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a few enhancements. The much-discussed privacy display looks striking, there’s been a slight increase in battery capacity, and the redesigned camera module is certainly more visually appealing. However, apart from these modifications, not much seems new. Meanwhile, my two-year-old Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to work exceptionally well, fulfilling all my needs without any significant compromises. Honestly, there are various reasons why I don’t feel compelled to upgrade just yet.