The Galaxy S26 FE might incorporate an older processor, as initial tests indicate a significant performance disparity.

      The Geekbench appearance of the Galaxy S26 FE confirms it is equipped with last-gen hardware, a compromise that Samsung fans have come to expect year after year.

      Even though Samsung hasn’t officially revealed the Galaxy S26 FE, it has already been listed on benchmark sites. Well-known Indian tipster Abhishek Yadav discovered the device in Geekbench’s database under the model number "SM-S741U."

      While the screenshots of the listing are still accessible, the Galaxy S26 FE recorded 2,426 points in the single-core and 8,004 points in the multi-core Geekbench 6 CPU test, operating on Android 17 with 8GB of RAM.

      What do these numbers indicate?

      When we look back, those scores fall significantly short of what the standard Galaxy S26 achieves. The Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chipset, achieve scores ranging from 3,250 points in single-core testing to about 11,350 points in multi-core tests.

      The difference is quite large. The reason behind this is the chipset. The Geekbench listing suggests the device is using Samsung’s 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 is incapable, but it isn’t Samsung’s top-performing chip, and the benchmarks reflect that disparity.

      Is this a letdown or just the norm?

      Since the S25 FE launched with the Exynos 2400 chip, it's reasonable to expect that the S26 FE will be upgraded to the Exynos 2500. I anticipated this change. However, the S26 FE should provide a noticeable enhancement in performance.

      Another possible reason for choosing the Exynos 2500 for the S26 FE could be to manage production costs. Is Samsung the only company to take this approach? Consider the Google Pixel 10a, which features the Tensor G4 chip introduced with the Pixel 9 series, and you’ll find your answer.

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

      Beyond the specs, I’m particularly curious about the pricing of the Galaxy S26 FE.

      For over five years, Shikhar has effectively communicated advancements in consumer technology…

      The canceled LG Rollable phone makes modern designs seem outdated.

      A recent teardown showcases innovation that has yet to be matched. The canceled LG Rollable smartphone demonstrates how current designs lag behind. A teardown video from JerryRigEverything reveals the extensive engineering behind a device that almost launched in 2021.

      Apple's latest iOS 26.5 public beta is accessible, but it’s easy to skip for now.

      The iOS 26.5 public beta is now available for anyone wanting an early preview. It follows closely on the heels of the developer version but doesn’t provide the major upgrades that most iPhone users have been anticipating.

      The bigger story here is what's missing. There is still no indication of the long-expected AI-driven Siri update, which was anticipated to be a highlight. Without that, this update feels more like a temporary hold rather than a significant advance.

      Just over a month has passed since Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 series. As someone who has followed and used Samsung smartphones for years, this launch felt…familiar. Not bad, but not particularly thrilling either. The Galaxy S26 Ultra does present some enhancements. The much-discussed privacy display looks promising, the battery capacity has seen a slight increase, and the revamped camera module is indeed more visually appealing.

      However, aside from these updates, there is little that feels new. Meanwhile, my two-year-old Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to perform admirably. It meets my needs without any major compromises, and honestly, there are several reasons why I don't feel compelled to upgrade just yet.