I wouldn't pay $799 for the Galaxy S26 FE. I'd prefer to buy the Galaxy S26 or the iPhone 17 instead.

      Samsung’s Fan Edition has maintained a solid reputation thus far. The concept is to honor fans (the customers) by incorporating specifications and features from Samsung's premium flagships, but at a more budget-friendly price so that a wider audience can benefit from them.

      The S25 FE was a respectable addition to the series. It managed to find a good equilibrium between affordability and a flagship-like appearance and experience, which is the essence of the Fan Edition. However, in my honest opinion, the new Galaxy S26 FE doesn't quite fit into that special category, largely due to the ongoing memory dilemma.

      Samsung

      The Fan Edition previously got this balance right

      This year, the S26 FE starts at $699, which is $50 more than the launch price of the S25 FE, and that’s for the basic model with 128GB of storage. Personally, I’m not pleased with this development for two main reasons. Firstly, it features only 128GB of base storage in 2026. One could argue it isn’t a flagship, but I would counter that it isn’t a budget phone either, which aligns with my second point.

      At $699, the Galaxy S26 FE is only $100 or $200 away from entry-level flagship devices. One might suggest simply opting for the 256GB variant. Well, the 256GB version of the Galaxy S26 FE is priced at $799. At that cost, the phone is not far from flagship territory; it’s practically there, but it has a weaker argument for itself in terms of both hardware and software.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      At $799, the S26 FE is competing with flagships, not Fan Editions

      Let me illustrate this with a couple of examples. First, consider Samsung’s Galaxy S26, the entry-level flagship with a portable and lightweight design. It represents one of the few genuine compact flagships in 2026, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy alone makes it a preferable choice over the S26 FE.

      When it comes to multitasking, gaming at high graphics, video editing on the go, heat management, or utilizing the Galaxy AI features, the Snapdragon chip in the Galaxy S26 is the superior and more dependable option compared to the Exynos 2500 found in the S26 FE, especially if you intend to keep your phone for three to four years.

      Tom Bedford / Digital Trends

      What else? The flagship provides a better telephoto camera (in both megapixels and sensor size), a brighter display for enhanced visibility in direct sunlight, and more RAM in the base model to support more background apps. All of this, and you can currently purchase the base Galaxy S26 for $799, which is essentially the same price as the S26 FE’s 256GB version.

      The Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17 make it harder to justify the FE

      Moreover, even Apple’s base iPhone 17 is available at $799. This compact flagship also features a brighter display, a faster chipset, a higher-resolution ultrawide camera, a unique selfie experience that is currently unmatched on any other smartphone (natively), and exceptional battery efficiency. Naturally, it operates on iOS 26 and exists within a distinct ecosystem, but it's crucial to be aware of all the available alternatives for the same price.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      The only immediate drawback you'll face when considering the Galaxy S26 or the iPhone 17 is screen size. However, having used the iPhone 17 for almost a year, I can confidently say that consuming or even binge-watching content on the device isn’t a challenge. If you’re willing to accept a smaller screen, you’ll receive substantially more value for your investment in the form of a flagship that will serve you better and endure longer.