The Galaxy S26 FE has been officially announced, and Samsung isn't significantly changing its approach.
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Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 FE, and as anticipated, most of the hardware remains similar to that of the Galaxy S25 FE. The device is powered by the Exynos 2500, retains the same 4,900mAh battery capacity, and features a familiar triple-camera arrangement.
The notable changes are primarily software-related. Samsung is launching the Galaxy S26 FE as the first phone in the Galaxy S26 lineup to feature One UI 9, and it also incorporates several new camera and Galaxy AI functionalities.
Many hardware aspects remain unchanged
The Galaxy S26 FE sports a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. Inside, the Exynos 2500 is coupled with 8GB of RAM and offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with a 512GB variant available in select markets.
The camera setup predominantly stays the same. The device features a 50MP main camera equipped with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. There is also a 12MP front-facing camera, and Nightography returns for capturing low-light photos.
Battery capacity remains at 4,900mAh, with Samsung claiming that 45W charging can recharge the phone to approximately 69% within 30 minutes. Additionally, the phone supports 15W wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and is rated with IP68 water and dust resistance.
One UI 9 introduces most new features
Samsung has included My FanCam, which can track a chosen individual and keep them centered while recording. Super Steady now includes Horizontal Lock, ensuring that video footage remains level during movement.
Galaxy AI features have also been enhanced. Brief now displays customizable briefing cards, while Now Nudge is compatible with more third-party applications and notifications. Circle to Search can identify multiple items in a single image, and Photo Assist allows for edits through natural language commands.
The Galaxy S26 FE is set to receive seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates. Samsung will also offer a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, which comes with 5TB of cloud storage.
Sales for the phone will commence on September 4, available in Blueberry, Graphite, and Pistachio colors. The 128GB model starts at $700, which is $50 more than the launch price of the Galaxy S25 FE.
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I wouldn't spend $799 on the Galaxy S26 FE; instead, I'd opt for the Galaxy S26 or iPhone 17.
It seems that Samsung has strayed from the Fan Edition narrative this time.
The Fan Edition series from Samsung has generally maintained a positive reputation. It aims to celebrate fans (the customers) by offering specifications and features found in Samsung’s premium flagships at a more accessible price point. The S25 FE was a solid iteration, effectively balancing affordability with a flagship-like appearance and feel, which is the essence of the Fan Edition. However, in my view, the new Galaxy S26 FE doesn't quite fit into that unique category, and the ongoing memory crisis plays a significant role.
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The Galaxy S26 FE has been officially announced, and Samsung isn't significantly changing its approach.
Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S26 FE, featuring an Exynos 2500 processor, a 4,900mAh battery, well-known camera systems, and One UI 9.