Price and storage
The Galaxy S26 FE starts at $699.99, which is $50 more than the previous FE model was at launch. And that is a pretty big increase for a phone that has traditionally been one of Samsung’s cheaper ways into the S series.
There is one bonus when it comes to storage, tho. The S26 FE is the only model in the S26 range that still comes with 128GB as a starting option. The other phones in the lineup start at 256GB, so the FE remains the cheaper choice if you don’t need a huge amount of internal storage.
Display and performance
It has a 6.7-inch display running at 120Hz. The higher refresh rate should make things like Doom scrolling and navigating menus feel smoother and better, while the panel can reach a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. That should be enough to keep the screen readable outdoors, including on bright days.
The phone is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chipset. It’s a newer processor than the one used in the previous FE, with improvements aimed at both performance and efficiency. How much of a difference that makes in everyday use will depend on Samsung’s software tuning, so lets hope for the best.
Three cameras on the back
The rear camera setup consists of three sensors. There’s a 50-megapixel main camera, joined by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. A 12-megapixel camera handles selfies on the front.
Samsung has also added a couple of features aimed at video recording. My FanCam can automatically keep a selected person in the center of the frame and maintain focus on them while recording. Super Steady with Horizontal Lock is designed for situations where you’re moving around, helping keep footage both smoother and level.
Battery and charging
The S26 FE has a 4,900mAh battery and supports 45W wired charging. It also supports 15W wireless charging, giving users the option to charge without a cable when convenient.
The phone has an IP68 rating as well, so dust and water shouldn’t be a major concern in normal use.
