Samsung recently launched the Galaxy S26 FE with strong cameras, a good display and useful flagship features. It looks and feels like a premium phone but leaves out some expensive features to keep the price lower. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, Exynos 2500 processor, triple rear cameras, a 4,900mAh battery and Samsung’s latest One UI 9 software based on Android 17.
Overall, it gets many important things right, but its price and a few hardware choices may make the buying decision difficult. So, here is the review of Samsung’s S26 FE to help you decide if it is the right choice for you. Let’s dive in…
Design and Build Quality
As soon as you hold the Galaxy S26 FE, it feels like a premium Samsung phone rather than a regular mid-range device. It features a large 6.7-inch body with a slim 7.4mm profile and weighs 193 grams.
The design is clean and familiar. Its flat body, metal frame and neatly placed cameras give it a premium look. It also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Samsung even claims that the phone can stay in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for 30 minutes in laboratory tests. The S26 FE looks quite similar to the previous model.
However, its glossy back does not look as premium as the matte finish on the regular Galaxy S26. Still, it’s a good choice for those looking for a large Samsung phone with a premium look without paying for the Ultra model.
It is available in Blueberry, Graphite and Pistachio colours. However, availability can vary by market.
Display
The Galaxy S26 FE features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen can reach up to 1,900 nits of brightness, making it easy to view in bright outdoors. The screen works best in everyday use. It makes watching videos, browsing social media, reading, gaming and working on documents pretty much easier. Colours look bright, text is sharp and scrolling feels smooth with the 120Hz refresh rate. However, it does not have the more advanced adaptive refresh rate found on some high-end phones. Still, that’s not a major issue.
Performance
The Galaxy S26 FE is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 processor and comes with 8GB of RAM. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, depending on the market. The Exynos 2500 handles everyday tasks pretty well. Apps open quickly, switching between applications feels smooth and the demanding games and editing apps feel seamless. The S26 FE does not use the same processor as the regular Galaxy S26, so those who want the best performance may prefer Samsung’s flagship models. However, for everyday tasks, the Galaxy S26 FE is an excellent choice.
The most interesting thing about this device is that it runs Android 17 with One UI 9 and includes several new Galaxy AI features. Samsung has also added some features from its more expensive phones and foldable models. As a result, the S26 FE feels more premium than you might expect from its price.
Camera Performance
The Galaxy S26 FE includes a triple-camera setup on the back. It has a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Also, it includes a 12MP front camera for selfies and video calls.
The main camera produces detailed and colourful photographs in good lighting. Besides that, Samsung’s image processing makes photos look bright and ready to share. It eliminates the need to edit every photo before uploading.
Additionally, the 3x optical zoom helps take excellent photos of people, buildings and distant objects. The ultra-wide camera is helpful for landscapes and group photos. Low-light photography has also improved, especially for night videos and image stabilisation. All in all, its camera setup is good enough for everyday photos.
Battery and Charging
The Galaxy S26 FE houses a 4,900mAh battery and it supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The brand claims the phone can offer up to 29 hours of video playback under its testing conditions. However, in real life, battery life mainly depends on your usages. For regular social media, calls, browsing, photography and video streaming, the battery comfortably gets through a full day for many users. However, heavy gaming, long video sessions, mobile data and high screen brightness naturally use more power.
Samsung claims that the 45W charger can take the phone to around 69% in about 30 minutes. Know that the charger is sold separately. Additionally, the S26 FE also supports Wireless PowerShare, providing you added advantage. You can now charge compatible devices such as Galaxy Buds or other Qi-enabled phones with Wireless PowerShare.
Software and Galaxy AI
The Galaxy S26 FE runs on Samsung’s One UI 9. It offers a familiar interface and plenty of ways to customize the phone. It also includes new AI features for editing photos, finding information and managing daily activities. Also, features such as improved camera tools, subject tracking, Audio Eraser and other Galaxy AI tools are also available on the phone. This makes the FE series more than just a mid-range device.
What Does it Lack?
The Galaxy S26 FE undoubtedly includes amazing features, but there are certain things that it lacks. The biggest concern is its price. Starting at around $699, the S26 FE costs more than its predecessor. But if you see the upgrades, they are relatively smaller. Moreover, its 8GB RAM, limited display features and slower USB-C port also fall short of some flagship phones. All in all, it’s a good phone, but it does not offer enough major upgrades over the Galaxy S25 FE.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE: Final Verdict
So, this is all about the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. The Galaxy S26 FE is a good all-round phone with a bright 120Hz AMOLED display, capable cameras, good battery life, wireless charging, IP68 protection and smooth software.
However, considering its price and the upgrades it offers, it may not seem like the best value for money. Its main drawback is the price. With the regular Galaxy S26 and cheaper A-series phones available, the S26 FE may seem like a less attractive option for some buyers.
However, if you want a large Samsung phone with premium features at a lower price than the flagship models, then it’s a good choice to consider. Moreover, if you get it at a discounted price, then it’s a much better value for money.
