The Galaxy FE series has long been the sweet spot for savvy Galaxy fans who want flagship features without the flagship price. But with the new Galaxy S26 FE, Samsung might be pushing the envelope a bit too far. We’ve had the phone in for review, and we’re ready to share our first impressions. In our initial announcement, we dubbed it the “Galaxy S26 AI and the Galaxy S25 FE Part 2,” and after spending time with it, that moniker still feels spot-on.
At first glance, the Galaxy S26 FE is almost a carbon copy of its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 FE. The 6.7-inch screen, the triple camera setup, the battery capacity, and even the charging speeds are all identical. The overall feel in the hand is virtually the same too, with the same dimensions and weight. The only noticeable difference is the new camera island on the back, which replaces the older phone’s individual camera lenses. It’s a subtle design tweak, but it does give the S26 FE a slightly more modern look.
Design and Display: Familiar Yet Fresh
When you pick up the Galaxy S26 FE, you’ll immediately feel a sense of déjà vu. The phone retains the same flat edges and matte glass back that we saw on the S25 FE. The frame is still aluminum, and the phone is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, which is always a plus. The camera island, as mentioned, is the most significant design change. It’s a raised, pill-shaped module that houses all three sensors and the LED flash. It’s a clean look, and it helps the phone stand out just a little bit from its predecessor.
Display Quality and Performance
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display is the same panel used on the S25 FE. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and impressive brightness levels. In our initial testing, the screen looks vibrant and sharp, with excellent viewing angles. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or watching HDR content, the display delivers a satisfying experience. The in-display fingerprint sensor is also the same, and it works quickly and reliably.
Under the hood, the S26 FE is powered by the Exynos 2400 chipset, which is the same processor found in the S25 FE. This is a bit of a letdown for some, as we were hoping for a newer chip. However, in day-to-day use, the phone feels snappy and responsive. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even demanding games run without significant frame drops. The phone also comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users.
Cameras: Same Hardware, Same Results?
The camera system on the Galaxy S26 FE is unchanged from the S25 FE. You get a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP 3x telephoto lens. On paper, this is a solid setup, and in our initial shots, the camera performs admirably. The main sensor captures detailed and well-exposed photos in good lighting. The ultrawide is decent, though it does show some edge distortion. The telephoto lens is useful for portraits and zoom shots, but it’s not the sharpest we’ve seen.
AI-Powered Features
What Samsung has added is a suite of AI-powered camera features. The phone now includes an improved AI scene optimizer that can recognize different subjects and adjust settings accordingly. There’s also a new “AI Portrait Studio” mode that lets you apply various artistic effects to your portraits, like cartoon or watercolor styles. These features are fun to play with, but they’re not exactly groundbreaking. The real question is whether these software additions justify the phone’s existence when the hardware is so similar to last year’s model.
Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy S26 FE packs a 4,700mAh battery, which is the same capacity as the S25 FE. In our initial usage, the phone easily lasts a full day on a single charge with moderate use. With heavy use, you might need to top up by the evening. Charging speeds are also unchanged, with support for 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. While these are not the fastest speeds on the market, they are adequate for most users. However, in a world where even mid-range phones offer 65W or 100W charging, Samsung’s conservative approach is starting to feel a bit dated.
Software and AI: The Galaxy S26 FE’s Saving Grace
The most significant differentiator for the Galaxy S26 FE is its software. The phone runs One UI 7.0, which is based on Android 15. This brings a host of new AI features that are not available on the S25 FE. The most notable is “Galaxy AI,” which includes features like live translation, call transcription, and generative photo editing. These features are genuinely useful and can enhance your daily workflow. For example, the live translation feature can translate conversations in real-time, which is great for travelers. The generative photo editing lets you remove unwanted objects from your photos with a few taps.
Performance in Daily Use
In our time with the phone, these AI features worked seamlessly. The call transcription was accurate, and the photo editing was surprisingly effective. However, these are software features that could potentially be rolled out to the S25 FE via a future update. If Samsung does that, then the S26 FE loses its only major advantage.
Comparison with Galaxy S25 FE: What’s Really New?
When you put the Galaxy S26 FE side by side with the S25 FE, the differences are minimal. The only hardware change is the camera island design. The screen, chipset, cameras, battery, and charging are all identical. The software is the only area where the S26 FE stands out, but that’s a temporary advantage at best. For anyone who already owns an S25 FE, there is absolutely no reason to upgrade. For those coming from an older phone, the S26 FE is a good option, but it’s not a significant leap forward.
Should You Upgrade?
If you’re using a Galaxy S23 FE or an older model, the S26 FE will feel like a solid upgrade. You’ll get a better display, a more powerful processor, and the new AI features. But if you’re on the S25 FE, you can safely skip this generation. The phone is a classic case of a minor refresh rather than a true successor.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy S26 FE is priced at $649, which is the same launch price as the S25 FE. This is a competitive price point for a phone with this feature set, but it’s not a bargain. The phone is available in several colors, including Mint, Graphite, and Blue. Pre-orders are open now, and the phone will ship starting next week.
Final Thoughts: A Safe but Uninspired Update
The Galaxy S26 FE is a safe, competent phone that does everything well but nothing spectacularly. It’s a solid choice for budget-conscious Galaxy fans who want the latest software and a reliable camera. However, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Samsung is resting on its laurels. The lack of hardware upgrades is disappointing, and the reliance on software features to differentiate the phone is a risky strategy. If you’re in the market for a new phone, the S26 FE is worth considering, but you should also check out the competition, which offers more for the same price.
Stay tuned for our full review, where we’ll dive deeper into the camera performance, battery life, and AI features. But for now, the Galaxy S26 FE is a decent phone that fails to excite.
