Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
The Galaxy S26 FE Has a $699 Problem
Pros
- The battery is larger
- Supports faster 45W charging
- Features a bigger display
Cons
- The $699 price is considered too expensive for a mid-range phone
- Uses an inferior Exynos 2500 chip
- Features an unappealing chin bezel on the display
- Users still compromise despite the high price
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is generally not recommended by the reviewer, primarily due to its $699 price tag being deemed too high for a mid-range device. While it offers a bigger battery and faster 45W charging, significant compromises are still present, particularly concerning its performance with an Exynos 2500 chip and the design of its display with an unappealing chin bezel.
Ultimately, the reviewer believes that "fine is not good enough" when spending nearly $700, making it a difficult purchase to justify against better alternatives available for a similar cost.
“This is one of those phones that genuinely I don't think you should buy.”
“I still couldn't ever recommend that someone buys the S26 FE. There's nothing really wrong with this phone. Like I said at the start, it's fine, but I don't think fine is good enough when you're spending almost $700.”
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE review: No longer the Fan Edition?
Pros
- Improved performance from the Exynos 2500 chipset.
- Significantly improved sustained performance and thermal behavior.
- Considerably improved battery life with nearly 15 hours active use.
- Bright 6.7-inch OLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Main camera offers solid daylight performance.
Cons
- Higher launch price makes it less competitive.
- Camera hardware is unchanged from previous models.
- Downgraded USB-C port to 2.0 standard.
- Quieter speakers compared to the predecessor.
- Low-light camera performance is inconsistent.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE delivers a generally solid smartphone experience with notable upgrades in performance, sustained thermal behavior, and significantly improved battery life compared to its predecessor. It features a bright 6.7-inch OLED screen and a main camera that performs solidly in daylight.
However, the phone suffers from several drawbacks, including a higher launch price that undermines its competitiveness in the market. Other issues include a downgraded USB-C port, quieter speakers, and an identical camera setup to previous models, indicating a lack of innovation.
While not a bad device overall, its current price point makes it less appealing. Potential buyers are advised to consider other options or wait for a price reduction to find better value.
“But this time, performance is better. Thermal behavior is improved, and the battery life is quite good, too.”
“So, that's the Galaxy S26 FE. It delivers a pretty solid Samsung experience all around, just as last year's model did.”
“There are some steps backward, though, including the downgraded USBC port and quieter speakers. [...] The bigger problem, though, is the price. [...] the S26 FE is launching at a higher price than its predecessor.”
The Galaxy S26 FE didn’t need to exist
Pros
- Features an updated Exynos 2500 processor for improved performance.
- Offers an extended promise of 7 years of software updates.
Cons
- The camera system is considered mid-range, not flagship quality.
- The 8-megapixel telephoto lens is described as "awful."
- The $699 price point is seen as too high for its offerings.
- Performance with the Exynos 2500 is inferior to competing flagship chips.
- No upgrades to battery size, charging speeds, or the display.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE presents an underwhelming package, offering minimal upgrades over its predecessor, primarily an updated Exynos 2500 processor. However, its camera system, particularly the telephoto lens, is noted as weak, and there are no improvements to battery, charging, or screen technology.
At $699, the phone is considered overpriced, especially when the base Galaxy S26 often provides superior specifications for potentially less money. The reviewer questions the purpose of the FE lineup given its current value proposition and advises against purchasing it, especially for current S25 FE owners.
For this model to be a compelling option, a significant price reduction or more substantial hardware enhancements would be necessary to justify its position in the market.
“I don't think the S26 FE is a bad phone, but I'm a little bit confused who the FE lineup is actually for”
“you do not need to buy the S26 FE if you have the S25 FE.”