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Tech News
Reviewers testing the new Galaxy S26 FE describe it as a competent mid-tier handset with respectable performance and build quality, but say its price undercuts the value proposition that made earlier 'Fan Edition' phones popular. The consensus points to Samsung positioning the device closer to its flagship pricing than to the budget-friendly tier fans expected.
WIRED's review of the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE finds strong daylight photos, a useful 3X optical zoom telephoto lens, and good 4K/8K video with stabilization features like horizontal lock and My FanCam framing. However, at $700 for the base 128 GB model, the reviewer says it's priced too close to the superior standard S26, which often sells for the same amount with a faster chip, more storage, and a better telephoto camera.
Android Authority argues that Samsung's new Galaxy S26 FE, now priced at $700 after a $50 increase, faces stiff competition despite carrying flagship-level performance with some cost-cutting on materials. The outlet points to alternatives including the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 10a, Samsung's own Galaxy S26, the Motorola Edge (2026), and the Nothing Phone 4a Pro as options worth weighing first. A reader poll cited in the piece shows the Galaxy S26 and Motorola Edge drawing the most votes as preferred alternatives.
AT&T is offering Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE for as low as $2.43 monthly over a 36-month installment plan for customers who add a new line online, with no device trade-in needed. Business customers get even steeper discounts, including a $0-per-month option on a new line, plus perks like an Enterprise Edition with extended warranty and Samsung Knox Suite.
Amazon is currently selling the unlocked 128GB Samsung Galaxy S26 FE for $699.99 with a free $200 Amazon gift card included. The device is Samsung's new lower-cost Fan Edition phone, available in Graphite, Pistachio, and Blueberry, and comes with Galaxy AI features and Samsung ecosystem support. The promotion is expected to end once the phone officially launches tomorrow.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE goes on sale September 3 for $699.99, $50 more than its predecessor, with Samsung citing RAM supply pressure for the increase. The phone keeps similar battery, display and camera specs to the S25 FE but adds the Exynos 2500 chip, 8GB of RAM, and seven years of software support. Its main selling point is a suite of Galaxy AI tools ported from Samsung's pricier flagships, including Photo Assist, Audio Eraser, and updated Now Brief and Now Nudge features.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE keeps the same camera setup as the S25 FE—12MP ultrawide, 50MP main, 8MP 3x telephoto and 12MP front—yet launches at a higher price. The main differentiators are software features like My FanCam and Horizontal Lock, which rely on new neural processing hardware exclusive to the S26 FE, while other AI tools such as Now Brief, Now Nudge and Circle to Search are software updates likely to reach the S25 FE too.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 FE, priced $50 higher than its predecessor at $700 for 128GB and $800 for 256GB. The phone keeps a 12-megapixel selfie camera but widens its field of view, and it inherits several camera software tools from Samsung's pricier S26 and Z Flip 8, including Super Steady Video, My FanCam autoframing, and Audio Eraser noise removal that also works with Netflix and YouTube.
Samsung's new Galaxy S26 FE sits between its A-series and flagship S lineup, offering a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display, a triple rear camera setup, and an Exynos 2500 processor with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB storage. It includes a 4,900mAh battery, 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, and seven years of software support, at a starting price of $700, up $50 from last year's model.
South African retailer Dress Your Tech has jumped the gun by listing about a dozen cases and case-plus-screen-protector bundles for Samsung's unannounced Galaxy S26 FE. The listings include standard and slim silicone options with visible rings for Qi2 magnetic charging, in colors matching previously leaked device finishes plus new pink and transparent variants. Samsung is set to hold a Galaxy Event on August 27, widely expected to unveil the phone.