Samsung’s Galaxy FE lineup has traditionally offered a middle ground between the company’s flagship Galaxy S series and its more affordable smartphones. The new Galaxy S26 FE continues that strategy, bringing a newer processor, updated software and several AI-powered features.
However, there is one detail that immediately stands out: the price.
The Galaxy S25 FE started at $649, while the new Galaxy S26 FE starts at $699 in the US. That’s a $50 increase for a phone that, at first glance, looks remarkably similar to its predecessor.
So, what exactly has changed? Is the higher price justified by the upgrades, or would buyers be better off saving money with the Galaxy S25 FE?
Galaxy S26 FE vs S25 FE: What’s New?
The Galaxy S26 FE isn’t a complete redesign. Instead, Samsung has focused on improving performance, software and selected features while keeping many of the core specifications unchanged.
Both phones feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This means buyers aren’t getting a major display upgrade with the newer model.
The biggest hardware change comes from the processor. The Galaxy S26 FE uses a 3nm Exynos 2500, replacing the 4nm Exynos 2400 found in the Galaxy S25 FE.
The newer chip should offer improvements in performance and power efficiency, although real-world testing will be necessary to determine how significant the difference is, particularly during gaming and other demanding workloads.
Performance: Exynos 2500 Gets the Upgrade
Samsung’s move from the Exynos 2400 to the Exynos 2500 is one of the most important hardware changes between the two FE models.
The Galaxy S26 FE’s 3nm processor is expected to deliver better efficiency while also providing stronger performance than the previous generation.
For everyday tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, using social media and switching between applications, the difference may not be dramatic.
Gaming could be a more interesting test.
The Exynos 2500 should have an advantage over the older Exynos 2400, but how much of an advantage users actually see will depend on thermal performance, software optimization and the individual games being played.
Both phones offer up to 8GB of RAM in the US, with 128GB and 256GB storage options. Therefore, the S26 FE doesn’t provide a major memory upgrade over the S25 FE.
Display: Almost No Change
Samsung has kept the display specifications remarkably similar.
Both the Galaxy S25 FE and Galaxy S26 FE feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with support for refresh rates up to 120Hz.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Samsung’s AMOLED panels already provide vibrant colors, deep blacks and smooth scrolling.
However, buyers expecting a major screen upgrade from the S25 FE may be disappointed.
For most users, the display experience should remain familiar regardless of which FE model they choose.
Battery and Charging
Battery capacity also remains unchanged.
Both smartphones feature a 4,900mAh battery and support 45W wired charging along with wireless charging.
Samsung has nevertheless made some improvements to charging performance.
In testing cited for the newer model, the Galaxy S26 FE reached approximately 69 percent after 30 minutes of charging, compared with around 65 percent for the Galaxy S25 FE.
That isn’t a revolutionary difference, but it can be useful when you need to quickly add some battery before leaving home.
The more efficient Exynos 2500 could also help the S26 FE deliver better battery life, although this will ultimately need to be confirmed through longer real-world testing.
Camera: Surprisingly Similar
One of the most surprising aspects of the Galaxy S26 FE is the camera hardware.
Samsung has not significantly upgraded the camera specifications.
Both phones feature:
- 50MP main camera
- 12MP ultrawide camera
- 8MP telephoto camera
- 3x optical zoom
- 12MP front-facing camera
That means the S26 FE doesn’t offer a major camera advantage over the S25 FE.
Samsung has instead focused on software and AI-powered camera experiences.
For buyers who primarily want better camera hardware, the lack of a sensor upgrade could make the $50 price increase harder to justify.
AI Features and Software
Software is where the Galaxy S26 FE starts to separate itself from the older model.
The new phone ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, while the Galaxy S25 FE originally launched with Android 16 and One UI 8.
However, the older phone can receive newer software through updates, meaning some of the software differences may eventually become less important.
Samsung has also introduced several AI-powered features with the newer generation.
My FanCam
One of the most interesting additions is My FanCam.
The feature allows users to select a particular person or subject within an existing video and automatically adjust the framing to keep that subject centered.
It can reduce the amount of manual editing required after recording a video and could be especially useful for sports, performances and other moving subjects.
Because the feature requires advanced neural processing, it isn’t necessarily available on the Galaxy S25 FE.
Horizontal Lock
The Galaxy S26 FE also introduces Horizontal Lock, an enhancement to Samsung’s Super Steady video system.
The feature is designed to maintain a consistent video orientation even when the phone itself is rotated.
This could be useful for people who frequently record action footage or handheld videos.
It remains possible that some newer software features could eventually reach older Galaxy models, but Samsung’s update plans can vary by device.
Now Brief and Now Nudge
Samsung has also expanded its AI-focused tools.
Now Brief can provide personalized information through briefing cards, including areas such as weather and wellness.
Now Nudge has also gained support for information from third-party applications and notifications.
Circle to Search has received additional functionality as well, including the ability to search for multiple objects within a photo.
These features make the S26 FE feel more modern, but software alone may not be enough to justify the higher price for every buyer.
Why Does the Galaxy S26 FE Cost $50 More?
This is the biggest question surrounding Samsung’s new FE phone.
The S26 FE brings several improvements, including:
- Newer Exynos 2500 processor
- Potentially improved efficiency
- Slightly faster charging performance
- Android 17 and One UI 9 out of the box
- New AI-powered features
- My FanCam
- Horizontal Lock
- Longer remaining software support
However, several important specifications remain essentially unchanged.
The display is similar, the battery capacity is the same, the camera hardware is largely unchanged and RAM remains at 8GB.
The ongoing global memory supply situation could also be contributing to higher smartphone prices. Increased component costs can eventually make their way into retail pricing, although Samsung has not necessarily attributed the entire $50 increase to RAM costs.
In other words, the higher price appears to be the result of a combination of hardware improvements, software additions and broader component pricing pressures.
Should Galaxy S25 FE Owners Upgrade?
For existing Galaxy S25 FE owners, upgrading to the S26 FE probably doesn’t make much sense.
The newer processor is certainly attractive, and the additional AI features could be useful for some users. But the overall experience isn’t dramatically different.
The same display, battery capacity and camera configuration mean that S25 FE owners aren’t gaining a completely new smartphone experience.
Unless you particularly want the new processor or exclusive software features, keeping the Galaxy S25 FE may be the smarter financial decision.
Should You Buy the Galaxy S26 FE?
For someone buying a new phone, the decision is more complicated.
The Galaxy S26 FE offers many of the features that make Samsung’s flagship phones attractive while costing significantly less than the top-end Galaxy S models.
Its large 6.7-inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, capable camera system, newer processor and long-term software support make it a compelling package.
However, buyers should also consider the regular Galaxy S26.
At the time of comparison, the base Galaxy S26 can sometimes be found around the $800 price range. Spending more could provide a faster Snapdragon processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of starting storage.
The trade-off is a smaller 6.3-inch display and a smaller battery.
For shoppers who specifically want a large-screen phone, the S26 FE therefore remains an appealing option.
Galaxy S26 FE vs S25 FE: Which One Offers Better Value?
The Galaxy S25 FE may actually be the better value if you can find it at a substantial discount.
Its core specifications remain competitive, and many of the software features introduced with newer Samsung phones could eventually become available through updates.
The Galaxy S26 FE is the better choice for buyers who want the newest model, a newer processor and the latest software experience without paying flagship-level prices.
But the upgrade from the S25 FE is relatively small.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is a solid evolution of the FE formula rather than a revolutionary upgrade.
The Exynos 2500 processor, newer software, improved AI capabilities and slightly faster charging are all welcome additions. The phone also retains the large AMOLED display, 4,900mAh battery and versatile triple-camera setup that made the previous FE model attractive.
The problem is that the $50 price increase comes without major improvements to some of the most important hardware.
The camera system is essentially unchanged, RAM remains at 8GB and the display and battery capacity are also very similar to the previous generation.
For Galaxy S25 FE owners, there is little reason to upgrade.
For new buyers, however, the Galaxy S26 FE can still make sense if you want a large-screen Samsung phone with modern software and flagship-inspired features at a lower price.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S26 FE is a good phone, but the Galaxy S25 FE could become the better bargain if retailers begin offering significant discounts on the older model.
