Samsung Galaxy S26 FE review (in brief): Fair Enough?

Samsung's 'Fan Edition' model for 2026 is a phone that I've been using on the side whilst travelling for work for this short-form review.

It's a solid flagship alternative, replete with eye-catching colours and solid build quality – but it's almost identical to the previous S25 FE, yet is even pricier.

Where does the S26 FE fit in Samsung's Galaxy range?

Samsung's range goes as so: Galaxy S26 Ultra at the top of the stack, then the step-down S26 Plus and smaller base S26 to address format and smaller-size demands.

The Galaxy S26 FE, while it sits below that trio of handsets, is more akin to the Plus in terms of scale, with a 6.7-inch display size. It's a typical tall-and-narrow design.

How much does the FE cost?

The S26 FE went on sale on 18 September, completing Samsung's core Galaxy range line-up for 2026.

It's available in Blueberry, Pistachio or Graphite finishes, starting at £699 / $699 / €799 for the 128GB storage model. That's a £50/$100 rise over the previous S25 FE model.

What's actually different from the S25 FE?

In summary: not much. There's a new processor to justify that price rise, while the ultra-wide camera sensor changes to a new type for marginally better performance.

So who's the S26 FE aimed at?

What's always been key to the S26 FE is that its asking price undercuts the flagship range – making it a potentially great outright purchase rather than necessarily an on-contract buy.

That's especially true if you're looking for a flagship quality product, as this glass-sandwich design doesn't compromise, from the finish to the display's clarity, and all the important factors in between.

That target customer has a lot of choice in looking for an affordable Android handset, however, so for the Fan Edition model to push this price ceiling is going to challenge its appeal somewhat.

How does the S26 FE perform?

As an everyday Galaxy Z Fold 8 user myself – that's Samsung's new foldable, if you're unfamiliar – the S26 FE's similar software delivers a solid experience.

What I've found better in the S26 FE, however, is the addition of the zoom camera – which is one of the three on the rear. That's been super-handy when shooting during my travels, despite its moderate resolution.

The move to Samsung's own Exynos chip is a key hardware aspect of this Fan Edition phone, but I've found it can run games and multi-task no problems. Battery life is decent, too, getting beyond a typical day of use with no drama.

Should you buy the S26 FE?

If I had to keep using the Galaxy S26 FE as my daily phone then I'd be more than happy. From the way it looks, to the way it performs, in isolation it's a great Android option – and, from that point of view, recommendable.

That said, the year-on-year improvements are so minor that last year's S25 FE is a no-brainer purchase for even less cash. And with increasing competition, I've got to wonder if the Fan Edition has run its course in among Samsung's broader line-up.

Also Consider

At risk of repeating myself: the Galaxy S25 FE is almost the same device, but even cheaper. Even the Galaxy S25 Plus would be a viable option, if priced right.

Otherwise, should cutting the cost be your core goal, then looking to Nothing's Phone (4a) Pro delivers a distinctive metal-finished alternative with some cash savings.