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Announced a week ahead of its Australian launch, there’s not a lot separating the new Galaxy S26 FE from its 2025 counterpart.
The device comes with a more powerful processor and in a new 512GB variant. Otherwise, what's here is almost a match for last year’s Galaxy S25 FE.
The front of the Galaxy S26 FE is built around a 6.7-inch OLED screen clocked at a 120Hz refresh rate. The back is host to a triple-lens rear camera that consists of a 50MP main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. Finally, on the inside, the device features an Exynos 2500 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 4,900mAh battery.
Again, when it comes to hardware, the processor is the only meaningful upgrade on last year’s Galaxy S25 FE so those hoping for a more meaningful update to the formula might be better served next time around. Instead, Samsung is putting a bigger emphasis on the software powering the thriftiest entry on its roster of premium smartphones.
To that end, the Galaxy S26 FE ships with seven years of software and security updates. It’s also the first Galaxy device to launch with One UI 9 – the latest version of Samsung's Android skin. That inclusion brings with it a number of UI tweaks and new features, including upgraded versions of the Smart Switch, Now Brief, Now Nudge and Circle to Search.
As with previous ‘Fan Edition’ devices, the Galaxy S26 FE comes in at a lower price point than the standard Galaxy S26 does. Unfortunately, much like the latter, this year’s more affordable Galaxy S series option is a little more expensive than its predecessors.
Where last year’s Galaxy S25 FE started at $1,099. This year’s Galaxy S26 FE starts at $1,149. That version of the device comes with 128GB of on-board storage. Doubling that data allowance to 256GB brings the price of up to $1,299. There’s also an even more expensive option, which gives you 512GB of on-board storage but rounds out the range with a heftier RRP of $1,599.
These price hikes are further complicated by the reality of how quickly Samsung devices depreciate in price. Six months on from its local launch, it's not all that hard to find the Galaxy S26 for less than the price attached to the Galaxy S26 FE. Right now, even Samsung itself is doing just that over on its website.
The Galaxy S26 FE is available in three colours: Pistachio, Graphite, and Blueberry. However, if you’re keen on the 512GB model, then Graphite is your only choice.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE goes on sale in Australia on September 4.
Fergus Halliday
Digital Content Editor
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