Fan Edition again brings flagship performance and features for half the price
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Another year, another fresh range of smartphones from the big players in the market. Samsung has certainly been busy, launching a range of refreshed handhelds for 2026, with some targeted at a specific slice of the market.
This is certainly true with the FE range; the Fan Edition is aimed at those of us who think splashing out more than a grand on a phone is just madness, but still want all the fancy features of a high-priced device.
The FE has always delivered this, although it feels like Samsung is often walking a tightrope – you want the phone to be good, but not too good that consumers start rushing out buying it rather than the more expensive Ultra, for instance.
So the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has to tread that careful line again. And, after using it, I honestly think that for the vast majority of people, it’s the Android phone to get. Or save even more money and get the S25 FE instead.
This year’s model is very much an evolution rather than a revolution. A bot of tinkering here and there, while still giving you the Galaxy flagship experience for around half the price of an Ultra.
You get a large AMOLED display, versatile cameras, wireless charging and Samsung’s AI-powered software. It doesn’t feel bulky either, using a classic design that’s thin and light.
The screen is bright and sharp, while a faster processor, allied with 8GB of RAM, delivers more than enough oomph for the average user who just wants to surf the web, play a few games, and send a few emails.
What is the same as last year is the camera, although I’m in the ‘how good to you need the camera to be?’ camp. Since it’s married to the software, you won’t have complaints. Your pix will look great, and more than decent when it comes to nighttime photography.
This is the bit where the much-heralded AI does come in useful. You will use features such as My Fancam and Audio Erase.
The battery stays the same, but you’ll be hard-pressed to go from 100 to zero in a day. Charging support includes 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
Software is a major part of the S26 FE’s appeal. It arrives with Samsung’s latest Android and One UI experience, along with a wide collection of Galaxy AI tools. Some are more useful than others, and, to be honest, I’m not totally sold on the AI, but the photo apps, as previously mentioned, certainly do live up to the hype.
And the phone’s a keeper. Samsung has committed to supplying security updates through September 2033, which should make this a phone you can use for many years.
It comes in three colours: piuchachio (which I had and it’s lovely), blueberry and graphite. Samsung says it’s very tough as well, although the first thing most of us would be getting when picking up a new phone is a case!
So what are the downsides? Well, there’s nothing that jumps out. Wired data-transfer speeds aren’t too hot, but for the normal person, you’re not going to notice. Some aren’t fans of the amount of pre-installed software, but with 128GB of base storage, you’ve got the space.
The biggest stumbling block is the price. Samsung has increased the starting price compared with the previous-generation FE, while the hardware changes feel relatively limited.
The S26 FE is a brilliant phone. Absolutely no doubt. I would swap it with my no-ageing iPhone Pro in a heartbeat. For the average user, it has everything you need. But so does the S25 FE, and you can now pick that up for less than £500.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is available from the Samsung website from £699.99 or Amazon
What reviewers say
“You get most of the Galaxy S experience without buying a full-blown flagship, and there are very few major weaknesses in the package. It is fast, refined, versatile and should remain relevant for years.”
“The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is a decent phone, but with barely any upgrades over last year’s model and a higher price, it’s not a great value proposition.”
Alternatives
