After using the Galaxy S26 FE for 2 weeks, I’m not convinced this is for the fans anymore
The Galaxy S26 FE makes the S25 FE look like gigantic upgrade.
After a two-week stint with the Galaxy S26 FE, it appears the brand is no longer suitable for enthusiasts. The Galaxy S25 FE introduced a slimmer, lighter design, faster charging, and a larger battery, yet I lamented the absence of performance upgrades, a modest base configuration, and outdated cameras. The Galaxy S26 FE has addressed one major concern, but longstanding issues persist, casting doubt on the value of the "Fan Edition" branding.
The S25 FE's design was a welcome improvement, but the Galaxy S26 FE offers no significant changes, weighing in negligibly more (193g vs. 190g) and retaining a similar thickness. The aluminum frame with glass back and Blueberry, Graphite, or Pistachio colorways remains unchanged. A notable alteration is the shift from individual rear camera cutouts to a camera island, which I find cheap and prone to scratches.
Samsung has included an IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus Plus for improved durability, but I would have preferred enhanced protective glass after three generations of Victus Plus. The S26 FE boasts a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED screen, which performed well in direct sunlight but would have benefitted from an LTPO panel for better power efficiency.
The Exynos 2500 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM, lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Galaxy S26. Single-core performance is ~48% slower, and multi-core performance is ~37% slower. Despite this, the Galaxy S26 FE outperforms its predecessor by ~15% in sustained workloads. Real-world testing revealed a 55-60% stability rate, slightly below the S25 FE.
War Thunder Mobile and GRID Legends showcased smooth performance, though the phone heated up during intensive gaming. The 4,900mAh battery offers comparable endurance to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but falls short compared to the Google Pixel 10a with its Tensor G4 chip. With light usage, the S26 FE can last two days, requiring a charge every other day.
Fast charging via 45W wired or 15W wireless tops up the battery in 63 minutes, providing a refreshing change from the Redmi Note 17 Pro Max's 80W charging. The rear camera setup remains unchanged, featuring a 50MP main camera, 8MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide lens.
Written by urgent.news from Android Authority's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
