The Galaxy S26 FE brings much of the S26 family’s look and software to a lower price, with some different hardware underneath. This page collects Samsung’s documented facts for it, explains what they mean for the cable and charger you buy, and compares it with the Galaxy S26+. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2026-09-04 |
|---|---|
| Status | Current lineup |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Wired charging (max, W) | 45 |
| Wireless charging | Qi |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.7 |
| Refresh rate (Hz) | 120 |
| Chip | Exynos 2500 |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $699.99 |
The USB spec row is empty because we found no USB version for the US model. The launch price shown is the US starting price on Samsung’s page for the 128 GB model before trade-in, and the release date is the date in Samsung’s announcement for select markets.
Where does the Galaxy S26 FE fit?
Samsung describes the Galaxy S26 FE as the newest addition to the Galaxy S26 family and the first in the lineup to launch with One UI 9. Samsung’s announcement says it will be available starting September 4 in select markets in Blueberry, Graphite and Pistachio. Samsung’s US page lists it from $699.99 before eligible trade-in, and in its comparison table shows the Galaxy S25 FE from $649.99 and the Galaxy A57 5G from $549.99. It offers 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB storage options.
We could not find the S26 FE in the sales rankings we cite, so it ranks twenty-second in our library as part of Samsung’s current lineup, listed on its US smartphone page. See the Samsung hub for the full family.
What cable does the Galaxy S26 FE use?
Samsung’s US support page covers the Galaxy S26, S26+, S26 Ultra and S26 FE together and lists a USB Type-C 3A charging cable among the contents of the box, so the phone charges over USB Type-C. Our USB-C explainer covers the connector. Samsung’s pages did not give a USB data version for this model, so we state no data speed; the USB speed guide explains the general tiers, and cable buying safety covers how to pick a replacement.
What charger does the Galaxy S26 FE need?
Wired. Samsung says the Galaxy S26 FE supports up to 45W wired charging, with up to 69% charge in around 30 minutes with a 45W adapter, and that the 45W Power Adapter is sold separately and to use only Samsung-approved chargers and cables. Wired charging is compatible with QC2.0 and AFC PD. The box has no adapter, so you buy or reuse one; see the wattage guide, PPS and Samsung Super Fast Charging and USB Power Delivery.
Wireless. Samsung lists 15W Fast Wireless Charging, compatible with WPC, and Wireless PowerShare, which Samsung says can charge Samsung and other Qi-capable phones including recent Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip and S series models. See Qi explained and the wireless charger guide.
Samsung’s charging tips. Samsung’s support page says Super Fast Charging is only available on select devices, that the device automatically chooses the best speed it supports, and that plugging into a wall outlet is faster than plugging into a computer. For a checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.
The screen, explained
The Galaxy S26 FE has a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120 Hz refresh rate listed as 60/120Hz and 1,900 nits. Samsung says the 6.7-inch figure is measured on the full rectangle and the screen is 6.5 inches with the rounded corners and camera hole accounted for. The 60/120Hz wording means the rate switches between two settings, unlike the 1 to 120Hz adaptive range on the S26+; the refresh rate guide explains the difference. Samsung describes AMOLED as a type of OLED, covered in OLED explained. Samsung does not use the term LTPO for this phone; see LTPO OLED.
Performance, cameras and battery
The phone uses the Exynos 2500, a 3nm processor, with 8GB of RAM, and a 4,900 mAh typical battery. The cameras are a 50MP wide (OIS, f/1.8), a 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 123-degree field of view) and an 8MP 3x telephoto (OIS, f/2.4), with up to 30x digital zoom, and a 12MP front camera. Samsung’s announcement says tools first introduced on its latest foldables, including a feature that automatically tracks a selected person and keeps them centered in video, are available on the S26 FE.
Build, connectivity and durability
Samsung lists IP68 water and dust resistance based on submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes, with the usual caution to rinse residue and dry, and not to use it at the beach or pool. The phone measures 161.6 x 76.9 x 7.4 mm and weighs 193 grams. It supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, and runs Android 17 with One UI 9. Samsung says it will support seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from the global launch date.
Software and AI features Samsung highlights
The Galaxy S26 FE is the first phone in the S26 lineup to launch with One UI 9, according to Samsung’s announcement. Samsung says a person-tracking feature first introduced on its latest foldables, which automatically keeps a selected person centered and reframes video as the scene moves, is available on the FE, and that an improved Smart Switch makes setting up easier when moving to a Galaxy phone. Samsung’s footnote says the Galaxy S26 FE includes a 6-month Google AI Pro trial for eligible users, with offer availability and terms varying. These are Samsung’s own descriptions, and some features require a Samsung account or a network connection.
How it compares with the Galaxy S26+
Samsung’s tables show where the FE gives ground. Against the Galaxy S26+, both list a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, a 4,900 mAh battery, 45W wired charging with up to 69% in 30 minutes, IP68 and seven years of updates. The FE has a lower-resolution FHD+ panel against QHD+, a 60/120Hz refresh rate against 1 to 120Hz, 1,900 nits against 2600 nits, an Exynos 2500 with 8GB of RAM against the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with 12GB, Wi-Fi 6E against Wi-Fi 7, 15W wireless charging against 20W and a weight of 193 grams against 190 grams. It is listed from $699.99 against the S26+‘s $1,099.99 launch price.
What is in the box
Samsung’s US support page lists the phone, a USB Type-C 3A charging cable and a SIM ejector tool. There is no power adapter; Samsung’s specification table says the 45W adapter is sold separately.
How to read Samsung’s battery and charging numbers
Samsung’s footnotes explain how to read the figures for the Galaxy S26 FE. The 4,900 mAh battery capacity is a typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions, an estimated average that accounts for variation between battery samples tested under the IEC 61960 standard, and Samsung gives a rated (minimum) capacity of 4,755 mAh. Samsung’s charging figure of up to 69% in around 30 minutes assumes the 45W adapter that is sold separately; without it, charging will be slower. Samsung also says actual battery life varies with network environment, usage patterns and other factors, so treat every number as a comparison between phones, not a promise for your day.
Repair overview
iFixit has a device page for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, which describes it as released in 2026. When we checked it listed no repairability score and no repair guides, so we show none. We never copy iFixit’s text.
Read our repair overview for the Galaxy S26 FE, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Our battery page cites Apple’s guidance because we have not yet found a Samsung equivalent.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the Galaxy S26 FE on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Categories to look at: cases, 45W chargers and screen protectors. Samsung’s US accessories page lists cases and anti-reflecting films for the S26 family and notes that some cases vary by model. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You want an S26-family phone at a lower price. Samsung’s US page lists it from $699.99.
- You want fast wired charging. Samsung lists up to 45W, the same as the S26+.
- You want long software support. Samsung lists seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
- You want the sharpest, brightest screen. The S26+ lists QHD+ and 2600 nits against 1,900 nits here.
- You want Wi-Fi 7. Samsung lists Wi-Fi 6E for the FE.
- You want a charger included. None is in the box; budget for a 45W adapter.