Samsung unveils Galaxy S26 FE at $700 with Exynos 2500 chip and updated cameras

Hardware specifications and pricing

Samsung introduced the Galaxy S26 FE on 27 August 2026, positioning the handset between its mid-tier A-series and higher-end S26 models. The device starts at $699.99 in the United States and £699 in the United Kingdom, representing a $50 increase over the preceding Galaxy S25 FE, which launched at $649.99. Industry-wide component constraints and memory supply shortages contributed to the price adjustment across consumer hardware. The smartphone incorporates an Exynos 2500 processor, 8GB of RAM, and internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB. It also carries a 4,900mAh battery supporting 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, paired with a commitment to seven years of operating system and security updates.

Display and industrial design

The handset features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. This panel matches the screen dimensions and physical footprint of the Galaxy S26+, though it operates below the 2,600 nits peak output and resolution found on the $1,099.99 model. On the exterior, the chassis uses an aluminum frame combined with a polycarbonate rear panel and an integrated camera island that replaces the individual lens rings used on previous generations. Samsung produced the device in three finishes: Graphite, Pistachio, and Blueberry.

Samsung smartphone specialist product manager Kadesh Beckford explained the visual changes introduced on the new chassis:

When you look at the rear of the device, you'll actually see the camera housing and the design and the colours. It's something that's just really understated.

Camera setup and Galaxy AI features

The triple-lens rear camera system contains a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and an 8-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom. On the front, the phone carries a 12-megapixel selfie camera with an expanded 85-degree field of view, up from 80 degrees on the previous model. Samsung ported multiple One UI 9 and Galaxy AI software tools to the device from the primary S26 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 8. These include My FanCam, which uses artificial intelligence to track and center subjects in recorded video, and an Audio Eraser capable of dampening background noise across video platforms such as YouTube and Netflix. Other tools include Super Steady Video with horizontal lock, Now Nudge contextual suggestions across third-party applications, and AI-powered Photo Assist.

Market positioning and availability

The Galaxy S26 FE enters retail availability on 3 September 2026, sitting between the £529 Galaxy A57 and the $899.99 Galaxy S26. While the core S26 models offer 12GB of RAM and faster processors, the FE variant retains a larger 6.7-inch screen format at a lower entry price. The handset incorporates Samsung's Vision Booster technology for outdoor visibility alongside custom widget tools through Now Brief. Additional software features include a built-in document scanner for photographing paperwork and expanded Circle to Search capabilities that can identify multiple objects within a single screen view.