I really like the Galaxy S25 FE.
After years of underwhelming ‘Fan Version’ fashions, Samsung lastly nailed it final yr, providing a near-perfect stability between value and premium {hardware}.
Shortly after my S25 FE evaluate was revealed in October, it was promptly put in as Tech Advisor’s greatest mid-range telephone, the place it has remained ever since.
As you would possibly anticipate, I used to be excited for what Samsung might carry to the desk for the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE. May the corporate ship back-to-back hits and set a brand new normal for mid-range telephones?
If the leaks are something to go by, completely not. It’s not an exaggeration to say that in the event that they develop into true, the S26 FE shouldn’t exist.
The naked minimal upgrades
2026 is the yr of tiny smartphone ‘upgrades’, and it doesn’t look as if the S26 FE shall be immune.
The handset is rumoured (by way of SamMobile) to get a brand new chipset within the type of Samsung’s Exynos 2500 – the identical because the Galaxy Z Flip 7. It makes use of a extra superior 3nm course of than the S25 FE’s Exynos 2400 (4nm), with Z Flip 7 benchmarks suggesting a efficiency increase of as much as 15% in single-core efficiency.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
That’s a big step ahead, however the true query is: will it make a noticeable distinction? As my evaluate reveals, on a regular basis efficiency isn’t precisely missing on the S25 FE. Nonetheless, the ability effectivity beneficial properties might yield a battery life enchancment, regardless of no indication that the 4900mAh cell shall be upgraded.
And… that’s about it. There’s an excellent likelihood that an improved chipset would be the solely significant {hardware} improve, which merely doesn’t justify a brand new launch.
To make issues worse, the telephone might find yourself getting a few notable downgrades, which might make it a horrible purchase.
Is Samsung making the {hardware} worse?
Whereas meagre upgrades are irritating, they’re one thing I can stay with. Few individuals are getting a brand new telephone annually, so the enhancements compound over time to turn out to be a way more vital step ahead.
I don’t assume gen-on-gen {hardware} downgrades ought to ever be tolerated, although, which makes the newest Galaxy S26 FE leaks extraordinarily regarding.
I don’t assume gen-on-gen {hardware} downgrades ought to ever be tolerated
The one which prompted this text was a list on the Wi-fi Energy Consortium (as noticed by 9to5Google), which features a real-life picture of the brand new telephone.
At first look, it appears to be like virtually an identical to the S26+, ditching the S25 FE’s particular person lens rings for a vertical bump. Nonetheless, not like that telephone, this module seems to have been squeezed proper into the top-left nook, making the again of the handset look plain bizarre.
Certain, it’s a small change, however a smartphone is as a lot a trend assertion as it’s a device today. On condition that the S25 FE and S26+ have an identical display sizes, there’s actually no excuse if Samsung makes the design worse.
Nonetheless, not less than you possibly can throw a case on the again and attempt to neglect it. If The Elec’s report from March is correct, upcoming FE telephones will ditch Samsung’s personal OLED shows in favour of rising screens from Chinese language firm CSOT.
Whereas nonetheless OLED, they’re typically considered inferior for peak brightness and punchy HDR, resulting in a much less vivid show expertise. Color accuracy, distinction and movement readability seem like related, however that is clearly a cost-cutting measure.
…it’s the precept of downgrades on a more recent telephone that basically rankles
Are these rumoured downgrades prone to make the S26 FE a considerably inferior telephone to its predecessor? No. Nevertheless it’s the precept of downgrades on a more recent telephone that basically rankles, particularly if Samsung doesn’t plan on decreasing the £649/$649.99 beginning value.
Simply get the S25 FE as a substitute
Severely. With each recent Galaxy S26 FE leak, its predecessor appears to be like to be a fair higher purchase.
Virtually every thing I mentioned in my 4.5-star evaluate nonetheless applies, with a flagship-quality construct, spectacular core cameras and stable battery life. You continue to get software program updates till 2032, and the One UI 8 bugs I encountered will virtually actually be fastened by now.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Mainly, except you need to recreation in your telephone, the S25 FE stays the most effective mid-range telephone in the marketplace. On the time of writing, its value has dropped to only £549/$579.99 on Amazon, which represents very good worth for cash.
With the S26 FE prone to launch round August or September, now could be once I’d often warning in opposition to shopping for the present technology. However, if these leaks are reliable, there’s no level in ready when the S25 FE is already so good and out there with a helpful low cost.
Samsung can level to software program and AI all it likes, but when the S26 FE affords only one {hardware} improve and makes compromises in different areas, it ought to by no means come to market. Whereas the worldwide RAM scarcity is squeezing all tech firms proper now, it’s time for Samsung to actually step up or simply skip a yr.