The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is being quietly phased out across Samsung’s own online platform, offline stores, and third-party retailers. If you’ve noticed this, you aren’t imagining things—it’s a coincidence you can set your watch to. Samsung is preparing to replace the S25 FE with the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE, which has already begun appearing in online certification listings.
Design and Display Refinements
The design will feel very similar to the S25 FE, with no major changes to dimensions (staying close to 161.3mm tall and 76.6mm wide). However, there is a subtle, evolutionary change at the rear:
- Camera Housing: While it shares DNA with its predecessor, the rear camera housing now feels more aligned with the newer Galaxy S26 models or the Galaxy Z Fold 7 rather than the older S23/S24 design language.
- Display: You are still getting a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Brightness Boost: Previously capped at 1900 nits, the peak brightness is expected to grow to at least 2600 nits, matching the baseline for the Galaxy S26 series. Resolution remains at 1080p.
Performance: The Exynos 2500 Upgrade
The biggest change lies in the processor. The S26 FE will move to the 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset.
- Chipset Specs: It remains a deca-core chipset featuring the new Cortex-X925 as the prime core, seven Cortex-A725 cores (in two groups), and Cortex-A520 efficiency cores.
- Benchmark Results: Recent leaked Geekbench scores show 2100 in single-core and 7148 in multi-core. While single-core performance is similar to previous iterations, the multi-core performance has improved quite a bit.
- Software & Memory: The device will launch with Android 17 and an 8GB RAM base variant. There may also be a 12GB RAM/512GB storage model, alongside the standard 128GB and 256GB options.
Note: While the flagship Galaxy S26 uses the 2nm Exynos 2600 (a massive jump in performance and heat management), the S26 FE continues the trend of using a slightly older generation chipset to keep costs down.
Wireless Charging and Connectivity
One of the most notable upgrades is the support for Qi 2.2.1 (marketed as Qi 2 25W):
- Faster Wireless Charging: You now get 25W of fast charging through supported wireless chargers, a significant jump from the previous 15W limit.
- Magnetic Alignment: The device now features the magnetic alignment system (MagSafe technology), allowing you to use magnetic accessories easily.
- Compatibility: It remains backward compatible, so you can still use your existing 15W or 5W Qi devices.
Camera Capabilities
If you were hoping for a massive camera overhaul, that isn’t happening. The specs remain consistent with the S25 FE:
- Main: 50MP f/1.8 (1/1.57 inch sensor).
- Telephoto: 8MP f/2.4 (3x zoom).
- Ultra-wide: 12MP sensor.
- Front: 12MP (supports 4K 60fps).
- Video: You can still record 8K at 30fps, 4K at 60fps, and 1080p 240fps slow-mo.
The Verdict
The Galaxy S26 FE offers a slight design change and some solid upgrades, particularly in brightness and wireless charging. However, if you are coming from an S24 FE, the jump won’t be massive. It is a stunning, flagship-looking phone—especially in the grey or black colorways.
It will likely launch with a price tag around $699 or $799, though this will inevitably go down over time, just like previous Fan Edition models. You’ll need to decide if the upgrade is worth it based on that pricing.
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
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