Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Disappoints

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Leaks Reveal Underwhelming Upgrades

Recent leaks about the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE have left us underwhelmed, and we’re starting to think that you might not want to hold out for this new device. Our Mobile Editor previously argued that the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE didn’t need to exist, citing minimal upgrades. Now, new leaks have added fuel to this pessimistic outlook.

The first leak comes from 91Mobiles, which reveals that the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE will support 45W wired charging. While this isn’t bad news, it’s not particularly exciting either, especially since the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE already offers 45W charging. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, on the other hand, has bumped up the charging speed to 60W.

Price Increase

A second leak from French website Dealabs claims to have uncovered Samsung’s European pricing for the Galaxy S26 FE. The entry-level 128GB model will allegedly cost €799, while the 256GB model will cost €899, and the range-topping 512GB model will set customers back €1,099. This represents a significant price increase over the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, which launched at €749 / €809 / €929 less than a year ago.

If this pricing applies to the UK, we could be looking at starting prices of £699 for the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. While this is still relatively affordable, it’s not as competitive as the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE. The price hike, combined with the lack of significant upgrades, makes the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE a more appealing option.

Time to Consider Older Models

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is likely to remain a strong performer, even compared to the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. The Exynos 2400 chip in the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE won’t be significantly slower than the Exynos 2500 in the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE. Additionally, the specs of the two devices are likely to be very similar, and the display on the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE might even be a little worse.

This makes a strong case for considering older models, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE or even the Apple iPhone 14. With the rise of incremental upgrades and AI-induced price hikes, buying last year’s model has never been more appealing. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, in particular, offers great value, and its price is likely to drop further as the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE launches.