The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE might not fold or flip, but it does something no other 2026 Samsung phone does: cost less than $750. And that’s without a discount deal or trade-in, which could knock its price down even further. I finally got my hands on this year’s version of Samsung’s midrange phone earlier this week, and it’s a pretty compelling alternative to the regular Galaxy S26.
Not only does it pack three rear cameras — just like the pricier S26 — but it offers Samsung’s newest and spiffiest AI-assisted video trick that’s made for the social era. But how excited should you be? Here’s what I learned in my first hours with the Galaxy S26 FE.
As someone who tests a lot of phones, I’m happy to say that the Galaxy S26 FE succeeds where others don’t: it’s easy to hold. No matter if you get it in Blueberry, Pistachio or Graphite, the S26 FE has matte sides that did not slip an inch in my hands as I got a first look. This might not sound like a big deal, but I can’t say the same about the pricier Google Pixel 11 Pro and its glossy frame.
Oh, and speaking of the S26 FE’s trio of colors, they’re all what I’d call “good.” Pistachio’s probably my favorite of the three, but they’re all so faint that I wouldn’t be surprised if people didn’t feel a need to show them off with a clear case or risk it all by going bare in public. Speaking of a case, you might cover the S26 FE’s color and finish, but you’ll also hide how well it retains fingerprint smudges, an annoyance that the metallic-backed Galaxy S26 didn’t deal with.
