Samsung is getting increasingly bad at keeping its secrets, which is why we’ve already seen a surprising amount of details about the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE. While nothing is official yet, the phone is expected to launch soon, and a new leak suggests it’ll come with at least one major compromise.
Galaxy S26 FE may get a battery downgrade
Samsung may use a different battery technology for the Galaxy S26 FE. The device’s European Energy Label was leaked by the folks at YTECHB, revealing a significant decline in the charging cycle rating for its battery.
Galaxy S26 FE's leaked European Energy Label. | Image by YTECHB
Last year’s Galaxy S25 FE was rated at 2,000 cycles before its battery capacity dropped below 80%, but the new model’s rating may be only 1,200 cycles. While that’s a 40% drop, the battery is now rated to last exactly 50 hours, instead of the 42 hours and 37 minutes of last year’s model.
On the foldables, this drop was the sacrifice Samsung made to offer higher-capacity silicon-carbon batteries inside thinner phones than last year. Unlike the foldables, the S26 FE is rumored to have the same 4,900 mAh battery capacity in the same 7.4 mm thick chassis, which suggests it may not be getting the silicon-carbon treatment.
Either way, the 20% increase in battery life suggested by the EPREL label could be the good news we need. My colleague Mariyan wasn’t particularly impressed by the battery life he experienced during his in-depth review of the Galaxy S25 FE. Still, he felt Samsung had polished the formula of the affordable flagship, making it feel like a worthy member of the Galaxy S family.
Which battery feature is more important for you?
Galaxy S26 FE could launch in September
Galaxy AI may be the highlight upgrade on the S26 FE. | Image by Android Headlines
Samsung hasn’t said anything about it yet, but rumor has it the Galaxy S26 FE is launching sometime in September. A recent major leak made it sound like there won’t be any significant hardware upgrades, except the Exynos 2500 SoC and several new colors.
Beyond that, we’re getting the same 6.7-inch display, the same triple camera on the back, and the same 45W charging capabilities. Based on all the recent leaks, Samsung will focus on the software updates and the Galaxy AI-powered camera features.
The device is also expected to come at higher prices than last year’s model, putting it at $699 for the entry-level version with 128GB internal storage and 8GB of RAM. This will make it clash with Samsung’s own Galaxy S26 and even the Galaxy S26 Plus, which often get some pretty significant discounts.
Even more importantly, the S26 FE will have to face devices like the Pixel 10a and the iPhone 17e. While both of these models are humbler offerings, they’re also significantly cheaper. It’s also likely for the Pixel 11 to get discounts that would make it a viable alternative, even if it’s a little more expensive.
A tough sell
It is hard for me to ignore the lack of noticeable upgrades, but I don’t think that will be the biggest issue with the Galaxy S26 FE. Offering only 128GB storage on a modern smartphone that costs $700 doesn’t feel right, even in the middle of the raging memory chip crisis. I’m curious to see how this works out for Samsung, but I won’t be surprised if this turns into the company’s last Fan Edition device.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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