We've had leaks flying left and right and now know almost everything about Samsung's upcoming affordable flagship, but there's a surprising development.
A FCC listing, unearthed by Android Authority, shows an unexpected Qualcomm component inside.
FCC listing shows both Qualcomm and Exynos silicon on the Galaxy S26 FE
The Galaxy S26 FE has already passed the FCC certification process, and the information inside the regulatory body's database hints at both Qualcomm and Samsung Exynos silicon in the same model.
The Galaxy S26 FE will feature Qualcomm's FastConnect technology. | Image by FCC
According to the text from the FCC filing above, the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE has both S.LSI (Samsung LSI) and Qualcomm FastConnect technologies on board. This points toward a Qualcomm chip, but don't start to celebrate yet, it's most likely just connectivity hardware and not a full-blown Snapdragon platform.
Would you prefer a Snapdragon chip on the Galaxy S26 FE?
What is Qualcomm Fast Connect?
FastConnect uses Qualcomm's 6 nm 4x4 chip and offers fast WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. | Image by Qualcomm
The FastConnect technology is Qualcomm's WiFi and Bluetooth acceleration system, and yes, it requires a hardware chip. But it's a dedicated 4×4 chip built on a 6 nm node. The latest FastConnect chip is the 8800, and here's what Qualcomm has to say about it:
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FastConnect 8800 is designed to bring unmatched speeds and range for the agentic AI era. It integrates Wi-Fi 8, Bluetooth High Data Throughput (HDT)1, UWB, and Thread in a single-chip 4x4 offering on a leading-edge 6 nm process node. FastConnect 8800 is packed with premium innovation, building on an advanced implementation of Proximity AI with Wi-Fi Ranging, UWB, and Bluetooth Channel Sounding to enable users to efficiently find, connect, and interact with nearby devices like earbuds, smart tags, or other mobile devices.
- Qualcomm official FastConnect website
So, the Galaxy S26 FE won't have two hardware variants depending on the region, just like the S26, but rather stick to the previously mentioned Exynos 2500 chipset. However, the FastConnect mention means that the S26 FE will at least get this Qualcomm silicon on board.
The FCC listing corroborates the 45W charging leaks
The FCC listing shows 45W wired charging support for the Galaxy S26 FE. | Image by FCC
There's not much else in those FCC documents, except a confirmation for the 45W wired charging that leaked a couple of weeks ago.
The Galaxy S26 FE is also expected to have reverse wireless charging functionality, NFC, Wi-Fi 6 support, and supplemental satellite support.
Is the Galaxy S26 FE still a good deal?
Leaked real-life image of the Galaxy S26 FE. | Image by Wireless Power Consortium
Yes, definitely. The phone is expected with a big 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,900 nits of peak brightness. We're looking at a 5,000 mAh battery with 45W wired charging, and the same camera system as its predecessor,
Even if Samsung hikes the prices by $50, like most rumors predict, the S26 FE will still be $200 cheaper than the regular Galaxy S26, but with a bigger screen, bigger battery, and faster charging. The phone is expected to launch on September 4, starting at $699.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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