The Galaxy S26 phone that Samsung wants you to pay more for while giving you less finally made its first real-world appearance
A leaked hands-on video allegedly gives us our first look at Samsung's upcoming Fan Edition device.
Galaxy S25 FE for illustrative purposes. | Image by PhoneArena
Samsung's most unnecessary Android phone is getting closer and closer to launch. But while it's rumored to arrive in September alongside the Galaxy Tab S12, the Galaxy S26 FE may have already made an early appearance in a full-blown hands-on video.
What did we just see?
First irl look at the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE! pic.twitter.com/grrlhJ68Di
— Bradley (@VerdeSelvans) August 17, 2026
Leaked hands-on video of a supposed Galaxy S26 FE. | Video by VerdeSelvans, posted on X
On August 17, X leaker VerdeSelvans shared a supposed hands-on video of the Galaxy S26 FE, giving us what might be our very first real look at the upcoming phone.
The device shown in the video appears to follow the Fan Edition design language Samsung has been using for a while. On the back, it features an oval-shaped camera module housing three individual lenses, while the front is dominated by a 6.7-inch AMOLED display.
The video also suggests that the device will run One UI 9 out of the box and pack a 4,900mAh battery with 45W wired charging.
The video also suggests that the device will run One UI 9 out of the box and pack a 4,900mAh battery with 45W wired charging.
Does all of that sound familiar? Well, it should. By the looks of it, the upcoming model won't offer that many upgrades over the Galaxy S25 FE.
If the Galaxy S26 FE costs more without offering many upgrades, what would you do?
125 Votes
I'll buy it anyway
7.2%
I'll wait for a discount
22.4%
I'll buy a discounted Galaxy S25 FE
22.4%
I'd rather go for the Galaxy A57
17.6%
I'd just buy a Galaxy S26 flagship
30.4%
The chip upgrade isn't convincing anyone
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|
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| Samsung Galaxy S25 FE | Samsung Galaxy S26 FE | Samsung Galaxy A57 5G |
| Size | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6.7-inch, 88.06% screen-to-body | 6.7-inch, 88.63% screen-to-body | 6.7-inch, 87.64% screen-to-body |
| Type | ||
| LTPO, 120Hz, 1900 nits | Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, HDR, 1900 nits |
| Resolution | ||
| 2340x1080px, 19.5:9 ratio, 385 PPI | 2340x1080px, 19.5:9 ratio, 385 PPI | 2340x1080px, 19.5:9 ratio, 385 PPI |
| Protection | ||
| Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Features | ||
| HDR support | ||
| Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4900 mAh | 4900 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charge speed | ||
| Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 15.0W | Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 15.0W | Wired: 45.0W |
| Rear | ||
|---|---|---|
| Triple camera | Triple camera | Triple camera |
| Main camera | ||
| 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.8 Focal length: 24 mm Pixel size: 1.0 μm | 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.8 Focal length: 24 mm Sensor size: 1/1.57" Pixel size: 1.0 μm | 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.8 Sensor size: 1/1.56" Pixel size: 1.0 μm |
| Second camera | ||
| 12 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 | 12 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 | 13 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 Sensor size: 1/3.2" Pixel size: 1.12 μm |
| Third camera | ||
| 8 MP (Telephoto) Optical zoom: 3.0x Aperture size: F2.4 | 8 MP (Telephoto, OIS, PDAF) Optical zoom: 3.0x Aperture size: F2.4 Focal Length: 75 mm Sensor size: 1/4.4" Pixel size: 1.0 μm |
5 MP (Macro) Aperture size: F2.4 |
| Flash | ||
| LED | LED | LED |
| Video recording | ||
| Yes | 8K UHD (30 fps), 4K UHD (120 fps), 1080p (240 fps) | 4K UHD (30 fps) |
| Front | ||
| 12 MP Video capture: 4K UHD (60 fps) | 12 MP Video capture: 4K UHD (60 fps) | 12 MP Video capture: 4K UHD (30 fps) |
See the full
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE vs Samsung Galaxy A57 5G specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Supposedly, the upcoming phone will drive the Exynos 2500, the same SoC powering last year's Galaxy Z Flip 7. Preliminary benchmark listings have already shown what we can expect on the performance front, but it seems that not everyone is excited with the upgrades Samsung is reportedly bringing on the Galaxy S26 FE.
A higher price on top of everything else
At least the price should stay the same, right? Well, not necessarily. Some rumors suggest Samsung could actually raise the Galaxy S26 FE's asking price.
A rehash of the Galaxy S25 FE and A57?
Expect the Galaxy S26 FE to arrive in these color options. | Image by Android Headlines
And then there's the Galaxy S26 FE. Based on everything we've heard (and seen) so far, it might borrow from both phones, sharing similar charging speeds, displays, and designs.
Now, if Samsung also raises the price, it becomes increasingly challenging to justify the Galaxy S26 FE's cost. Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't buy a marginally improved S26 FE at a higher price. I'd much rather buy a Galaxy S25 FE at a discount, or perhaps even save more with a Galaxy A57.
Dive deeper:
- This leak reveals when we can expect the Galaxy S26 FE to be announced
- Leaked cases show off the possible colors of the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE
- You might want to read our review of the Galaxy S25 FE
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