What you need to know
- The Galaxy S26 FE could launch on September 1, 2026, but a new leak suggests buyers may have to pay significantly more than last year’s model.
- Price hikes may hit every storage tier, with the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants reportedly costing €50, €90, and €150 more, respectively.
- Three color options are expected, including Graphite, Aqua Green, and a new deep blue-purple finish.
Samsung’s next Fan Edition phone could end up costing more than expected, at least if a new leak from France is accurate. The Galaxy S26 FE has already leaked a few times in terms of its design and hardware, but now we might have the clearest look yet on how Samsung intends to price it, and buyers in search of the cheapest model might be in for an unwelcome surprise.
According to a new report from Dealabs, the Galaxy S26 FE will hit retail shelves on September 1, 2026. The release schedule for that timeline is similar to last year’s, but the price tag on this year’s model may not be familiar to bargain hunters.
According to the report, European buyers in France could face steep price hikes across every storage configuration. The base 128GB Galaxy S26 FE is said to start at €749, or €50 more than its predecessor. Going for the 256GB version will reportedly set you back €809, a €90 increase. If you’re looking to go all-in on local storage, the top-tier 512GB model could cost you €929, a hefty €150 bump.
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And while Samsung dropped the 128GB option on the flagship Galaxy S26 series to justify higher base prices, the S26 FE is said to retain 128GB onboard as its base tier. Presumably, the changes are a result of industry-wide component shortages and increasing RAM prices.
Storage is not the only thing coming in for attention. The leak also hints at three colour options: Graphite, Aqua Green, and a mysterious third colour that sounds like a deep blue-purple hybrid.
Previous leaks have indicated that the Galaxy S26 FE will have a design much closer to the flagship Galaxy S26 family than previous Fan Edition models. It’s already been spotted in a Wireless Power Consortium listing, showing Samsung’s reworked raised camera housing, so the budget model shouldn’t look out of place next to its pricier siblings. The phone is also said to be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 2500 chip, although the company has not confirmed the final hardware.
Android Central’s Take
If Samsung really is giving buyers something meaningful in return, I don’t mind paying a little more. If these leaked prices are true, Samsung will need to find a way to convince users that the Galaxy S26 FE is more than just an FE in name. Otherwise, it risks making the Galaxy lineup’s once-value pick yet another phone that’s slowly creeping out of “affordable” territory.