Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE is now on sale in the UAE at AED 3,059 for the 256GB model. Samsung announced the phone on August 27. The price is AED 360 more than the S25 FE's 256GB list price.
Samsung Gulf sells only the 256GB version, so buyers cannot pick a cheaper model. Khaleej Times asked whether the FE is still a better deal than the standard Galaxy S26. Its answer is not a clear yes, as the S26 costs little more at retail.
Few things changed. RAM is still 8GB, and the screen, 4,900mAh battery, 45W charging and cameras match last year's phone. The only visible design change is a reshaped camera housing. The main upgrade is the 3nm Exynos 2500 chip, which replaces the 4nm Exynos 2400.
Samsung claims 15% more processor power and 28% higher frame rates in some games. The phone also lasts about an extra hour in video playback. Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates, and the newer chip should help the phone keep up over that time.
The report blames rising memory prices. AI demand from data centers pushed up chip costs, and DDR5 RAM prices quadrupled in three months. Khaleej Times calls the FE ‘a good phone that has arrived at a bad moment.’
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Could Get Galaxy S26’s Standout Camera Feature in One UI 9
Retailers are already selling the S26 FE for around AED 2,500 to AED 2,600. The standard Galaxy S26 starts at around AED 2,800 at major stores. It offers 12GB of RAM and the newer 2nm Exynos 2600 chip, but it has a smaller 6.3-inch screen and a 4,300mAh battery. The S25 FE sells for AED 1,949 with a Samsung warranty, about AED 600 less than its successor.
The FE suits buyers who want a bigger screen and battery and plan to keep the phone for years. People who own a recent Galaxy S phone can skip it. The report advises waiting, as FE prices rarely hold for long.