Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 FE could arrive with a significantly higher price tag than its predecessor, according to a new leak, raising questions about whether the Fan Edition series is drifting away from its reputation for flagship features at a more accessible price.

Expected to launch in early September as the fourth member of the Galaxy S26 family, the Galaxy S26 FE will likely remain cheaper than the Galaxy S26, S26+ and S26 Ultra. However, leaked pricing suggests the gap may be much smaller than before - particularly for higher-storage models.

Rumored European pricing

According to a source with a strong track record for Samsung leaks, the Galaxy S26 FE could be priced in France as follows:

128GB: €799 (about US$920)
256GB: €899 (about US$1,035)
512GB: €1,099 (about US$1,265)

While Samsung has not confirmed the pricing, the source is regarded as highly reliable.

If accurate, the entry-level 128GB model would cost €50 more than the Galaxy S25 FE at launch. The biggest increases, however, are expected for the larger storage options.

The 256GB variant is rumored to rise by €90, while the 512GB model could jump by as much as €170 compared with the previous generation.

Perhaps most notably, the leaked €1,099 price tag would place the 512GB Galaxy S26 FE above the starting price of the standard Galaxy S26 in several European markets.

US pricing estimates

Based on historical pricing trends, industry observers believe Samsung could price the Galaxy S26 FE in the United States at approximately:

128GB: US$699
256GB: US$849
512GB: US$1,049

These figures remain speculative, but if they prove accurate, the top-tier model would exceed the US$1,000 threshold, putting it in direct competition with premium flagship smartphones rather than upper mid-range devices.

Tougher competition

A higher price could make the Galaxy S26 FE a more difficult sell in an increasingly competitive market.

At similar price points, buyers may instead consider the standard Galaxy S26 or competing flagship devices offering stronger hardware.

Among the rumored rivals:

Google Pixel 11 is expected to start at around US$899 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.

Google Pixel 10 is rumored to retain a US$799 starting price.

OnePlus 15R could launch at around US$699, featuring 256GB of storage, 12GB of RAM and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is expected to cost about US$599, while the Galaxy A57 5G could start at around US$549.

Although the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro and Galaxy A57 are unlikely to match the Galaxy S26 FE's overall performance, their lower prices could make them more attractive value-for-money alternatives.

Expected specifications

Leaked specifications suggest the Galaxy S26 FE will feature:

Samsung Exynos 2500 processor
8GB RAM
5,000mAh battery
45W wired fast charging

While competitive, those specifications do not represent a major leap over several rivals. The Galaxy A57 is also expected to feature a 5,000mAh battery and 45W charging, while the OnePlus 15R is rumored to offer a much larger 7,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging.

The Galaxy S26 FE is also expected to debut in three colors: Graphite, Aqua Green, and a blue-purple finish. Some Samsung fans, however, are hoping the company will retain the white color option offered on the Galaxy S25 FE.

If the leaked pricing proves accurate, Samsung may need to offer more than incremental hardware upgrades to convince buyers that the Fan Edition still represents strong value.

Hai Phong