Galaxy S26 FE at KRW 1,045,000: What's Changed in AI and Cameras Compared with the S25 FE?
The Galaxy S26 FE will launch in South Korea on 2026-09-04, priced at KRW 1,045,000 for the 256GB model. Although this is KRW 99,000 more expensive than the domestic launch price of KRW 946,000 for its predecessor, the S25 FE, the key generational changes are not primarily about camera megapixel counts. Instead, they center on new shooting and editing features, how AI is used through One UI 9, and the adoption of the Exynos 2500 processor.
As of 2026-08-28, the first question to ask when evaluating the S26 FE is not how many megapixels have been added to its cameras. The rear camera megapixel configuration is virtually identical to that of the S25 FE. The more meaningful changes involve features added to the shooting and editing process, including My FanCam, Super Steady, and natural-language-based Photo Assist.
How Much Higher Is KRW 1,045,000 Than the S25 FE's Price?
The Galaxy S26 FE has a domestic launch price of KRW 1,045,000 for the 256GB model. The S25 FE launched in South Korea at KRW 946,000 for the same 256GB storage capacity, meaning the launch price has increased by KRW 99,000 between generations.
Author's calculation:
KRW 946,000 → KRW 1,045,000
The increase is KRW 99,000. Calculating 99,000 ÷ 946,000 × 100 gives an increase of approximately 10.5%.
The domestic launch dates also differ. The S25 FE launched in South Korea on 2025-09-19, while the S26 FE will begin rolling out in markets including South Korea from 2026-09-04. The domestic S26 FE model has been announced in 3 colors—Blueberry, Graphite, and Pistachio—with 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.
The price is not the only thing that has increased by approximately 10%. The processor changes from the Exynos 2400 4nm in the S25 FE to the Exynos 2500 3nm in the S26 FE. However, many specifications remain unchanged, including the 6.7-inch display, maximum 120Hz refresh rate, 4,900mAh battery, and 7.4mm thickness. The S25 FE weighs 190g, while the S26 FE weighs 193g.
| Comparison | Galaxy S25 FE | Galaxy S26 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic launch price | KRW 946,000 | KRW 1,045,000 |
| Domestic launch | 2025-09-19 | 2026-09-04 |
| Processor (AP) | Exynos 2400, 4nm | Exynos 2500, 3nm |
| Display | 6.7 inches, up to 120Hz | 6.7 inches, up to 120Hz |
| Battery | 4,900mAh | 4,900mAh |
| Thickness | 7.4mm | 7.4mm |
| Weight | 190g | 193g |
Therefore, it is difficult to explain the KRW 99,000 price difference through increases in screen size or battery capacity. To identify the changes clearly confirmed by official specifications, it is necessary to consider the processor generation, software version, and AI and camera feature sets together.
The S25 FE Already Had Galaxy AI, So What's Different?
The S25 FE already supported One UI 8 and Galaxy AI. Through Now Brief, it recommended information based on location, time, and usage habits. Its official global introduction also highlighted features such as Gemini Live, Now Bar, and Circle to Search. AI is therefore not something introduced for the first time with the S26 FE.
The S26 FE is based on Android 17 and One UI 9. Its official introduction particularly emphasizes how Now Brief is used and the addition of Now Nudge.
Now Brief collects and displays useful information such as weather, health, and transportation updates. On the S26 FE, users are reportedly able to configure briefing cards through natural-language input. This allows users to specify the information they want in everyday language and receive updates tailored to the flow of their day.
Now Nudge understands the user's current situation and context to suggest what action to take next. In the official S26 FE introduction, it is described alongside Now Brief as a personalized AI feature based on One UI 9.
Circle to Search is also supported on the S26 FE. It is described as allowing users to search for multiple pieces of information on the screen at once, including products, places, and objects. However, Circle to Search was already supported by the S25 FE generation, so not every AI feature on the S26 FE should be considered entirely new.
Ultimately, the important distinction in the AI comparison is not that the S25 FE lacked AI and the S26 FE introduced it, but how the transition from One UI 8 to One UI 9 changes the user experience by connecting personalized information with suggested next actions.
Camera Megapixels Have Barely Changed, but Shooting Features Have
Comparing only the rear camera specifications reveals little change. Both the S25 FE and S26 FE feature a combination of 5,000-megapixel wide-angle + 1,200-megapixel ultra-wide-angle + 800-megapixel telephoto cameras, with the telephoto camera supporting 3x optical zoom. Both models also have 1,200-megapixel front cameras.
Therefore, describing the S26 FE's camera improvements simply as a sensor megapixel upgrade would miss the main point.
One notable feature on the S26 FE is My FanCam. After recording footage, users can select a particular person, and the feature automatically tracks that individual and edits the video to keep them centered. This can be useful in situations where subjects are constantly moving, such as concerts or sporting events.
For video recording, the device also supports a horizon-lock option in Super Steady. This helps reduce camera shake and maintain a level composition when filming while walking or moving.
Although the front camera retains the same 1,200-megapixel resolution, Samsung Electronics says the S26 FE's front camera has been improved compared with the S25 FE. According to the official global specifications, the S25 FE's front camera has a field of view of 80 degrees, while the S26 FE has a field of view of 85 degrees.
In other words, rather than looking for a change from 5,000 megapixels to a higher number, it is more useful to examine subject tracking, video stabilization, the front camera's field of view, and post-capture editing workflows to understand the S26 FE's camera differences.
Natural-Language Editing and Reverting Changes Are Key to Photo Assist
The S25 FE already offered Photo Assist and generative editing features. Users could remove unwanted people or objects from backgrounds and enhance images using generative AI, so AI-powered photo editing itself is not new to the S26 FE.
The official S26 FE introduction describes a workflow in which users can instruct the device to change backgrounds using natural language or apply elements from other images in their gallery to a photo. Instead of navigating complex editing menus one by one, users can describe their desired results in sentences.
Another change in how the feature is used is that editing steps are saved in a history. Users can return to previous editing stages or restore changes step by step, even after making multiple modifications. For people who repeatedly edit the same photo, this may be more noticeable in everyday use than the basic image-generation feature itself.
Nightography is also supported, but the S25 FE already officially offered Nightography and low-noise features for nighttime photography. Therefore, the name Nightography itself should not be treated as a feature exclusive to the S26 FE.
Where Should S25 FE Users Look to Justify the KRW 99,000 Difference?
Based on official specifications alone, the two models retain the same screen size, 120Hz refresh rate, 4,900mAh battery, and rear camera megapixel configuration. This is not a generational upgrade in which every hardware specification has increased substantially.
On the other hand, the processor changes from the Exynos 2400 to the Exynos 2500, and the new model launches with Android 17 and One UI 9. On the AI side, it introduces Now Nudge and an expanded way of using Now Brief. Camera-related highlights include My FanCam, Super Steady with horizon lock, natural-language Photo Assist, and editing history.
Therefore, if you already use the S25 FE, it is difficult to justify upgrading based on camera megapixels alone. More direct comparison criteria are whether you need the new processor, the AI experience built around One UI 9, features for frequently filming moving people, and natural-language photo editing.
For those considering purchasing an FE model for the first time, the KRW 1,045,000 launch price itself should also be part of the decision. The domestic launch price of the S26 FE is KRW 99,000 higher than its predecessor, or approximately 10.5% according to the author's calculation. Actual retail prices may vary by retailer, mobile carrier, and promotion, so it is more accurate to distinguish between the official launch price and the amount actually paid.
What to Check Before the September 4 Launch
The Galaxy S26 FE will launch domestically on 2026-09-04. Samsung Electronics has announced that enrollment in the New Galaxy AI Subscription Club will begin on the same day for unlocked models sold in South Korea.
There are three main factors to consider when comparing the devices themselves.
Price: KRW 1,045,000 for 256GB, an increase of KRW 99,000 over the S25 FE
AI: One UI 9, natural-language configuration of Now Brief, Now Nudge, and related features
Camera: The rear camera megapixel configuration remains unchanged, while the ways users can work with My FanCam, Super Steady, and Photo Assist have expanded
Rather than viewing the Galaxy S26 FE as a model with dramatically higher camera specifications, the comparison most consistent with official specifications is to see it as a device that updates the processor and AI, shooting, and editing experiences while retaining the basic hardware framework of the existing FE series. Once the device launches, comparing the actual retail price of the S26 FE with remaining S25 FE inventory prices under equivalent purchasing conditions will make the significance of the price difference clearer.
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