I’ve used the Galaxy S24 FE for a year: Here are 6 big changes the Galaxy S26 FE needs
Source: Android Authority
I’ve been a daily user of the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE for the past year, and while there are plenty of things I appreciate about this device, my list of gripes is far longer. Sure, it’s a capable, reliable handset. It’s the sort of product that Samsung can produce in its sleep. But that’s part of the problem: the Galaxy FE series — the Fan Edition series, just to remind you — is slowly becoming just another mid‑range Samsung with no identity, copy‑pasted specs, and a misunderstanding of what the “fans” really want.
With the Galaxy S26 FE’s debut set for later this year, I want to address some of the issues I have with the FE line right now and the ways Samsung could tempt my wallet before the next release.
What change or upgrade do you want to see most on the Galaxy S26 FE?
0 votes
A Pointed Focus on Battery and Efficiency
![Samsung Galaxy S25 FE battery settings page]
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Battery endurance is perhaps my biggest issue with the Galaxy S24 FE. A single charge just about gets me through a calm day, so you can imagine how it lets me down when usage demands step up. To give it further context, its battery life is noticeably poor compared with a seven‑year‑old HUAWEI P30 Pro that still has roughly 70 % battery health.
While the upcoming Galaxy S25 FE addresses this issue somewhat—with a 4 % larger battery, a more efficient display, and faster 45 W charging—I want to see Samsung do more with the Galaxy S26 FE.
What I’d Like to See
- A much larger battery – Samsung regularly uses 6,000 mAh cells in its budget smartphones, including its cheapest new device, the Galaxy A07 5G.
- Improved power‑efficiency across the board (display, chipset, software optimisations).
- Faster charging beyond 45 W, ideally with a more robust charging ecosystem.
It’s clearly a fan‑favorite feature, so why isn’t it on the Fan Edition device?
A Much‑Needed Injection of Personality
I don’t recall a smartphone I’ve felt less invigorated by than the Galaxy S24 FE. Yes, it’s certainly a smartphone—it makes calls, sends messages, streams music, and records memories. But it feels like a soulless husk of silicon, glass, and aluminum, offering little homage to “the fans” or Samsung’s storied past.
This conservative approach isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but surely this phone should have some personality, right? While the issue doesn’t affect functionality, I believe Samsung can (and should) do more to make the Galaxy S26 FE more appealing.
My Suggestion
Offer colorways that celebrate Samsung’s greatest hits over the years. For example:
- Note 10 – Aura Glow
- S10e – Canary Yellow
- Galaxy S10 – Prism Green
- Note 7 – Coral Blue (for the memories)
Giving users the option to pick a nostalgic hue would add a splash of personality and make the device feel more personal.
Better, Eye‑Friendly Display Tech
© C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Beyond the battery, my second pain point with the S24 FE is its screen. The panel is far too dim for viewing in bright natural light, and it’s strangely illegible at low‑brightness levels at night. It hurts my eyes far more than any phone I’ve used before.
While the Galaxy S25 FE is a minor step up with its LTPO panel, I’d like to see a much higher peak brightness on the FE series to improve outdoor visibility. As for the eye strain from these devices, this seems to be a Samsung‑wide issue — I haven’t enjoyed looking at a Samsung screen for an extended period since the Galaxy Note 9.
Again, Samsung staying the course with its current setup will probably suit most users, but I’d quite like to see the company do a little more in the display department.
Continue the Trimming Trend
Photo credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Comfort is an often‑overlooked smartphone factor. If you can’t hold a device securely and comfortably, you won’t enjoy using its other features.
At 213 g, the Galaxy S24 FE feels far too heavy for the hardware it offers. I will commend Samsung for the Galaxy S25 FE’s 23‑gram weight loss, but there are still further gains to be had. Considering how some upgrades I’ve already mentioned could add more heft, I worry that a fully realized S26 FE could be heavier once again.
I’d happily accept more polycarbonate if it means a more ergonomic device.
Tangible Camera Upgrades
![Samsung Galaxy S24 FE camera app]
Photo by Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Samsung re‑releasing the same camera array has become a meme, and it isn’t just the flagship phones that suffer. With the FE line, we’ve seen (almost) the same camera system for the past three generations, and it’s about time fans get some new toys.
I’ve had more misses than hits with the Galaxy S24 FE’s cameras—to the point that I’ve stopped using them for meaningful memory‑making. I now reduce them to capturing receipts and snapping important information for posterity. They’re utilitarian but uninspiring.
With price increases set to affect RAM and storage this year, 2026 is the perfect time for Samsung to innovate with its smartphone cameras. I’m not suggesting the company include flagship‑level cameras on the mid‑range Galaxy S26 FE, but I do want to see some forward momentum.
Poll: Do you prefer the Galaxy S25 or Galaxy S25 FE?
183 votes
(Results can be added here when available.)
Bonus Wish: A microSD Card Slot
Indulge me for a moment.
There’s likely no way, even in a month of Sundays, that Samsung will return the microSD card slot to its pricier phones. But with the rising prices of RAM and storage chips on the horizon, now would be a great time to give the “fans” something they actually want—an affordable, flexible storage option.
My Galaxy S24 FE has 128 GB of advertised storage, of which 104 GB is usable. At present I have just over 20 GB free. I’m likely to run into storage problems in the next few months, and with the base storage likely to be retained for the Galaxy S26 FE, a microSD card slot would be a cheap, quick way to bolster this specification. It’s the perfect way to set the FE series apart and win back some valuable positive consumer sentiment.
I have no doubt that the Galaxy S26 FE will be a usable, dependable Android smartphone once it launches, but Samsung could be doing so much more with this device. Samsung claims that it listens to fans when creating these Fan‑Edition devices, and I hope it pays attention to the issues I’ve raised.
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