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Overheating issues may force Galaxy S27 Ultra to switch from Snapdragon to Exynos

What you need to know

  • A report claims that Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra has run into extreme overheating issues with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6.
  • These issues have reportedly caused "throttling" in the device, lowering its performance significant; a problem Samsung has reached out to Qualcomm to solve.
  • Reports say time is ticking, and if these issues aren't solved, Samsung might have to go with the Exynos 2700.
  • These issues are familiar, considering Samsung's own chips have struggled in the past with overheating problems, but the Exynos 2600 tried to solve that.

While we're eagerly awaiting the next Ultra flagship from Samsung, a report states the company's run into a problem. The issue lies with its chip and its supposed performance hiccups.

A report late this week by SEDaily (Korean) claims that Samsung's run into problems with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 on the Galaxy S27 Ultra (via SamMobile). Samsung reportedly observed that the chip pushed the phone's temperatures beyond acceptable thresholds. Much like a computer, if the device begins to overheat, performance issues will occur.

Samsung has reportedly experienced "throttling" with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. This hasn't sat well with the Korean OEM. The publication reports that Samsung holds the device to the highest standards and that it must "stably run high-performance cameras, graphics, and AI features" (machine-translated).

Presently, if the S27 Ultra continues to experience issues with the SD 8 EE Gen 6, then Samsung may switch to the Exynos 2700. This is a reality that has yet to happen.

The post states that Samsung has reached out to Qualcomm about these issues. Time is of the essence; however, the OEM has given the chipmaker until "mid-October" to rectify the problems. The problem Samsung experienced is interesting, considering it mirrors the gripes consumers have had with its Exynos series in the past.

Overheating chips

Exynos 2600 chipset

(Image credit: Samsung)

Qualcomm split its flagship chips going into 2027 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and the 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The latter is designed to push the boundaries of mobile phone technology and targets Ultra phones. Qualcomm built the chip on a 2nm process with its new Adreno Neural Fusion technology. This leans on AI to boost graphics performance for gamers during longer sessions.

As we alluded to before, Samsung's Exynos chips were infamous for overheating. We'd like to remind you of the Exynos 2600 from 2025. This chip was a significant step for Samsung in the right direction compared to previous generations. Not only was it the world's first 2nm chip, but its CPU and GPU upgrades were also important. What's more, the company introduced a new Heat Path Block (HPB) to fix overheating and performance issues.

While these overheating fixes did well, Samsung could do better. Rumors about the Exynos 2700 say the company wants to introduce a next-generation HPB, reducing heat generation further.

Android Central's Take

This is textbook tech. If it can output graphic or whatever at a higher strength, it will generate more heat. Look at gaming PCs. Why do you think they have so many fans? Why do you think the graphics card has its own fan—or maybe two or three! There's a chance that Samsung and Qualcomm will have to reconfigure some things in the Galaxy S27 Ultra and the chip. Beyond this, there's also public perception. Samsung hesitates to drop an Ultra with Exynos in the States because it could impact sales.

Then there's overall performance. Can the Exynos 2700 go blow for blow with the SD 8 EE Gen 6?

Galaxy S27 Ultra might take eye strain seriously amid rumors of DC dimming

What you need to know

  • A rumor claims that Samsung may introduce DC dimming to the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra.
  • The company is reportedly working with "various safety firms" to understand how to reduce eye strain on its future Galaxy phones.
  • Nicholas Sutrich dove deep into PWM dimming and DC dimming once upon a time, and his feelings side with the latter that's more human-friendly.

Amongst all of the Galaxy S27 series rumors, this one deserves some attention. Rumors claim Samsung might start taking eye strain reduction seriously.

Rumors about this stem from tipster Walle on X, who states Samsung is looking to integrate new eye strain reduction tech into the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra (via Android Headlines). The post claims both devices could benefit from DC dimming. It's been reported that Samsung is allegedly beginning to "collaborate" with "various safety firms to understand how to lessen eye strain problems."

Walle adds that these improvements (and more) will arrive for Samsung's Eye Comfort Shield. Currently, you can find this option in your Galaxy device's Display settings. When toggled, your device will limit its blue light by using warmer colors. Moreover, it will automatically adjust your screen's colors based on the time (if set to automatic).

On the surface, this rumor sounds like a win for people who suffer from headaches and eye strain when using their phones for extended periods. But there's more to know, considering Samsung's Galaxy phones already use PWM dimming.

PWM or DC dimming?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra testing on Android Central

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
Android Central's Take

We love using our phones. What hurts is having to stop. Whether you're reading or watching a show or playing a game, the last thing you want is to feel a horrendous headache. If we can have phones that reduce that risk for those prone to it, that'd make the user experience that much better. We're paying hundreds and even thousands for these phones. Why are side effects included?

My former colleague Nicholas Sutrich was the person to go to whenever PWM dimming was brought. But what is it? In Sutrich's own words, "...modern smartphone displays don't dim like they used to, or even like a traditional lightbulb. Instead, they often rapidly turn on and off to fool your eyes into seeing a dimmer image."

This is Pulse Width Modulation (PWM dimming). This is a piece of technology most commonly used in OLED and AMOLED. Sutrich said, "Companies use PWM dimming because OLEDs can exhibit visual problems when trying to dim them like a traditional light source." However, the most clever ones realize they could "just turn it on and off very rapidly, and the human brain does the rest."

While PWM dimming is fine, Sutrich felt that DC dimming is better. DC-like dimming on OnePlus phones activates when your brightness is over 25%. If it dips below this line, the phone reverts to the crazy flickering of PWM dimming. Why? Sutrich said, "This is because, unlike PWM dimming, DC-like dimming never turns the entire display off when it refreshes. There's just a small brightness drop as each pixel is refreshed."

Hopefully we see this change for the Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra, but who knows.

Samsung phones finally support Googlebook cross-device features

What you need to know

  • Googlebook is finally adding Better Together support for Samsung Galaxy phones after leaving them out at launch.
  • Samsung phones running One UI 9.0 based on Android 17 can access Continue On, Cast My Apps, Quick Access, and Notification Sync.
  • A separate Google Play services update fixes a pairing bug that leaves the QR code onscreen after a successful connection.

Google is finally addressing one of the biggest issues with Googlebook at launch by bringing some of Googlebook’s Better Together features to Samsung Galaxy phones and making the initial setup less frustrating.

The big draw for the Googlebook is its deep integration with your phone. You can stream mobile apps to the laptop, sync notifications, access phone files, and use Continue On to pick up supported activities on another device. However, Samsung users were left out when Googlebook launched, despite Samsung being one of the biggest names in the Android ecosystem. Google had promised support would come in the next few weeks.

The rollout, as revealed by Google’s Mishaal Rahman on Reddit, is essentially a fix for a pairing bug, but Galaxy owners will need the right software versions before their phones can fully take advantage of the laptop’s Android integration.

This update works with Samsung smartphones with One UI 9.0 based on Android 17. Supported features include Continue On, Cast My Apps, Quick Access, and Notification Sync.

Another separate update to Google Play services should make the setup process easier and fix an annoying bug that sometimes leaves the pairing QR code onscreen even after the phone has connected.

Google says the changes will be rolled out automatically in the coming days via updates through Google Play and background services. To get everything working sooner, make sure Google Play services is version 26.37 or newer and Cross-device services is version 1.0.1346 or newer. Both devices need to use the same Google account, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on.

Your network can make a difference too. Google recommends using a private home network because connections between devices may be blocked on public Wi-Fi networks at hotels, offices, and cafes. Disabling a VPN or DNS blocker temporarily can also help with pairing issues.

Early feedback indicates the rollout is already making a difference. Some Galaxy S26 Ultra owners have reported that app casting now works while others wait for compatibility on their devices.

The update is a welcome fix but also points to a problem with the launch of Googlebook: core features weren’t ready for a large percentage of Android users. Samsung support would make the platform more convincing if Google can deliver a consistent experience across supported phones.

Get your Galaxy S26: Samsung rolls out an October patch for lingering security issues

What you need to know

  • Samsung is reportedly rolling out its October 2026 security patch to Galaxy S26 users in the U.S.
  • The patch is ~530MB, and delivers over 60 security fixes for the flagship series.
  • This October patch arrives a week (or two) after One UI 9 (Android 17) rolled out in the U.S. for S26 users.

Samsung is reportedly rolling out its latest security update for its 2026 flagship phones. There are also expectations for when it could arrive for the Galaxy S25 series.

This week, tipster Kailash on X reported that the October 2026 security patch has started arriving globally on the Galaxy S26 series (via SamMobile). Kailash states the update has reached devices in the U.S. and Canada with a 531MB download. Users will download the following version for the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra, respectively: S948U1UES4BZIG, S948U1OYM4BZIG, and S948U1UES4BZIG.

The patch notes are incredibly light. Samsung only details security improvements once the update hits a user's device. There's a large portion of security fixes rolling out for the series—approaching 50 fixes from Google, to be frank. Samsung includes roughly 13 fixes of its own, pushing that total to 62.

Many of Samsung's fixes involve Android 14 to Android 17. It's rolling out fixes to stop malicious attackers from "executing arbitrary code" or accessing system privileges without permission.

On X, Kailash responded to a user regarding the Galaxy S25 series. These phones may see the update "next week." This may involve a global release as well, which would involve the U.S. and other North American regions. But that remains to be seen. Right now, it's the Galaxy S26 series.

An updated future

The Edge Panel on a Galaxy S26 Plus

(Image credit: Android Central)

The updates are rolling out fast and furious for Samsung (kind of). This is a monthly security update, and Samsung is (typically) punctual with them. However, this update is following the full release of One UI 9 (Android 17) for the latest flagship series. The Android upgrade was spotted for the S26 Ultra in the U.S., but T-Mobile users were among the first to receive it.

The Android 17 update was ~4GB, and it was released in September 2026. That security update was late, likely because Samsung wanted to pair it with the Android 17 update. Other devices, such as unlocked models and users with AT&T and Verizon services, hadn't seen the update at the same time. Those users should have started downloading the update in mid-to-late September.

The Galaxy S27’s rumored prices reveal why your next upgrade could cost more

What you need to know

  • A fresh leak claims that Samsung's adding a mid-tier Galaxy S27 Pro to its early 2027 roster, slotting between the Plus and Ultra models.
  • Preliminary U.S. launch targets start at $899 for the base S27, $1,099 for the S27 Plus, $1,299 for the S27 Pro, and $1,399 for the S27 Ultra.
  • Samsung could reserve its newer M16 OLED panels (and their built-in privacy features) for the Pro and Ultra, leaving the standard S27 and S27 Plus on older M14+ panels.

The Samsung Galaxy S27 lineup could be a relief for shoppers worried about another round of flagship price hikes, but the good news may come with a catch. A fresh leak indicates the company will introduce four models in early 2027, with more sophisticated OLED displays reserved for its two priciest phones.

According to pricing details shared by tipster @phonefuturist on X, the Galaxy S27 could start at $899 in the US. The S27 Plus may cost $1,099, followed by the S27 Pro at $1,299 and the S27 Ultra at $1,399. Pricing is expected to vary internationally, with the Ultra potentially priced as high as $1,499 depending on configuration.

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Galaxy S27 series pricing🇺🇸 US/ 🇰🇷SK | 🌍 Int'l*S27: $899 | $999 — M14+S27+: $1,099 | $1,199 — M14+S27 Pro: $1,299 | $1,399 — M16S27 Ultra: $1,399/$1,499 | $1,499–$1,549 — M16Regional pricing varies. Current targets, subject to change.October 7, 2026

The leaked lineup would be a change for Samsung, which may be adding a Pro model between the Plus and Ultra. The company, though, has not confirmed the phones or their prices, and the tipster describes the figures as preliminary targets.

The more interesting detail is the split display. The regular S27 and S27 Plus are said to come with Samsung’s M14+ OLED panels, while the Pro and Ultra are said to have the newer M16 panels. That difference could see the privacy-display tech included on the more expensive models, while the cheaper-phone buyers miss out.

There is also a financial reason to be cautious. If prices rise, Samsung may have to tweak them pre-launch, possibly negating the perceived savings on the entry-level model. And here’s the awkward flip side: Samsung’s chip business is enjoying a boost from surging AI demand and tight memory supply — but those same market pressures could make its next phones more difficult for regular buyers to afford.

As someone who wants a reliable phone without spending over $1,000, I’d welcome a cheaper standard Galaxy S27. But I’d be annoyed if good screen tech were used as an excuse to push buyers toward more expensive models. Most people shouldn’t have to pay Ultra money to get a premium everyday experience.

These numbers could change as Samsung's next-generation flagship is still months away. Until the company makes an official announcement, buyers should consider the leak as an early pricing guide.

What price hike? Amazon just slashed $450 off the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung may have just increased the Galaxy S26 series' prices by $100 in the U.S., but that doesn't matter much right now, as Amazon has discounted the Galaxy S26 Ultra by a massive 32% during Prime Big Deal Days. That translates to a whopping $450 in savings on one of Samsung's best flagship phones.

If you're in the market for a new Android smartphone and want a no-nonsense flagship experience with built-in privacy features and productivity tools like the S Pen, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is probably one of the best phones you can buy right now. And thanks to Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale, you can grab it at a much lower price than usual.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is probably one of the best Android smartphone you can buy right now and it is down to a record low price during the Prime Big Deals Day. The company is offering a no strings attached $450 discoun. Just be sure to sign into your Prime account (or sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial) to enjoy the savings. View Deal

✅ Recommended if: You want a premium Android flagship with a built-in Privacy Display, powerful cameras, S Pen support, and Samsung's latest Galaxy AI features, especially at $450 off.

❌ Skip this deal if: You prefer smaller phones, don't need the S Pen or Privacy Display, or already own a recent Galaxy S Ultra that still works perfectly well.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has earned plenty of praise for being one of the best Android smartphones of the year. Not only does Samsung offer top-tier specs, premium materials, and a great design, but the company also introduced one of my favorite smartphone features this year with the Galaxy S26 Ultra: Privacy Display.

With Privacy Display, you no longer need a separate privacy screen protector to keep people from peeking at your phone. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the technology built directly into its display, allowing you to make the screen difficult to see for people looking from the sides. You can even configure it to activate only for specific apps or when sensitive information appears on the screen, such as notifications or when entering your PIN.

Author with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in hand, focusing on the camera module

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

And that's not all. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset, which remains one of the most powerful smartphone processors out there. You also get a capable 200MP main camera on the back, alongside the built-in S Pen that lets you quickly jot down notes or annotate things on the go.

Samsung has packed plenty of Galaxy AI features into the phone as well, including conversational photo editing and Now Nudge. One of my favorite additions, though, is My FanCam, which lets you turn horizontal videos into vertical clips with automatic subject tracking, making it particularly useful for creating social media content.

Following the recent price increase, the Galaxy S26 Ultra now starts at $1,400 in the U.S. But Amazon's $450 discount brings it down to just $950 during Prime Big Deal Days. That's a pretty substantial saving and one of the lowest prices we've seen for Samsung's flagship since the price increase.

Samsung is reportedly cutting smartphone production as memory costs soar

What you need to know

  • Samsung has reportedly asked suppliers to cut Q4 smartphone production by 20% to 30%.
  • The cuts could drop Samsung’s total 2026 production from an expected 270 million units down closer to the 200-million range.
  • Skyrocketing smartphone DRAM prices are said to be squeezing margins, forcing Samsung to absorb higher manufacturing expenses or risk alienating buyers with steep price hikes.

Samsung looks set to do something counterintuitive in the smartphone market: make fewer phones rather than continue to build devices that barely make money.

A report from Korean outlet Money Today claims the company has asked suppliers to cut smartphone production by 20% to 30% in the fourth quarter, with rising memory costs making some models harder and harder to sell profitably.

Samsung was previously expected to produce around 270 million smartphones in 2026. The latest cuts could push that total into the 200-million range, the report said. Some seasonal slowdown is expected as buyers wait for the next Galaxy S series, but this year's drop is said to be significantly more than expected.

Based on estimates from TrendForce cited in the report, Samsung produced around 240 million smartphones in 2025, which put it on par with Apple as the world’s biggest smartphone maker by volume. This demonstrates the scale that Samsung has been able to hold onto even as competition gets tougher.

The issue apparently has to do with memory chips: Smartphone DRAM prices have skyrocketed, forcing manufacturers to either raise prices or take a hit on their margins.

That makes a dirty equation for Samsung. Raising phone prices too quickly risks cooling demand, while taking on the higher component costs leaves less cash on every device sold. Making millions more of them doesn’t resolve the problem of a phone making little or no profit.

For consumers it could mean fewer low-margin models, higher prices, and even more focus on Samsung’s premium Galaxy lineup.

Samsung has not officially confirmed the production cuts it is reportedly planning, so the next few months will show if the change is a temporary adjustment or a bigger shift in its smartphone strategy.

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE is a decent phone, but it makes too many compromises to be worth your money

To get the cheapest Samsung or Google flagship in 2026, you'll need to choose a smaller phone. The Samsung Galaxy S26, for instance, is a 6.3-inch smartphone. If you want to splurge for a 6.7-inch display, you'll need to pay $1,200 for the Galaxy S26 Plus. That's $200 more than than the Galaxy S25 Plus went for, and $100 more than the Galaxy S26 Plus originally cost when it launched in March.

Phones with large screens are expensive, in other words — but the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is an outlier. It offers the same 6.7-inch screen size as the Galaxy S26 Plus for $500 less, and it's worth your attention for that reason alone. I've used the Galaxy S26 FE for weeks, and it's closer to flagship territory than you may think.

But it also makes a handful of cost-cutting measures to hit that attractive $700 price point, and other phones provide a better value.

The price hike is hard to ignore

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Samsung's "Fan Edition" phones have always been in a tough spot in terms your wallet will understand. They're typically priced well above Google's midrange A-series models, as well as Samsung's own A-series phones. They're cheaper than Galaxy S series phones, but not by a whole lot. Further complicating matters is that the Galaxy FE phones have a screen size matching the Plus model of the Galaxy S lineup, making them attractive to people who want a larger display.

This year, the Galaxy S26 FE ships with a $50 price hike. That might not raise alarm bells considering the rising prices around the industry, but it should. The Google Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26 each saw a $100 price increase this year, and buyers get double the base storage in exchange. The Galaxy S26 FE, by comparison, still comes with the same 128GB of storage as standard.

If you want to match the 256GB storage of the rest of the Galaxy S26 series, get ready to pay $100 more for a Galaxy S26 FE. The 128GB model costs $699.99 and the 256GB version costs $799.99. This creates a puzzling lineup where the midrange Galaxy S26 FE and the flagship Galaxy S26 both launched at the exact same price, provided you got 256GB of storage for both.

Samsung retroactively raised Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus prices, and the base model now costs $999.99. That does give the Galaxy S26 FE a better value proposition, but only slightly.

I'm starting off with pricing because it's the most important thing about the Galaxy S26 FE. As you'll learn throughout this review, Samsung's new midranger is as solid as ever, and it beats the Galaxy S25 FE in performance. However, it has the base Galaxy S26 and cheaper Android midrangers like the Google Pixel 10a and the OnePlus 13R breathing down its neck.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE specs

Category

Galaxy S26 FE

Processor

Samsung Exynos 2500

Memory

8GB RAM

Operating System

One UI 9, Android 17

Display

6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,900 nits peak brightness

Battery

4,900mAh

Charging

45W wired, 15W wireless

Dimensions

161.6 x 76.9 x 7.4 mm

Weight

193g 

Rear cameras

50MP wide, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide

Front camera

12MP wide

The Galaxy S26 FE is a plus-sized midranger

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.
Brady Snyder / Android Central

From a design perspective, the Galaxy S26 FE shares a few similarities with the Galaxy S26 Plus; it's only a millimeter thicker and three grams heavier. Due to the larger bezels, the Galaxy S26 FE has a bigger overall footprint. Reachability is a bit of an issue due to the form factor, as it's both wider and taller than the Galaxy S26 Plus.

On the back, the key difference is the glossy Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. I prefer the matte look and feel of the Galaxy S26 Plus back, and that phone has newer Gorilla Glass Victus 2. But the colors for the Galaxy S26 FE are gorgeous. I reviewed the subtle Pistachio model, but you can also get the phone in Blueberry or Graphite colorways.

The Galaxy S26 FE uses a mix of glass and aluminum for materials, and it's IP68 certified against dust and water ingress. I had no problems with durability, and you shouldn't either. The device feels more premium compared to midrange phones with plastic backs, like the Pixel 10a.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The Galaxy S26 FE finds a niche thanks to its 6.7-inch display. It's the same size as the one on the Galaxy S26 Plus, albeit with a lower 1080p resolution. The screen isn't perfect — it has larger bezels, and more importantly, they aren't uniform. The Galaxy S26 FE has a "chin," and the lack of a consistent bezel size is unsightly to my eyes.

The chin has long been a sign you're looking at a Samsung budget or midrange phone compared to a flagship, and I think Samsung could've changed this by now. Google's midrange phone, the Pixel 10a, is cheaper and has uniform bezels.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Bezel talk aside, the Galaxy S26 FE isn't nearly as bright as its flagship counterparts. The phone has a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, whereas the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus top out at 2,600 nits. In practice, this means the Galaxy S26 FE won't be as easy to see outdoors. Without an anti-reflective coating, something becoming more popular on flagships, this phone is tricky to view in direct sunlight.

Otherwise, the display feels responsive with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's a fine panel for the price, even if there is clear room for improvement here. This is the exact same display we saw on the Galaxy S25 FE, and the Galaxy S24 FE for that matter. If you have one of these older phones, the Galaxy S26 FE's screen isn't a reason to upgrade.

A fresh chip, but the same slow charging

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Samsung's midrange phones have come a long way in a few short years in terms of performance. As a refresher, the Galaxy S24 FE had an Exynos 2400e chip and the Galaxy S25 FE got the boost to the regular Exynos 2400 chip. This year, the Galaxy S26 FE runs on the Exynos 2500. It's a mobile processor built on a 3nm process (a major improvement over the 4nm Exynos 2400) that recently powered flagships like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 worldwide.

I tested the Galaxy Z Flip 7 firsthand, so I expected the Galaxy S26 FE to be a strong performer. I didn't expect for Samsung to pull so much extra power out of the Exynos 2500 for the Galaxy S26 FE. In the benchmark results below, you'll see the Galaxy S26 FE not only handily beat the Galaxy Z Flip 7, but also crush Google's Tensor G4-powered Pixel 10a.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE benchmark results

Geekbench 6 (single-core / multi-core)

Geekbench AI (quantized score)

3DMark Wild Life Extreme (score / fps)

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE (Exynos 2500)

2,362 / 7,848

4,643

5,253 / 31.46

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (Exynos 2500)

1,849 / 6,822

3,581

4,400 / 26.35

Google Pixel 10a (Tensor G4)

1,707 / 4,512

3,109

2,667 / 15.97

I'm surprised that Samsung is doing that with only 8GB memory onboard the Galaxy S26 FE. The Galaxy S26 FE ships with Android 17 and will get seven years of full Android OS support. Despite the RAM limitations, this phone will be a strong performer for a very long time.

The battery life is rock solid, too. It has the same 4,900mAh capacity as the Galaxy S26 Plus, but the Galaxy S26 FE's lower-resolution display and weaker chip combine to hep you squeeze a longer runtime out of it. The charging, unfortunately, is still too slow. The 45W wired speeds are fine, but 15W wireless charging is disappointing when the Qi2.2 25W standard exists.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

It's worth revisiting the storage options. The Galaxy S26 FE ships with 128GB of storage by default, and you can upgrade it to 256GB or 512GB at the time of purchase. I think 128GB of storage is starting to stretch users thin because of growing app and operating system sizes. But if you upgrade the Galaxy S26 FE to 256GB or 512GB storage, you end up paying flagship prices for a midrange phone.

It's quite the dilemma, and one Samsung could've avoided by making 256GB standard, like the Galaxy S26 series. If you're fine with a 128GB phone, the Galaxy A57 is lurking in the corner at $599.99, but it does come with additional compromises.

The cameras are underwhelming for the price

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Samsung isn't one to upgrade its phone cameras often, and the Galaxy S26 FE is no exception. It's using the same 50MP primary shooter, 8MP telephoto, and 12MP ultrawide lens we've seen on prior generations of Galaxy FE phones. The selfie camera is a 12MP, f/2.2 lens.

The telephoto only goes up to 3x optical zoom, but you may find digital zoom to produce passable results beyond that. Here's how the Galaxy S26 FE telephoto camera looks at 2x, 3x, and 10x zoom:

Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central

As for the main camera and ultrawide, it's a mixed bag. The 50MP sensor at the heart of the Galaxy S26 FE's rear camera system packs enough detail, and low-light performance is impressive. The photo of the "Aloha" sign in the gallery of camera samples below is as good of a night shot as I've taken recently. And for context, I've been using phones like the iPhone 18 Pro, Google Pixel 11, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central
Camera samples captured with the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE.
Brady Snyder / Android Central

However, the phone's color science in daylight shots leaves a lot to be desired. Often, there's one part of the image that's brighter and color-saturated, by the overall scene is dark. The beach shots in particular stand out as looking darker as captured by the Galaxy S26 FE than the setting looked in real life.

I don't think the Galaxy S26 FE camera system is terrible, but I do think budget phones like the Pixel 10a and iPhone 17e will produce more desirable photos.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE in the Pistachio colorway.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The Galaxy S26 FE only looks competitive on the surface of a smartphone market riddled with price hikes over the past year. Samsung's new $1,000 and $1,200 prices for the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus, respectively, make the Galaxy S26 FE at $700 seem like a discount. I want to emphasize that the Galaxy S26 FE is a great phone that I could absolutely use as my daily driver, despite its compromises.

That said, I still think you can do better. For example, last year's Galaxy S25 is available at the same $700 price as the Galaxy S26 FE at Target and Amazon. It has a smaller screen and battery, but it's a bona-fide flagship with a better camera and chip. If you're willing to compromise on screen size but want a cheaper phone, Google's Pixel 10a stands out. But it just got a price hike as well, and it's only $100 cheaper than the Galaxy S26 FE.

Looking at the Galaxy S26 FE in isolation, it's a solid phone. With OnePlus on its way out in the U.S., the Galaxy S26 FE represents one of your only options to get a plus-sized Android midranger. If it's important that you get a 6.7-inch Android phone for under a grand, I can recommend the Galaxy S26 FE — just be aware of the drawbacks, and consider your other options.

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

Samsung
Galaxy S26 FE

A pricey midranger

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE delivers a 6.7-inch display at a $700 price point, which is worthy of your attention. However, the hardware compromises make cheaper phones like the Google Pixel 10a or last-gen flagships like the Galaxy S25 a more compelling option.

Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra leak reveals four rumored color options

What you need to know

  • The Galaxy S27 Ultra will reportedly launch in Black, White, Blue, and Light Pink.
  • These initial options are designated as "base" colors, meaning they should be available through general carrier and retail channels rather than locked to Samsung’s website.
  • Following Samsung's typical playbook, additional store-exclusive finishes will likely follow at launch beyond the core four.

The rumor mill is already buzzing with Samsung's next high-end flagship, and the latest details are about the color options. According to a new leak, the upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra will be available in four standard colors: black, white, blue, and light pink.

These colors, as per leaker Ice Universe, are said to be the four “base” colors of the phone. That language may suggest that they're meant for broader retail distribution rather than being exclusive to Samsung's online store.

Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra base color options:Black, Blue, Light Pink, White.October 5, 2026

The exact shades, however, are still unknown, so there’s still no confirmation whether the blue will be like the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Sky Blue or if the pink will be anything like its Pink Gold finish.

Samsung could have even more colors in store. The Galaxy S26 Ultra came in four standard colors: Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and White, plus Pink Gold and Silver Shadow, which are only available on Samsung's online store. That said, more S27 Ultra color options are a real possibility.

What’s particularly interesting here is the rumor that Pink Gold might be moving from an online-exclusive finish to Light Pink possibly being one of the S27 Ultra’s main colors. If Samsung does release it widely, pink could be a much more prominent color in its Ultra lineup than in recent years.

The color leak also arrives as Samsung is reportedly gearing up for a bigger visual overhaul for the S27 Ultra, including a horizontal camera bar instead of the current camera setup.

Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the colors or the phone yet. More leaks are expected before the Galaxy S27 Ultra arrives in early 2027.

Where did the galaxy get its carbon?

5 October 2026 at 12:00

Carbon is the 4th most abundant element in the universe. It’s everywhere, from the air you breathe to the carbohydrates in your food to the petroleum in the Earth’s crust. Like most elements, carbon was not created by the Big Bang, but came from 2 different types of stars that fuse lighter elements together. 

Massive stars at least 8 times the Sun’s mass fuse 3 helium atoms into a carbon atom in their cores, through a mechanism called the triple-alpha process. They eventually expel this carbon into space, either through a stream of material called a stellar wind or at the end of their lives during a core-collapse supernova. 

Meanwhile, low-to-intermediate-sized stars between ½ and 8 times the Sun’s mass also induce the triple-alpha process. But unlike massive stars, they produce carbon not in their cores, but in a dense shell of helium that surrounds them during an advanced stage known as the asymptotic giant branch or AGB. AGB stars undergo cycles of swelling and contraction, during which they shed some of their material into space.

While scientists understand these processes, the contribution of each star type to the carbon supply in the universe remains uncertain. To address this, a team of scientists modeled how the chemical elements in the Milky Way Galaxy change over time with different contributions from the 2 carbon-creating processes. They then verified their findings by comparing them with the actual carbon concentration in the Milky Way.

To obtain the benchmark for the Milky Way Galaxy’s carbon content, the team turned to the catalog of stars observed by the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey. They selected 14,066 stars that were large and bright enough to yield reliable data but, unlike AGB and massive stars, were still at a stage of life when their newly produced carbon was still confined to their cores. The researchers used the carbon in the outer layers of these stars, known as subgiants, as a compositional record of the gas from which they formed, thereby estimating the Galaxy’s carbon content during their formation. 

The scientists started with a computer program developed by another team that models how the Milky Way’s chemistry changes over time. First, the team calculated the potential amount of carbon produced by different types of stars using estimates from earlier studies. Then, they incorporated these results into a model that accounts for how stars form, fuse elements, and release carbon into the Galaxy, using a simulation program called the Versatile Integrator for Chemical Evolution, or VICE. The researchers ran 14 versions of this model, each assuming a different contribution of carbon from AGB stars relative to massive stars.

In their computer model, the Milky Way Galaxy began as a set of 200 concentric rings, each containing its own population of stars, different speeds at which stars form, and varying amounts of gas available to form new stars. The team then stitched these rings together by having stars migrate between them. They allowed these model Galaxies to settle over 10 billion years, then picked a random sample of 14,066 simulated stars to compare their carbon content with carbon in the same number of observed subgiants from APOGEE.

The team’s model most closely reproduced the actual carbon content of the Milky Way’s subgiant stars when AGB stars contribute between 10% and 40% of the Galaxy’s carbon, with the strongest agreement occurring at 15% to 30%. Even though they found that massive stars are the dominant source of carbon, they also found that smaller AGB stars could produce carbon more efficiently than previously thought, though they take longer to become carbon sources than their larger counterparts.

The team concluded that their estimates of how much carbon comes from AGB and massive stars provide a benchmark for future studies, as the connection between the production of elements inside stars and the processes by which those same stars lose mass remains poorly understood. They suggested that future researchers analyze larger sample sizes, examine other galaxies, and use data from future surveys to better understand the chemical history of the universe.

The post Where did the galaxy get its carbon? appeared first on Sciworthy.

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