Galaxy S26 FE may recycle the cameras buyers hoped Samsung would replace

Only the Fan Edition’s ultrawide and selfie cameras may see changes

By Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam Published August 1, 2026 3:40 AM

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE in Blue — Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

Samsung has already confirmed that the Galaxy S26 FE is coming later this year, and we may now know what cameras it will bring. Android Authority has uncovered sensor details suggesting Samsung will reuse much of the Galaxy S25 FE’s camera hardware. Based on evidence reviewed by the publication from a trusted source, the Galaxy S26 FE is internally known as “r14.”

The more interesting details concern the cameras. Samsung is reportedly using the 50MP ISOCELL GN3 for the main sensor, the same one found in the Galaxy S25 FE. On that phone, it comes with a 1/1.57-inch sensor, an f/1.8 aperture, dual-pixel autofocus, and optical image stabilization.

What about the other cameras?

The telephoto camera may also remain unchanged. Android Authority found references to the 8MP OmniVision OV08A1, which offers 3x optical zoom, autofocus, and optical image stabilization on the Galaxy S25 FE. Two 12MP sensors complete the setup, including the GalaxyCore GC12A2 and Sony IMX825. However, the report could not confirm which one will handle ultrawide shots and which will be used for selfies.

Samsung has previously used both sensors in different roles. If the company follows the Galaxy S25 FE’s arrangement, the Sony sensor could sit on the front, while the GalaxyCore sensor handles the ultrawide camera.

Is this another predictable FE upgrade?

Honestly, I am not surprised. The Galaxy S26 FE is already expected to use the older Exynos 2500 instead of the Exynos 2600 found in the regular Galaxy S26 series. Reusing camera sensors would follow the same familiar Fan Edition strategy of upgrading only what Samsung considers necessary.

Rumored changes include 45W charging and a more polished camera bump that better matches the Galaxy S26 lineup. Better image processing could also improve results despite the familiar hardware.

Recommended Videos

Still, anyone hoping for a substantial camera upgrade may be disappointed. Pricing will decide how easy these compromises are to accept, especially after Samsung warned that rising memory and component costs could affect upcoming devices.

Sudhanshu Kumar Mangalam

Contributor

I’ve got about 4 years of experience, mostly covering gaming, PC hardware, and smartphones. In my free time, I like…

Topics

Phones

Google’s long-awaited AirTag rival just leaked ahead of launch under a familiar name

Electronics, Computer Hardware, Hardware

Google has spent the last few years expanding Android's Find Hub network, making it easier to track lost devices and accessories. But there's been one obvious piece missing from the puzzle: a first-party tracker of its own. That may finally be about to change.

According to a report from 9to5Google, Google's long-rumored Pixel Tag has finally broken cover. The accessory has appeared in multiple online listings, with the report also revealing what seems to be its first leaked image, offering an early look at Google's answer to Apple's AirTag and Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag.

Phones

Galaxy Z Fold 8: Everything we know

Samsung's boldest foldable redesign yet is now official, with a lighter build, a genuinely useful cover screen, and pricing that undercuts the pricier Fold 8 Ultra.

Symbol, Electronics, Mobile Phone

For most of its existence, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold has solved one problem while creating another. The book-style foldable has let buyers carry a tablet-sized screen in their pocket without actually carrying a tablet. But, through no fault of its own, that came at the cost of a cover screen so tall and narrow that using it one-handed felt unnatural and uncomfortable.

Viewing content on the inner screen came with giant black bars at the top and bottom, too. Samsung has now fixed that with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, and it's official: shorter, wider, passport-shaped, and a cover screen you can actually type on without contorting your fingers.

Phones

Samsung’s next tracker may look better while becoming harder to actually attach

Samsung may redesign the SmartTag right into an AirTag annoyance

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 in Black and White variants

Samsung appears ready to redesign its Galaxy SmartTag again. This time, the makeover could come at the expense of one of the SmartTag 2’s most practical advantages. SamMobile's latest report has shared the supposed design of the upcoming Galaxy SmartTag 3.

The smart tracker can be seen with a compact squircle-shaped body that resembles Samsung's recent One UI icons and the shape used around newer Galaxy Watch displays. In comparison, the current SmartTag 2 looks a lot different, with a longer pill-shaped body dominated by a big integrated loop at one end. The leaked SmartTag 3 diagram does away with that loop entirely.