A proven Exynos 2600 flagship you can buy today faces off against a rumoured Fan Edition with a bigger screen and battery. Bring home the Samsung Galaxy S26 on Easy EMIs from Bajaj Finance.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series has been available in India since February, while the Galaxy S26 FE is still working its way through the rumour mill ahead of an expected launch. The Samsung Galaxy S26 launched globally, including in India, on February 25, 2026 at the Galaxy Unpacked event, alongside the Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 FE, on the other hand, remains officially unannounced as of August 17, 2026, though certification filings, benchmark listings and a detailed specification leak have painted a fairly complete picture of the phone ahead of its rumoured early September 2026 launch, timed just before IFA 2026.
Numbers side by side
Before getting into the finer details, here is how the confirmed Galaxy S26 compares with everything currently known about the Galaxy S26 FE.
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26 FE (Expected) |
| Launch status | Available since February 25, 2026 | Rumoured for early September 2026 |
| Display | 6.3 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 6.7 inch FHD+ AMOLED 2X, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Exynos 2600 | Exynos 2500 |
| RAM and storage | 12GB and up to 512GB | 8GB and up to 256GB |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh | 4,900 mAh silicon carbon cell |
| Charging | 25 W wired, wireless charging | 45 W wired charging |
| Rear camera | 50MP, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto | 50MP, 12MP ultra-wide, 8MP telephoto |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 (expected) |
| Starting price | Rs. 87,999 | Around Rs. 87,970 (expected) |
Inside the confirmed flagship – Galaxy S26
Display and design
The Galaxy S26 uses a 6.3 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, keeping the phone compact and easy to use with one hand. It carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and is available in Cobalt Violet, White, Black and Sky Blue colour options.
Performance and battery
In India, the Galaxy S26 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and storage options going up to 512GB. Battery capacity sits at 4,300 mAh, supporting 25 W wired charging along with wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare for topping up other devices. The phone ships with Android 16 and One UI 8.5, backed by Samsung’s commitment of seven years of OS and security updates.
Camera system
The rear camera setup includes a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens, paired with a 12MP front camera for selfies and video calls. Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are layered throughout the camera and editing experience, matching the rest of the S26 lineup.
What to expect from the value flagship – Galaxy S26 FE
Expected display and design
Leaks point to the Galaxy S26 FE moving to a larger 6.7 inch FHD Plus Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2340 by 1080 resolution, the same 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness reported at around 1,900 nits. The design is expected to follow the mainline Galaxy S26 language closely, with an Armor Aluminum frame, an IP68 rating and a vertically aligned triple camera module. Reported dimensions put it at 7.4mm thick and 193 grams, with colour options tipped as Graphite, Pistachio and Blueberry.
Expected performance and battery
The Galaxy S26 FE is expected to run on the Exynos 2500 chipset, a change from the Exynos 2600 used in the standard Galaxy S26, paired with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. Where it pulls ahead is battery capacity, with a larger 4,900 mAh silicon carbon cell reportedly supporting 45 W wired charging, noticeably faster than the standard S26’s 25 W charging speed. The phone is expected to launch with Android 17 and One UI 9 out of the box.
Expected camera system
Camera hardware appears to carry over closely from the Galaxy S25 FE, with a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN3 primary sensor featuring OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, along with a 12MP front camera. Rear video recording is tipped to go up to 8K at 30fps, with 4K at 60fps on the front camera.
What each model costs in India
The Galaxy S26 has been on sale since February with confirmed India pricing, and its cost can already be split across convenient monthly instalments with Easy EMIs from Bajaj Finance. Pricing for the Galaxy S26 FE remains an estimate converted from its rumoured European price, and Samsung has not confirmed official India pricing yet.
| Phone name | Price in India (Rs.) |
| Galaxy S26 12GB + 256GB | 87,999 |
| Galaxy S26 FE 8GB + 128GB (expected) | 87,970 |
The most striking part of the leaks so far is price. Where the Galaxy S25 FE launched well below the standard S25, early estimates suggest the Galaxy S26 FE could land close to, or even above, the Galaxy S26’s own starting price, largely due to a reported price hike across Samsung’s FE lineup this year.
Should you wait for the FE or buy the S26 now?
If the usual FE promise, a flagship experience at a friendlier price, is the main draw, this year’s numbers complicate that pitch. Early estimates put the Galaxy S26 FE at nearly the same price as the standard Galaxy S26, despite running the Exynos 2500 chipset instead of the Exynos 2600, and offering less RAM. Buyers who prioritise raw performance, more RAM and a proven, currently available flagship may find the Galaxy S26 the more sensible choice today, especially since exact Galaxy S26 FE pricing and availability in India are still unconfirmed.
That said, the Galaxy S26 FE is still expected to bring genuine upgrades of its own, including a larger 6.7 inch display, a bigger 4,900 mAh battery and considerably faster 45 W charging, all of which matter for everyday use. If those specific upgrades matter more than chipset performance, and the eventual India price undercuts the Galaxy S26 even slightly, waiting a few more weeks for official confirmation could be worthwhile. For anyone who wants a flagship in hand right now, though, the Galaxy S26 remains the safer, fully confirmed pick.
Shop for the Samsung Galaxy S26 on Easy EMIs from Bajaj Finance
A flagship display and a reliable Exynos chipset are easier to bring home when the cost is spread across a few months instead of paid upfront. You can explore the Samsung Galaxy S26 on Easy EMIs from Bajaj Finance right away, and once the Galaxy S26 FE is officially confirmed in India, the same convenience is expected to extend to that model as well. You can also check the latest offers available on eligible smartphones at the time of purchase.
Steps to shop on Easy EMIs
- Visit a nearby Bajaj Finserv partner store.
- Enquire about Easy EMI options for the Samsung Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S26 FE.
- Check the available offers and benefits.
- Choose a repayment tenure that suits your budget.
- Complete the purchase and take home your new smartphone with convenient monthly payments.
