Samsung's new Galaxy S26 FE ships with latest Android software

Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE arrived on markets on September 4 as the first phone shipped with Android 17 and One UI 9, offering features previously reserved for flagship devices.

By Middle East Affairs
September 6, 2026
A large digital billboard in a subway station displays a Samsung Galaxy S26 Series phone with a purple back and circular camera array, with pedestrians walking below.
Samsung promotes the Galaxy S26 Series on a digital billboard at a South Korean subway station, highlighting the device's distinctive multi-lens camera system ahead of its market launch with Android 17 software. (Tech-WD — عالم التقنية)
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The Galaxy S26 FE began reaching markets on September 4, offering many features from Samsung's flagship phones this year at a lower price point. It is the first phone to ship with Android 17 and One UI 9 out of the box.

The phone includes My FanCam, a video tool that uses artificial intelligence to keep a selected person centered in frame even as they move, cropping the final video to that person alone and removing the rest of the scene. Users open the video from the gallery app, select the Galaxy AI icon, choose My FanCam, and select the person and frame.

The Now Brief feature displays personalized summaries based on the phone's data through One UI 9, allowing users to create up to three cards by selecting a category or entering a direct request such as "show my sleep and energy for today." After entering a note, Now Brief previews the card and lets users adjust when it appears or delete it later.

A Finder search bar can be set to display permanently at the bottom of the home screen next to Google search, making it easier to locate apps, settings, contacts, or files without opening the app menu. Users can toggle between Samsung and Google search at any time.

The Galaxy S26 FE supports Super Steady video stabilization with a Horizontal Lock option to hold the horizon level while filming even as the phone moves. Users open the camera app in video mode, press the Super Steady icon, and select an additional lock symbol to keep video level regardless of how the device moves.

One UI 9's Quick Panel offers wide customization options through a pencil icon that appears when the notification bar is pulled down fully. Users can reorder buttons, hide unnecessary ones, move brightness or volume sliders, and resize elements to keep frequently used shortcuts accessible.

Samsung's new Galaxy S26 FE ships with latest Android software | Middle East Affairs