Apple iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

Our Verdict: The strongest spec-based distinction between Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is the iPhone's advantage in screen sharpness: a sharper 457 PPI display, a lighter 169g body, and 256GB to 512GB storage. By contrast, the Samsung offers a larger 6.7-inch screen and a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, which may matter more if screen size is your priority. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Pick the iPhone for its screen sharpness edge, and consider the Samsung if your emphasis is screen size.

The S26 FE is the cheaper one to own: around £648 over a typical contract, £91 less than the iPhone 17e.

Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
457 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 (3 nm) Exynos 2500 (3 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 17
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm
Weight
169 grams 193 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£10.00/mo (£479.00 upfront) £14.99/mo (£259.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£545.00 £697.00
Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Samsung Galaxy S26 FE Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 457 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 (3 nm) Exynos 2500 (3 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 17
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm
Weight 169 grams 193 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £10.00/mo
£479.00 upfront
£14.99/mo
£259.00 upfront
SIM-free £545.00 £697.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e

24 Months

256GB

White

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£10 a month, £479 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE

24 Months

256GB

Pistachio

150GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£14.99 a month, £259 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is cheaper on contract at £648.36 over the life of the deal from £14.99 per month with £259.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 17e has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 17e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Apple iPhone 17e features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £545.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Apple iPhone 17e is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE use?

The Apple iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE uses the Exynos 2500 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two: it's 24g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26 FE?

The Apple iPhone 17e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26 FE run?

The Apple iPhone 17e runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE runs Android 17. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.