Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Our Verdict: If you've got the Galaxy S20 FE 5G, the Galaxy S26 is six years of updates on from it. The S26 leads on camera hardware with a 50MP main sensor to the S20 5G Fan Edition's 12MP, and the S26 goes up to 512GB of storage, where the S20 5G Fan Edition tops out at 256GB. The S20 5G Fan Edition has the bigger screen, 6.5" against 6.3", and the S26 is the lighter phone at 167g against 190g. Coming from the S20 5G Fan Edition, the S26 is a genuine upgrade rather than a token one.

If you'd rather pay up front, the S20 5G Fan Edition is the cheaper buy at £160 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.3
10 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.3"
Display
Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
405 409
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
32 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 990 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,500 mAh 4,300 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Android 10 Android 16
SIM Type
Standard 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
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm
Weight
190 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
- £26.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£159.99 £569.00

Prices updated 27 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Galaxy S26
Expert Rating 4.3
10 reviews
3.9
11 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.3"
Display Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 405 409
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 32 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 990 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,500 mAh 4,300 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Android 10 Android 16
SIM Type Standard 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 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm
Weight 190 grams 167 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts - £26.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £159.99 £569.00
Prices updated 27 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

128GB

Lavender

Refurbished

From £159.99

Samsung Galaxy S26
Samsung Galaxy S26

24 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£26.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S26's 6.3", both screens are similarly sharp at around 405 pixels per inch, and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G uses a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 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 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £159.99.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26 use?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G is powered by the Exynos 990, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the more portable of the two: it's 23g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm, and is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G or Samsung Galaxy S26?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26 run?

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G runs Android 10 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.