Samsung Galaxy S26 FE AI Features: My FanCam, Photo Assist, Gemini Omni Explained
Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE went on sale in September 2026 from $699.99, and the launch was built around three AI features: My FanCam, Photo Assist and Gemini Omni. We explain what each does, the hardware behind them, and which features are free versus tied to a subscription.
⚡ Quick facts
- Price: from $699.99 in the US (8GB/128GB), $50 more than the S25 FE
- On sale: September 3, 2026 in the US, September 4 in other markets
- Chip: Exynos 2500 (3nm) with 8GB of RAM
- New AI: My FanCam, Photo Assist and Gemini Omni, plus Horizon Lock video
- Updates: One UI 9 on Android 17, with seven years of OS and security updates
The phone in brief
Samsung's Galaxy S26 FE went on sale on September 3, 2026 in the US, and on September 4 in other markets, starting at $699.99 for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That is $50 more than the S25 FE, and ChannelNews reports bigger rises in some markets such as Australia. Colours are Blueberry, Graphite and Pistachio. Samsung pitches it as a cheaper way into its flagship AI features, and most of the launch focus was on three of them.
My FanCam
My FanCam comes from Samsung's foldables. Pick a person in a video already in your Gallery, such as a child in a school play or a player on a pitch, and the phone produces a version that follows them, cropped and centred, as if a camera operator had tracked them. It works on existing footage, so you do not need to plan for it while recording.
Photo Assist
Photo Assist lets you edit by describing the change in plain language: remove a person, change the sky, or move an object. Samsung notes that some edits need a network connection and a Samsung Account, because the heavier generative work runs in the cloud rather than on the phone.
Gemini Omni
Gemini Omni turns photos and clips in your Gallery into a short finished video. It is Google's model rather than Samsung's, and it needs an eligible Google AI Pro subscription. Thurrott reports a six-month Google AI Pro trial with the phone, normally $19.99 a month, though offers vary by market.
The rest of the AI package
- Horizon Lock: keeps video level even if the phone rotates a full 360 degrees.
- Now Brief and Now Nudge: proactive summaries and suggestions; Now Nudge now works with select third-party apps.
- Circle to Search: can now look up several items on screen at once.
The hardware behind it
HotHardware and EFTM list a 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 120Hz and up to 1,900 nits, and the 3nm Exynos 2500 replacing last year's 4nm Exynos 2400. Cameras are a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 8MP 3x telephoto with optical stabilisation and a 12MP selfie camera. The 4,900mAh battery charges at 45W wired (about 65% in 30 minutes) and 15W wireless. It runs One UI 9 on Android 17, with seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates.
Our take: what is free and what is not
The AI features are not all equal. Before buying for them, sort them like this:
- Included, works on the phone: My FanCam, Horizon Lock, Now Brief and Now Nudge, and Circle to Search.
- Included, but may need the cloud: Photo Assist edits that require a connection and a Samsung Account.
- Subscription: Gemini Omni needs Google AI Pro. The six-month trial covers it; after that, budget $19.99 a month or lose it.
- Who should buy it: anyone who shoots a lot of video of people, wants long software support and does not need the S26's extra RAM. If you already own an S25 FE, the AI features alone are a thin reason to upgrade.
Sources
- Thurrott: Samsung's more affordable Galaxy S26 FE launches on September 3 for $700
- HotHardware: Samsung Galaxy S26 FE brings flagship AI and cameras for $700
- EFTM: Samsung announces the Galaxy S26 FE
- ChannelNews: Galaxy S26 FE launches with flagship AI upgrades but a price rise
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Galaxy S26 FE cost?
It starts at $699.99 in the US for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, $50 more than the Galaxy S25 FE. Prices vary by market.
When did the Galaxy S26 FE go on sale?
On September 3, 2026 in the US and September 4 in other markets.
What is My FanCam?
A feature that takes an existing video in your Gallery and creates a version that follows a person you pick, keeping them centred in the frame.
Do the AI features need a subscription?
Most do not. Gemini Omni needs an eligible Google AI Pro plan; the phone includes a six-month trial, though offers vary by market. Some Photo Assist edits need a connection and a Samsung Account.
Which processor does the Galaxy S26 FE use?
The 3nm Exynos 2500 with 8GB of RAM, replacing the 4nm Exynos 2400 in the S25 FE.
How long will it get updates?
Samsung promises seven OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. It launches with One UI 9 on Android 17.