Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S26 FE, open Settings > Device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
Last updated
Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S26 FE?
The Galaxy S26 FE launched in September 2026 with Android 17 and One UI 9. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Device care > Storage. Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates, so menu names can change after updates.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S26 FE?
On the Galaxy S26 FE, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 17, so it also has Android's system trash.
What is specific to the Galaxy S26 FE?
First S26 model to launch with One UI 9 (Android 17). Sold with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB and 8 GB RAM.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S26 FE ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 9, the Galaxy S26 FE has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy S26 FE photos take?
Galaxy S26 FE: 50 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 8 MP 3x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy S26 FE shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| Full-resolution mode (50 MP) | about 12 MB | about 833 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 30fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy S26 FE to its 50 MP mode makes each shot about 12 MB, roughly 3 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 2.4 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy S26 FE run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 30fps, the Galaxy S26 FE writes about 600 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 6.0 GB, the same as 1,667 default photos. Selfies from the 12 MP front camera are about 3.6 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S26 FE storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 18 GB (14%) |
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 18 GB (7%) |
| 512 GB | 18 GB (4%) | 18 GB (4%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S26 FE, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 256 GB Galaxy S26 FE, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it. On the 512 GB Galaxy S26 FE, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 14% of it.
Can you add a memory card to the Galaxy S26 FE?
No, the Galaxy S26 FE has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy S26 FE compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S25 (February 2025), the Galaxy S26 FE has the same 128 GB starting storage. Against the Galaxy S25+ (February 2025), the Galaxy S26 FE starts lower, at 128 GB instead of 256 GB. Against the Galaxy S25 Ultra (February 2025), the Galaxy S26 FE starts lower, at 128 GB instead of 256 GB and has a 50 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S25 Ultra has 200 MP.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 FE | September 2026 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S25 | February 2025 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S25+ | February 2025 | 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | February 2025 | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S26 FE?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S26 FE photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 512 GB Galaxy S26 FE?
In theory about 142,222 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy S26 FE have?
It was sold with 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S26 FE (SM-S741BLGDEUB) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung Newsroom: Samsung Galaxy S26 FE (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How can I check how much storage space I have left? (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
Related
More in Free up space by phone
GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.