The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE (Fan Edition, 2026) supports Expert RAW in DNG format and has no mechanical shutter — the image counter stored in each DNG file records total electronic captures. Drop an Expert RAW DNG to read it instantly.
Check Image Counter →The Galaxy S26 FE is powered by the Exynos 2600 and delivers Samsung’s flagship camera experience at a mid-range price. The triple-camera system includes a 50 MP ISOCELL main sensor (f/1.8, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF), a 12 MP ultrawide (f/2.2, 120°), and a 10 MP 3× telephoto (f/2.4, OIS). The 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display runs at up to 120 Hz with 2200 nits peak brightness. Galaxy AI features including Scene Optimizer, Nightography, and AI-powered zoom are available on the FE tier.
Like all modern Samsung Galaxy smartphones, the S26 FE uses CMOS electronic readout only. There is no mechanical focal-plane shutter. Every image — in any mode — increments the persistent electronic image counter embedded in Expert RAW DNG files.
| Model | Release | Chipset | Main Sensor | Shutter Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 FE | 2026 | Exynos 2600 | 50 MP (f/1.8, OIS) | Electronic only |
| Galaxy S26 | 2026 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 | 50 MP GNK2 (f/1.8) | Electronic only |
| Galaxy S25 FE | 2025 | Exynos 2500 | 50 MP (f/1.8, OIS) | Electronic only |
| Galaxy S24 FE | 2024 | Exynos 2500 | 50 MP (f/1.8, OIS) | Electronic only |
.dng extension.The image counter indicates intensity of use but carries no mechanical wear significance. Focus on these factors when evaluating a used S26 FE:
| What to Check | How |
|---|---|
| Battery health | Settings → Battery and device care → Battery. Below 80% warrants replacement consideration; Samsung reports charge cycle count and health % |
| Display condition | Inspect the 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED for burn-in (status bar, navigation areas) and any dead pixels; test at maximum brightness |
| Camera lenses | Test all three cameras (50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3× telephoto) for chips, fogging, or scratches; try each at different distances |
| Frame and back glass | Inspect the aluminium frame and glass back for cracks, deep scratches, or signs of prior repair |
| Image counter | High count (>50,000) indicates intensive use — useful context, not a hardware failure indicator |
Expert RAW is a separate Galaxy Store download available on all Fan Edition models from the S21 FE onward. It supports multi-frame composite RAW, per-lens manual controls, histogram display, and outputs a standard DNG that is fully compatible with Lightroom, Capture One, darktable, and any DNG-capable editor.
The image counter is stored in the DNG EXIF metadata under the ImageNumber field within Samsung’s MakerNote IFD. This counter increments with every capture across all camera modes and lens positions and cannot be reset by a factory reset or software update.
Both the S26 FE and the standard S26 use the same Expert RAW DNG counter format. The chipset difference (Exynos 2600 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2) does not affect the counter mechanism or the DNG structure — shuttercount.app reads both identically.
No. All Galaxy S smartphones use CMOS electronic readout. There is no focal-plane shutter mechanism and no rated mechanical lifespan.
Open the Galaxy Store app, search for Expert RAW, and install it. It is free and exclusive to Samsung Galaxy devices. After installation it appears as a standalone app and can also be accessed from the Camera app’s more modes menu.
No. The image counter is stored in persistent hardware memory and cannot be reset by a factory reset, software update, or any user action.
The S26+ uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 and a QHD+ display, while the S26 FE uses Exynos 2600 with an FHD+ panel at a lower price point. The camera layout is comparable, and both support Expert RAW DNG with identical image counter format.
Yes, especially at the typical used price. The 50 MP main sensor and Nightography processing deliver strong results at its price tier. Battery health is the primary concern — check it via Settings before agreeing on a price.