Samsung Galaxy Note FE
How long will it last?
Our estimateSupported until July 2020 · Buy-by July 2018
Apple doesn't publish an end date, but iPhones have a consistent ~3-year update track record — on that basis the Galaxy Note FE should be supported until around July 2020. Buying it today still gets you about -5.9 years of safe use (Apple's written legal minimum is 5 years).
Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-12 · how we compute this
Our verdict
A refurbished Note7 reborn with a safer battery, giving the doomed flagship a second, finite life.
Pros
- Note7-grade design with S Pen and IP68 rating
- Curved QHD Super AMOLED and 12MP camera
- Modern USB-C with fast and wireless charging
Cons
- Support ended around 2020 after Android 9
- Smaller 3200mAh battery chosen for safety
- Sold mainly in limited regions, hard to source
Full specifications
Display
💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).
| Screen | 5.7-inch dual-curved Super AMOLED, 1440 x 2560 (QHD), 60Hz |
Performance
💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
Cameras
💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.
| main | 12MP |
| front | 5MP |
Battery & charging
💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.
| Battery | 3,200 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired, Qi/PMA wireless (USB-C) |
Build
💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.
| Dimensions | 153.5 × 73.9 × 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 167 g |
| Materials | Glass front and back, aluminum frame |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Software & connectivity
💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.
| Software | Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung Experience at launch |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, 3.5mm jack, S Pen |
| Update policy | ~2 years of updates (our estimate from Samsung's track record — written minimum is 5 years) |
Better-value alternatives
Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.
Frequently asked questions
How long will the Galaxy Note FE get updates?
It reached Android 9 Pie and stopped getting security patches around 2020, so it has been unsupported for several years.
What exactly is the Galaxy Note FE?
It is a refurbished, repackaged Galaxy Note7 with a smaller, safer battery, released in 2017 as the Fan Edition after the original Note7's recall.
Does the Note FE have an S Pen and water resistance?
Yes. It keeps the Note7's S Pen, IP68 water resistance, and curved display, just with a reduced 3200mAh battery for safety.
Compare it
Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-12.