Galaxy S26 FE: 20 Things to Do First

Quick summary: These are the first things I set up on the Galaxy S26 FE (Fan Edition): call protection, quick settings, camera, sound, display, security, the power button, Good Lock and Gboard.

Calls (Phone app > three dots > Settings)

1. Call screening and caller ID and spam protection: I block only high-risk spam and scam calls, and an AI answers suspected spam while you read along. You can change its voice and write your own text call quick responses.
2. Call captions: shows what each person says on screen, great in loud places.
3. Answering and ending calls: turn on tap to answer and auto speakerphone, and add your own decline messages.

Home screen and quick settings

4. Home screen settings: Google Discover on or off, search on the home screen (Google search, Lens and Finder), swipe down anywhere for the notification panel and add new apps to home screen. Lock the layout for older users.
5. Panel settings: set it to Together so swiping from either side opens notifications and quick toggles.
6. Customize quick settings: resize and rearrange tiles, and add toggles like Dolby Atmos.

Camera

7. Camera settings: turn off saving selfies as previewed, turn on voice commands (“cheese” or “shoot”) and show palm, and turn off shutter sounds. Download Camera Assistant and turn on Quick tap to shutter (there’s no 24MP mode on this phone).
8. 4K60 video, but the ultra-wide only works at 4K30 or lower on this phone. I also turn off HDR video because it’s hard to edit, even though it looks better.

Apps and system

9. Sort apps alphabetically, then update everything in the Galaxy Store and Play Store (Manage apps and devices > Update all).
10. Wi-Fi > Advanced settings: turn off network notifications about open networks.
11. Galaxy AI: check what’s on, like Note Assist. Skip the option that limits your phone.
12. Sounds and vibration: set ringtones and turn off system sounds, then turn on Dolby Atmos set to Auto.
13. Notifications: choose the detailed pop-up style and turn on notification history.
14. Display: dark mode schedule, Vivid screen mode with the slider maxed, 2-minute timeout with keep screen on while viewing, edge panels, gestures, Circle to Search, and higher touch sensitivity if you use a screen protector.
15. Wallpaper and themes: AI wallpapers, free themes, and color palettes for your quick toggles.

Lock screen and security

16. Face recognition: turn off “stay on lock screen” and “brighten screen”. Set fingerprint unlock with always-on, and customize the always-on display. In Safety and emergency, I turn off test alerts and keep public safety and extreme alerts.

Power button and power-user extras

17. Labs: Multi window for all apps (Instagram won’t allow it otherwise). Also turn on motions and gestures.
18. Side button: double press for camera, and set long press to the power menu if you prefer. Then check software updates.
19. Developer options: tap the build number seven times and set all three animation scales to 0.5x for a snappier feel.
20. Good Lock and Gboard: Good Lock is free and made by Samsung, a must-have for customizing. I swap the Samsung keyboard for Gboard with the number row on, sounds and vibration off, a theme, and offensive-word blocking off.

It’s a nice phone for the mid-tier and, in some ways, upper tier. My full review is coming soon.

• Mint Mobile: $15 unlimited data, talk and text