I’ve by no means actually been drawn to smaller-sized telephones, not less than not till just lately. Round September final yr, I purchased the iPhone 17, which itself was a shift after spending years with bigger gadgets just like the iPhone 14 Professional Max. It took a little bit of getting used to, but it surely eased me into the concept that smaller telephones may not be as limiting as I as soon as thought.
Then got here Samsung’s Galaxy S26 collection. I used to be significantly curious in regards to the vanilla Galaxy S26 and the way it might carry out, deal with battery life, and be used day after day in a smaller kind issue. Fortunately, I bought the possibility to spend some correct time with it. Over the previous few weeks, I’ve discovered myself reaching for the S26. It is not simply in regards to the measurement. There are a number of elements that make it stand out, to the purpose that it has made me rethink my long-standing choice for iPhones.
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As refined because it will get
Matches prefer it was made to your palms, however retains you in your toes
Credit score: Shimul Sood / MakeUseOf
What stood out to me nearly immediately with the Galaxy S26 was how simple it’s to carry. In comparison with the iPhone 17, this feels slimmer and extra manageable, particularly in day by day use. One-handed utilization, particularly, is the place it actually shines. I can comfortably wrap my fingers round my cellphone, attain most on-screen controls, and go about my regular duties with out consistently shifting my grip. That stated, there is a slight trade-off to all that polish. The again panel feels undeniably premium, but it surely additionally makes the cellphone really feel a bit delicate. It is easy to the purpose the place I am all the time a bit of cautious whereas utilizing it, nearly anticipating it to slide if I am not cautious. It appears and feels nice, but it surely does make you extra conscious of the way you’re holding it.
By way of design, Samsung hasn’t actually shaken issues up this time. For those who’ve seen the Galaxy S25, this feels immediately acquainted. The digital camera module has been tweaked barely, however the general look stays largely the identical. Personally, I like that. When a design already works this properly, there isn’t any actual must reinvent it. It nonetheless delivers that premium really feel you anticipate at this worth level, and it does so confidently.
The Cobalt Violet end I have been utilizing provides a pleasant contact of character. It appears wealthy and stands out with out being too loud. Sure, it does choose up the occasional fingerprints on the again panel, however nothing extreme or distracting sufficient to remove from the general attraction.
Another eye on the world
Just a little zoom goes a good distance
Credit score: Shimul Sood / MakeUseOf
The iPhone 17 retains a dual-camera setup on the rear, and, to be truthful, it does a stable job. However having extra flexibility isn’t a nasty factor, particularly in the case of cameras. That is the place the Galaxy S26 pulls forward a bit. Alongside the first and ultra-wide lenses, you additionally get a devoted telephoto digital camera with 3x optical zoom, which opens up much more room to experiment.
In day-to-day use, the additional lens makes lots of distinction. Whether or not it is zooming in with out shedding particulars or framing pictures extra creatively, it merely offers extra choices. Portraits, particularly, end up very well. Samsung has clearly fine-tuned its method right here, with sharp topic separation and pleasing background blur that usually appears extra refined than what I get from the iPhone 17.
Efficiency is its second to shine
It simply stored its composure
Credit score: Shimul Sood / MakeUseOf
The Samsung Galaxy S26 shocked me with how properly it held up. I took each telephones alongside on a six-day journey and used them side-by-side the complete time, and to be trustworthy, the situations weren’t doing them any favors. The warmth was intense, so I used to be curious to see how these telephones would cope below such situations. I did not go simple on them both. From common day-to-day duties and fixed multitasking to enjoying heavy video games, taking pictures 4K movies in harsh daylight and operating benchmarks to seek out out who wins, each gadgets labored nearly nonstop.
The iPhone 17 started to really feel a bit of drained. Scrolling did not really feel as easy, animations felt barely off, and there have been moments when I discovered myself pausing, ready for it to catch up. The Galaxy S26, then again, simply stored going. Sure, it warmed up a bit close to the digital camera module, but it surely by no means made me uncomfortable or nervous. Extra importantly, it stayed constant. By the top, I discovered myself trusting the S26 extra.
Lastly, a cellphone that does not quit early
Stays with you till the day faucets out
Credit score: Shimul Sood / MakeUseOf
I will be trustworthy, battery life has been a critical concern for me on the iPhone 17. On most days, particularly when I’m out for lengthy hours, I discover myself watching the share drop a bit of too shortly. By the point night rolled round, it was already operating on fumes or already lifeless, which meant I needed to plan my day with a charger or an influence financial institution.
The Galaxy S26 feels very completely different in that regard. In comparable use, it lasts longer and would not have me consistently checking the battery icon. On paper, it packs 608mAh extra battery than the iPhone 17, and that distinction interprets fairly clearly into real-world use. What I admire essentially the most is the peace of thoughts it brings. I haven’t got to carry again on duties simply to save lots of battery. It merely retains up with my day, which is strictly what I need from a tool at this stage.
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It asks for extra, however makes it exhausting to say no
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is priced about $100 increased than the iPhone 17, but it surely would not really feel such as you’re paying extra for the sake of it. In return, you are getting a tool that provides extra flexibility, extra options, and in some ways, a extra well-rounded expertise.
What makes this shift much more shocking for me is the place I am coming from. I have been firmly within the iPhone camp because the days of the iPhone 5c, and for a very long time, I by no means actually felt the necessity to look elsewhere. That modified solely just lately, as I began spending extra time with Android telephones, particularly Pixel and Samsung fashions. Even then, I did not really desire one over my iPhone. However the Galaxy S26 actually made me pause and rethink my iPhone loyalty. It is not nearly making an attempt one thing new anymore. It is about realizing that there may be one thing higher suited to how I take advantage of my cellphone in the present day.
SoC
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
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6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x
