Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 globally this week and we have now evaluations for all three fashions: Galaxy S26 Extremely, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26. Throughout pre-orders, the telephones got here with a free improve from 256GB to 512GB storage. Now that pre-orders are over the deal is barely completely different however nonetheless excellent.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is dominating – in response to Samsung, it made up 70% of pre-ordered S26-series models. In Europe, it’s the solely mannequin with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. And globally, it’s the one cellphone with a Privateness Show. You may get a 512GB mannequin for the value of a 256GB one and you need to. Nevertheless, the soar as much as 1TB storage is fairly expensive as there is no such thing as a low cost in any respect. You could not want 1TB storage, however that is the one S26 mannequin with 16GB of RAM – all different storage choices and fashions have 12GB as an alternative.
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is in a bizarre spot – however good bizarre. The 512GB mannequin at the moment prices €1,130 as an alternative of its normal €1,450. What’s bizarre about that is that the 256GB mannequin is €1,250, so that is even higher than a free storage improve.
The vanilla Samsung Galaxy S26 is accessible with a free storage improve, no weirdness right here. And since this yr the bottom storage is 256GB, meaning you’re getting a 512GB cellphone. Observe that the S26 and S26+ have Exynos 2600 chipsets this yr as an alternative of a Snapdragon.
Okay, now let’s have a look at the competitors beginning with the telephones that simply bought retired. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely continues to be round and you may decide up a 512GB unit for €350 lower than an S26 Extremely. You get the older chipset, Elite vs. Elite Gen 5, and lose the Privateness Show. We may have an in depth versus article sooner or later, however for now we are able to say that battery life on the brand new mannequin is best and charging is tangibly sooner. The brand new wider apertures on the cameras didn’t do all that a lot, although.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is just not as succesful because the S26+, however it’s a lot cheaper too. Its chipset is 2 generations behind (Exynos 2400 vs. 2600) and its show is a decrease decision 1080p+ non-LTPO panel. The remainder isn’t all that completely different, although.
In order for you a small cellphone, why not a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7? It’s €100 greater than the S26 if you’d like the 512GB mannequin, nevertheless it folds to a extra compact form. The chipset is a technology older (Exynos 2500) and also you lose the telephoto digital camera (the 10MP 3x module is just not nice, nevertheless it’s higher than nothing). The battery is similar, although, with 4,300mAh capability, 25W wired and 15W wi-fi charging.
The Google Pixel 10 Professional XL will lose to the Galaxy S26 Extremely in a benchmark struggle. What about in a digital camera struggle? Nicely, we haven’t examined them towards one another but, however you may learn the Pixel 10 Professional XL vs. S25 Extremely article from final yr as a preview of what to anticipate. The Galaxy has higher battery life, sooner charging and that all-new Privateness Show. Nevertheless, you may get a 512GB Pixel for €500 lower than the Galaxy and this one has 16GB of RAM, no must pay as much as the 1TB mannequin.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has to struggle not one however two Pixels – the Google Pixel 10 and the Pixel 10 Professional. The vanilla mannequin is round €200 cheaper than the Professional, which is similar value because the S26 (taking a look at 512GB telephones). The Professional has the higher telephoto digital camera (48MP 5x/113mm vs. 10MP 3x/67mm), ultra-wide digital camera (48MP vs. 12MP) and selfie digital camera (42MP vs. 12MP). Its 50MP primary has a much bigger sensor too (1/1.31” vs. 1/1.56”). The vanilla mannequin has much less succesful cameras than both, however it’s the cheaper choice, in order that was to be anticipated.
The vivo X300 Professional is priced on the identical stage because the S26+, however it’s actually an S26 Extremely competitor. It has a Dimensity 9500 chipset, a 50MP 1/1.28” primary digital camera, a 200MP 3.7x/85mm periscope and a 50MP ultra-wide digital camera. Plus a large-ish 5,440mAh battery with 90W wired and 40W wi-fi charging. The Euro mannequin bought shortchanged on the milliamp hours, so its endurance is inferior to the Galaxy’s (which has a smaller battery!).
The small vivo X300 goes up towards the vanilla S26. It has a 5,360mAh battery, nearly the identical measurement because the X300 Professional, and it outlasts each the X300 Professional and the S26. This one has a 200MP primary, a 50MP 3x/70mm telephoto and a 50MP ultra-wide digital camera. It’s powered by the Dimensity 9500 chipset.
The Poco F8 Extremely is extra of a flagship killer, so a few of its options should not fairly as much as S26 Extremely requirements. That stated, it’s below €700 for a 512GB cellphone (with 16GB of RAM, no much less) that’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (no Exynos right here) and a big 6,500mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wi-fi charging. The 50MP 1/1.31” primary, 50MP 5x/115mm telephoto and 50MP ultra-wide should not on the identical stage because the Extremely cameras, as we stated, however they are going to make the S26+ sweat below its collar.
By the best way, the Apple iPhone 17e additionally launched this week. It’s probably not a part of the S26-series dialogue, however it’s the most cost-effective new iPhone, so some individuals are certain to be thinking about it.
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