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For years, base mannequin Samsung Galaxy S telephones had two issues going for them — they have been the smallest flagships in the marketplace and have been comparatively inexpensive. With the Samsung Galaxy S26 bumping the value by $100 and rising the display screen to six.3 inches, it is time for a brand new id. After utilizing it for 2 weeks, the Galaxy S26 is as complicated a tool as ever.
On one hand, the Galaxy S26 provides a premium design with unparalleled efficiency powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. I most popular the smaller kind issue of the Galaxy S25, nevertheless it’s clear that the majority customers need bigger telephones. The true concern is the value hike mixed with a scarcity of main upgrades. Certain, we received a brand new processor, however the place are the upgraded cameras, Qi2 magnets, or connectivity boosts? They’re nowhere to be discovered.
At present’s greatest Samsung Galaxy S26 offers
The Galaxy S26 is obtainable now, beginning at $899.99 for the 256GB mannequin, with the optionally available 512GB improve costing a whopping $1,099. That is $100 costlier than the Galaxy S25 at launch. Though you get extra base storage, the Galaxy S26 nonetheless prices greater than the comparable 256GB mannequin of the Galaxy S25 value final yr.
Remember that the Galaxy S26 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor in North America, China, and Japan. All different international markets will get the Samsung Exynos 2600 model.
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Class
Samsung Galaxy S26
Show
6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Reminiscence
12GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB
Entrance Digital camera
12MP, f/2.2
Rear Digital camera 1
50MP (broad), OIS f/1.8
Rear Digital camera 2
12MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, FOV 120˚
Rear Digital camera 3
10MP (telephoto), 3x Optical Zoom, f/2.4
Battery
4,300 mAh
Charging
25W (wired), 15W (Qi wi-fi), 4.5W (reverse wi-fi)
Connectivity
5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.4
Biometrics
Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner, Face Recognition
Ingress Safety
IP68, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (entrance glass), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (rear glass), Aluminum
Dimensions
71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm
Weight
167 grams
Software program
One UI 8.5 w/Android 16
Colours
Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White
On-line unique: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold
The massive Galaxy S26 change is one you’ll be able to see and really feel — a brand new design, full with a bigger 6.3-inch OLED show. It replaces the 6.2-inch display screen discovered on the Galaxy S25, and that distinction may not seem to be a lot, nevertheless it looms massive. The Galaxy S26 is not large, however the Galaxy S25 was small, and the brand new Samsung flagship conforms to the usual set by the Pixel 10 and iPhone 17.
The results of this variation is that the Galaxy S26 is wider and taller than the Galaxy S25, and it is barely heavier too, at 167 grams. It is nonetheless 7.2mm, which is actually skinny sufficient. In truth, it is powerful to note the Galaxy S26’s bigger footprint except you’ve got its predecessor helpful for comparability. In the event you’re like me and loved the Galaxy S25 and earlier fashions for his or her compact kind issue, you would possibly miss it greater than most.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
The opposite notable change is the rear digicam bump, which is redesigned to position the three particular person digicam lenses on an oval-shaped pedestal. I just like the look of this design far more than the Galaxy S25’s digicam housing and its DSLR-style reflective lens cowl, however there is a flaw: it stands out extra, inflicting the Galaxy S26 to wobble even worse on a flat floor. It is an odd change, particularly since there aren’t any digicam {hardware} upgrades and the smartphone’s major physique is simply as thick as its predecessor’s.
You will additionally discover Samsung remains to be going with a boxy chassis, together with flat sides and an nearly nonexistent chamfer. One factor you will not discover, nevertheless, is a mmWave antenna window, as a result of whereas the Galaxy S25 provides mmWave 5G help, it is gone on the Galaxy S26.
It is yet one more means the Galaxy S26 options lackluster connectivity requirements in comparison with the Plus and Extremely fashions. The bottom mannequin does not get mmWave, Bluetooth 6, or UWB.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
I reviewed the Cobalt Violet and Black colorways of the Galaxy S26, and there are additionally Silver Shadow, Pink Gold, Sky Blue, and White shade choices. Whereas I preferred the deep colours, I seen that they are simple to scratch with drops and scuffs throughout regular use. This reveals the aluminum below the paint, and it is an eyesore. In the event you care about your cellphone wanting pristine, you would possibly wish to select a lighter shade, like Silver Shadow or White.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Other than being bigger, there’s not a lot new in regards to the Galaxy S26’s show. It is nonetheless a FullHD+ decision panel that lags behind the QHD+ display screen on the Galaxy S26 Plus and Extremely fashions by way of high quality. You do get a 120Hz refresh fee and a couple of,600-nit peak brightness, and I’ve really discovered the bottom Galaxy S26 display screen to be brighter than the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s in real-world use, because of the limitations of the Privateness Show know-how used on the Extremely.
Talking of Privateness Show, it is one thing I want have been on each Galaxy S26 cellphone. Sure, the info exhibits the Galaxy S26 Extremely display screen is not as sharp or as shiny, however Privateness Show is a function you do not wish to stay with out when you begin utilizing it. In the event you’re even remotely intrigued by it, you should contemplate the Galaxy S26 Extremely over the Galaxy S26.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset is the very best in its class, and Samsung paired it with 12GB of reminiscence for good measure. Efficiency, as you’d count on, is stellar. The Galaxy S25 was already a prime performer, and the Galaxy S26 is even higher. I noticed Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core scores roughly 1,000 factors larger on the Galaxy S26 in comparison with the Galaxy S25.
Extra importantly, the cellphone is extra secure below load. The Galaxy S26 turned in a stability proportion of 72% within the 3DMark Metal Nomad Gentle Stress Check, up from 62.4% on the Galaxy S25. The truth is, I repeatedly noticed the bottom Galaxy S26 submit benchmark outcomes higher than even the Galaxy S26 Extremely. In different phrases, this cellphone will final you for years to return and deal with absolutely anything you throw at it.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Sadly, the cameras are by far essentially the most disappointing facet of the Galaxy S26’s {hardware}. Samsung made zero digicam upgrades for an additional yr, that means the Galaxy S26 has the identical {hardware} because the Galaxy S22. You get a triple-camera system with a 50MP major digicam, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the entrance, there is a 12MP, f/2.2 selfie digicam.
Samsung says it labored with Qualcomm to make the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy,” and that these customizations particularly included image-processing pipeline upgrades. Happily, that is not simply advertising, it is the actual deal. The Galaxy S26 provides the very best shade accuracy and dynamic vary I’ve seen from a Samsung cellphone digicam in years.
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(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
The extra gentle you give the Galaxy S26 digicam system to work with, the higher the outcomes. Element and high quality begin to fall off in low-light efficiency, however daytime sharpness is stellar. To be clear, this does not excuse the Galaxy S26’s lack of {hardware} upgrades, however I’ve to present credit score the place it is due.
The one clear deficiency is the Galaxy S26’s telephoto digicam. It is probably not good at something — the 10MP decision is not sharp, and the 3x optical zoom size is not spectacular both. It is the world the place the Google Pixel 10 digicam will crush the Galaxy S26 digicam because of its 5x optical zoom lens.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Samsung gave the Galaxy S26’s battery a welcome bump to 4,300mAh, however battery life remains to be shaky. The runtime is completely effective — I received 7.5 hours of screen-on time and used 127% battery capability on my most intensive day — however the expertise falls aside when it is time to cost. The Galaxy S26 solely expenses at 25W wired and 15W wirelessly. After utilizing the 60W wired charging on the Galaxy S26 Extremely, all the pieces else feels painfully gradual.
Oh, and there nonetheless are not any built-in Qi2 magnets on the Galaxy S26. You will want a case to unlock full performance. There’s not a lot to say about that, apart from it is merely unacceptable after Google added MagSafe to the Pixel 10.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
Lastly, there’s the AI and software program options. I’ve discovered One UI 8.5 to be dependable and clean, extra so than iOS 26 and on par with Android 16 on Pixel. There are nonetheless some issues which might be irritating, like duplicate Samsung apps, pre-installed bloatware, and the unreliable Samsung Keyboard. They’re all simply mounted, although. I at all times swap Samsung Keyboard out for Gboard when establishing a brand new Galaxy, and the Galaxy S26 was no exception.
The brand new Galaxy AI options did not land for me, however I am glad they’re right here. Now Nudge is Samsung’s model of Magic Cue on Pixel, and each options goal to floor and counsel related info and actions in actual time. Frankly, I’ve by no means discovered it to be helpful even as soon as on both the Galaxy S26 or the Pixel 10. Bixby received a couple of upgrades, however you may most likely use Gemini anyway, and the “Hey Plex” wake phrase for Perplexity integration was oddly eliminated with no alternative in sight.
(Picture credit score: Brady Snyder / Android Central)
I’ve used each Samsung Galaxy S26 mannequin briefly, and spent weeks testing the most cost effective Galaxy S26 and the costliest Galaxy S26 Extremely. I’ve a tough time recommending you spend $1,299 on the Galaxy S26 Extremely, because it’s some huge cash for any cellphone, nevertheless it’s clearly the higher worth in comparison with the $899 Galaxy S26. At the least the Galaxy S26 Extremely provides quicker charging, new cameras, Privateness Show, and higher connectivity.
The Galaxy S26 seems prefer it’ll be a terrific worth when it receives its first spherical of reductions in a couple of months. At full value, it is tough to advocate. The Extremely mannequin stole the present this yr, casting a shadow over the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus. I’ve to hope that Samsung lastly provides new digicam sensors and magnetic charging to the following technology of Galaxy telephones. If that is the case, why purchase a Galaxy S26 now?
Not so small anymore
Traditionally a tiny flagship with a less expensive value level, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leaves each of these identities behind. It is $100 costlier, and bigger by each measure because of its larger 6.3-inch show. Whereas the efficiency and software program are main wins, the dearth of digicam and connectivity upgrades make the Galaxy S26 really feel like a questionable worth.
Samsung Galaxy S26: Value Comparability
