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In a current interview, Samsung’s co-CEO, TM Roh, admitted that Samsung was “now not chasing specs” with its latest telephones. This information got here as no revelation to anybody who has been taking note of smartphone know-how over the previous few years. Nonetheless, it might be a shock to non-techy people who may count on Samsung to be the one pushing the envelope. This telephone is known as the “Extremely,” in spite of everything.
As a substitute, Samsung is laser-focused on {hardware} that “helps clever software program.” Regardless of launching a telephone with a really clear {hardware} trick, One UI could be very a lot the star of the present right here.
Immediately’s finest Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely offers
To get the fundamentals out of the best way, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely went on sale on March 11, 2026, and retails for $1,299 for the mannequin with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Upgrading to 512GB of storage will price you $1,499, whereas the highest-end mannequin comes with 16GB of RAM and 1Tb of storage for $1,799. Notably, the bottom mannequin did not get a worth enhance, however these different two fashions certain did.
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Class
Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely
Show
6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Reminiscence
12GB, 16GB (1TB mannequin solely)
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Entrance Digital camera
12MP, f/2.2
Rear Digital camera 1
200MP (huge), OIS, f/1.4
Rear Digital camera 2
50MP (ultrawide) f/1.9, FOV 120˚
Rear Digital camera 3
10MP (telephoto), OIS, f/2.4, 3x Optical Zoom, FOV 36˚
Rear Digital camera 4
50MP (telephoto), OIS, f/2.9, 5x Optical Zoom
Battery
5,000 mAh
Charging
60W (wired), 25W (Qi wi-fi), 4.5W (reverse wi-fi)
Connectivity
5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 6
Biometrics
Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner, Face Recognition
Ingress Safety
IP68, Corning Gorilla Armor 2 (entrance glass), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (rear glass), Aluminum
Dimensions
78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm
Weight
214 grams
Software program
One UI 8.5 w/Android 16
Colours
Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White
On-line unique: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Out of the gate, Privateness Show is probably the most thrilling show function we have seen in a decade, the final of which I might argue was glasses-free 3D shows on merchandise just like the Nintendo 3DS. Mockingly, Privateness Show works a bit like a 3D show, because it shines mild in numerous instructions and may shut off pixels in particular instructions to cover on-screen content material from shoulder surfers.
Samsung went two steps additional by making this a function you may toggle on or off, in addition to one you may customise in a number of different methods. The whole display screen can dim at any angle, can dim for less than a handful of apps (like banking apps), or dim solely on-screen objects like notifications or delicate textual content.
From a purely spec standpoint, the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s show is not even remotely spectacular. It would not help the brightest nits, would not have the very best decision or refresh price, has a horrendously low PWM price and lack of eye care options, and it is years behind in colour science with an 8-bit colour output. Nevertheless, it prioritizes privateness over all the pieces else, and that is one thing individuals might care extra about.
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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
However, as I identified in my Galaxy S26 Extremely show overview, Samsung continues to lag far behind the competitors in eye consolation. It isn’t only a strongly strobing show with low-frequency PWM dimming always, however Privateness Show can be inflicting discomfort for a brand new group of people that aren’t delicate to PWM dimming.
The operating idea is that the multi-angle pixels are inflicting focusing issues for these customers, leading to a headache and, finally, an unusable show. We’ll must see simply how many individuals this impacts.
It is a know-how that does not come with out tradeoffs. You may lose brightness, viewing angles, and see extra glare on this display screen than on the S25 Extremely’s, however you may not care since different individuals cannot see something in your display screen.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
In the meantime, the Galaxy S Extremely’s design has usually been some extent of rivalry. Whether or not you suppose it is too sq. or too spherical, there at all times appears to be a gaggle of people who find themselves sad with it. I have been very pleased with Samsung’s rounder design, which feels higher in my palms when one-handing it. Likewise, my fingers are now not threatened with being sliced now that Samsung is not utilizing a razor-sharp edge alongside the left and proper sides of the S26 Extremely.
However the rounded corners now imply the S Pen has a outstanding curve on the finish, so it is doable (as soon as once more) to insert the S Pen the flawed means. The corporate additionally opted for a thinner telephone as an alternative of packing Qi2 magnets inside, a call possible made as a result of magnets can intrude with the S Pen.
As it’s, the telephone is simply annoyingly skinny sufficient that the digicam sensors now protrude from the physique much more than they did earlier than. Even including a case to the telephone would not repair the off-balanced design right here. Thinner can typically be higher, however Samsung would have been smarter to go for a much bigger battery.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Samsung did not push the battery capability for this launch, nevertheless it did lastly go for sooner charging. Utilizing this 67W charger, I used to be in a position to cost the telephone from 0-80% in simply half-hour, a enormous enchancment over previous Samsung telephones and one thing that’ll assist remove battery anxiousness as long as you’ve gotten the correct charger (or energy pack) with you.
The truth, although, is that Samsung desperately wants to extend battery capability. This $1300-1800 telephone solely has a 5,000mAh battery, whereas the higher-end-specced OnePlus 15 sells for simply $900 and has an over-7,000mAh battery, all with out being thicker or heavier.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
In our lab exams, the Galaxy S26 Extremely took 16 hours and 10 minutes to empty a full cost. That sounds excellent till you set it subsequent to the OnePlus 15, which took over 25 hours to empty throughout the identical take a look at. In real-world use, my S26 Extremely barely made it to the top of the day, whereas I might by no means even take into consideration battery life when utilizing a OnePlus 15.
Now, again to that digicam island. The bodily measurement is deeper than final yr, however solely the telephoto sensors have modified. Unusually sufficient, the 3x lens obtained a sensor downgrade and shares the paltry 1/3.94-inch sensor discovered on the remainder of the S26 line. That is the tiniest telephoto sensor on any flagship telephone, nevertheless it’s additionally actually simply an middleman sensor to assist with zoom till you attain the 5x stage.
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(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)(Picture credit score: Android Central)
The 5x telephoto lens is not utilizing a brand new sensor, however it’s utilizing a brand new All Lens on Prism design that sarcastically is designed to make lenses smaller and scale back distortion. Clearly, the primary half did not come to fruition, nevertheless it undoubtedly does a greater job of offering cleaner zoomed-in photographs than earlier generations.
My greatest concern with Samsung’s sensors and lenses is that the photographs lack the depth present in another high-end Android flagships. The examples of meals photographs above illustrate what I am speaking about. With out utilizing portrait mode, these photographs have pure depth and enchantment, whereas Samsung’s photographs usually look flat.
On the constructive aspect, Samsung appears to have improved movement seize a bit this time round, as I discovered I might fairly simply get clear photographs of my son and my pets with this telephone.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
But when Samsung understands one factor, it is software program. One UI is the very best OS within the smartphone business, and it isn’t even shut. You may need a particular function or UI design desire from one other telephone, however no different firm matches Samsung’s general software program excellence.
A part of that is the sheer variety of actually helpful options packed into One UI. Privateness Show’s granular choices are only a sampling of what I am speaking about, too. If we dig in just a little additional, a number of different new and upgraded choices stand out, as properly.
Direct Voicemail is an exceptional new function that arrived with no fanfare and allows you to fully skip the rubbish provider voicemail system for one thing much better. The digicam’s new Horizon Lock function information ultra-stabilized video, even if you flip the telephone the wrong way up.
To not point out new Gemini options that appeared right here first, just like the spectacular display screen automation that may order meals for you utilizing apps like Uber.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
After I use One UI, my critiques in regards to the Galaxy S26 Extremely’s {hardware} not being “extremely” sufficient principally soften away. It seems good, feels good to make use of, and shall be actively up to date and improved for years to come back. You may make certain that, it doesn’t matter what the {hardware} could also be missing for the value, the software program will virtually definitely make up for its shortcomings.
It is also exhausting to argue with the ecosystem Samsung has constructed. I am not simply speaking in regards to the gajillion electronics merchandise Samsung makes that each one work extremely properly collectively. I additionally imply the third-party ecosystem that exists as a result of Samsung sells so many telephones. When you’re an individual who loves shopping for equipment and circumstances to your telephones, there is no different Android telephone that’ll offer you a greater variety of selections, and that is all as a result of Samsung goes to promote lots of Galaxy S26 Ultras.
(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
In the end, the fact is that Samsung is charging an excessive amount of for a telephone that is usually behind on a spec sheet. The large worth enhance on the 512GB and 1TB SKUs this yr makes them unattainable to advocate with out some type of deal, and the truth that I am recommending the bottom mannequin in any respect is down to 2 primary benefits.
The primary is apparent: Privateness Show. No different telephone in the marketplace has this, and no different telephone could have this for a very long time to come back. The second is One UI, and whereas it isn’t unique to this telephone, it is exhausting to argue with the handful of latest or principally unique options within the newest Samsung software program replace.
In order for you the most effective show specs, you may look elsewhere and truly save cash within the course of. Samsung is not maintaining with the Joneses, however remains to be charging like it’s. If it is nearly specs or worth to your cash, this is not the most effective flagship telephone, however the software program and distinctive help system behind it — circumstances, equipment, compatibility, and even restore help — may make the excessive worth price it ultimately.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely’s Privateness Show and spectacular OS outshine the pack, providing you with loads of causes to decide on Samsung’s newest flagship.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely: Worth Comparability
