After one more modest improve, you could be questioning what can be probably the most smart choose between the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the year-old Samsung Galaxy S25+. In spite of everything, it appears just like the latter will get you loads of the way in which there at a extra affordable beginning value.
However not every part turns into instantly obvious from the spec sheet alone. There are nonetheless some under-the-hood adjustments that want exploring. One instance is the chipset. With the S26 collection, Samsung is again to the dual-chip technique for almost all of the markets, leaving locations like Europe and South Korea with the Exynos 2600, whereas the US, China and Japan get all of the S26 telephones within the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 taste.
For context, final yr’s S25 collection was solely powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, so this comparability might be significantly of curiosity to customers deciding between the Snapdragon from final yr and the Exynos this yr. Stick round to seek out out.
Desk of Contents:
For starters, you may evaluate the whole specs sheets or instantly proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the following textual content.
Measurement comparability
Relating to dimension and construct, there’s not a lot to speak about. Except for the comparatively minor change within the digicam stack design, the 2 Galaxy S Pluses are an identical. Each are an identical in dimension, function the identical Armor aluminum 2 body and are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 sheets on the back and front. There is no change within the IP68 ingress safety and weight both.
You do get a set of recent colours, in fact. This yr, they appear a tad extra muted and extra “severe”.
Nonetheless, subjectively talking, we predict the S25+ has a slight edge over the S26+ resulting from its easier digicam design. The S26+ wobbles like loopy when positioned on a flat floor. Absolutely, it is a minor inconvenience, and a few will in all probability favor the newer design in any case.
Show comparability
Nothing out of the abnormal this yr within the show division both. The 2 units are seemingly geared up with an identical screens that includes the identical decision, measuring 6.7″ in diagonal and supporting as much as 120Hz. Each LTPO, in fact.
Our show brightness exams verify that, exhibiting the identical 1,400+ nits outcome.
Battery life
Opposite to our expectations, the 2 telephones do not present the identical battery endurance, regardless of sharing an an identical show and battery capability. By some means, Samsung managed to squeeze out a bit extra from the 4,900 mAh battery this yr. It might be the Exynos, nevertheless it may be the newer One UI software program. We will solely speculate.
The actual fact of the matter is that the Galaxy S26+ carried out higher within the internet looking and video streaming exams. However, it falls behind its predecessor on the subject of 4G calling. Usually, although, the newer Plus is best on the subject of battery endurance, evidenced by the upper general Energetic Use Rating.
Charging pace
With the 2 telephones supporting the identical 45W charging energy over Energy Supply and having the identical batteries, it is no marvel that they scored equally in our charging take a look at. The small variations you see might be resulting from minor adjustments in ambient temperature or simply statistical error.
Speaker take a look at
Whereas the Galaxy S25 Plus has a louder set of audio system, the S26 Plus gives higher tuning. The latter has a hotter, deeper sound with out overpowering the vocals and mids. So if we had to decide on, we would undoubtedly go for the newer Plus. In addition to, the loudness distinction is considerably negligible.
Efficiency
The efficiency part is probably going probably the most attention-grabbing one, as that is the one significant {hardware} change. All the world obtained a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy-powered S25+ final yr, whereas the 2026 mannequin within the US, China and Japan will get Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, whereas the remainder of the world will get the brand new Exynos 2600.
One key distinction between the 2 chipsets is that the Exynos 2600 is predicated on a 2nm manufacturing course of, whereas the SD8 Elite is 3nm. Additionally, the Exynos makes use of an AMD-designed Xclipse 960 GPU, whereas the Snapdragon depends on an in-house Adreno 830 GPU.
There aren’t any adjustments to the reminiscence configurations, although. Each units supply a base 12/256GB configuration and are additionally out there in a 12GB/512GB taste.
Benchmark efficiency
As one would anticipate, the Exynos 2600 is an improve over final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, beating its rival in all three exams above. The newer Galaxy outperforms the older one within the CPU-bound Geekbench 6 and the GPU-intensive 3DMark Wild Life Excessive exams by round 13%. The mixed AnTuTu 10 benchmark reveals a barely greater 15% hole.
The Exynos appears to have an edge over the SD8 Elite in our sustained efficiency situation, too, which is sweet information for avid gamers.
Digital camera comparability
The adjustments within the digicam {hardware} this yr are minimal, although the S26 Plus does change a factor or two in comparison with the S25 Plus. It is utilizing a brand new sensor for its foremost digicam – an Isocell GNG, which is by all accounts an replace to the GN3 sensor of yesteryear with the identical key specs – a 1/1.56″ optical format (or 1/1.57″, relying on who you ask), 50MP nominal decision, 1.0µm pixel dimension.
Unchanged is the sensor dimension on the telephoto digicam, at 1/3.94″, nevertheless it’s seemingly a special sensor – our S26 Plus says it is obtained the 3LD mannequin vs the 3K1 of the earlier technology. The ultrawide digicam must be same-same (1/2.55″, no AF).
A improvement of some consequence is the brand new lens on the selfie digicam – all of the S26s get a 23mm equal lens rather than the 25-26mm on the older fashions.
Picture high quality
For the needs of the digicam comparability, we’ll be taking a look at images taken on the Galaxy S26 Plus towards ones captured with the Galaxy S25 non-Plus. Final yr’s fashions had an identical digicam setups for the 2 sizes, so the small one must be consultant of the S25 Plus’ efficiency simply as nicely.
Daylight
Principal digicam daylight images are fairly comparable at 1x, although we’d say that the brand new mannequin has a finer element construction and appears extra pleasing at 1:1 due to it. Colours are additionally a contact extra saturated – no less than the grass is greener, for positive.
Daylight comparability, foremost digicam (1x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
To some extent, these tendencies stay the identical at 2x – the brand new mannequin has lusher greens, and it is a bit bit sharper.
Daylight comparability, foremost digicam (2x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
At 3x zoom, the S26 Plus is as soon as once more a bit extra enthusiastic with its greenery. Element processing is wanting barely totally different in some cases (brickwork is extra closely sharpened on the previous mannequin, possibly so too is brightly lit grass). It is actually small variations we’re speaking about – actually not one thing that might make you select one over the opposite.
Daylight samples, telephoto digicam (3x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Transferring over to the ultrawides, it’s kind of extra of the identical. You might spot some minute variations, however we would be shocked if any of them would assist anybody make up their thoughts.
Daylight comparability, ultrawide digicam (0.6x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Low mild
Galaxies have been straying off the suitable path with their full-auto low-light efficiency for a number of years, and the 2026 fashions are in all probability even much less convincing as soon as it goes darkish than the 2025 bunch. That is to not say they can not produce good outcomes, however relatively that they will not all the time do it routinely, and forcing them in the suitable course is not all the time potential.
For what it is price, foremost digicam outcomes are marginally higher out of the S26 Plus than the S25 Plus – more often than not. Neither is nice, it is simply that the brand new mannequin simply may expose brighter and be a bit bit cleaner – not all the time, however for example that the stats are in its favor.
Low-light comparability, foremost digicam (1x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Issues can get a bit bizarre on the S26+ in the event you dial up the auto evening mode to the max – we noticed these coloration shifts on the S26 non-Plus too. The previous mannequin’s devoted evening mode is extra dependable in its efficiency. To be truthful, you may have a standalone evening mode on the S26+, you simply want to put in the in-house Digital camera Assistant app and allow it from there – that can typically get you a 3rd totally different picture.
Low-light comparability, foremost digicam (1x), max evening mode: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
There is no clear winner at 2x both. In the event you go away each telephones to their very own units, possibly the S26 Plus might be barely higher. With evening mode thrown into the combination, it is also not all the time apparent if one is best than the opposite.
Low-light comparability, foremost digicam (2x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Maxing out the auto evening mode processing does not make the distinction between the 2 extra dramatic – we would be exhausting pressed to call a decisive winner.
Low-light comparability, foremost digicam (2x), max evening mode: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
At 3x zoom, the 2 telephones take considerably totally different approaches, with the S26 Plus’ images sometimes being softer, whereas the S25 Plus outcomes are noisier.
Low-light samples, telephoto digicam (3x): Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
The evening mode counterparts are extra universally likable on the S26+, so that you may depend that as a win for the brand new mannequin.
Low-light samples, telephoto digicam (3x), evening mode: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Taking pictures on the ultrawides, it is anybody’s guess which telephone will take the higher image half the time it is the S26+, half the time it is the previous one.
Low-light comparability, ultrawide digicam: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
It is barely extra in line with evening mode outcomes, the place the S26+ kind of has the higher hand generally.
Low-light comparability, ultrawide digicam, evening mode: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Selfies
The yet one more apparent change within the Galaxy cameras this yr is the broader lens on the selfie digicam, and we admire the additional protection. It does not harm that it is also that further bit sharper. The previous one is sweet too, however the brand new one is best.
Selfies comparability: Galaxy S26+ • Galaxy S25+
Video high quality
Each telephones supply an identical video recording capabilities on the subject of the large stuff, with 4K60 on all cameras, 8K30 on the primary rear ones, and decently succesful Professional video modes. There are two new additions that include the S26 Plus – the Horizon lock stabilization mode and the power to make use of LUTs when recording in Log – hardly groundbreaking stuff, but when both of these is your factor, then you could go together with the brand new mannequin.
For sensible functions, video high quality in daylight is identical between the 2 telephones. In the event you’re to stare lengthy sufficient from shut sufficient, you may suppose that the brand new mannequin’s 1x and 2x have barely stronger sharpening utilized, however that is about all of the distinction you may provide you with.
Daylight video screengrabs, Galaxy S26+: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
Daylight video screengrabs, Galaxy S25+: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
There is a bit extra of a distinction in low-light recording. The brand new ultrawide’s clips are sharper, and that applies to 1x footage from the primary digicam. (Additionally, to some extent, to the 2x clips, however these aren’t enjoyable to observe from both telephone). Oddly sufficient, it is the previous telephoto that’s doing higher, noticeably so. The S26+ tends to show brighter at 0.6x and 1x, which we do admire.
Low-light video screengrabs, Galaxy S26+: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 3x
Low-light video screengrabs, Galaxy S25+: 0.6x • 1x • 3x
Verdict
Except for the modest efficiency and battery life upgrades, the newer Galaxy S26 Plus has little to indicate for its greater value. Perhaps a tad nicer-sounding audio system and longer battery life may tip the scales for some customers, however usually, the cheaper Galaxy S25+ from final yr will get you precisely the place you could go and with much less stress in your pockets.
In Europe, the value hole is round €100-200, primarily based on third-party retailers’ gives. Within the US, the state of affairs is a bit difficult. The older Plus is tough to return by except you store from official Samsung channels, the place the gadget prices $1,000, whereas the S26+ goes for $1,100 on the similar Samsung official retailer. However, retailers like Amazon will gladly promote you the S26+ for round $850.
All in all, in case you are within the US, you could be higher off getting the newer Plus from third-party retailers. From a European perspective, nonetheless, the S25+ could be the smarter choose. We consider that the upgrades this yr are so negligible that even the considerably small €100-200 value distinction is tough to justify.
- The higher SoC and sustained efficiency.
- The higher audio system.
- The longer battery life.
- The broader and sharper selfies.
- The LUTs in Log video recording, Horizon lock stabilization
Get the Samsung Galaxy S26+ for:
- The cheaper price tag.
- The largely comparable consumer expertise.
Get the Samsung Galaxy S25+ for:
