Switching telephones is at all times a chance. You anticipate one thing new, one thing thrilling – perhaps even one thing higher. And to be honest, the Galaxy S26 Extremely delivers on that promise in some ways. It is likely one of the most technically spectacular smartphones out there at present, packing a 6.85-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee, peak brightness reaching as much as 2,600 nits, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, which affords roughly a ten–15% efficiency increase over its predecessor.
However after spending time with it, I discovered myself in an odd place. The extra I appreciated what Samsung had constructed, the extra I began lacking my iPhone 17 Professional.
The Privateness Show has bought some actual trade-offs
The standout characteristic this 12 months is definitely Samsung’s Privateness Show. It makes use of pixel-level gentle management to limit viewing angles, successfully making your display screen unreadable from the edges. In concept, it’s sensible. In apply, it’s genuinely helpful – particularly in public areas like flights or metros the place shoulder browsing is an actual concern.
Samsung deserves credit score right here as a result of this isn’t simply software program trickery. It’s hardware-driven innovation, and that’s more and more uncommon in trendy smartphones.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely, angled for its Privateness Show. Tom Bedford / Digital Tendencies
However the second you flip it on, the compromises change into clear. The show dims noticeably, coloration accuracy takes a slight hit, and the general viewing expertise feels constrained. That is significantly noticeable as a result of the S26 Extremely’s panel is in any other case one of many brightest and most vibrant within the trade.
And that’s when the distinction hits you.
Apple doesn’t supply a privateness show. However it additionally doesn’t introduce options that degrade the core expertise. The iPhone method is slower, extra conservative – but additionally extra refined. You don’t get experimental options, however you additionally don’t take care of their trade-offs.
Digicam enhancements that don’t change the result
On paper, the S26 Extremely’s digital camera system sounds upgraded. The primary sensor now incorporates a wider f/1.4 aperture, whereas the telephoto sits at f/2.9, theoretically enhancing low-light efficiency. The cellphone retains its triple 50MP setup, together with a periscope zoom lens.
In isolation, the outcomes are wonderful. Pictures are sharp, brilliant, and social-media prepared.
iPhone 17 Professional Unsplash
However in comparison with the S25 Extremely, the variations are minimal. In most real-world eventualities, you’ll battle to inform which cellphone took which shot except you had been actively in search of it. Even benchmark comparisons and side-by-side assessments recommend that the development is incremental quite than transformative.
Tom Bedford / Digital Tendencies
In the meantime, the iPhone continues to excel in areas that matter daily – video consistency, coloration accuracy, and optimization for apps like Instagram and Snapchat. Apple’s computational pictures could not at all times push boundaries, however it delivers predictability.
Samsung is innovating. Apple is refining. And as a rule, refinement wins in every day use.
Efficiency and AI: Highly effective, however overwhelming
There isn’t a denying the uncooked energy of the S26 Extremely. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers top-tier efficiency, and the system handles every part – from gaming to multitasking – effortlessly. However the true focus this 12 months is AI.
Samsung has packed the cellphone with options: AI picture modifying, generative fill, object insertion, writing assistants, real-time translation, and contextual options via instruments like Now Temporary or Now Nudge. These options are technically spectacular, however they arrive with limitations. AI-generated photographs usually output at decrease resolutions – which doesn’t match the cellphone’s native show. Modifying photographs can cut back high quality by as much as 20–30%, making them much less sensible for long-term use.
Digital Tendencies
Extra importantly, many of those instruments really feel optionally available quite than important. They’re options you attempt, not options you depend on.
And over time, that begins to really feel exhausting.
The iPhone, by comparability, takes a special method. It integrates AI extra quietly, specializing in duties that enhance current workflows quite than introducing solely new ones. It does much less – however it does it extra persistently.
The irony of all of it
The S26 Extremely didn’t make me dislike Android. It jogged my memory why I preferred iOS.
As a result of whereas Samsung is experimenting with daring options – privateness shows, AI instruments, digital camera tweaks – Apple is specializing in stability, consistency, and polish. And that distinction turns into extra noticeable the longer you utilize each. The options you admire aren’t at all times those you miss.
My ultimate take
The Galaxy S26 Extremely is an distinctive system. It’s highly effective, modern, and filled with options that push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. However utilizing it didn’t really feel like an improve in my every day life. It felt like entering into a special philosophy. And generally, that’s sufficient to make you notice that what you worth isn’t innovation for its personal sake – however how seamlessly every part matches collectively.
And in that regard, I discovered myself lacking my iPhone 17 Professional greater than I anticipated.
