I reviewed the Galaxy S26, however it’s not for everybody anymore

Samsung disenchanted me by elevating the worth of the Galaxy S26. The corporate confronted a troublesome choice about its entry-level flagship. Samsung may go the Google Pixel 10a route, providing modest (if any) enhancements over final 12 months’s mannequin whereas sustaining the identical value. Samsung went the opposite path. Fortunately, in contrast to Galaxy S26+ consumers, the corporate didn’t go away us empty-handed.

The Galaxy S26 options notable enhancements over its predecessor, however that doesn’t make it a really perfect selection to your subsequent telephone by default. It’s not for everybody, but when a compact flagship with premium specs speaks to you, then the Galaxy S26 may earn a spot in your pocket.

7.5/10

SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Show dimensions: 6.3 inches
Show decision: 1080p

The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s base flagship. It includes a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED show with a 1080p decision. It consists of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and 12GB of RAM. It ships with One UI 8.5 put in, and Samsung guarantees seven years of software program help. Along with the elevated display dimension, the S26 additionally includes a bigger 4,300mAh battery for 2026.

Professionals & Cons

Attractive show
Unbelievable software program expertise
Elevated battery dimension

Lackluster digital camera {hardware}
Sluggish charging speeds

Samsung Galaxy S26: Specs

What’s underneath the hood?

The Galaxy S26 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with 12GB of RAM. It delivers top-tier efficiency, which is a part of why the worth has gone up this 12 months. Nonetheless, should you’re available in the market for one of the best, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the highest of the heap for a purpose, even should you don’t essentially want all that energy.

Should you’re on the lookout for a compact smartphone on this value vary, then the Pixel 10 is undoubtedly in your brief checklist, however it’s not precisely an apples-to-apples comparability. Google had totally different priorities for its entry-level flagship system, and the way in which you employ your telephone will decide which is best for you.

The Galaxy S26 is the extra highly effective smartphone, so if uncooked efficiency and gaming are what you’re after, it’s going to be the higher selection. Nevertheless, the general consumer expertise nonetheless favors the Pixel 10, because of its intuitive software program design and glorious cameras. It’s a detailed name, for a couple of causes we’ll focus on in a second.

SoC: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Show dimensions: 6.3 inches
Show decision: 1080p
RAM: 12GB
Storage: 256 or 512 GB
Battery: 4,300 mAh
Working System: Android
Weight: 167g
IP Ranking: IP68
Colours: Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold
Value: $900

Samsung Galaxy S26: Value and availability

Frame of the Samsung Galaxy S26 on a desk

The Galaxy S26 is offered on the Samsung website and at most main US service shops. It’s also possible to decide one up at Greatest Purchase and different retailers. The bottom mannequin consists of 256GB of storage and begins at $900. If you wish to improve to 512GB, it’ll price you $1,000.

Not like its costlier siblings, the Galaxy S26+ and S26 Extremely, the usual S26 doesn’t help mmWave, so if that’s a priority for you, you may wish to take into consideration one other mannequin. The S26 is offered in 4 essential colours: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, White, and Black. Silver Shadow and Pink Gold can be found as Samsung exclusives by means of its website.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Design and show

Premium really feel, brilliant show

Samsung Galaxy S26 display against a mall ceiling

Samsung’s design language hasn’t considerably modified over the previous few years, so that you received’t discover an enormous departure with the Galaxy S26. That’s not a foul factor, although. The S26 lives as much as its billing as a compact flagship, measuring 7.2mm thick and weighing in at 167g. It’s a skinny and light-weight slate, and it’s an absolute pleasure to carry within the hand.

It additionally doesn’t lack in premium supplies. Its back and front are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and it options an aluminum body. It’s an unoffensive design, and it’s a telephone you’ll take pleasure in carrying round in your pocket. All of the buttons are stable, and the fingerprint sensor is snappy and responsive.

A lot as you’d anticipate, the show is a spotlight of the Galaxy S26. Samsung elevated the dimensions this 12 months to six.3 inches, and it’s a beautiful, dynamic LPTO AMOLED panel, with a 1080p decision. Certain, that’s not the QHD+ you get on Samsung’s bigger flagships, however I do not thoughts as a lot on a smaller show.

With out the Privateness Show of the Galaxy S26 Extremely, the usual S26 has higher viewing angles. The show is brilliant and vibrant, and I had no points viewing it open air.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Cameras

Instagram-ready images

Should you’re seeking to poke holes within the Galaxy S26, the cameras are a stable place to start out. Samsung hasn’t proven a lot initiative in upgrading its digital camera {hardware} 12 months over 12 months. The Galaxy S26 includes a 50MP major sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. If these specs sound acquainted, it’s as a result of they’re the identical sensors that have been featured on final 12 months’s mannequin.

It’s necessary to notice that older digital camera {hardware} doesn’t essentially imply the Galaxy S26 takes dangerous images. Fairly the other. I’ve come to choose Samsung’s extra vibrant shade science, and the Galaxy S26 takes loads of Instagram-ready photographs. I completely want the corporate had included the broader aperture on the first sensor that the S26 Extremely obtained, however low-light imagery remains to be stable on the S26.

Its 12MP front-facing digital camera does a stable job. It doesn’t blow out selfie pictures, and edge-detection carried out effectively in portrait mode. Not like the audio system on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which I hated, your entire Galaxy S26 sequence options great sound from its stereo audio system.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Battery

Will it final me all day?

USB-C charging port seen on the Galaxy S26

One other space Samsung improved on within the Galaxy S26 is the battery. It now includes a 4,300mAh cell, up from 4,000 in final 12 months’s mannequin. I recognize Samsung making the battery greater whereas retaining the telephone’s body at 7.2mm. I’d’ve liked to see a silicon-carbon battery within the Galaxy S26 lineup this 12 months, however that wasn’t meant to be.

Sadly, the bottom S26 doesn’t benefit from the charging velocity upgrades that the S26 Extremely obtained. It’s nonetheless caught at 25W wired charging, with 15W wi-fi charging, and 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging for these of you who insist on impressing your mates at bars by giving their iPhone an additional 2% cost over a few drinks.

You additionally received’t discover Qi2 compatibility out of the field, as you do with the Pixel 10 lineup. Like final 12 months, you’re depending on instances if you wish to use your Qi2 equipment together with your Galaxy S26.

That mentioned, the battery life is stable. I can simply make it by means of a complete day of use on a single cost, with loads left over to get me to the night of the second day. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could also be a high-powered chipset, however the Galaxy S26 solely must energy a 6.3-inch, 1080p show, which isn’t as huge a drain on the battery.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Software program

What’s underneath the hood

Samsung has been enhancing its software program for years, and One UI 8.5 is an excellent instance. Android 16 runs easily on the Galaxy S26, and I take pleasure in a couple of of Samsung’s delicate modifications. I like that I can now edit my Fast Panel to my liking, and I’m trying ahead to Now Nudge — a function that intently resembles Google’s Magic Cue.

I will not be the largest fan of Galaxy AI, however it’s out in full drive on the S26. Now Temporary is correct in your face, wanting to provide the newest climate report and unrelated information tales. The Now Bar is a very totally different story. I like what it provides to my lock display, and it’s a unbelievable technique to management media, sports activities updates, and even Google Maps navigation.

As with all Samsung flagships of the previous few years, the Galaxy S26 will take pleasure in 7 years of software program help. It provides worth to the telephone, and I like that somebody who doesn’t wish to improve in a couple of years received’t be compelled to unnecessarily. Name readability is great on the Galaxy S26. I had no points testing it on the T-Cellular community.

Do you have to purchase a Galaxy S26?

I don’t love the thought of somebody paying $900 for a Galaxy S26. It’s some huge cash for a compact flagship, even with the enhancements Samsung has made this 12 months. Nonetheless, it’s necessary to acknowledge that few individuals can be paying full value. Commerce-in reductions and service finance offers will make the Galaxy S26 a lovely choice.

All informed, you’ll be happy with the Galaxy S26 expertise, particularly should you’re a Samsung fan. Should you’re on the lookout for a compact flagship that provides you glorious uncooked efficiency and a beautiful show, the S26 ought to make its approach into your pocket.