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Our Samsung Galaxy S26 Review

The Samsung Galaxy S26 continues Samsung’s tradition of offering a compact flagship with premium features, powerful performance and long-term software support. While the design and camera setup remain very similar to, if not entirely the same as, the Galaxy S25, the new model introduces a faster processor, a larger battery and enhanced AI features through Android 16 and One UI 8.5.

It also benefits from improvements across the broader Galaxy S26 range, which emphasises AI-powered tools, improved connectivity and stronger integration with Samsung’s ecosystem of wearables and devices.

For many users, the S26 offers the same premium experience as its predecessor but with a little more longevity and power under the hood.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Design

The Galaxy S26 keeps the sleek design language seen on the S25, with a slim aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass protection and IP68 water and dust resistance. Samsung has kept the compact form factor intact, with the device measuring around 149.6×71.7×7.2mm and weighing about 167g, making it one of the most pocket-friendly flagship phones available.

Compared with the Galaxy S25, the overall design remains almost identical, meaning anyone upgrading from last year’s model will find the same familiar feel in the hand. The main difference is internal rather than external, with improvements focused on performance and battery capacity.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Display

Samsung slightly increased the screen size this year, with the S26 featuring a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display compared with the S25’s 6.2-inch panel. The display still offers 120 Hz refresh rates, HDR support and vibrant colours typical of Samsung’s flagship devices.

A notable addition across the Galaxy S26 range is Samsung’s new Privacy Display concept, designed to reduce how visible the screen is when viewed from the side - helping prevent so-called “shoulder surfing” in public places like trains or cafés. 

The technology works by altering how light is emitted from the OLED pixels so the display remains clear for the user directly in front of it while appearing dimmer or harder to read from wider angles.

In practice, this feature can be useful for users who regularly check sensitive information such as messages, banking apps or emails while in public. 

However, similar technologies can slightly affect brightness or viewing angles, meaning some users may prefer the traditional unrestricted display experience depending on how they use their phone.

Overall, the S26’s display remains bright, sharp and colourful, and the slightly larger panel makes media consumption and gaming feel more immersive than on the previous generation.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Camera

Samsung sticks with a familiar and reliable camera setup:

• 50 MP main wide camera
• 12 MP ultrawide camera
• 10 MP telephoto camera with 3× optical zoom
• 12 MP front camera

This configuration is identical to the Galaxy S25’s hardware, which means the improvements here mainly come from software and AI image processing rather than new sensors.

Samsung’s camera software enhancements help deliver better HDR processing, improved night photography and enhanced editing tools powered by Galaxy AI.

While the camera system remains strong, those seeking a major hardware upgrade may need to look toward the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which carries Samsung’s most advanced photography setup.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Performance

Under the hood, the S26 introduces a new generation chipset - either the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for those in the US and Canada, or Samsung’s Exynos 2600for everyone else in the world - delivering a noticeable boost in CPU and GPU performance compared with the Galaxy S25.

The phone also features 12 GB of RAM and launches with Android 16, giving it a smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks, gaming and multitasking.

Samsung continues its industry-leading software policy with up to seven years of Android and security updates, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date well into the future.

Compared with rivals like the Google Pixel 10 or iPhone 17, the Galaxy S26 focuses heavily on AI integration, bringing tools such as intelligent photo editing, contextual suggestions and smarter assistant features.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Battery & Charging

One of the most notable improvements over the S25 is the battery. The Galaxy S26 increases capacity to around 4,300 mAh, up from 4,000 mAh in the previous generation.

Charging speeds remain similar to the previous model, with 25 W wired charging and wireless charging support, meaning Samsung continues to prioritise efficiency and battery longevity rather than ultra-fast charging speeds.

The increased capacity combined with the newer chipset should result in slightly longer battery life in real-world usage.

How much is the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Galaxy S26 launches as Samsung’s entry-level flagship in the S-series line-up, with prices starting at £879.

Samsung has also removed the 128 GB entry model, meaning the base configuration now starts at 256GB of storage.

• 256 GB - £879
• 512 GB - £1049

The phone is available in several colour options, including classic finishes like Black, White and Sky Blue and Cobalt Violet. You’ll also find two exclusive colours of Pink Gold and Silver Shadow if you buy through Samsung.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Our Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a refined evolution of the Galaxy S25 rather than a radical redesign. The slightly larger display, upgraded chipset and bigger battery make it a more capable device overall, while the familiar design and camera hardware keep the user experience consistent.

For anyone upgrading from an older Galaxy device such as the S23 or S24, the S26 delivers meaningful improvements in performance, AI features and longevity. However, owners of the Galaxy S25 may find the changes fairly incremental.