I reviewed the Galaxy S26, but it’s not for everyone anymore

Samsung disappointed me by raising the price of the Galaxy S26. The company faced a difficult decision about its entry-level flagship. Samsung could go the Google Pixel 10a route, offering modest (if any) improvements over last year’s model while maintaining the same price. Samsung went the other direction. Thankfully, unlike Galaxy S26+ buyers, the company didn’t leave us empty-handed.

The Galaxy S26 features notable improvements over its predecessor, but that doesn’t make it an ideal choice for your next phone by default. It’s not for everyone, but if a compact flagship with premium specs speaks to you, then the Galaxy S26 might earn a spot in your pocket.

7.5/10

SoC

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Display dimensions

6.3 inches

Display resolution

1080p

The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s base flagship. It features a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution. It includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and 12GB of RAM. It ships with One UI 8.5 installed, and Samsung promises seven years of software support. In addition to the increased screen size, the S26 also features a larger 4,300mAh battery for 2026. 

Pros & Cons

• Gorgeous display
• Fantastic software experience
• Increased battery size

• Lackluster camera hardware
• Slow charging speeds

Samsung Galaxy S26: Specs

What’s under the hood?

The Galaxy S26 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with 12GB of RAM. It delivers top-tier performance, which is part of why the price has gone up this year. Still, if you’re in the market for the best, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is the top of the heap for a reason, even if you don’t necessarily need all that power.

If you’re looking for a compact smartphone in this price range, then the Pixel 10 is undoubtedly on your short list, but it’s not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. Google had different priorities for its entry-level flagship device, and the way you use your phone will determine which is right for you.

The Galaxy S26 is the more powerful smartphone, so if raw performance and gaming are what you’re after, it’s going to be the better choice. However, the overall user experience still favors the Pixel 10, thanks to its intuitive software design and excellent cameras. It’s a close call, for a few reasons we’ll discuss in a moment.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Price and availability

The Galaxy S26 is available on the Samsung site and at most major US carrier stores. You can also pick one up at Best Buy and other retailers. The base model includes 256GB of storage and starts at $900. If you want to upgrade to 512GB, it’ll cost you $1,000.

Unlike its more expensive siblings, the Galaxy S26+ and S26 Ultra, the standard S26 doesn’t support mmWave, so if that’s a concern for you, you might want to think about another model. The S26 is available in four main colors: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, White, and Black. Silver Shadow and Pink Gold are available as Samsung exclusives through its site.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Design and display

Premium feel, bright display

Samsung’s design language hasn’t significantly changed over the last few years, so you won’t notice a huge departure with the Galaxy S26. That’s not a bad thing, though. The S26 lives up to its billing as a compact flagship, measuring 7.2mm thick and weighing in at 167g. It’s a thin and light slate, and it’s an absolute joy to hold in the hand.

It also doesn’t lack in premium materials. Its front and back are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and it features an aluminum frame. It’s an unoffensive design, and it’s a phone you’ll enjoy carrying around in your pocket. All the buttons are solid, and the fingerprint sensor is snappy and responsive.

Much as you’d expect, the display is a highlight of the Galaxy S26. Samsung increased the size this year to 6.3 inches, and it’s a gorgeous, dynamic LPTO AMOLED panel, with a 1080p resolution. Sure, that’s not the QHD+ you get on Samsung’s larger flagships, but I don’t mind as much on a smaller display.

Without the Privacy Display of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the standard S26 has better viewing angles. The display is bright and vibrant, and I had no issues viewing it outdoors.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Cameras

Instagram-ready photos

If you’re looking to poke holes in the Galaxy S26, the cameras are a solid place to start. Samsung hasn’t shown much initiative in upgrading its camera hardware year over year. The Galaxy S26 features a 50MP primary sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. If those specs sound familiar, it’s because they are the same sensors that were featured on last year’s model.

It’s important to note that older camera hardware doesn’t necessarily mean the Galaxy S26 takes bad photos. Quite the opposite. I’ve come to prefer Samsung’s more vibrant color science, and the Galaxy S26 takes plenty of Instagram-ready images. I absolutely wish the company had included the wider aperture on the primary sensor that the S26 Ultra received, but low-light imagery is still solid on the S26.

Its 12MP front-facing camera does a solid job. It doesn’t blow out selfie shots, and edge-detection performed well in portrait mode. Unlike the speakers on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which I hated, the entire Galaxy S26 series features wonderful sound from its stereo speakers.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Battery

Will it last me all day?

Another area Samsung improved on in the Galaxy S26 is the battery. It now features a 4,300mAh cell, up from 4,000 in last year’s model. I appreciate Samsung making the battery bigger while keeping the phone’s frame at 7.2mm. I would’ve loved to see a silicon-carbon battery in the Galaxy S26 lineup this year, but that wasn’t meant to be.

Unfortunately, the base S26 doesn’t enjoy the charging speed upgrades that the S26 Ultra received. It’s still stuck at 25W wired charging, with 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging for those of you who insist on impressing your friends at bars by giving their iPhone an extra 2% charge over a couple of beverages.

You also won’t find Qi2 compatibility out of the box, as you do with the Pixel 10 lineup. Like last year, you’re dependent on cases if you want to use your Qi2 accessories with your Galaxy S26.

That said, the battery life is solid. I can easily make it through an entire day of use on a single charge, with plenty left over to get me to the evening of the second day. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 may be a high-powered chipset, but the Galaxy S26 only needs to power a 6.3-inch, 1080p display, which isn’t as big a drain on the battery.

Samsung Galaxy S26: Software

What’s under the hood

Samsung has been improving its software for years, and One UI 8.5 is a wonderful example. Android 16 runs smoothly on the Galaxy S26, and I enjoy a few of Samsung’s subtle changes. I like that I can now edit my Quick Panel to my liking, and I’m looking forward to Now Nudge — a feature that closely resembles Google’s Magic Cue.

I may not be the biggest fan of Galaxy AI, but it’s out in full force on the S26. Now Brief is right in your face, eager to give you the latest weather report and unrelated news stories. The Now Bar is a completely different story. I love what it adds to my lock screen, and it’s a fantastic way to control media, sports updates, and even Google Maps navigation.

As with all Samsung flagships of the last few years, the Galaxy S26 will enjoy 7 years of software support. It adds value to the phone, and I love that someone who doesn’t want to upgrade in a few years won’t be forced to unnecessarily. Call clarity is excellent on the Galaxy S26. I had no issues testing it on the T-Mobile network.

Should you buy a Galaxy S26?

I don’t love the idea of someone paying $900 for a Galaxy S26. It’s a lot of money for a compact flagship, even with the improvements Samsung has made this year. Still, it’s important to recognize that few people will be paying full price. Trade-in discounts and carrier finance deals will make the Galaxy S26 an attractive option.

All told, you’ll be pleased with the Galaxy S26 experience, especially if you’re a Samsung fan. If you’re looking for a compact flagship that gives you excellent raw performance and a gorgeous display, the S26 should make its way into your pocket.

7.5/10

SoC

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Display dimensions

6.3 inches

Display resolution

1080p

The Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s base flagship. It features a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution. It includes the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and 12GB of RAM. It ships with One UI 8.5 installed, and Samsung promises seven years of software support. In addition to the increased screen size, the S26 also features a larger 4,300mAh battery for 2026.