Samsung Galaxy S26+ Review: Everything you Want, Nothing More

Value When Reviewed

From $1,099

Greatest Costs In the present day: Samsung Galaxy S26+

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the center little one of the South Korean agency’s trio of latest flagship telephones for 2026, offering customers with a much bigger show expertise over the bottom mannequin S26, at a worth which isn’t fairly as prohibitive because the S26 Extremely.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S26 sequence, like its predecessors, provide a handful of incremental {hardware} upgrades, whereas the agency’s focus stays firmly on its AI proposition.

It means there’s not an enormous quantity that’s new on the {hardware} facet of issues over the Galaxy 25+ this telephone is changing, with a lot of the motion occurring within the software program and with AI.

And with Samsung growing the costs throughout the entire S26 sequence this 12 months, the Galaxy S26+ finds itself battling it out with wonderful big-screen smartphones such because the OnePlus 15, which is cheaper.

The S26+ is a little bit of a black sheep when in comparison with Apple’s and Google’s trio of flagships. Each of these go for two ‘Professional’ fashions, and a single base mannequin, whereas Samsung is constant with the Extremely as its solely true Professional mannequin rival, with the S26+ only a bigger display model of the S26.

In actual fact, the Galaxy S26+ is similar worth because the Google Pixel 10 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional. Whereas each of those telephones have smaller shows than the Samsung, they do inherit extra high-end options.

How a lot you worth Samsung’s One UI software program and the AI additions will doubtless decide whether or not or not the Galaxy S26+ is the telephone for you.

Design & Construct

• Acquainted design, premium and well-built
• IP68 rated towards mud and water, permitting it to outlive a dunk within the tub
• These with smaller fingers would possibly wish to go for the S26 as an alternative

If you happen to’re aware of Samsung’s previous few flagship sequence, the design of the Galaxy S26+ will provide up a certain quantity of deja vu. 

The blueprint for the telephone has been saved just about the identical, with the very same dimensions because the S25+, which itself was solely fractionally totally different to the S24+.

Whereas it’s slightly disappointing to not see Samsung push the boundaries of design, on the similar time, the present design is smooth, premium and practical. Because the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it.

The one visible change for the Galaxy S26+ is discovered on the rear, the place the trio of cameras now reside on a vertical, oval island. Because the cameras themselves are raised above the island, it means the digital camera array as an entire protrudes slightly extra.

This isn’t an enormous subject, however it’s one thing that irks me – and is a matter with all telephones which have a digital camera array within the nook – because the telephone isn’t steady when positioned on a desk or desk. Faucet away and the entire thing wobbles and I fear for the cameras. A case can clear up this wobble, although, should you’re in any respect involved.

A case may even give you extra grip, as whereas the graceful glass and metallic end look nice, it’s additionally fairly slippy.

There are additionally some new colors, although I bought the plain Black to assessment. If you happen to don’t need one of many core Black, White, Sky Blue or Cobalt Violet choices, then head to Samsung’s official retailer for the unique Silver Shadow or Pink Gold.

smooth, premium and practical

The excellent news is the S26+ may be very nicely made. Its Armor Aluminium body, and strengthened Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass appears and feels stylish. The facility and quantity buttons on the fitting have a pleasant tactility to them, and the slender bezels around the display full the premium aesthetic.

You additionally get IP68 mud and water safety, which means the Galaxy S26+ can survive immersion in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour. Useful should you unintentionally let it slip within the bathtub.

A fast phrase of warning on the dimensions of this telephone, although. Because the S26+ has a 6.7-inch show, it’s tall and broad. These with smaller fingers would possibly choose its compact sibling, the Galaxy S26, which has a 6.3-inch display for simpler one-handed operation.

Display screen & Audio system

• Splendidly sharp, vibrant display
• Nice for gaming and video streaming
• Not fairly as vibrant as some rivals

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ encompasses a wonderful 6.7-inch AMOLED show that pops with color, and the QHD+ (3120 x 1440) decision means this can be a panel full of pixels, with a density of 516ppi.

A splendidly sharp display, which is nice for streaming video and taking part in video games

That’s extra pixels per inch than each of its siblings (even the S26 Extremely), in addition to the Pixel 10 Professional duo (495ppi & 486ppi) and the 2 iPhone 17 Professional handsets (each 460ppi).

Then there’s Samsung’s “cell Digital Pure Picture engine” (mDNIe), which is alleged to supply “4 instances higher processing precision for richer tones.” The consequence? A splendidly sharp display, which is nice for streaming video and taking part in video games.

One space the place the display is let down barely is brightness. The Galaxy S26+ has a peak brightness of 2600 nits, which is considerably decrease than the Pixel 10 Professional (3300 nits) and iPhone 17 Professional (3000 nits). It’s higher than the OnePlus 15, although, which solely manages 1800 nits.

What this implies in actual life continues to be good visibility in direct daylight, however it’s not fairly as clear in these conditions because the Apple and Google handsets on the similar worth.

The show helps 1-120Hz variable refresh charge, permitting players to dial up efficiency once they want it, whereas additionally permitting the S26+ to dial the refresh charge all the way in which down for static textual content pages to assist preserve vitality. A excessive refresh charge additionally means easy scrolling, which makes the One UI 8.5 interface really feel slick underneath thumb.

That is changing into an more and more commonplace characteristic throughout smartphone screens, so it’s good to see Samsung maintaining with the competitors right here. The OnePlus 15 leads the mainstream pack at 165Hz, although it’s a case of diminishing returns.

Simply observe, you don’t get Samsung’s new, world-first privateness show, which is unique to the S26 Extremely.

You additionally get stereo audio system on the Galaxy S26+, offering pleasing sound when held panorama for video or gameplay. Quantity goes to an honest stage and doesn’t get too distorted, and there’s Bluetooth connectivity if you’d like improved sound by way of headphones or an exterior speaker. 

There isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is not any shock, as this was ditched some time again on the flagship S sequence.

Specs & Efficiency

• World’s first 2nm chipset and 12GB of RAM
• Redesigned vapour chamber for improved thermal administration
• Select from 256GB or 512GB, no bodily expandable storage choice

The Galaxy S26+ (and its non-plus sibling) options the world’s first 2nm chipset, Samsung’s Exynos 2600. Samsung claims its new chip provides a 36% enchancment in NPU for quicker AI, a 23% GPU enchancment, and a 7% improve in CPU processing over the chip discovered within the S25+.

A take a look at the Galaxy S26+’s Geekbench 6 multi-core rating (10,610) confirms the ability uplift over the S25+ (9,430) – though it’s nonetheless outperformed by the OnePlus 15 (11,134), which has the identical Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset because the pricier S26 Extremely.

Not less than that is the case in most markets, whereas the 8 Elite Gen 5 is contained in the S26+ should you stay within the US or China.

efficiency remained stable even throughout extended gaming classes

Whereas the chipset provides higher efficiency, it additionally stays cooler than its predecessor due to a redesigned vapour chamber. This permits generated warmth to be unfold extra effectively, stopping the telephone from overheating.

The Galaxy S26+ does get heat, and I observed this significantly when working the benchmarking checks and taking part in intensive video games equivalent to Name of Obligation Cellular. The warmth by no means bought to extreme ranges, although and efficiency remained stable even throughout extended gaming classes.

Talking of which, I used to be in a position to play Name of Obligation Cellular with graphics and framerate set to ‘very excessive’, and Samsung’s Recreation Booster set to efficiency to channel the vast majority of the telephone’s energy to the sport. Gameplay was easy and there was no apparent lag throughout matches, though a number of the menus might be slightly sluggish at instances.

In brief, there’s loads of energy underneath the hood for the overwhelming majority of customers. Gameplay is slick, the interface flows properly, and AI duties don’t require an excessive amount of ready round, whether or not you’re asking Gemini one thing difficult or getting Galaxy AI to mashup your pictures (extra on this shortly).

I did discover the fingerprint scanner isn’t as fast at studying my digits as another telephones. I’m solely speaking a cut up second on so, however the fingerprint scanners on the Pixel 10 Professional and OnePlus 15 are a beat faster, which means your finger doesn’t should linger fairly as lengthy to get unlocked.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus benchmarks

Cameras

• Triple rear cameras have the identical {hardware} specs because the S25+
• A reliable snapper, however zoom capabilities are crushed by others
• Horizon Lock is a magical characteristic that videographers will love

On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ cameras haven’t modified from the Galaxy S25+ or S24+. You continue to get three snappers on the again, with the principle 50Mp, f/1.8 digital camera joined by a 10Mp, f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12Mp, f/2.2 ultrawide.

It means common pictures efficiency is much like final 12 months’s mannequin. The primary 50Mp performs nicely in good mild, with pictures taken outdoor on a sunny day, packing readability and color.

The shutter is responsive, and the Galaxy S26+ does a superb job at being an easy-to-use point-and-shoot machine. The primary digital camera additionally provides up the 2x optical zoom, offering crisp pictures nearer up, whereas the 3x zoom doesn’t produce photos which are fairly as completed with the decrease decision sensor at play.

You may transcend the optical zoom settings, all the way in which as much as a 30x digital zoom. Whereas this will get you lots shut sufficient to things within the distance, there’s a definite lack of element whenever you’re zooming at this distance. Professional Res Zoom on the Pixel 10 Professional does a significantly better job at delivering clearer pictures at this stage.

Simply kind or converse the edits you need, and Galaxy AI will oblige

This stage of zoom is simply accessible when the principle digital camera is ready to seize 12Mp pictures, which is the default setting. There’s an icon on the prime of the display within the digital camera app which lets you toggle between 12Mp and 50Mp – with the latter limiting you to 5x zoom, and the pictures produced are three to 4 instances the file measurement of their 12Mp counterparts.

I’d suggest sticking to the default 12Mp setting, because it delivers nice pictures and offers you the complete vary of zoom choices. The primary motive to change to 50Mp mode is whenever you wish to do heavy modifying – extra than simply taking part in round with the instruments within the Samsung Gallery app on the telephone.

Samsung has improved the low-light efficiency of its cameras with the S26 sequence, with the Galaxy 26+ in a position to maximise the little mild accessible to ship photos that are brighter and clearer than viewing the scene with a human eye.

Photographs have a superb stage of element, and provides the impression scenes are higher lit than they really are. You may alter publicity and brightness to carry the outcomes extra according to real-life, however for these desirous to seize higher readability in low mild, the S26+ does a superb job.

You may document video as much as 8K at 60fps, however the brand new toy Samsung has added throughout the entire Galaxy S26 sequence is Horizon Lock. This allows you to maintain your shot stage, even should you’re shifting the telephone round. 

It sounds slightly like witchcraft, however it works surprisingly nicely, with the power to rotate the handset just about 360 levels whereas protecting your video’s horizon stage the entire time.

It’s a neat social gathering trick to point out buddies, and for these of you who shoot a number of video in your telephone, it is going to undoubtedly be a helpful characteristic.

Across the entrance, you get a 12Mp, f/2.2 selfie snapper – once more, the identical {hardware} specs because the earlier two generations of this telephone. That’s not a foul factor although, as this stays an honest selfie snapper. 

It’s not going to blow you away with high quality, however portrait mode does nicely to separate your face from the background it’s blurring – though a number of the edges between the 2 generally is a little undefined on nearer inspection.

When you’ve captured your pictures, head to the Samsung Gallery app to make use of Photograph Help, which employs Galaxy AI to edit your pictures. Simply kind or converse the edits you need, and Galaxy AI will oblige. 

neither are game-changing, and aren’t causes alone to purchase the S26+

It did a fairly good job of fixing the background of a selfie and adjusting the lighting to make it seem as if I used to be on a seaside. If I posted it on social, there’d be a good few individuals who’d take it at face worth as they scroll – bar the very fact I’m carrying a hoodie in what seems to be wonderful climate.

So I requested Galaxy AI to take away the hoodie and go away me with my t-shirt. It duly obliged, however on the similar time, it softened my pores and skin additional, which made the picture look pretend.

One other AI transfer you possibly can pull is merging two photos into one. If, for instance, you may have an image of your canine, and one other picture of you and your accomplice, you possibly can ask Galaxy AI to carry the canine into your image.

Outcomes range relying on the poses of everybody and the way simply AI can mix your pet into the brand new picture. All AI-edited pictures get an “AI-generated content material” watermark within the backside left nook, which is nice to see – however it’s simply cropped out if somebody wished to cover the very fact AI was used.

These AI modifying options are intelligent, and you might have a number of enjoyable with them – however neither are game-changing, and aren’t causes alone to purchase the S26+.

Battery life & Charging

• Battery stays the identical measurement as predecessors
• Improved effectivity and thermal administration
• A full day is snug on a single cost
• Charging speeds nonetheless lag behind a number of the competitors

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ battery is similar measurement because the earlier two generations of the ‘Plus’ handset, with a capability of 4900mAh. A possible trigger for concern, particularly when you think about a equally priced rival such because the OnePlus 15 has a mammoth 7300mAh energy pack due to Silicon-carbon tech (SiC).

However there are positives. Because of the 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, the Galaxy S26+ runs extra effectively, and with the improved vapour chamber for this sequence, warmth is healthier managed, and subsequently much less energy is consumed.

The result’s a battery that may final a complete day (and a bit extra) on a single cost, with over six hours of screen-on time. It’s a modest enchancment over the S25+, however an enchancment nonetheless.

Samsung nonetheless lags behind others in terms of charging speeds

A transparent instance of the modest enchancment comes from Samsung’s personal quoted stats, the place it claims the Galaxy S26+ battery can last as long as 31 hours with video playback. The S25+ got here with a quoted 30 hours of video playback.

What I did get although, was confidence once I went out for the night after a busy work day, that the telephone would final till I returned house later.

Samsung nonetheless lags behind others in terms of charging speeds too, with the likes of Oppo, OnePlus and Xiaomi all providing a lot quicker wired (and wi-fi) top-ups. Wired charging stays the identical at 45W, though Samsung claims you possibly can rise up to 69% energy in simply half-hour.

My checks with a high-powered 45W charging block didn’t discover charging to be fairly that fast. I used to be in a position to replenish 20% in quarter-hour and 42% inside half-hour. I regained 75% after an hour, and a full cost took an hour and a half.

You don’t get a fast-charging block within the field although, only a USB-C to USB-C cable, so that you’ll should buy one should you don’t already personal one.

Wi-fi charging has improved, nonetheless, although solely in velocity, as Samsung hasn’t but added Qi2 magnetic charging constructed into the telephone like Google and Apple rivals.

It’s 33% quicker at 20W, although the S26 Extremely goes additional to 25W.

Software program & Apps

• One UI 8.5 constructed on Android 16
• Galaxy AI, Bixby and Google Gemini all onboard
• Seven years of OS and safety updates

The Samsung Galaxy S26+, and the entire of the S26 sequence, include the South Korean agency’s One UI 8.5 software program interface out of the field. It’s constructed on Android 16, however Samsung provides in an entire bunch of extra instruments and options so that you can play with.

It means there’s a big selection of customisation choices on your lock display, house display, widgets, notification bar and extra. It additionally means Samsung’s Galaxy AI is baked into the core of the working system, delivering sensible help all through the interface.

That features Now Transient and Now Bar, the latter of which seems in your lockscreen (and in a default homescreen widget – however this may be moved, resized, or eliminated fully should you don’t wish to see it).

Now Transient learns your utilization habits and each day patterns, and presents you with helpful, contextual data all through the day, equivalent to calendar appointments, health statistics and sleep scores. It additionally delivers summaries within the morning, afternoon, and night. 

Now Transient isn’t new for the S26 sequence, however Now Nudge is a brand new Samsung characteristic. We’ve seen the same characteristic roll out for Google’s Pixel telephones, the place the providers can perceive the context of a messaging dialog you’re having and counsel contextual data related to the chat.

Say your buddy messages you asking when the restaurant reservation is booked for tonight. Galaxy AI can perceive this request, discover the reply in your messages, after which immediate you by way of Now Nudge with the reply – all with out having to depart the dialog. It’s tremendous helpful.

For it to work, you have to to log in to your Samsung account, and it’s at present supported on a restricted choice of messaging apps, together with Samsung Messages, Google Messages, Google Chat, WhatsApp, WhatsApp Enterprise, Sign and Instagram (DMs solely).

Bixby is on the prepared for any system questions you might need (lastly making itself genuinely helpful)

One other AI inclusion that I like is the reinvigorated Bixby assistant. Samsung now payments Bixby as a ‘private system controller’, and you’ll ask it varied issues about your telephone.

Discovering the textual content measurement slightly small in your S26+? Simply ask Bixby to extend the dimensions and it’ll oblige. It saves you having to trawl by sub-menus within the Settings app, or attempt to bear in mind the precise identify Samsung gave to a characteristic. Bixby can perceive dialog textual content or speech, and might train you find out how to use options in addition to make changes for you.

So that you’ve bought Galaxy AI powering the intelligence behind the scenes, and Bixby is on the prepared for any system questions you might need (lastly making itself genuinely helpful), however there’s one other AI at play too.

Google’s Gemini is able to chat with you, serving to you analysis, be taught and work. Google can be providing its up to date Circle to Search characteristic first on the Galaxy S26 sequence.

Now, whenever you circle one thing on display, it may possibly discover a number of gadgets on the similar time. I attempted this out on an image of a male mannequin sitting on a motorbike. Whereas it did an inexpensive job at figuring out varied clothes gadgets, it did get confused between the shirt and shorts the mannequin was carrying, and their footwear. 

The characteristic will doubtless enhance with time, and I can see the worth for these trying to mirror a match they just like the look of.

As ordinary, Samsung provides lengthy software program help with seven years of OS and safety updates. That is class-leading, together with the likes of Google Pixel. 

Value & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ worth begins at £1,099/$1,099 for the 256GB storage mannequin. In order for you extra inside house, the 512GB configuration will set you again £1,269/$1,299.

That’s greater than the Galaxy S25+ it replaces, with a rise of £100/$100 on the 256GB mannequin, and an additional £170/$100 for 512GB. It’s additionally extensively accessible on contract from main carriers, should you’d choose to unfold the price.

When you can, you need to take up Samsung’s provide of double storage free of charge, getting you the 512GB mannequin for the worth of the bottom version. It’s additionally accessible at retailers equivalent to Amazon.

Take a look at our present suggestions for the very best telephones.

Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a stable flagship system delivering what you’d anticipate, with out rewriting the rule ebook or providing something significantly distinctive.

If you happen to’re after a large-screen flagship that’s nice for gaming and video streaming, however don’t wish to stretch to the S26 Extremely’s asking worth, the Galaxy S26+ matches the invoice nicely. 

You’ll get top-of-the-line AI implementations, too, with the mix of Galaxy AI, Bixby, and Google Gemini offering a complete suite of instruments to dig into.

Nonetheless, if you’d like a big-screen flagship which supplies you critical bang-for-buck, the OnePlus 15 can be the higher alternative with extra energy underneath the hood, improbable battery life, and a lower cost tag.

And whereas the digital camera setup on the S26+ holds its personal in a crowded market, the equally priced (however admittedly smaller-screened) Pixel 10 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional have stronger pictures chops.

With no main developments over earlier generations, homeowners of the Galaxy S25+ or S24+ ought to persist with what they at present have in hand, however when you’ve got something older, you’ll positively really feel the distinction. 

In all, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has every little thing you’d need from a flagship; massive display, loads of energy, succesful cameras, and a number of the greatest AI on a telephone. It’s value contemplating, particularly should you’re a Samsung fan.

Specs

• One UI 8.5, based mostly on Android 16
• 6.7-inch, 1440 x 3120, AMOLED, 120Hz
• Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner
• Samsung Exynos 2600 (2nm) (Snapdragon in USA)
• 12GB RAM
• 256/512GB
• Cameras:
• 50Mp fundamental sensor
• 12Mp ultrawide
• 10Mp 3x telephoto
• 12Mp selfie digital camera
• As much as 8K @ 30fps rear video
• Stereo audio system
• SIM 1 + eSIM / Twin eSIM
• Wi-Fi 7
• Bluetooth 6.0
• 4900mAh battery
• 45W wired charging
• 20W wi-fi charging
• 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm
• IP68 licensed
• 190g
• Colors: Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White
• Samsung.com unique colors: Silver Shadow, Pink Gold