The Galaxy A26 is affordable, however its efficiency and show really feel caught prior to now. Whereas it will get the job executed for primary customers, higher alternate options exist in the identical value vary.
Value When Reviewed
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Finest Pricing In the present day
Finest Costs In the present day: Samsung Galaxy A26
£299
The Galaxy A26 is considered one of Samsung’s 2025 makes an attempt to compete within the finances smartphone area.
Sitting under the favored A36 and A56 fashions however above the A16 and A16 5G, this entry-level system tries to ship the fundamentals at a value that received’t break the financial institution. It arrives with a contemporary, if primary, design, a big show, and lengthy battery life. And as you’d anticipate from Samsung, it advantages from a clear Android expertise and years of software program updates.
However beneath that shiny Samsung polish is a cellphone that’s merely less than scratch. The processor is underpowered for even informal multitasking, the cameras wrestle exterior of excellent lighting, and the show, whereas massive, lacks the punch and readability seen in rivals on the identical value level.
It’s a cellphone that works nicely for very mild customers or those that simply need one thing purposeful for calls, texts, and the occasional WhatsApp message. However for something extra, the Galaxy A26 begins to point out its age and limitations.
Observe: Our Galaxy A26 evaluate pattern was equipped by Three UK, nevertheless it had no say in how we reviewed the system.
Design & Construct
Light-weight plastic construct with trendy styling
Rear panel has a gentle matt end
Nonetheless contains headphone jack and Micro-SD
At first look, the Galaxy A26 doesn’t appear to be a sub-£300 cellphone. It borrows Samsung’s clear design language from its costlier A-series siblings, with three vertically stacked rear cameras, a refined Samsung brand, and a shiny end on the again.
My handset was within the mint color, which I truly fairly appreciated, regardless of it being very loud. The system additionally is available in black or white.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
The body and again are each plastic, however they’re nicely constructed and keep away from feeling low cost. Whereas I’m personally not a fan of plastic rear panels, this one from Samsung feels higher than different telephones I’m used.
The Galaxy A26 is 8.6mm thick and weighs 195g, making it comfy to carry and lightweight sufficient for all-day use. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is built-in into the ability button and works persistently, whereas the quantity rocker sits simply above it on the right-hand facet.
They’re each barely prolonged on a notch, which is useful for getting a great grip on the handset. A USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack sit on the underside, together with a single speaker.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Construct high quality is strong for the value. There’s no IP score, wi-fi charging, or glass panel – however you wouldn’t anticipate these options at this finances degree. Extra importantly, after utilizing the cellphone, it appears like utilizing one that may survive on a regular basis drops and scrapes.
It is a well-built cellphone, even when it doesn’t push boundaries – and for lower than £300, that’s advantageous
It is a well-built cellphone from Samsung, even when it doesn’t push boundaries – and for much less below £300, that’s advantageous. It’ll greater than get the job executed for its target market.
Display screen & Audio system
6.5-inch LCD show with a 720×1600 decision and 60Hz refresh fee
Massive show is nice for watching movies and scrolling
Solely 720p decision means seen pixelation
The Galaxy A26 incorporates a 6.5-inch TFT LCD panel with a 720×1600 decision and a standard 60Hz refresh fee.
That’s not a very spectacular spec sheet for a smartphone in 2025, particularly when many finances rivals now supply 90Hz and even 120Hz panels and Full HD decision. However if you happen to’re simply on the lookout for the fundamentals, it will get the job executed, no less than on paper.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Sadly, it doesn’t look significantly good both. Colors on the A26’s display seem muted, and viewing angles are pretty slim. Whites have a greyish tone, and blacks shortly change into washed out in dim lighting or exceptionally vibrant lights.
The show is usable for YouTube, net searching, and messages, however every thing feels a bit gentle and dated. Pixelation is seen when studying textual content or watching content material close-up, which actually lets the cellphone down.
Should you’re used to watching movies or studying on extra premium telephones, this show will really feel like a step again
It will get simply vibrant sufficient for indoor use, however struggles below direct daylight. The display additionally lacks any type of HDR assist, so streaming content material received’t profit from dynamic color enhancements both.
There’s a waterdrop notch on the high, which feels pretty trendy, however a thick bezel offers away its finances nature. Should you’re used to watching movies or studying on extra premium telephones, this show will really feel like a step again.
Specs & Efficiency
MediaTek Helio G85 chipset with 4GB RAM, 256GBstorage
No 5G connectivity
Slows down shortly with multitasking or gaming
Below the hood, the Galaxy A26 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 – an octa-core chip that debuted in 2020 and is beginning to present its age now. It’s paired with 4GB of RAM and 256GB of storage on this handset, though you’ll be able to broaden storage utilizing a Micro-SD card. It’s good to see in a 2025 cellphone, nevertheless it is likely to be needed if you happen to want greater than 256GB.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Efficiency is ok for easy duties reminiscent of texting, scrolling social media, or watching YouTube on low decision. However as quickly as you wish to open a number of apps, load image-heavy web sites, or swap between just a few duties, the smartphone begins to lag, and noticeably so. App load instances change into a lot slower, scrolling can stutter, and even opening the digital camera typically takes a second too lengthy.
Gaming efficiency on the Galaxy A26 could be very restricted. Informal titles reminiscent of Subway Surfers run okay, however something extra demanding, like Name of Obligation: Cellular or PUBG Cellular, struggles with body drops and lengthy load instances, even on the bottom settings.
Efficiency is ok for easy duties, however as quickly as you ask for extra – the smartphone begins to lag.
Geekbench 6 scores replicate this efficiency: a single-core rating of simply 375 and a multi-core results of 1310. That’s nicely behind even mid-range telephones from just a few years in the past.
Samsung Galaxy A26 benchmarks
Cameras
50Mp foremost digital camera and 2Mp macro sensor
Important digital camera takes respectable pictures in daylight
Low-light and indoor photographs are blurry or grainy
The Galaxy A26 incorporates a triple rear digital camera system – however solely considered one of them actually issues.
The principle 50Mp sensor does a lot of the heavy lifting, whereas the 2Mp depth and 2Mp macro lenses add little worth in follow. It’s one thing we’ve seen on loads of smartphones at this value level, nevertheless it’s disappointing nonetheless.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
In good lighting, the principle digital camera can take fairly strong pictures for a finances cellphone. Colors are correct, element is suitable, and autofocus in all fairness fast. However while you begin to zoom in or view the picture on a bigger show, you’ll be able to discover the shortage of element.
In something lower than superb lighting, although, high quality drops quick. Low-light photographs are noisy, blurry, and sometimes unusable. Evening Mode is current, however does little to salvage darkish scenes. Indoors, photographs typically lack element and seem washed out.
Portrait mode can ship pleasing outcomes when the circumstances are proper, with respectable topic separation. I used to be truly fairly impressed by the sting detection, which is healthier than costlier handsets – that’s right down to Samsung’s high quality software program processing.
The principle 50Mp sensor does a lot of the heavy lifting, whereas the 2Mp depth and macro lenses add little worth in follow
The 2Mp macro lens is extra of a spec-sheet filler than a great tool, like many different finances smartphones. Focus is fiddly, element is poor, and picture high quality isn’t definitely worth the effort. In all actually, I by no means discovered myself wanting to make use of the digital camera deliberately – past testing it out.
The front-facing 8Mp digital camera is common for selfies and video calls, however highlights blow out simply and low-light efficiency is weak.
Video recording tops out at 1080p/30fps, with no stabilisation, and photographs tends to be shaky until you stand very nonetheless.
Battery Life & Charging
5000mAh battery
15W wired charging through USB-C port
No wi-fi or reverse charging
Battery life is a uncommon energy for the Galaxy A26. With a 5000mAh battery and a comparatively power-efficient chipset, this cellphone comfortably lasts a full day or longer on a single cost.
In reality, after utilizing this cellphone for just a few weeks, it managed to carry its cost for over per week whereas in Airplane Mode. Mild customers will simply hit 48 hours of utilization earlier than needing to juice up.
This cellphone comfortably lasts a full day or longer on a single cost
Charging, then again, is gradual. Painfully gradual. The A26 helps solely 15W wired charging, and it takes nicely over two hours to totally recharge from flat. That’s barely slower than most Qi wi-fi charging as of late.
Making issues worse, there’s no charging brick included within the UK field – only a USB-C cable. Whereas we anticipate this from flagship telephones as of late, many finances telephones do embrace them.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
There’s no wi-fi charging (understandably for a finances cellphone), and clearly no reverse wired charging both. Nonetheless, the lengthy battery life makes it one of many extra dependable finances telephones for individuals who wish to keep away from every day charging.
Software program & Options
Android 14 with One UI Core 6
Clear software program, however some options lacking
Six years of OS and safety updates
The Galaxy A26 ships with Android 14, overlaid with Samsung’s One UI Core 6.
It’s a simplified model of the complete One UI pores and skin used on higher-end Galaxy fashions. It retains Samsung’s acquainted look, with rounded icons, good accessibility choices, and a comparatively clear aesthetic.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
One UI Core does include limitations. Samsung DeX is lacking, as are options like Safe Folder, Bixby Routines, and Good Lock customisation.
For the goal consumer of this cellphone (somebody who simply desires the necessities), that seemingly received’t matter. However, actually, I’m upset that Samsung selected to develop a brand new model of its software program with the only intention of excluding some options.
Connor Jewiss / Foundry
Its saving grace comes within the type of restricted to no bloatware. You do get the Samsung fundamentals like Galaxy Retailer, Notes, and SmartThings, alongside Google’s default apps, however no third-party apps like Reserving.com as you’d discover on finances telephones from different manufacturers. The UI runs easily on the {hardware} (inside purpose), and transitions are clear if a bit gradual at instances.
I’m upset that Samsung selected to develop a brand new model of its software program with the only intention of excluding some options
Nonetheless, one space the place Samsung excels is software program updates. Its dedication to 6 years of OS and safety is by far the most effective at this value level, and a key purpose to purchase the Galaxy A26 over non-Samsung telephones.
It’s not clear when the cellphone will get Android 15-based One UI 7, although, whereas the rollout of future variations may be delayed.
Samsung guarantees two main Android updates and 4 years of safety patches, which is a robust dedication for a s cellphone. Which means the A26 ought to final till Android 16 and proceed receiving safety updates till 2028.
Value & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A26 is on the market now within the UK with a advisable retail value of £299/$299.99.
You should purchase one outright from the likes of Samsung or Amazon within the UK and Samsung or Amazon within the US.
It’s nearly low cost sufficient for Tech Advisor to think about it a finances cellphone, however the spectacular Nothing Cellphone (3a) is barely barely costlier. Extra inexpensive alternate options embrace the CMF Cellphone 2 Professional, Xiaomi Redmi Observe 13 5G and Samsung’s personal Galaxy A16 5G.
Do you have to purchase the Samsung Galaxy A26?
The Samsung Galaxy A26 delivers a strong, reliable Android expertise at a low value – however you must settle for its limitations. Its sluggish efficiency, primary show, and common digital camera setup imply it’s greatest suited to very mild customers.
There’s nonetheless rather a lot to love: clear (if restricted) Samsung software program, lengthy battery life, a surprisingly good design, and years of replace assist. However with rivals just like the Moto G85 providing extra highly effective specs or higher screens at related costs, the A26 struggles to face out.
It’s a protected selection for individuals who worth simplicity over velocity – however not one which earns a robust suggestion.
Specs
Show: 6.5-inch TFT LCD, 720×1600 decision, 60Hz Chipset: MediaTek Helio G85 RAM: 4GB Storage: 64GB (expandable through microSD as much as 1TB) Rear Cameras: 50Mp foremost (f/1.8), 2Mp depth (f/2.4), 2Mp macro (f/2.4) Entrance Digicam: 8Mp (f/2.0) Video: 1080p at 30fps (entrance and rear) Battery: 5000mAh Charging: 15W wired (USB-C) OS: Android 14, One UI Core 6 Dimensions: 165.8 × 77.7 × 8.6mm Weight: 195g Connectivity: 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 5
