Samsung Galaxy S26+ review: Everything you want, nothing more

Greatest Costs Immediately: Samsung Galaxy S26+

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the center baby of the South Korean agency’s trio of recent flagship telephones for 2026, offering customers with a much bigger show expertise over the bottom mannequin S26, at a value 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 cellphone is changing, with many of the motion occurring within the software program and with AI.

And with Samsung growing the costs throughout the entire S26 sequence this yr, the Galaxy S26+ finds itself battling it out with glorious 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 continuous with the Extremely as its solely true Professional mannequin rival, with the S26+ only a bigger display model of the S26.

In truth, the Galaxy S26+ is similar value 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 seemingly decide whether or not or not the Galaxy S26+ is the cellphone for you.

Design & Construct

• Acquainted design, premium and well-built
• IP68 rated in opposition to mud and water, permitting it to outlive a dunk within the tub
• These with smaller arms may wish to go for the S26 as a substitute

If you happen to’re conversant in Samsung’s last few flagship sequence, the design of the Galaxy S26+ will provide up a specific amount of deja vu. 

The blueprint for the cellphone has been stored 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 identical time, the present design is modern, premium and useful. 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 a complete protrudes slightly extra.

Luke Baker

This isn’t an enormous concern, but it surely’s one thing that irks me – and is a matter with all telephones which have a digital camera array within the nook – because the cellphone 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 resolve this wobble, although, in the event you’re in any respect involved.

A case may also offer you extra grip, as whereas the sleek glass and metallic end look nice, it’s additionally fairly slippy.

There are additionally some new colors, although I received the plain Black to evaluation. 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.

The excellent news is the S26+ may be very effectively made. Its Armor Aluminium body, and strengthened Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass seems and feels elegant. 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.

John McCann / Foundry

You additionally get IP68 mud and water safety, that means the Galaxy S26+ can survive immersion in as much as 1.5m of contemporary water for as much as half-hour. Helpful in the event you by accident let it slip within the tub.

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

Display & Audio system

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

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

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 “cellular Digital Pure Picture engine” (mDNIe), which is claimed 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.

John McCann / Foundry

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

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

That is changing into an more and more customary function 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 word, 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 degree and doesn’t get too distorted, and there’s Bluetooth connectivity if you need improved sound through headphones or an exterior speaker. 

There isn’t a 3.5mm headphone jack, which isn’t 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 gives a 36% enchancment in NPU for sooner AI, a 23% GPU enchancment, and a 7% enhance in CPU processing over the chip discovered within the S25+.

A have a look at the Galaxy S26+’s Geekbench 6 multi-core rating (10,610) confirms the facility 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.

At the very least that is the case in most markets, whereas the 8 Elite Gen 5 is contained in the S26+ in the event you dwell within the US or China.

Whereas the chipset gives higher efficiency, it additionally stays cooler than its predecessor because of a redesigned vapour chamber. This enables generated warmth to be unfold extra effectively, stopping the cellphone from overheating.

The Galaxy S26+ does get heat, and I seen this significantly when working the benchmarking exams and taking part in intensive video games reminiscent of Name of Obligation Cell. The warmth by no means received to extreme ranges, although and efficiency remained strong even throughout extended gaming periods.

Luke Baker

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

In brief, there’s loads of energy below 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 break up second on so, however the fingerprint scanners on the Pixel 10 Professional and OnePlus 15 are a beat faster, that means your finger doesn’t must 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 function 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 primary 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 normal pictures efficiency is just like final yr’s mannequin. The principle 50Mp performs effectively in good gentle, with photographs taken open air on a sunny day, packing readability and color.

Luke Baker

The shutter is responsive, and the Galaxy S26+ does a great job at being an easy-to-use point-and-shoot machine. The principle digital camera additionally gives up the 2x optical zoom, offering crisp photographs nearer up, whereas the 3x zoom doesn’t produce pictures which might be 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 a lot 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 photographs at this degree.

This degree of zoom is just obtainable when the primary digital camera is about to seize 12Mp photographs, which is the default setting. There may be 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 photographs and offers you the total vary of zoom choices. The principle motive to modify 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 cellphone.

Samsung has improved the low-light efficiency of its cameras with the S26 sequence, with the Galaxy 26+ capable of maximise the little gentle obtainable to ship pictures that are brighter and clearer than viewing the scene with a human eye.

John McCann / Foundry

Photographs have a great degree of element, and provides the impression scenes are higher lit than they really are. You may modify publicity and brightness to carry the outcomes extra in keeping with real-life, however for these desirous to seize higher readability in low gentle, the S26+ does a great job.

You may report 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 hold your shot degree, even in the event you’re transferring the cellphone round. 

It sounds slightly like witchcraft, but it surely works surprisingly effectively, with the power to rotate the handset just about 360 levels whereas holding your video’s horizon degree the entire time.

It’s a neat celebration trick to point out pals, and for these of you who shoot a number of video in your cellphone, it would undoubtedly be a helpful function.

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 cellphone. That’s not a nasty factor although, as this stays an honest selfie snapper. 

It’s not going to blow you away with high quality, however portrait mode does effectively 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 Picture Help, which employs Galaxy AI to edit your pictures. Simply kind or converse the edits you need, and Galaxy AI will oblige. 

It did a reasonably 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 seashore. 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 actual fact I’m sporting 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 identical time, it softened my pores and skin additional, which made the picture look faux.

One other AI transfer you’ll be able to pull is merging two pictures into one. If, for instance, you’ve got an image of your canine, and one other picture of you and your associate, you’ll be able to 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 sweet to see – but it surely’s simply cropped out if somebody wished to cover the actual fact AI was used.

These AI modifying options are intelligent, and you possibly can 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 comfy 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 because of Silicon-carbon tech (SiC).

However there are positives. Due to 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 due to this fact 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.

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 after I went out for the night after a busy work day, that the cellphone would final till I returned dwelling later.

Luke Baker

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

My exams with a high-powered 45W charging block didn’t discover charging to be fairly that fast. I used to be capable of 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 must buy one in the event you don’t already personal one.

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

It’s 33% sooner 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 a complete bunch of extra instruments and options so that you can play with.

It means there’s a big selection of customisation choices to your lock display, dwelling 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.

John McCann / Foundry

That features Now Temporary 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 utterly in the event you don’t wish to see it).

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

Now Temporary isn’t new for the S26 sequence, however Now Nudge is a brand new Samsung function. We’ve seen an analogous function roll out for Google’s Pixel telephones, the place the companies 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 through Now Nudge with the reply – all with out having to go away the dialog. It’s tremendous helpful.

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

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 numerous issues about your cellphone.

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 means of sub-menus within the Settings app, or attempt to bear in mind the particular identify Samsung gave to a function. Bixby can perceive dialog textual content or speech, and might educate you the way to use options in addition to make changes for you.

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

John McCann / Foundry

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 function first on the Galaxy S26 sequence.

Now, whenever you circle one thing on display, it could discover a number of gadgets on the identical time. I attempted this out on an image of a male mannequin sitting on a motorcycle. Whereas it did an inexpensive job at figuring out numerous clothes gadgets, it did get confused between the shirt and shorts the mannequin was sporting, and their sneakers. 

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

As normal, Samsung gives lengthy software program assist 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+ value begins at £1,099/$1,099 for the 256GB storage mannequin. If you need 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 broadly obtainable on contract from main carriers, in the event you’d choose to unfold the fee.

Whilst you can, it is best to take up Samsung’s provide of double storage free of charge, getting you the 512GB mannequin for the value of the bottom version. It’s additionally obtainable at retailers reminiscent of Amazon.

Try our present suggestions for one of the best telephones.

Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a strong flagship system delivering what you’d count on, with out rewriting the rule e book 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 value, the Galaxy S26+ matches the invoice effectively. 

You’ll get among the finest 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 need a big-screen flagship which supplies you severe bang-for-buck, the OnePlus 15 can be the higher selection with extra energy below the hood, implausible battery life, and a cheaper price tag.

Luke Baker

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, house owners of the Galaxy S25+ or S24+ ought to follow what they at present have in hand, however if in case you have something older, you’ll undoubtedly really feel the distinction. 

In all, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has all the things you’d need from a flagship; massive display, loads of energy, succesful cameras, and a number of the finest AI on a cellphone. It’s price contemplating, particularly in the event 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 important 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