Samsung Galaxy S26

Overview

The Galaxy S26 follows Samsung's strategy of annoyingly withholding improvements other flagship phones got years ago to differentiate its lineup. Yet if you can stomach the slower recharging speed and smaller battery capacity, the phone's software and AI tricks make it a standout flagship phone for people in 2026.

– As reviewed by cnet

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 6 expert reviews

Excellent:

0
Good:

4
Average:

2
Bad:

0

9.4

User Score

Based on 1,503 reviews
as rated by users

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Last revision on June 25, 2026

Reviewers Liked

Clean, modern phone design
Bigger battery
A flagship phone that isn't huge
More AI assistant options

Reviewers Didn't Like

$100 price hike not worth extra storage
25W wired charging is comparatively slow
Too similar to last year's S25
Cameras could be improved

Competitors and Related Products

Our editors hand-pick related products using a variety of criteria: direct competitors targeting the same market segment, or devices that are similar in size, performance, or feature sets.

Expert reviews and ratings

Ultimately, I think most people would find an Android phone like Google's Pixel 10—which has regularly dipped to $599 on sale—more than capable for their needs, or try to find last year's Galaxy S25 series on sale. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ are perfectly fine flagships, but they just don't really raise the bar.

By Wired on March 27, 2026

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a compact powerhouse that aims high with a classy design, a beautiful screen, solid performance, and great cameras—all of which make it a solid option for those seeking a smaller top-tier phone.

By PCMag on March 18, 2026

Samsung’s smallest flagship phone is a solid if safe addition to the Galaxy series. However, it’s far too similar to its predecessors.

By Engadget on March 13, 2026

The Galaxy S26 is a slim, lightweight flagship with an excellent display and strong performance, but only modest upgrades over last year. Its camera and battery are good rather than class‑leading, yet still make it one of the best all-round Android phones. Unless you get a great deal on the S26, a discounted or refurbished Galaxy S25 will offer a very similar experience for less.

By TrustedReviews on March 13, 2026

Samsung’s latest Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus flagship phones are going through the motions.

By The Verge on March 11, 2026

By cnet on March 11, 2026

Samsung Galaxy S26

Overview

Pros/Cons

Reviews

Similar To

Price: $999

TechSpot Metascore

User Score

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

Competitors and Related Products

Apple iPhone 17

Google Pixel 10

OnePlus 15R

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Nothing Phone 4a

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Apple iPhone Air

Google Pixel 10a

Expert reviews and ratings