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Following Samsungs Unpacked event, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is available for pre-order, and it looks very familiar. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Like recent updates in the Galaxy S line, Samsung is refining its flagship rather than dramatically reinventing it. Both phones share a lot of core DNA, including compact designs, high-refresh AMOLED displays and similar camera hardware. The S26 does introduce a handful of meaningful updates, however, including a slightly larger battery and newer software out of the box. Those changes also come with a higher starting price: the Galaxy S26 begins at $899.99 compared to the S25s $799.99 launch price. The entry model now includes 256GB of storage instead of the S25s base 128GB. Here's how the Galaxy S26 compares with last years Galaxy S25 on paper and whether the newer model is worth your attention. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: Design, display and performance Physically, the Galaxy S26 stays very close to the design Samsung established with the S25. You still get a compact handset with flat edges, an aluminum frame and IP68 water and dust resistance. The overall look and feel should be immediately familiar to anyone who used last years phone. The display story is similarly steady. Both phones use Samsungs Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, and the S25 is rated for peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits. In everyday use, whether you are scrolling, gaming or watching video, the viewing experience should feel broadly similar between the two devices. Under the hood, the Galaxy S25 is powered globally by Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset paired with 12GB of RAM. The Galaxy S26 continues to target flagship-class performance. While Samsung has made internal refinements, overall speed should remain firmly in high-end territory for routine tasks, multitasking and mobile gaming. On the software front, the S25 launched with Android 15 and One UI 7, while the Galaxy S26 ships with a newer version of Samsungs software out of the box. As usual, the older model is expected to receive updates over time, which may narrow the long-term software gap. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: Cameras Samsung has not dramatically reshuffled the base Galaxy camera hardware. The Galaxy S25 features a triple-camera setup built around a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, along with a 12MP front camera. The Galaxy S26 largely sticks with the same proven approach, which suggests image quality should remain broadly consistent in good lighting. As is often the case with Samsungs year-to-year updates, any meaningful gains are likely to come from image processing improvements rather than brand-new sensors. For most people, that means the S26 should deliver the punchy, reliable photos Samsung flagships are known for, but Galaxy S25 owners should not expect a dramatic leap in camera hardware. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: Battery life and charging Battery capacity is one area where the Galaxy S26 makes a measurable change. The Galaxy S25 uses a 4,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy S26 increases that to 4,300mAh. That modest bump should translate into slightly longer endurance in day-to-day use, though real-world gains will depend on efficiency improvements and individual usage patterns. Charging speeds remain largely unchanged. The Galaxy S25 supports up to 25W wired charging, up to 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, and the Galaxy S26 stays in the same general range. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: Software and AI This year, Samsung is putting more emphasis on Galaxy AI, even on the base Galaxy S26. While many of the headline features are aimed at the Ultra and Plus models, the standard S26 still picks up several practical upgrades. One of the more useful additions is Document Scan, which uses AI to clean up scans by automatically removing distortions, fingers and creases. It can also bundle multiple images into a single PDF, making it easier to digitize receipts, notes or forms without extra editing. Samsung is also expanding its proactive assistant features. Now Brief becomes more personalized on the S26, surfacing reminders and updates based on your activity throughout the day, while the new Now Nudge system can suggest relevant content at the right moment. For example, if someone asks for photos from a recent trip, the phone can proactively surface matching images from your gallery instead of making you search manually. Search is getting smarter as well. Circle to Search with Google now supports enhanced multi-object recognition, allowing you to identify several items in an image at once. Samsung is also upgrading Bixby into a more conversational assistant, and the S26 supports third-party agents such as Gemini and Perplexity for handling more complex, multi-step tasks through voice commands. Security and privacy features are expanding in the background too. The Galaxy S26 introduces AI-powered Call Screening to summarize unknown callers, along with new Privacy Alerts that warn when apps request sensitive permissions. Samsung is also extending its post-quantum cryptography protections deeper into the system, backed by the companys Knox security platform and seven years of promised security updates. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: How to choose If you already own a Galaxy S25, the Galaxy S26 looks like a fairly iterative update. The core experince, including performance, display quality and camera hardware, remains very similar. The main tangible upgrade is the slightly larger battery, along with newer software out of the box. For most S25 owners, that alone probably is not a compelling reason to upgrade. However, if you are coming from an older Galaxy phone or buying fresh, the Galaxy S26 is the more future-proof pick simply because it starts one generation ahead in Samsungs update cycle and packs the larger battery. As usual with Samsungs yearly refreshes, the real decision may come down to pricing and discounts. If the Galaxy S25 sees significant price cuts, it could remain the better value. But at similar prices, the Galaxy S26 is the safer long-term buy. Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25: Specs at a glance Specs Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Galaxy S25 Price (MSRP) $899.99 $799.99 (128GB), $859.99 (256GB) Dimensions 5.88 x 2.82 x 0.28 inches 5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 inches Weight 5.9 ounces 5.7 ounces Screen size 6.3 inches (FHD+) 6.2 inches (FHD+) Screen resolution 2,340 x 1,080 2,340 x 1,080 Screen type Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh (1120Hz), Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 3 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh (1120Hz), Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 SoC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy RAM 12GB 12GB Battery 4,300mAh 4,000mAh Charging Up to 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) Up to 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) Storage 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB Rear camera 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto Front camera 12MP 12MP Video capture Up to 4K 60fps, 8K 30fps Up to 4K 60fps, 8K 30fps Water and dust resistance rating IP68 IP68 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth Bluetooth 6.0 Bluetooth 5.4 OS Android 16 with One UI 8.5 Android 15 with One UI 7 Colors and finish Cobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue, Pink Gold*, Silver Shadow* (*Samsung.com exclusive) Navy, Icyblue, Mint, Silver Shadow, Blueblack*, Coralred*, Pinkgold* (*Samsung.com exclusive) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s26-vs-galaxy-s25-whats-changed-and-which-one-should-you-buy-181515367.html?src=rss
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Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+ and Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the company is once again leaning heavily on AI, camera upgrades and refined hardware to move the lineup forward. While the overall design remains familiar, there are some meaningful differences between the three models, particularly when it comes to display tech, charging speeds and camera hardware. Across the board, the S26 family is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip and runs Android 16 with One UI 8.5. Samsung is also doubling down on Galaxy AI features like Now Brief, Now Nudge and upgraded Circle to Search, positioning the new phones as more proactive assistants than before. As usual, though, the Ultra model is where Samsung is pushing the envelope the furthest. It gains the most advanced camera system, faster wired and wireless charging and the companys new built-in Privacy Display tech. Pre-orders are available now, with official sales starting on March 11. If youre trying to decide which model makes the most sense for your needs (and budget), heres how the three devices stack up on paper. Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. S26+ vs. S26 Ultra: Specs compared Specs Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Price (MSRP) $899.99 $1,099.99 $1,299.99 Dimensions 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9 mm Weight 167g 190g 214g Screen size 6.3 inches (FHD+) 6.7 inches (QHD+) 6.9 inches (QHD+) Screen resolution 2340 x 1080 3120 x 1440 3120 x 1440 Screen type Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh (1120Hz), Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh (1120Hz), Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive refresh (1120Hz), Up to 2,600 nits peak brightness SoC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy RAM 12GB 12GB 12GB or 16GB Battery 4,300 mAh 4,300 mAh 5,000 mAh Charging 25W (wired), 15W (wireless) 45W (wired), 20W (wireless) 60W (wired), 25W (wireless) Storage 256/512GB 256/512GB 256/512GB, 1TB Rear camera 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto 200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 50MP 5x periscope telephoto Front camera 12MP 12MP 12MP Video capture Up to 4K 60fps, 8K 30fps Up to 4K 60fps, 8K 30fps Up to 4K 120fps, 8K 30fps Water and dust resistance rating IP68 IP68 IP68 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Wi-Fi 7 Bluetooth Bluetooth 6.0 Bluetooth 6.0 Bluetooth 6.0 OS Android 16 with One UI 8.5 Android 16 with One UI 8.5 Android 16 with One UI 8.5 Colors and finish Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue / Pink Gold and Silver Shadow (Samsung exclusive) Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue / Pink Gold and Silver Shadow (Samsung exclusive) Cobalt Violet, White, Black, and Sky Blue / Pink Gold and Silver Shadow (Samsung exclusive) This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-s26-vs-s26-vs-s26-ultra-comparing-the-three-new-phones-181047172.html?src=rss
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During its Unpacked event today, Samsung announced three new Galaxy S-series phones as well as the latest generation of its earbuds, the Galaxy Buds 4 and Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Pre-orders are now open and the new devices are set to ship March 11. As expected, this years models arent drastically different from last years, but all the phones are equipped to better handle the Galaxy AI experiences such as Now Nudge that offers suggestions based on your activities and a more conversational assitant in Bixby (or Gemini or Perplexity depending on your preferance). Engadgets own Sam Rutherford is on-site in San Francisco for the new hardware launch and will have hands-on impressions. Well follow that up with official reviews in the next week. But if you cant wait for our final verdict, heres how to pre-order Samsungs Galaxy S26 phones and the Galaxy Buds 4 today. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-pre-order-the-samsung-galaxy-s26-phones-and-galaxy-buds-4-180500976.html?src=rss
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