Samsung Galaxy S26 series review: What improvements are there compared to its predecessor – is the upgrade really worth it?
For months, the well-known leaker Ice Universe has criticised Samsung for a lack of innovation. CEO TM Roh is particularly in the spotlight, accused of neglecting technological advancements in favour of higher profits.
A comparison ( 2 ) of the new Galaxy S26 models with the S25 series reveals only minor changes. Design and features remain largely the same, while genuine innovations are absent. The analysis of the three variants illustrates why many fans might be disappointed.
The standard Galaxy S26 differs only minimally from its predecessor. The display grows from 6.2 to 6.3 inches, but remains at 1,750 nits of brightness. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, or Exynos 2600, replaces the chips of the S25 series. The battery capacity increases from 4,000 to 4,300 mAh, while the charging speed remains unchanged at 25 watts.
Storage options now start at 256 GB; the 128 GB variant has been discontinued. The camera still uses 50 megapixels, but with new sensors. The larger battery and the latest processor are positives, while the lack of improvements in charging and the barely changed display quality are drawbacks.
Display : 6.3” FHD+ AMOLED, 1,750 nits
Processor (USA/EU) : Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600
RAM/Memory : 8/12 GB + 256/512 GB/1 TB
Battery : 4,300 mAh (+300 mAh)
Load : 25 W
Camera : 50 MP (new sensors) + 12 MP + 10 MP
Design : Glass/metal, ~7.5 mm (thinner?)
The Galaxy S26+ shows even fewer differences. The display remains unchanged at 6.7 inches QHD+ with 1,750 nits. The battery also remains at 4,900 mAh, and the charging speed is 45 watts. The only new feature is the option of 1 TB of storage. The processor has been updated; otherwise, almost everything else remains the same. Thus, the model offers only one real upgrade, while other manufacturers have long provided faster charging speeds or larger batteries.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra brings at least some noticeable improvements. The display grows slightly to 6.9 inches and uses an M14 AMOLED panel. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is used worldwide, so European users no longer have to rely on Exynos chips. Charging power increases to 60 watts, which finally represents progress. The camera remains at 200 megapixels but receives new sensors with wider apertures for better night shots. The titanium casing is slimmer, measuring just 6.9 mm. However, the battery capacity remains at 5,000 mAh, and European models still only get 12 GB of RAM.
Ice Universe criticises Samsung for deliberately avoiding major leaps forward. He laments the lack of a true 10x zoom, the still-moderate charging speed compared to Xiaomi or OnePlus, and the virtually unchanged design. For him, the S26 series demonstrates that Samsung prioritises cost reduction over innovation.
0 Response to "Samsung Galaxy S26 series review: What improvements are there compared to its predecessor – is the upgrade really worth it?"
Post a Comment