Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: A First Look at the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra

SAN FRANCISCO—Samsung has unveiled its latest flagship smartphone lineup at Galaxy Unpacked, introducing the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. These latest devices build upon the foundation laid by the highly-regarded S25 series, promising faster processors, enhanced AI capabilities, improved cameras, and upgrades across the board. They directly compete with Apple’s iPhone 17 series and Google’s Pixel 10 family.

A Unified Design Across the Galaxy S26 Lineup

A significant design change with the S26 series is a move towards a more unified aesthetic. Previously, the Ultra model featured a blockier design with sharper corners compared to the standard and Plus models, which had cleaner, rounded shapes. Samsung has smoothed out these differences, giving all three S26 phones the same basic shapes and curves. This consistent design language extends to the color palettes, which include Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, and White, with special-edition Silver Shadow and Pink Gold available exclusively through Samsung.com.

The phones maintain a premium feel with metal and glass construction. Samsung has opted for Armor Aluminum for all three devices, a change from the titanium frame used in the S25 Ultra. Armor Aluminum is chosen for its ease of shaping, painting, and recycling, as well as its lightweight nature and durability. The S26 Ultra features Corning Gorilla Armor 2 for display protection, while the S26 and S26+ utilize the first-generation Gorilla Armor.

Camera Capabilities: A Tiered Approach

The Galaxy S26 series offers a tiered camera system, with the Ultra model boasting the most advanced hardware. The S26 and S26+ feature a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera. All three models share a 12MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture and can record video up to 8K30. ,

The S26 Ultra steps up the camera game with a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x zoom telephoto camera, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. Samsung has increased the brightness of the main cameras across the entire lineup to improve low-light photography performance.

While the S26 and S26+ have a lower pixel count than the Ultra, they still produce 12MP final photos. Image exposure and coloring are reported to be more natural compared to previous Galaxy S phones, although some grain and softer focus may be noticeable in images taken with the S26 and S26+.

The zoom capabilities differ significantly. The S26 offers a maximum zoom of 30x, while the S26 Ultra reaches 100x. However, the quality at maximum zoom is comparable between the two, with both exhibiting a watercolor-like appearance.

The selfie camera as well shares some of the characteristics observed in the S26 Ultra, occasionally exhibiting softer focus.

Video Capture and Software Features

All three Galaxy S26 models offer robust video capture capabilities, sharing the same resolution, frame rate, and feature options as the S26 Ultra.

Galaxy S26: A Reliable Flagship

The Galaxy S26, starting at $899.99, is positioned as a reliable flagship option, particularly for those who prefer a smaller form factor. It incorporates the upgrades found in the more expensive Ultra model, including new AI features, a refined design, and above-average cameras. While battery life and memory/storage options could be improved, the S26 remains an excellent choice.