Samsung Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra: A Deep Dive

Samsung has officially unveiled its latest flagship smartphone series: the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra. While the company is heavily emphasizing AI integration and camera enhancements, the new lineup also brings refinements to hardware and design. Here’s a detailed look at what each model offers.

Galaxy S26 and S26+: Shared Design and Key Differences

The Galaxy S26 and S26+ share a similar design language with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, featuring flat bezels for a premium aesthetic. Both models offer IP68 water and dust resistance. The Galaxy S26 has seen a slight dimensional change to 71.7 x 149.6 x 7.2 mm and a weight increase to 167g, up from the Galaxy S25’s 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm and 162g. The Galaxy S26+ maintains dimensions close to its predecessor at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm and 190g.

A key difference lies in screen size and resolution. The Galaxy S26 boasts a 6.3-inch display, an increase from the Galaxy S25’s 6.2-inch screen, with a Full HD+ resolution. The Galaxy S26+ features a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display. Both utilize AMOLED technology with a 120Hz refresh rate and an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Notably, the standard S26 lacks the anti-reflective coating found on the Ultra model.

Performance and Hardware

Both the Galaxy S26 and S26+ are powered by the 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, differing from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite for Galaxy found in the Ultra model. Both models now start with 256GB of storage, with a 512GB option also available, and are equipped with 12GB of RAM.

The camera systems remain consistent with the previous generation, featuring a 50MP primary sensor (f/1.8), a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens (f/2.2), and a 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4) with triple optical zoom.

Battery and Charging

Battery capacity has been slightly increased in the Galaxy S26, now at 4,300 mAh compared to the previous generation. The Galaxy S26+ retains its 4,900 mAh battery. The Galaxy S26 supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, while the Galaxy S26+ offers faster 45W wired and 20W wireless charging. Neither model includes magnets for MagSafe-style accessories, requiring a case or adhesive magnet.

Pricing and Availability

The Galaxy S26 series is available for pre-order starting February 25th, with official sales commencing on March 11th. Pricing starts at $899.99 for the Galaxy S26 (256GB), $999.99 for the Galaxy S26+ (256GB), and $1,299.99 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The 512GB versions are priced at $999.99 and $1,199.99 for the S26 and S26+ respectively. Wired reports the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains at $1,300, the same price as its predecessor.

Pre-order incentives, including potential discounts and extended warranties, are available through select retailers like Mobil Emergency, offering up to a $18,800 discount and a three-year warranty. GSMArena notes the phones were previewed just days ahead of MWC 2026.

Key Takeaways

• The Galaxy S26 and S26+ share a design language with the Ultra model.
• The S26 features a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, while the S26+ has a 6.7-inch QHD+ display.
• Both models are powered by the Exynos 2600 chipset.
• The camera systems remain consistent with the previous generation.
• Pricing starts at $899.99 for the Galaxy S26 and $1,099.99 for the Galaxy S26+.