Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series may be named after the year 2026, but it seems like the three models are from different times. The Ultra once again gets great new features, the vanilla model gets a few but significant upgrades, while the Plus model, well, there’s not much to say about it.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a new privacy display feature. Compared to the S25 Ultra, it has wider apertures on its 200MP main (f/1.4 instead of f/1.7) and 5x 50MP telephoto module (f/2.9 instead of f/3.4). Samsung also finally overcame its self-imposed 45W charging limit and the new Ultra does 60W over a wire and 25W wirelessly (up from 15W). However, its 5,000mAh battery is small by today’s standards.
The design of the S26 Ultra is completely different from its predecessor – the raised camera island is the most noticeable change, but the corners are also more rounded. Additionally, Samsung abandoned titanium and went back to Under Armor Aluminum 2 for the frame. On the front is Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which is exclusive to the Ultra. This phone is 0.3 mm thin and also 4 grams light, considering its price.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra price starts at $1,300 / €1,450 / £1,280 / ₹140,000 – you can find detailed pricing details here. You will get a free storage upgrade to 512GB during the pre-order period (which ends on March 11). There is also a 1TB variant, which is the only version with 16GB of RAM. But is the Galaxy S26 Ultra the right choice for you?
Before you answer, check out our hands-on review with the Ultra (and the other two models). We also have a practical video (embedded above).
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ finds itself in no-man’s land. Apple no longer makes the iPhone Plus, Google never had a Pixel Plus. Other companies also have similar lineups with smaller and larger Pro models. The smaller ones will compete with the S26, while the larger Pros cost more and are more capable than the S26+ – we’re talking about the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Pixel 10 Pro XL, vivo X300 Pro, Honor Magic8 Pro, etc.
So, what phones is the Galaxy S26+ competing against? Well, our guess is OnePlus 15. But the reality is that the S25+ may be its stiffest competition – the two are almost identical. There are two changes of note, the first being the chipset. Unless you’re in North America, China or Japan, you get the Exynos 2600 – then you get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 like the Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ camera system
The other change is that wireless charging is now up to 20W (up from 15W). Very good. By the way, wired charging is still at 45W.
The Galaxy S26+ price starts at $1,100 / €1,250 / £1,100 / ₹120,000 – but is it worth your money? Perhaps with a storage upgrade – and don’t forget to check your trade-in options.
It’s not that the Samsung Galaxy S26 is brimming with new features, but there are three changes that better align it with the iPhone 17 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, and the vivo X300. It has a larger 6.3” display (up from 6.2”), battery capacity has grown to 4,300mAh (+300mAh, same 25W/15W charging, though) and base storage is now 256GB.
By the way, this storage upgrade doesn’t come free. The vanilla S26 now starts at $900 / €1,000 / £880 / ₹88,000 (price details here). The chipset situation is the same as the Plus model. What do you think – yes or no?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5G
| 256GB 12GB RAM | ₹ 139,999 |
$1,299.99 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | ₹ 139,999 |
$1,299.99 |
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Samsung Galaxy S26+ 5G
| 256GB 12GB RAM | ₹119,999 |
$1,099.99 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | ₹119,999 |
$1,099.99 |
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Samsung Galaxy S26 5G
| 256GB 12GB RAM | ₹ 87,999 |
$899.99 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | ₹ 87,999 |
$899.99 |
| Show all prices | ||