Samsung Galaxy S25+ vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung Galaxy S25+

Samsung

8.3

Great

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung

6.8

Pre-Release Hands-On

What Reviewers Agree On

Display quality is exceptional — the 6.7-inch QHD+ panel is one of the best on any smartphone
Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers excellent performance across all tasks
Galaxy AI features add genuine value to daily use
Battery life is solid with all-day endurance
Camera system is reliable and versatile for most users

Deal Breakers

No major design changes from S24+
Still lacks the Ultra's titanium frame and S Pen

Detailed Comparison

Design & Build

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The S25+ features a sleek, refined design with flat edges and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides. While not dramatically different from the S24+, it's slightly thinner and lighter, earning praise for its premium feel.

The flat-edge design gives it a more modern, premium look compared to previous generations
Build quality is excellent with Armor Aluminum frame, though it lacks the Ultra's titanium
IP68 dust and water resistance provides peace of mind for everyday use
Design evolution is minimal — most users won't notice the difference from the S24+

Samsung Galaxy S26

The S26 adopts more angular, Ultra-like corners for a unified family design. The Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provide solid durability. At ~7.3mm and ~162g, it's pocketable and lightweight.

The unified design language across the S26 family gives even the base model a premium, Ultra-like aesthetic

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What Reviewers Agree On

The $100 price increase from $799 to $899 is the steepest relative increase in the lineup and hardest to justify
Same camera hardware since the Galaxy S23 makes three consecutive years without meaningful camera upgrades
One UI 8.5 AI features and software polish are the main selling points over the S25
The compact 6.3-inch form factor remains its key differentiator for one-handed use
Solid choice only for those upgrading from an S23 or older device

Deal Breakers

No Privacy Display — Ultra exclusive
25W wired and 15W wireless charging are unchanged and feel antiquated at $900
Return of Exynos outside the US after the S25 was Snapdragon worldwide

Display

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is universally praised as one of the best in the industry, with QHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and exceptional brightness for outdoor visibility.

The QHD+ AMOLED display is stunning with vibrant colors and deep blacks — one of the best screens available
Peak brightness of 2,600 nits makes it easily readable even in direct sunlight
120Hz adaptive refresh rate is smooth and responsive for scrolling and gaming

Samsung Galaxy S26

The 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate carries over from the S25. It remains a sharp, vibrant panel for its compact size. No Privacy Display — that's Ultra-only.

The 6.3-inch compact form factor remains the S26's biggest strength — it's one of the few true compact flagships available in 2026
FHD+ resolution feels like a compromise at $900 — the S26+ and Ultra both get QHD+ panels

Camera System

Samsung Galaxy S25+

The triple camera system with a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP 3x telephoto delivers consistent, high-quality results. While it doesn't match the Ultra's 200MP sensor or 5x zoom, it's more than capable for most photography needs.

Main 50MP sensor produces excellent photos with natural colors and great dynamic range
3x optical zoom is practical for everyday use, even if it can't match the Ultra's 5x reach
Night mode performance has improved significantly with AI processing
Video recording at 8K is available but most users will stick with excellent 4K60 output

Samsung Galaxy S26

Identical camera hardware to the S25, S24, and S23: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, 12MP selfie. Software processing via One UI 8.5 may yield modest improvements, but the hardware stagnation is the most common criticism.

Three years of the same camera hardware at an ever-increasing price — Samsung needs to invest in the non-Ultra camera stack
Despite the stale hardware, Samsung's computational photography via AI ISP may still improve photo quality through software alone