With Samsung gearing up for the agency’s yearly smartphone launch, and with the advantage of hindsight, we form of want the Galaxy S26 to at the least make some notable enhancements over its predecessors or threat dropping potential patrons.
For the previous few generations, the Galaxy S Extremely lineup has clung to the highest of the Android totem pole. In some ways, it defies the dearth of innovation and development, simply doing sufficient to keep up its standing among the many elite gadgets one might purchase.
That stated, there’s a rising concern that Samsung has been pumping the brakes on the {hardware}, however with the Z Fold 7 doing extra to enhance what felt like a equally stagnating foldable sequence, absolutely there’s extra to return this time round? Whereas the leaks are essential, it isn’t your entire foundation for this submit, we’re speaking across the publicly identified info to determine simply what the Galaxy S26 will provide within the coming weeks.
{Hardware} and design
There is no such thing as a disgrace in sticking with a design. We’re not advocating for Samsung to shake issues up right here. Personally, I’ve no qualms with the corporate sticking with what has made the Galaxy S sequence stand out over the previous few years, regardless of how plain it could appear on the floor.
Leaks have proven the smallest of refinements to the S25 prepared for the Galaxy S26. Samsung doesn’t have to shake issues up too drastically visually, functionally. It’s actually disappointing to listen to that we most likely received’t get magnetic Qi2 compatibility with out utilizing a first-party or third-party case. That sort of whiff is among the issues that appear to persist 12 months over 12 months on the firm.
We all know that Samsung likes to comply with Apple’s lead in plenty of different areas. Assume supplies, finishes, and shade choices. Positive, it’s annoying, nevertheless it doesn’t diminish an excessive amount of from what the corporate can do when it units its thoughts to creating the absolute best {hardware}. Give it some thought for a second: You very hardly ever see {hardware} failure or component-related complaints. Samsung could make telephones that stand the check of time.
Count on the very best internals, together with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. What isn’t clear is how Samsung plans to deal with system reminiscence allocation. With AI taking a entrance seat as soon as once more – in each advertising and extra broadly throughout the tech trade – the Galaxy S26 sequence is anticipated to stay with much less RAM than opponents.
Probably the greatest options of the Galaxy S24 and S25 Extremely has been the anti-glare show. Samsung has already confirmed that a new “privacy display” is going to be a key component. The next most brightness could be a pleasant improve, however off-axis visibility to cease prying eyes with out a display screen protector might be a pleasant perform, nevertheless it’s not a key vendor by any stretch of the creativeness.
The software program stack
If One UI 8.5 is something to go by, Samsung is taking some design cues from Apple. The issue there’s that this undoes a number of the nice work from the previous couple of updates. Positive, we get all the trimmings of one of the crucial complete Android builds out there, however for causes unknown, each OEM desires to copy clear glass components to some extent, which is particularly annoying as most individuals who’ll have a look at the S26 sequence will achieve this as a result of they most likely don’t need an iPhone or dislike iOS.
Materials 3 Expressive is ripe for a Samsung tackle it. It’s one of many largest issues we now have on Android, and if the largest model related to the platform isn’t prepared to tackle Google’s mantle, it’s a crying disgrace at a time when telephones are beginning to really feel “samey” – which the S26 little question will on account of numerous different components.
A number of the early advertising for the Galaxy S26 and Unpacked occasion hints at but extra “AI” and “Galaxy AI,” and Gemini will little question be used as a key differentiator for the corporate. Is that adequate? What’s going to the S26 provide that the Pixel 10 isn’t already doing? Or will we simply see some parity with what Google is utilizing to make its personal telephones among the many higher telephones for AI performance? Fairly probably.
An enormous concern – as an S25 Extremely proprietor myself – is simply how Samsung handles the S Pen this 12 months. We’ve seen capabilities dwindle and even a couple of removals. This was one of many key promoting factors, nevertheless it has develop into an added further that isn’t as helpful because it was in prior generations, both as a result of its usefulness has diminished or as a result of Samsung hasn’t developed it additional to make sure it stays a robust device that units the Galaxy S26 Extremely aside from different gadgets. No different model presents an built-in stylus. That may and ought to be one thing that basically sells gadgets, however it’s being left to rot and sure received’t survive in the long run.
Count on plenty of AI shoehorned into One UI, which isn’t all that thrilling.
Digital camera
Arguably, one of many largest complaints leveled at Samsung Galaxy telephones over the previous couple of years has been the dearth of digital camera upgrades. We’ve seen barely any modifications of observe from the Galaxy S23 Extremely proper via to the Galaxy S25 Extremely. The common Galaxy S22 to the S25 have seen nearly no modifications. It’s just a little an excessive amount of recycling for a model on the high of the area.
It doesn’t assist that Samsung hasn’t accomplished sufficient to enhance the digital camera software program expertise. The picture processing is beginning to develop into an issue for a lot of Samsung followers. Transferring topics nonetheless pose issues; shutter lag is a significant grievance for a lot of. Picture blur ruins in any other case good pictures.
An even bigger predominant sensor could be a significant improve. It’s unlikely, however that may make Samsung just a little extra aggressive with a number of the insane smartphone cameras popping out of China over the previous couple of years. In actuality, we’ll get minimal modifications and a few AI cover-ups for the dearth of sensor prowess to match the very best within the enterprise.
Will issues change?
So far as world gross sales go, it’s nearly a formality that the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup will promote 10x its nearest competitor within the Android market. That is why we would like the corporate to at the least try to make enhancements in lots of areas.
Samsung seems just a little misplaced as of late. Making unusual choices with seemingly no actual plan to try to lead from the entrance. As an alternative, falling again into outdated habits, taking cues from Apple because the nicely of concepts appears to be like just a little dry.
It’s extra irritating due to how strong nearly each Samsung Galaxy S sequence cellphone has been for various years. The Galaxy S25 Extremely belies its modest modifications and “upgrades.” We’re anticipating extra of the identical with the Galaxy S26 lineup, however extra of the identical isn’t a foul factor. Nevertheless, when that “factor” has been the identical for nearly 3 years in a row, it turns into an issue. There’s nearly zero motive for somebody to improve now. The expertise just isn’t noticeably completely different sufficient.
For the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, there’s even much less motive to take action. The extreme lack of effort with these telephones is a crying disgrace. It showcases how little Samsung cares about something however the Extremely lineup – which additionally feels uncared for as of late.
The smartphone has handed its peak. Simply the place it goes from right here might be formed by what occurs with the Galaxy S26 and, most notably, the Galaxy S26 Extremely.
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