For years, base model Samsung Galaxy S phones had two things going for them — they were the smallest flagships on the market and were relatively affordable. With the Samsung Galaxy S26 bumping the price by $100 and growing the screen to 6.3 inches, it's time for a new identity. After using it for two weeks, the Galaxy S26 is as confusing a device as ever.
On one hand, the Galaxy S26 offers a premium design with unparalleled performance powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. I preferred the smaller form factor of the Galaxy S25, but it's clear that most consumers want larger phones. The real concern is the price hike combined with a lack of major upgrades. Sure, we got a new processor, but where are the upgraded cameras, Qi2 magnets, or connectivity boosts? They're nowhere to be found.
