Samsung has officially unveiled the Galaxy S26 at its Galaxy Unpacked event, positioning it as a compact Android flagship that builds on the Galaxy S25 with a few meaningful upgrades. The new model keeps the familiar pocket-friendly approach, while sharpening the formula with a smoother display experience, a slightly larger battery, and long-term software support that’s designed to keep the phone feeling fresh for years.
At a glance, the Galaxy S26 looks similar to its predecessor, but there are subtle design changes. The most noticeable is the addition of a camera housing, which wasn’t present on the previous generation. The phone is also a touch heavier this time, coming in at around 167 grams compared to 162 grams for the S25. Thickness remains unchanged at 7.2 mm, so it should still feel slim and easy to handle.
One of the highlights of the Galaxy S26 is its 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Samsung is sticking with a compact panel size for flagship buyers who don’t want a huge phone, while still delivering a premium experience thanks to a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate for smoother scrolling, more responsive animations, and better gaming fluidity.
Powering the Galaxy S26 is Samsung’s Exynos 2600 processor, paired with up to 12 GB of RAM. Storage options go up to 512 GB, though there’s no support for expandable storage, so buyers will want to choose the capacity that best matches their needs from the start.
Battery life also gets a welcome boost. The Galaxy S26 increases capacity to 4,300 mAh, up from 4,000 mAh on the Galaxy S25. Charging support includes 25 W wired charging and 15 W wireless charging, giving users flexible top-up options whether they’re at home, in the office, or using a wireless pad on the go.
On the camera side, Samsung keeps the same triple-lens setup as before. The rear system includes a 50 MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide camera, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Around the front, there’s a 12 MP selfie camera for photos, video calls, and everyday social sharing.
Software is another major selling point. The Galaxy S26 ships with Android 16-based One UI 8.5 out of the box, and Samsung is promising seven major OS updates, taking the device as far as Android 23, along with seven years of security updates. For buyers who care about longevity, that kind of update policy can make a big difference in long-term value.
In terms of availability, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is open for pre-orders now, starting at a retail price of €999. General sales begin on March 11. The phone launches in four color options: sky blue, black, white, and cobalt violet.
