The Galaxy S26 has intriguing features but may have significant flaws.
Samsung is about to shoot itself in the foot and that's inevitable, as it seems.
Upgrading from 25W to 45W charging is a significant improvement. It is surprising that an $800 flagship phone might have slower charging than a $500 phone from the same manufacturer. Hopefully, a future update will reveal that the S26 has faster charging.
There are no expected camera upgrades.
The Galaxy S26 may not feature a new camera system to compensate for the slow charging. The standard S26 model is expected to have the same front and rear cameras as the previous version. The telephoto lens could be upgraded to a 12MP sensor, but this is unconfirmed.
The iPhone 17 has a new selfie camera that can capture landscape photos in portrait mode.
The Galaxy S26 is rumored to be thinner and lighter than the iPhone 17, weighing 164 grams with a 6.9mm profile, compared to the iPhone 17's 177 grams and 7.95mm.
In 2025, similar lightweight phones from Apple and Samsung did not perform well. It is questionable if a one-millimeter difference in thickness will matter to consumers.
The OnePlus 15 is a possible alternative to the Galaxy S26.
If Samsung does not increase the price of the Galaxy S26, the OnePlus 15 is another $800 option. The OnePlus 15 has a large battery with fast charging. While its design may be generic, and it is not from a major company, the global version is available for around $630 from Chinese retailers.
Hopefully, more information will be available soon. It is concerning that Samsung may release a flagship phone with inferior charging capabilities compared to its mid-range devices. Even the iPhone 17 has faster charging.
It is not ideal to equip a mid-range phone with better features than a flagship model. There is hope that a future report will indicate 45W charging for the S26.
Travel Easy with Nomad eSIM – 25% Off
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
Check Out The Offer
Travel Easy with Nomad eSIM – 25% Off
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
Check Out The Offer
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required
25% off eSIM data-only plans & global coverage - enter code IPHONE25, sign up required