Samsung · Reviewed by Trakin Tech · Published 2026-03-06
Based on a review by Trakin Tech (accessed 2026-03-06).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about excellent in-hand feel for the compact s26 (7.2mm thin, 168.7g) — just accept no 1tb storage variant offered (unlike the ultra model).
The reviewer considers the S26 and S26+ to be incremental updates that bring notable improvements, particularly in the operating system, the new proactive AI features, and an increased battery capacity. The 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset is highlighted as being very powerful and efficient.
This review unboxes and provides first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ smartphones. It covers their design, display, the new Exynos 2600 chipset's performance, battery and charging capabilities, camera features, AI functionalities, and connectivity options, concluding with pricing details.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ offer a compelling incremental update, primarily driven by their efficient new Exynos 2600 chipset and enhanced battery life. The 2NM Exynos 2600 chipset delivers power-efficient performance, closely matching or even exceeding the 8 Elite Gen 5 in some benchmarks, achieving an Antutu score of 3.2M. The S26 boasts a 4300 mAh battery, while the S26+ upgrades to 4900 mAh, both contributing to all-day usage due to the power-efficient chipset. The compact S26, at 7.2mm thin and 168.7g, provides an exceptional in-hand feel and retains a dependable camera system that excels in color reproduction and low-light performance. If you are seeking a compact flagship phone with robust AI capabilities, excellent battery longevity, and a reliable camera for various conditions, these models are worth considering. However, if advanced privacy display features or an IR blaster are essential to your usage, you might need to explore other options.
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measurement_testpositivet=01:23–01:27
The reviewer measures the Samsung Galaxy S26 and finds its weight to be 168.7g, confirming its lightweight nature.
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The reviewer measures the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and determines its weight to be 191.8g.
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Both S26 phones feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, alongside an aluminum frame. The reviewer jokingly expresses confidence in its durability by lightly 'dropping' them.
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The Samsung Galaxy S26 now comes with a 6.3-inch display, which is an increase from the previous S25's 6.2-inch display.
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Both S26 models feature a 120Hz AMOLED display with 2600 nits peak brightness and NTPO technology. The S26+ offers a QHD display, while the S26 has an FHD display.
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The phones are powered by the world's first 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, which the reviewer states is very powerful and power-efficient, deeming it the best Exynos chipset to date.
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The synthetic benchmark scores, specifically Geekbench, for the Exynos 2600 are noted to be close to those of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, with GPU scores also being neck-and-neck.
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The Antutu score for the Exynos 2600 is 3.2M, which is slightly lower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5's reported 3.7-3.8M.
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The S26 has a 4300 mAh battery with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, while the S26+ features a 4900 mAh battery with 45W wired and 20W wireless charging. Both support 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
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The S26 series runs on One UI 8.5 OS, based on Android 16, and is guaranteed to receive 7 years of major software updates.
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The phones feature Galaxy AI, including a new proactive AI called 'NowNudge' that suggests actions based on the user's phone usage rather than just responding to prompts.
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The reviewer states that both phones offer a good multimedia experience with great speaker quality and tight, responsive haptic feedback that can be felt during use.
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The camera system is described as dependable, producing good colors, with significant improvements in low light photography. It supports 4K 60FPS on all sensors, 8K 30FPS on the primary, and includes features like horizontal lock and log video with LUTs.
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The phones are equipped with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that works well, and face unlock functionality, both performing perfectly.
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The devices support global 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Ultra Wideband, and eSIM. They also feature Samsung Knox security, IP68 certification, Widevine L1, and HDR10+ support.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is praised for its compact, lightweight (168.7g), and thin (7.2mm) design, providing an amazing in-hand feel. The S26+ is heavier at 191.8g. Both models, however, feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and back, coupled with an aluminum frame, contributing to their robust durability.
The S26 and S26+ both come with vibrant 120Hz AMOLED displays, featuring 2600 nits peak brightness and NTPO technology. The S26 has an increased 6.3-inch FHD display, while the S26+ offers a larger 6.7-inch QHD display, ensuring a premium visual experience on both models.
The Galaxy S26 series features the world's first 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, which the reviewer highlights as being very powerful and power-efficient, deeming it the best Exynos chipset to date. Benchmark scores show its Geekbench and GPU performance are close to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, although its Antutu score is slightly lower at 3.2M compared to 3.7-3.8M for the competitor.
The S26 is equipped with a 4300 mAh battery, considered good for a compact phone and enabling all-day use, supporting 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. The S26+ features a larger 4900 mAh battery, supporting faster 45W wired and 20W wireless charging. Both models also offer 4.5W reverse wireless charging, providing versatile power options.
The S26 series comes with One UI 8.5, based on Android 16, and is guaranteed 7 years of major OS updates. A key highlight is Galaxy AI, which includes a new proactive feature called 'NowNudge.' This AI is designed to suggest actions based on the user's phone activity, offering a more intuitive and responsive experience.
The S26 series boasts a dependable camera system (50MP primary, 10MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP selfie) that produces photos with good colors and accurate output, with significant improvements noted in low light photography (nitrography). For video, all sensors, including the front, support 4K 60FPS, the primary sensor can do 8K 30FPS, and advanced features like horizontal lock and log video shooting with LUTs are included.
The Galaxy S26 and S26+ include robust security features such as an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and face unlock that work perfectly. For connectivity, they support all global 5G bands, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Ultra Wideband, and eSIM. Additionally, they come with Samsung Knox security by default and IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, along with Widevine L1 and HDR10+ support for multimedia.
75/100 source quality
Trakin Tech reviews the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+, focusing on their design, in-hand feel, and key specifications. The review highlights the world's first 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, praising its performance and power efficiency. It also covers display features, battery life, camera capabilities, and new AI functionalities like NowNudge. The reviewer notes that while it's an incremental update, it offers several good improvements, particularly in AI and battery.
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This page converts Trakin Tech's review of the Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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