Samsung's S26 and S26+ offer familiar designs, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chips and new software features

Engadget

by Igor Bonifacic

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Samsung has unveiled its new S26 and S26+ smartphones, marking mostly incremental updates to their design and features. Both models now share rounded corners with the more premium Ultra variant, while the S26 boasts a 6.3-inch AMOLED display and a larger 4,300mAh battery compared to the S26+'s 6.7-inch screen and 4,900mAh battery. The phones rely on enhanced software capabilities rather than hardware overhauls to stay competitive. Both feature a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom for still photos. The front-facing cameras have been upgraded with Samsung's Object Aware Engine, improving portrait mode shots by better capturing skin tones and hair textures. Additionally, Super Steady video technology now supports 360-degree horizontal stabilization, while Auto Framing uses AI to tighten the frame during filming. For tech enthusiasts, the inclusion of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in North American and Japanese models is a notable point, especially since it pairs with Samsung's new Exynos 2600 chipset. The S26 and S26+ are priced at $899 and $1,099 respectively, a $100 increase over last year’s models. Both come standard with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while 512GB variants are also available. The phones offer six color options in-store (purple, blue, black, and white) with silver and rose gold as online exclusives. Pre-orders began on the day of their announcement, with general availability starting March 11. These updates highlight Samsung’s continued focus on AI-driven features and improved video capabilities, positioning the S26 series as a solid choice for users seeking reliable performance and enhanced software experiences.

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Originally published on Engadget on 2/25/2026