The new S26 phones all support advanced AI tools and offer faster performance, though they differ in hardware. Samsung has launched its Galaxy S26 lineup, consisting of the S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra. While not radically different from last year’s models, they include notable enhancements. Each device runs on Qualcomm’s Galaxy-focused Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, boosting performance and enabling new AI features, such as screening unknown calls and photo editing by text command. There’s also a Google Gemini update that executes tasks in select third-party apps.
Starting at $899.99, the S26 is the smallest and most budget-friendly, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, under 6 ounces in weight, and packing a 4,300mAh battery. Its cameras include a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens. Like others in the series, it supports a 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and wireless charging.
Retailing at $1,099.99, the S26 Plus has similar features but boasts a larger 6.7-inch display and a 4,900mAh battery, potentially extending its battery life compared to the S26. Further testing will clarify this, particularly since the Plus has a larger screen.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, starting at $1,299.99, is the largest, most feature-rich, and heaviest at almost half a pound. Its 6.9-inch display resembles that of an e-reader, with a 5,000mAh battery being the largest. The camera system is the most advanced, featuring a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, and two telephoto lenses with 3x and 5x optical zoom for superior quality zooming. Uniquely, the Ultra offers Samsung’s new privacy display feature, obscuring on-screen content from side viewers. It also includes S Pen support.
A detailed look at the hardware of each phone is presented below. Our hands-on impressions of the Galaxy S26, S26 Plus, and S26 Ultra provide insight until the full reviews are available.
**Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. S26 Plus vs. S26 Ultra**
| Category | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26 Plus | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|————————–|———————————|———————————|—————————-|
| OS | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android 16 |
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 2340 × 1080 | 3120 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Max. refresh rate | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz | Up to 120Hz |
| Dimensions (mm) | 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 |
| Weight | 5.89 ounces (167 grams) | 6.7 ounces (190 grams) | 7.55 ounces (214 grams) |
| Battery | 4,300mAh | 4,900mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB and 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Rear camera | Main: 50MP; Ultra: 12MP; Tele: 10MP | Main: 50MP; Ultra: 12MP; Tele: 10MP | Main: 200MP; Ultra: 50MP; Tele: 50MP, 10MP |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Front video | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps | 4K at 60fps |
| Rear video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
| Biometrics | Ultrasonic fingerprint, facial recognition | Ultrasonic fingerprint,