Samsung Galaxy S26 Family Thread

Howdy folks

Looks like I can pick up a new S25 from our local Samsung Government programme if I trade in my S23FE for about 400NZD which is ~200GBP. I was holding out for the S26 but wondering if it will have any real improvements over the S25 and whether I should upgrade for a signficantly cheaper price (S25 retailed at ~$1500NZD on release)... What do we know that the S26 will have that could make it more viable than an S25 when coming from an S23FE with the Exynos chipset (so really crap battery life).
 
Pawnless Endgame said:
I like that the Ultra is bringing back the rounded corners. The specs overall though is underwhelming when compared to my S23U in that it seems like an incremental update rather than a 3-year update. Unless the camera plays a kicker card, my only reason to switch S23U>S26U would be to have a battery that isn't half worn out and a few extra years of OS/security updates. You noticed that Samsung has gone the Apple route, a bit overboard with the colour choices? :p
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Only reason I went from 23U to 25U was the flat screen to use simple tempered glass screen protectors with. Other than that the difference is minimal to me.

26U looks like a marginal upgrade at best.
 
Here come the pre-launch leaks

www.gsmarena.com

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra emerges in official poster

In its new hero color - Cobalt Violet. The Galaxy S26 series is expected to launch in three weeks’ time and ahead of the big event Evan Blass (@evleaks)...
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www.gsmarena.com

Galaxy S26 Ultra's S Pen and official accessories leaked

The Galaxy S26 series is expected to debut on February 25. Last week, official-looking renders of the Galaxy S26 lineup surfaced online, showcasing the...
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https://www.gsmarena.com/korean_galaxy_s26_with_exynos_2600_also_runs_geekbench-news-71364.php Looks OK compared to SD

www.gsmarena.com

Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra prices leak

Samsung is trying to keep the base configuration prices the same as last year. Another price-related leak about the upcoming Galaxy S26 series came in...
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There's only one niche feature that makes it more useful to me and it's reports that satellite connectivity might actually be a thing finally.

Hike a lot and on my own in places with poor signal so something to consider if something ever goes wrong. Of course also remains to be seen if it will make it to UK/ Europe on launch.
 
I'll be getting one as had the s23+ for 3+ years now. Not sure if to go with the ultra this time or stick with the + series.... Will depend on price difference.
 
I don't see much being mentioned about the rumoured f1.4 aperture? Am I getting my hopes up that this may help resolve motion blur finally?
I know motion blur has been a big topic in the past.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Maybe I'm expecting too much!
 
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W50 said:
I don't see much being mentioned about the rumoured f1.4 aperture? Am I getting my hopes up that this may help resolve motion blur finally?
I know motion blur has been a big topic in the past.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Maybe I'm expecting too much!
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It will let more light in allowing for a faster exposure setting, proof will be in the testing though
 
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smokedog said:
Galaxy S26 is skipping built-in Qi2 magnets. Samsung doesn't want to make the S26 too competitive

9to5google.com

Galaxy S26 is likely skipping built-in Qi2 magnets in latest leak

Leaks continue to tell us the GalaxyS26 series won’t be a particularly big upgrade, and it seems more likely than...
9to5google.com 9to5google.com
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That's a shame. I was hoping to see that finally arrive.

I know you can get magsafe cases but would have been nice to see this too.

Underwhelmed with what's known so far.
 
W50 said:
I don't see much being mentioned about the rumoured f1.4 aperture? Am I getting my hopes up that this may help resolve motion blur finally?
I know motion blur has been a big topic in the past.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? Maybe I'm expecting too much!
Click to expand...
At this stage it's like putting lipstick on a dog. I mean it's an Ultra phone and with a 4 year old sensor which was never good to begin with... they're taking the mick.

You'd be mad to pay top dollar for the S26 series. A good sale must be had.
 
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kona786 said:
At this stage it's like putting lipstick on a dog. I mean it's an Ultra phone and with a 4 year old sensor which was never good to begin with... they're taking the mick.

You'd be mad to pay top dollar for the S26 series. A good sale must be had.
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Sure, I agree, but I'm keen to upgrade my current phone and unless I go to an iPhone (which isn't going to happen), there isn't anything else worth considering (for me at least).
To be fair, I didn't mention paying full price, I will see what the pre-order deal is first and then stack codes + trade in and get a figure. If it's the right price, I'll get one.
 
W50 said:
Sure, I agree, but I'm keen to upgrade my current phone and unless I go to an iPhone (which isn't going to happen), there isn't anything else worth considering (for me at least).
To be fair, I didn't mention paying full price, I will see what the pre-order deal is first and then stack codes + trade in and get a figure. If it's the right price, I'll get one.
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I did read the double storage pre order deals won't be happening this year due to the shortages.


We'll wait and see for the deals.
 
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W50 said:
Sure, I agree, but I'm keen to upgrade my current phone and unless I go to an iPhone (which isn't going to happen), there isn't anything else worth considering (for me at least).
To be fair, I didn't mention paying full price, I will see what the pre-order deal is first and then stack codes + trade in and get a figure. If it's the right price, I'll get one.
Click to expand...

May be worth looking at getting a cheaper S25U now rather than waiting given the differences are looking pretty bleak?
 
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