The Galaxy S26 can’t skate by on minor improvements alone [Video]
Source: 9to5Google
With Samsung gearing up for the firm’s yearly smartphone launch, and with the benefit of hindsight, we sort of need the Galaxy S26 to at least make some notable improvements over its predecessors or risk losing potential buyers.
Table of Contents
Hardware and Design
There’s no shame in sticking with a design. We’re not advocating for Samsung to shake things up here. Personally, I have no qualms with the company keeping what has made the Galaxy S series stand out over the past few years, even if it looks plain on the surface.
Leaks have shown only minor refinements from the S25 to the upcoming S26. Samsung doesn’t need to overhaul the look or functionality dramatically.
It’s really disappointing to hear that we probably won’t get magnetic Qi 2 compatibility without using a first‑party or third‑party case.
—9to5Google, Feb 5 2026
Design cues
- Samsung often follows Apple’s lead on materials, finishes, and color options.
- While it can be annoying, it doesn’t diminish Samsung’s ability to produce top‑tier hardware.
- Hardware failures and component‑related complaints are rare; Samsung phones tend to stand the test of time.
Internals
- Expect the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
- Memory allocation remains uncertain; with AI taking a front seat again, the S26 series may ship with less RAM than some competitors.
Display
One of the standout features of the Galaxy S24 and S25 Ultra has been the anti‑glare display. Samsung has already confirmed that a new privacy display will be a key component.
- A higher maximum brightness would be a welcome upgrade.
- Off‑axis visibility to block prying eyes (without a screen protector) could be useful, but it isn’t a primary selling point.
Samsung’s privacy‑display announcement – Samsung Newsroom
The Software Stack
If One UI 8.5 is anything to go by, Samsung is borrowing design cues from Apple. While the new look is sleek, it also undoes some of the progress made in recent updates. Samsung continues to add the “clear‑glass” aesthetic that many OEMs favor, which feels out of place for users who choose the S26 series precisely because they prefer Android over iOS.
Material 3 & Samsung’s Opportunity
- Material 3 Expressive is ripe for a Samsung‑specific implementation.
- Android’s biggest challenge right now is a lack of differentiation among flagship skins.
- If Samsung, the platform’s most visible brand, doesn’t adopt Google’s design language in a meaningful way, the ecosystem risks becoming even more “samey.”
AI Integration
Early marketing for the Galaxy S26 and the Unpacked event repeatedly mentions “AI” and “Galaxy AI.”
- Gemini is expected to be a key differentiator.
- Questions remain:
- What will the S26 do that the Pixel 10 doesn’t already offer?
- Will Samsung merely match Google’s AI features, or will it introduce unique capabilities?
S Pen Concerns
As an S25 Ultra owner, I’m watching the S Pen closely:
- Recent generations have seen functionality shrink and even feature removals.
- The S Pen was once a major selling point, but it now feels like an afterthought.
- No other Android brand offers an integrated stylus, so it could be a decisive advantage—if Samsung continues to develop it.
“The S Pen is being left to rot and likely won’t survive in the long term.” – 9to5Google analysis
Bottom Line
Expect a lot of AI “shoe‑horned” into One UI, but without thoughtful integration it may feel more like a gimmick than a genuine upgrade. Samsung has the chance to set a new standard for Android design and stylus functionality—whether it takes that chance remains to be seen.
Camera
One of the most common complaints about recent Samsung Galaxy phones is the lack of meaningful camera upgrades. From the Galaxy S23 Ultra through to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, there have been only minor changes. Even the regular Galaxy S22 to S25 models show almost no improvements, which feels like excessive recycling for a brand that should be leading the market.
Software shortcomings
- Image processing is becoming a pain point for many Samsung fans.
- Moving subjects still cause issues; shutter lag remains a frequent complaint.
- Image blur can ruin otherwise good photos.
What could be better?
A larger main sensor would be a significant upgrade. While it may be unlikely, such a change would make Samsung more competitive against the aggressive smartphone cameras emerging from China in recent years. As it stands, we can expect only modest hardware tweaks and AI‑driven software workarounds to mask the lack of a truly cutting‑edge sensor.
Will Things Change?
As far as global sales go, it’s almost a formality that the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup will sell 10× its nearest competitor in the Android market. This is why we want the company to at least try and make improvements in many areas.
Samsung appears a little lost lately, making strange decisions with seemingly no real plan to lead from the front. Instead, the brand is falling back into old habits and taking cues from Apple, as the well of ideas looks a little dry.
It’s more frustrating because almost every Samsung Galaxy S series phone has been solid for a number of years.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra belies its modest changes and “upgrades.” We’re expecting more of the same with the Galaxy S26 lineup, and “more of the same” isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, when that “thing” has been the same for almost three years in a row, it becomes a problem—there’s almost zero reason for someone to upgrade now, as the experience isn’t noticeably different.
For the Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus, there is even less reason to upgrade. The severe lack of effort with those phones is a crying shame and showcases how little Samsung seems to care about anything but the Ultra lineup, which itself feels neglected lately.
The smartphone market has passed its peak. Where it goes from here could be shaped by what happens with the Galaxy S26—and, most notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Preferred Source Badges
FTC: We use income‑earning auto‑affiliate links. More.