In this article, we’ll break down the official specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S26 lineup to help you compare size, display, cameras, battery, and performance side by side for the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. We focus on fit, screen size, camera flexibility, battery endurance, and everyday usability - so you can confidently choose the model that matches how you use your phone.
*This comparison guide was created by T-Mobile to help you explore accessories in our store. The opinions expressed here reflect our editorial perspective based on publicly available features, specifications, and articles.
Key takeaways of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series
Here are the most important points to know before you pick a model:
- Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 4,300mAh battery, 50 MP main camera, compact and lightweight (5.89 oz).
- Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch QHD+ display, 4,900mAh battery, 50 MP main camera, balanced size and endurance (6.7 oz).
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch QHD+ display, 5,000mAh battery, 200 MP main camera, built-in S Pen, most advanced zoom system (7.55 oz).
- Ultra adds enhanced camera hardware, Gorilla Glass Armor 2, and higher wired charging speeds (up to 60 W).
- All three models feature 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to 2,600 nits peak brightness, Android 16, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processors.
Samsung S26 vs. S26+ vs. S26 Ultra spec snapshot: Key differences
| Feature | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3" FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.7" QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9" QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz adaptive | 120 Hz adaptive | 120 Hz adaptive |
| Glass | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Gorilla Glass Armor 2 |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | 200 MP |
| Telephoto | 10 MP (3x optical) | 10 MP (3x optical) | 50 MP (5x) + 10 MP (3x) |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Battery | 4,300mAh | 4,900mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 45 W | 60 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 20 W | 25 W |
| S Pen | No | No | Yes (built-in) |
S26 Series sizes and design: Pocket feel, materials, and durability
The S26 series brings familiar silhouettes. The standard Galaxy S26 is the most compact for easy one-handed use, while the S26+ scales up the screen to give you more room to stream, scroll, and multitask in a balanced, thoughtfully designed package.
The S26 Ultra is the largest of the lineup, featuring a more squared silhouette and built-in S Pen housing. While the series now shares a cohesive curved-edge design, the Ultra stands out with its expansive display and more structured frame that reinforces its premium feel.
Across the lineup, Samsung uses premium materials for durability. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ feature Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2, while the S26 Ultra upgrades to Corning® Gorilla® Glass Armor 2. All three models maintain slim profiles under one-third of an inch thick, with the Ultra weighing the most due to its larger battery and expanded camera system.
- S26: smallest footprint; flat display for easy one-handed control (6.3-inch, 5.89 oz)
- S26+: larger 6.7-inch screen with the same slim design language (6.7 oz)
- S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch display with built-in S Pen support and a more structured silhouette, designed for power users (7.55 oz)
- Materials: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (S26/S26+); Gorilla Glass Armor 2 (Ultra)
- Thickness: all models measure under 0.32 inches
S26 Series displays: Brightness, size, and extras that matter
Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels span the entire S26 lineup, each with a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate for fluid scrolling and smooth gameplay.
The standard S26 remains the most compact at 6.3 inches with FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080), making it comfortable for one-hand use. The S26+ and S26 Ultra step up to larger 6.7-inch and 6.9-inch displays with QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440), offering more detail for reading, streaming, and editing photos.
All three models support peak brightness up to 2,600 nits, improving visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also includes Samsung’s Privacy Display feature, which helps reduce side-angle visibility when enabled.
| Model | Panel | Refresh rate | Peak brightness | Extras | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (FHD+) | 120 Hz adaptive | Up to 2,600 nits | Compact flat display | One-handed comfort and portability |
| Galaxy S26+ | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (QHD+) | 120 Hz adaptive | Up to 2,600 nits | Larger viewing area | Readers, streamers, and everyday power users |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (QHD+) | 120 Hz adaptive | Up to 2,600 nits | Privacy Display, S Pen integration | Photographers, travelers, and stylus users |
S26 Series performance and connectivity: Processing, RAM, and 5G
Under the hood, the entire Galaxy S26 family runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with Android™ 16.
RAM starts at 12 GB across the lineup, with the S26 Ultra offering an additional 16 GB configuration. Storage options range from 256 GB to 512 GB on all models, with the Ultra also offering a 1 TB option.
Improved thermal efficiency supports sustained performance during gaming, multitasking, and 8K video recording.
Connectivity features in the S26 series include:
- 5G support across major bands
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth 5.4 (S26) and Bluetooth 6.0 (S26+/Ultra)
- NFC, VoLTE, VoWi-Fi, and VoNR
Whether you're streaming, navigating, gaming, or sharing large files, all three models are built for fast, reliable connections.
S26 Series cameras: When the Ultra’s lenses pay off
If you shoot a lot in low light or regularly zoom beyond 3x, the Ultra’s expanded camera system is the draw. The S26 and S26+ keep a versatile triple-camera setup that handles everyday shots with ease and delivers reliable results for social posts, travel snaps, and quick video.
The S26 Ultra adds a 200 MP main sensor and extra telephoto hardware for cleaner long-range zoom and more detail in dim scenes. Across the lineup you’ll find strong optical image stabilization (OIS) and AI-powered processing that improve detail, reduce blur, and speed up smart edits.
All three models benefit from stabilization and intelligent features for portraits, night shots, and video. Photographers and frequent travelers will see the biggest gains with the Ultra’s 200 MP main plus dual telephoto system, while most people will be very happy with the 50 MP main + ultra-wide + 3x telephoto found on the S26 and S26+.
- S26 / S26+: 50 MP main + 12 MP ultra-wide + 10 MP telephoto (3x optical)
- S26 Ultra: 200 MP main + 50 MP ultra-wide + 50 MP telephoto (5x optical) + 10 MP telephoto (3x optical), up to 100x digital zoom
- Common strengths: optical image stabilization, AI-enhanced processing, and robust video capture (including 8K @ 30fps)
- Who benefits: Ultra for serious zoom and low-light work; S26 or S26+ for everyday photography
S26 Series battery and charging: All-day power
Bigger bodies generally mean bigger batteries - and the S26 family follows that pattern. The S26 pairs a 4,300mAh battery with efficient FHD panel behavior for compact, full-day use. The S26+ steps up to a 4,900mAh cell for longer screen time, and the S26 Ultra ships with a 5,000mAh battery to maximize endurance with its larger, higher-resolution display.
Charging speeds differ across the models: the S26 supports 25 W wired and 15 W wireless charging, the S26+ supports 45 W wired and 20 W wireless, and the S26 Ultra supports up to 60 W wired and 25 W wireless.
Depending on battery size and conditions, that can translate to roughly 30 to 45 minutes to reach around 50% on the S26, and even faster top-ups on the S26+ and Ultra with higher wattage chargers. All models charge over USB-C and support fast charging, though total charging time and battery life will vary based on usage patterns such as screen brightness, refresh rate, and 5G activity.
| Model | Battery capacity | Battery capacity | Wireless charging | Standby time | Talk time | Video playback | Audio playback | Browsing (Wi-Fi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26 | 4,300mAh | 25 W | 15 W | Up to 281 hrs | Up to 44 hrs | Up to 31 hrs | Up to 81 hrs | Up to 28 hrs |
| Galaxy S26+ | 4,900mAh | 45 W | 20 W | Up to 340 hrs | Up to 50 hrs | Up to 31 hrs | Up to 94 hrs | Up to 30 hrs |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 5,000mAh | 60 W | 25 W | Up to 346 hrs | Up to 52 hrs | Up to 31 hrs | Up to 98 hrs | Up to 31 hrs |
S26 software and AI: One UI, Android updates, and helpful tools
The Galaxy S26 series ships with Android 16 and Samsung’s latest One UI. Samsung continues its long software and security update policy, which helps extend the useful life of each device.
Galaxy AI features are built in across the lineup—things like Photo Assist editing, AI-enhanced night photography, contextual smart suggestions, and productivity tools that speed up everyday tasks. The S26 Ultra combines these features with built-in S Pen functionality for note-taking, drawing, and quick markup workflows, but core Galaxy AI tools and One UI experiences are available on the S26 and S26+ as well.
- OS: Android 16 with One UI.
- AI features: Photo Assist, night-photo enhancements, smart suggestions, and productivity helpers.
- Updates: Samsung’s multi-year update and security cadence continues across the series.
- Who notices: Everyone benefits from the AI convenience features; Ultra users get additional S Pen integration for creative and productivity use.
Which model fits you? S26 device recommendations by use case
Use these quick picks to match your habits to the right model.
If you want compact comfort, pick the S26. If you prefer a bigger screen and battery without going all-in on size or weight, the S26+ hits the balance. If you want the most advanced camera system and built-in S Pen support, the S26 Ultra leads.
- S26: Best for one-handed use and portability
- S26+: Best balance of screen size and battery life
- S26 Ultra: Most advanced camera system and S Pen support
- Photographers and power users: Favor S26 Ultra
- Compact-phone fans: Choose S26
FAQs about Samsung Galaxy S26 Series
The key differences are size, camera hardware, battery capacity, charging speeds, and S Pen support. The S26 focuses on compact usability, the S26+ balances screen size and battery life, and the S26 Ultra adds a 200 MP camera system, faster charging, and built-in S Pen functionality.
The standard Galaxy S26 is the most comfortable for one-handed use thanks to its 6.3-inch display and lighter 5.89-ounce design.
Yes. The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch display and weighs 7.55 ounces, compared to the S26+ at 6.7 inches and 6.7 ounces.
Yes. The Galaxy S26 Ultra includes built-in S Pen support. The S26 and S26+ do not support the S Pen.
Yes. All three models feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with adaptive 120 Hz refresh rates.
All Galaxy S26 models support peak brightness up to 2,600 nits for strong outdoor visibility.
The Galaxy S26 and S26+ include a 50 MP main camera, 12 MP ultra-wide, and 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S26 Ultra adds a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide lens, and dual telephoto lenses (3x and 5x optical zoom) for greater zoom flexibility.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers the most camera flexibility, especially for low-light photography and long-range zoom.
All Galaxy S26 models use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor with Android 16.
All models start at 12 GB of RAM. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also offers a 16 GB configuration.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the largest battery at 5,000mAh, followed by the S26+ at 4,900mAh and the S26 at 4,300mAh. Real-world battery life depends on usage patterns and display settings.
Yes. All models support wired and wireless charging. The S26 supports 25 W wired charging, the S26+ supports 45 W, and the S26 Ultra supports up to 60 W wired charging. Wireless charging speeds vary by model.
For many users, the Galaxy S26+ offers a strong balance of screen size, battery capacity, performance, and charging speed without the added size and weight of the Ultra.
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