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Samsung’s newest premium smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Extremely, could have rather a lot in frequent with its predecessor, however how does it examine to a two-generation-old system — particularly when it has the identical digital camera megapixels and battery capability?
Additionally: Samsung Unpacked 2026 recap: Updates on Galaxy S26 Extremely, Privateness Show, preorder offers
When you’ve got a Galaxy S24 Extremely and are questioning how the brand new Galaxy S26 Extremely compares, there are some main variations value noting. Unsurprisingly, the brand new Samsung telephone is not any cheaper — nevertheless it brings a couple of quality-of-life upgrades that could possibly be value it for a lot of customers. Let’s have a look.
Specs
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely | Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely | |
| Show | 6.9″ AMOLED with 120Hz and Privacy Display | 6.8″ QHD AMOLED 120Hz |
| Weight | 214 grams | 232 grams |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Dimensions | 78.1 x 163.6 x 7.9mm | 79 x 162.3 x 8.6mm |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery | 5,000mah with 60W wired charging | 5,000mAh with 45 wired charging |
| Digicam | 200MP broad / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP entrance | 200MP broad / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP entrance |
| Worth | n/a | n/a |
You can purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…
1. You need an general higher expertise
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is an enormous step up from the Galaxy S24 Extremely by way of general telephone expertise. It has the brand new Privateness Show characteristic for safer usability in public, brings agentic AI that truly works, and the brand new redesign is straightforward to carry.
Additionally: If these Samsung Galaxy S26 options are true, I’d lastly put away my Google Pixel
As in comparison with the Galaxy S24 Extremely, the new-gen Samsung flagship is lighter and slimmer. I miss S24 Extremely’s rounded sides however the Galaxy S26 Extremely does nicely to retain its persona whereas additionally being ergonomic. Each have the identical battery capability however the brand new telephone fees at 60 watts to high up the battery to 75% in round half-hour.
2. You want extra energy in your telephone
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is powered by the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. Paired with as much as 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, the {hardware} delivers sooner AI efficiency and improved sustained workload efficiency.
In the event you like gaming in your smartphone, the Galaxy S26 Extremely is a better option. Samsung says it has improved efficiency by redesigning the vapor cooling chamber round its processor. In consequence, it’s stated to ship higher gaming efficiency for longer durations.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. S25 Extremely: My issues as a longtime Galaxy consumer
I am going to put it to the check once I assessment the telephone in depth, however given the brand new chip’s efficiency on different telephones, it ought to outperform the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
3. You need higher cameras and modifying capabilities
Each Samsung telephones have a quad-rear digital camera setup consisting of a 200MP main digital camera, a 10MP 3x telephoto sensor, a 50MP 5x telephoto digital camera, and a 50MP ultrawide-angle lens. Nonetheless, the Galaxy S26 Extremely has a much bigger aperture on the first digital camera and the 5x tele lens. In consequence, you’ll be able to anticipate improved nighttime pictures and movies.
Additionally: I modified 7 settings on my Samsung telephone to considerably enhance the battery life
You may need seen noisy outcomes on the Galaxy S24 Extremely’s movies at evening. In my demo forward of Galaxy Unpacked, I seen an enormous enchancment in that use case and no gentle leakage when capturing neon gentle indicators. Samsung has additionally launched a GoPro-like Horizon lock characteristic for motion photographs that you simply will not discover on the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
It’s best to preserve your Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely if…
1. You want Bluetooth S Pen options
Samsung downgraded the S Pen with its Galaxy S25 Extremely final 12 months, and it’s staying the identical on the newest flagship. I miss having the S Pen that doubled as a distant shutter button – it was useful for once I was solo touring in Europe.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely assessment: Nonetheless the flagship of Android flagships
In the event you use such Bluetooth S Pen options, it’s higher to stay to your Galaxy S24 Extremely than improve to this 12 months’s flagship mannequin. The present-generation S Pen is primarily used to jot down notes.
2. You do not need to spend $1,000+ on a telephone
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is pricey on the $1,300 beginning value. You will get double the storage on supply, however that does not low cost the truth that it is quite a lot of upfront money.
In case your Galaxy S24 Extremely is working advantageous, you should not improve to the new-gen mannequin, particularly when it’s scheduled to get a couple of extra years of upgrades. I would advocate ready one other 12 months for a significant digital camera overhaul (hopefully) after which upgrading your Samsung telephone in 2027.
Author’s alternative
Personally, I would improve to the Galaxy S26 Extremely for its lighter design and Privateness Show characteristic. I additionally discovered some agentic AI options helpful they usually’ll take some time to succeed in the S24 Extremely (in the event that they do). This third era of Samsung’s AI telephones is the primary time I would really use AI in day-to-day life.
