Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S25 and Samsung Galaxy S26 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($800 vs $800), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Samsung Galaxy S25 stands out for compact and pocketable flagship, while Samsung Galaxy S26 is praised for compact 6.2-inch flagship. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 if…
- →Compact and pocketable flagship
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- →12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 if…
- →Compact 6.2-inch flagship
- →Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- →7 years of OS updates
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
Samsung Galaxy S26
Pros
- Compact 6.2-inch flagship
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- 7 years of OS updates
- IP68 water resistance
Cons
- Smaller 4000 mAh battery
- Only 25W charging
- 12MP ultrawide is dated
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S25 | Samsung Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 162 g | 168 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm | 146 x 70 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 10 MP 3x optical | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W Qi2 | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2600 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.4 |
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Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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