Samsung Galaxy S26: First Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy S26 range has finally launched, including the entry-level Galaxy S26, the Galaxy S26+ middle device, and the powerful Galaxy S26 Ultra.

We’ve gone hands-on with each of the new devices, spending time with them enough to build up some first impressions to help you decide on which handset to upgrade to. 

Each phone comes with a range of new Galaxy AI¹ features, with the arrival of photo editing tools that streamline tweaks to photos, such as an edit history and easily accessible move, delete and reimagine tools.

Broadly speaking, this generation of Galaxy handsets is more unified than ever before. A gorgeous new design for each phone, new colourways and an all-new protruding camera bump, the Galaxy S26 family looks unique and offers reliable day-to-day capability.

Want to learn more? Read our Samsung Galaxy S26 series vs Galaxy S25 series comparison, or our Introducing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series article.

Samsung Galaxy S26: first impressions

• Great new 6.3" display
• Powerful Exynos 2600 processor
• 4,300mAh battery (typical)²

The standard Galaxy S26 represents the entry-point into Samsung’s powerful range of flagship handsets. This base-model handset is designed to keep up with your needs all day, and can shift from casual social media scrolling, to shooting gorgeous video, to epic gameplay with tremendous ease.

The most noticeable improvement made to the Samsung Galaxy S26 over last year’s Galaxy S25 is a larger display. The bigger 6.3” screen is gorgeous and perfect for watching movies on, while remaining conveniently pocket-sized and comfortable in-hand.

The Galaxy S26 has also received a slight battery boost over its predecessor, with a 4,300mAh (typical) battery¹ coming standard.

Finally, a shift to the Exynos 2600 processor means performance and efficiency improvements over the S25, ensuring that you can rely on the Samsung Galaxy S26 for whatever tasks you have at hand.

Samsung Galaxy S26+: first impressions

• Light 214g weight
• New Exynos 2600 processor
• Awesome for big screen lovers

Say the improved screen on the Samsung Galaxy S26 isn’t the size you’re looking for – that's where the Galaxy S26+ is perfect. This larger device incorporates a bigger display with a higher resolution, making it even better for streaming content.

Underpinning the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the powerful Exynos 2600 processor, designed for all-day use and capable of keeping up with whatever you throw at it – be it casual scrolling sessions, gorgeous photography or hardcore gaming.

And though the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is physically bigger than the standard Galaxy S26, it still boasts comfortable dimensions that make it easy to hold in-hand and stow in a pocket.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: first impressions

• New Privacy Display feature
• Gorgeous new design
• Large size for power users

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the most impressive device in the S26 family by far, being the most powerful handset Samsung has ever created. It comes fitted with groundbreaking new features and a dazzling design that puts it better in line with the standard S26 and S26+.

You’ll notice first that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a more rounded design, with the protruding camera bump being the most distinctive design change. This is joined by a more streamlined approach to colourways, with the Ultra sharing finishes with the standard S26 and S26+.

But the hardware comes with some neat new tricks too. The most impressive is Privacy Display – with this feature enabled, you can keep onlookers from being able to see what is on your screen, with the display only being passable to direct lookers and not those from the side.

Samsung has also made improvements to video recording with the S26 Ultra, introducing much better video stabilisation that allows the phone to move around while maintaining a clear and unbothered shot – perfect for recording while walking or running.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with a stylus, perfect for users that value precision or want to draw on the go. Its screen is also noticeably larger, with a more powerful array of cameras than the other members of the S26 range.

Optus is offering a range of unmissable offers with the Samsung Galaxy S26 range of devices that could get you up to $1,448 off.

Until April 8 2026, when you order a Samsung Galaxy S26 device through Optus over 24 or 36 months on an eligible SIM plan, you can get a discount on your phone, along with  a discount on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 40mm, Samsung Galaxy Watch8 44mm, Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic 46mm and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra on a $10/month Watch Promo Plan.

• Order the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra to receive a $700 OptusPay discount + $748 OptusPay discount on an eligible Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Order the Samsung Galaxy S26 or Samsung Galaxy S26+ to receive a $500 OptusPay discount + $748 OptusPay discount on an eligible Samsung Galaxy Watch

The discounts mean a massive saving on your selected Galaxy S26 device, along with a worthwhile OptusPay discount on an eligible smartwatch, as long as you stay connected on eligible phone and watch plans.

Both the phone and the watch must be purchased during the same transaction, on the same contract terms (24 or 26 months) to get this offer.

Terms: Available to Consumer and Business customers who sign up or recontract and stay connected to an eligible mobile SIM plan and purchase a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, S26+ or S26 handset on a 24 or 36 month device payment plan. Excludes 12 month device payment plan and outright purchases. Discount applied over length of payment plan selected and applied from the first invoice for the device payment. The discount will be forfeited if the customer cancels, recontracts or changes to an ineligible plan and the customer will have to pay out the full cost of the device on a pro-rata basis, excluding the device discount Optus was going to cover. N/A with other device discount offers unless specified. Offer ends 8/04/2026.

Device disclaimers  

_{1. Certain AI features require Samsung and Google Account. Internet connection may be required to use some features.}

_{2. Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard.}