The Philips Hue Omniglow is the best Hue lightstrip yet. It's a classier kind of LED strip: where other models have visible LEDs, the Omniglow delivers seamless color gradients and smoothly moving light effects. The results are very impressive and the Hue app makes it easy to select, edit or create scenes either solo or as part of a wider Hue setup. If you've already got a Hue system you can add it in seconds and then include it in your scenes and automations. As with other Hue lights you'll need a Philips Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro to access advanced features such as custom scenes and smart home integration.
The Omniglow is easy to install and set up, although if you're mounting it up high you might curse the short power cable. The only real downside is the length: you can shorten the Omniglow but not extend it, and longer versions are not widely available in the UK or US. While European customers can choose between 3m, 5m and 10m models, the US and UK are currently limited to the 3m model only.
Philips Hue Omniglow: price and availability
On sale from November 2025
$139.99 / £119.99 / AU$279.99 (3m)
The Philips Hue Omniglow was announced in September 2025 and went on sale in November 2025. There are three sizes, but only the 3m model is available everywhere. That has a recommended price tag of $139.99 / £119.99 / €139.99 / AU$279.99.
Europe and Australia also get a longer 5m version, which costs €199.99 / AU$399. And in Europe there's a 10m version with a price tag of $349.99. The same 10m version was listed with a UK price of £349.99 but at the time of writing it's showing as as "not currently available" on the Philips website.
Philips Hue Omniglow: design
Even close-up you can't see the individual LEDs:' colors, and gradients are super-smooth (Image credit: Future)
RGB, warm white and cool white
Seamless color and gradients
Cuttable but not extendable
The Omniglow is a RGBWWIC design, which means it combines RGB, warm white, cool white and independent control in a single light source. Unlike other Hue lightstrips you can't see the individual LEDs; it's designed to deliver seamless whites, colors and gradients, which it does very well. That makes it look much more classy than lesser lightstrips.
The strip is 17mm wide and 8.5mm high and consists of multiple 12.5cm sections, each of which has 6 LEDs that can be individually controlled – so you can get twinkly lights and motion effects as well as solid color and gradients.
This lightstrip can be cut shorter at pre-defined 12.5cm spaces but any bit you remove can't be re-used or replaced later. Unlike previous Hue lightstrips the Omniglow can't be (officially) extended with additional sections, although inevitably some Hue fans have come up with warranty-voiding DIY solutions.
There are double-sided adhesive strips along the full length of the Omniglow, but you may want to use something more permanent if you're putting the strip in a place where it'll have to battle gravity; in my experience the adhesive that comes with Hue strips tends to be rather weak, and this lightstrip is quite heavy. The power supply is also very short, with just over 1m between the plug socket and the beginning of your lightstrip, and you're going to want to support the weight of the power brick.
Design score: 4/5
Hue Omniglow review: features
If you have a Hue Bridge/Pro you get full access to customization and smart home automation (Image credit: Future)
Three-stage gradients
Moving and flickering lights
Great integration with other Hue lights
The Omniglow delivers the promised seamless gradients, and it also brings a feature across from the Festivia string lights in the form of moving lights. That enables you to pick a moving scene such as a fireplace, candle glow or looped color change, and you can tweak those scenes in the Hue app to adjust their speed or intensity. It's very smooth and very impressive.
The app offers very basic control via Bluetooth but for access to advanced features such as syncing and smart home integration you'll need a Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro. That gives you the full range of customization, per-light settings and the ability to create your own custom moving gradients and flickering effects.
Features score: 5/5
Philips Hue Omniglow: performance
Up to 2,700 lumens
Seamless color
Beautifully smooth transitions
If you're familiar with Hue lightstrips the first thing you'll notice about the Omniglow is how bright it is. It's much brighter than standard Hue lightstrips, delivering up to 2,700 lumens of brightness compared to the 1,700 lumens of a Hue Solo of the same length.
If you can get the 5m or 10m models they are more powerful still, putting out up to 4,500 lumens. That means the Omniglow isn't just a decorative lightstrip. You can also use it to illuminate spaces such as stairs or feature walls.
Performance score: 5/5
Philips Hue Omniglow: should you buy it?
Design
Gorgeous lighting but it's not extendable and the power cable is very short
4/5
Features
Everything you'd expect from a Hue strip plus motion and flicker effects (Bridge/Pro required)
5/5
Performance
Brilliantly bright, super smooth and the colors are fantastic
5/5
Value
Quite expensive compared to other lightstrips
4/5
Buy it if
You want something classy The seamless color and gradients here elevate the Omniglow above lesser lightstrips, which look rather cheap by comparisonView Deal
You like to move it, move it The combination of motion and seamless color works really well with twinkling or looping scenesView Deal
Don't buy it if
You're on a budget Other Hue lightstrips are much cheaper than the Omniglow. Their LEDs are visible but they're still very effective and fun.View Deal
You need long lengths You can't extend this Omniglow strip and the 5m and 10m models are not widely available outside Europe.View Deal
It's for your TV The Omniglow isn't designed for TVs. Cheaper lightstrips are a better solution for TV ambience.View Deal
Philips Hue Omniglow: also consider
There are multiple lightstrips for Hue, some of them much more affordable – so for example the Hue Gradient Lightstrip is much cheaper. Govee is the main rival in this space with very affordable products including the bendable, cuttable COB Strip Light Pro, the very cheap RGBIC LED Strip and several rope light models.
How I tested the Philips Hue Omniglow
I've been all-in on Hue lights for more than a decade, and my home currently features a mix of smart lights including two Hue gradient lightstrips, various Hue bulbs, a Hue motion sensor and Hue Festavia string lights, all controlled via the Hue app, Apple Home and Siri. I added the Omniglow to my living room setup and Hue Bridge and used it as both decorative lighting and functional lighting, controlling it alongside my existing lights and scenes.
Lazy loading is not a new concept by far. The idea is simple – defer loading some of the heavier elements of a page until the lighter ones are loaded. That way, the user can start interacting with the content sooner rather than later.
Since 2019, Chrome and Chromium-based browsers have had lazy loading for images and iframes. Both types of elements will only start loading once the user scrolls close to them on the page.
Google has announced that it is currently testing expanded lazy loading that also includes video and audio elements. That is to say, multimedia content...
Razer has been all about anniversary products in 2026, with special edition variants of some of its most beloved devices with different physical touches, limited quantities and price tags you could wince at – the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition is the latest entry.
Underneath, it's a Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, which is one of the best gaming keyboards you can purchase with the green brand's second-gen analog optical switches, an 8000Hz polling rate and more goodies that have kept it competitive among a sea of newer, Hall effect and TMR-powered keyboards. It's been out for a couple of years by this point, though.
The Huntsman Signature Edition isn't going to do much to move the needle in Razer's favor, though, and arrives as more of a vanity project than a serious release - it is limited to 1337 pieces (get it, that's leet). After all, with the $500 price tag this keyboard comes with, you could nab both a high-power gaming keyboard and then sink the rest of the funds into a top enthusiast-grade product with more customisation than you could shake a stick at.
(Image credit: Future)
The fact is, though, that I like what's here. This Huntsman is built like a tank, and I'm a fan of all the little extras it comes with, such as its mirrored surfaces, the large leather-bound box, and the decent array of accessories on show. Gaming performance is also strong with its optical switches, 8000Hz polling rate, and more besides that keep inputs fast and responsive, plus there are extras such as analog capabilities for controller-like inputs and extensive software customisation to boot, so users can tinker until their hearts are content.
Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Price & release date
$499.99/£499.99/AU$799.99
Available only from Razer directly
Top-end of the market
The Razer Huntsman Signature Edition is only available to purchase from Razer's website, and costs $499.99/£499.99/AU$799.99, putting it right at the top end of the gaming keyboard market. It's also limited to 1337 pieces, so you'll need to have been quick on the button to snag one when it went on sale on February 22, 2026.
For the price, you get the keyboard itself alongside accessories including a keycap puller, a special-edition Razer keycap, swappable macOS command keycaps, a braided USB-C/USB-A cable and a leather sound-dampening mat. That all comes in a hefty leather-bound box with the Razer logo.
(Image credit: Future)
You can get premium gaming keyboards with a similar feature set for much less than the asking price, including the Corsair K70 Pro TKL and SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3. The keyboard this is based on, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL, is also much more affordable, and provides an identical core experience to the Huntsman Signature Edition.
Price score: 2/5
Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Design and features
Sturdy machined aluminum frame
Lovely attention to detail
Feature-rich software
Razer has certainly attempted to make the Huntsman Signature Edition look and feel like a $500/£500 keyboard. It carries this premium and understated look that we've seen brands move towards more generally, and it looks fantastic, with a black machined aluminum chassis with touches of gray on the volume roller and macro buttons in the top-right corner.
One of the key upgrades over the standard Huntsman V3 Pro TKL that turns this into a 'Signature Edition' is the decision to CNC-mill the entire chassis in 6063 aluminum, giving it this wonderful heft and thickness. It certainly means this keyboard isn't going to go anywhere when it's put down on your desk.
The rear side and underside of the Huntsman Signature Edition have been PVD surface-treated and hand-polished to achieve a mirror-like finish, giving the keyboard an extra extravagant feel. Granted, you won't be able to see it while you use it, but it shows a keen eye for detail on Razer's side.
(Image credit: Future)
I'm also a fan of the fact that this keyboard opts for a closed housing over the more common open, skeletal-feeling frames that are a lot more common on gaming-grade keyboards. It gives this product more of an enthusiast's feel, and also helps prevent ingress of dust or unwanted crud between the switches.
The lovely fit and finish of the Huntsman Signature Edition also extends to its textured PBT keycaps that feel great under finger. Razer also bundles a special Razer accent keycap in the box alongside ones for the bottom row for macOS functions, and a keycap puller so you can change them out if you wish. The lack of a wristrest for more optimal ergonomics is a bit of a shame, though, as some rivals come with one, including Razer's own Huntsman V3 Pro TKL.
(Image credit: Future)
The TKL (or tenkeyless) layout on offer is convenient and doesn't sacrifice much on overall functionality for the gains in desk space, only chopping off the number pad. You otherwise get a nav cluster with arrow keys, a feature-rich function row, and the usual alphanumeric set. Unlike other, more drastic space-saving layouts, it's easy to use.
In spite of not having an OLED screen, unlike rivals from other manufacturers, the Huntsman Signature Edition has some functions baked into its function row, including backlighting brightness, macro recording, and global adjustment of the actuation and reset points of the optical analog keyswitches. The tactile dial in the top right corner controls system volume by default.
(Image credit: Future)
Software control is handled by Razer Synapse, as with the brand's other peripherals, and the experience is familiar. It's a versatile piece of kit, offering means of controlling the actuation and reset points of switches individually, plus dealing with things such as analog, SOCD and rapid trigger functionality for the switches, and configuring the sharp RGB lighting
If you don't want to deal with sorting actuation and reset points on a per-key basis, then you can also select from a range of presets based on game genre, such as FPS or Racing, to optimise the keyboard's settings in one fell swoop.
Design and features score: 4/5
Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Specs
Layout:
TKL
Switch:
Razer Analog Optical Gen 2
Programmable keys:
Yes
Dimensions:
14.3 x 5.48 x 1.54 inches / 363 x 139 x 39mm
RGB or backlighting:
Yes (customisable)
Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Performance
Very potent optical switches
Rapid trigger and analog settings for lots of configuration
Solely wired connectivity, although with 8000Hz polling rate
The internals of the Huntsman Signature Edition haven't changed much from the V3 Pro TKL model, meaning it comes with the same switches – that's the brand's own Analog Optical Switches Gen-2 – which actuate with light gates for immense precision and bring handy extras such as rapid trigger for instant inputs and analog powers for controller-like progressive keypresses.
In a general sense, these optical switches are snappy under finger with a linear keypress, while a 40g weighting keeps them light enough for serious gaming. The switches aren't lubricated, unlike their Hall effect brethren, but feel smooth enough by default that I enjoyed using them for both gaming and general work. In addition, thanks to a stack of sound-dampening material inside the keyboard, the acoustics are excellent with no case rattle or ping.
(Image credit: Future)
Sometimes non-standard switches such as these can tend to feel quite hollow and lifeless under finger, but I didn't necessarily feel that way about them during general use for work, writing articles and such for hours on end.
The lack of traditional mechanisms also lends them to being immensely configurable, with the actuation and reset point able to be set anywhere along the travel from 0.1mm to 4mm. This allows for brisk inputs where you'd only need to essentially breathe on the switch before it actuates, before it instantly resets.
This is rapid trigger in action, and it can be very useful in quick draw scenarios in FPS titles. I use Counter-Strike 2 as proving grounds for any gaming keyboard I test, and with the Huntsman Signature Edition, I chose to bind the WASD and weapon selection keys as rapid triggers, which meant movement takes much less effort than a traditional keyboard, and things felt especially responsive.
(Image credit: Future)
However, this is only one side of these switches, as they are also analog switches, too – and are a newer version of the ones you'll find in the Razer Huntsman V2 Analog to boot. This means they can offer controller-like inputs with a more progressive scale, which is handy because you can now use a keyboard in titles where you may normally use a controller.
Razer makes it easy to map inputs in its software, and using the default 'Racing' preset in the Synapse software, it maps the WASD keys to left analog stick movement and right and left triggers. I tested it in both BeamNG Drive and in Forza Horizon 5 in races and freeroam, and it felt responsive.
There is a little bit of a learning curve in mastering the power of those analog inputs if you’re used to the more standard on/off nature of mechanical keyswitches, but it is seriously clever, and one of the most underrated features on these switches.
Razer provides its own flavour of SOCD tech with the Huntsman Signature Edition, known here as Snap Tap. This allows you to activate one key while holding down the other for especially quick actions. In this instance, it works based on the most recent one pressed; for instance, if mapped to the A and D keys, it can allow for unnaturally quick side-to-side movement. It's very clever, although not something you'll probably use too much in online games, given Valve wields the ban hammer for anyone who uses it in online Counter-Strike 2 games.
(Image credit: Future)
The software controls also open up the power of dual actuation, where you can set two inputs to different parts of a switch's travel, such as pushing it down slightly to walk, before going all the way down to run, or crouch. It's a handy addition for FPS games, although is as far as these switches go. Rival devices offer even more versatility, such as four inputs per key, and other derivatives of the SOCD (Snap Tap) tech, if you wanted even more functionality.
Connectivity with the Huntsman Signature Edition is strictly wired, with no Bluetooth or 2.4GHz wireless choices available. Over this wired connection, you also get an 8000Hz polling rate for more frequent reporting of inputs than more 'standard' gaming keyboards, which can lead to more responsive inputs. This isn't necessarily something that mere mortals can feel, although for the pros, where every millisecond counts, it's a useful addition.
Performance score: 4/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition?
Attribute
Notes
Score
Value
The Huntsman Signature Edition costs a lot as a limited edition, ultra-premium gaming keyboard, and sits above a lot of the competition for similar features.
2/5
Design and features
The Signature Edition boosts its fit and finish with a milled aluminium case, plenty of heft and a premium feel. The lack of a wristrest in the scope of accessories is a sore miss, though.
4/5
Performance
The Huntsman Signature Edition is a very responsive gaming keyboard with its smooth, optical switches that support rapid trigger and analog inputs. It is lacking more advanced customisation and wireless connectivity, though.
4/5
Overall rating
The Huntsman Signature Edition is a stylish and powerful gaming keyboard with some very versatile switches and handy software, plus immense build quality and handy extras to make this a top-tier product. An obscene price tag stops this from being a wholehearted recommendation, though.
4/5
Buy it if…
You want an ultra-premium gaming keyboard The Huntsman Signature Edition's price tag means it isn't for the faint-hearted, but if you've been after a keyboard that screams premium and luxury in virtually every way, this does it.
You want very versatile switches The second-gen analog optical switches that this keyboard comes with offer a lot in the way of speed and precision, plus the fact that they have rapid trigger and analog powers make this is a very clever keyboard.
Don’t buy it if…
You're on a budget The Huntsman Signature Edition's main downfall is the hideous price tag that puts it above and beyond many other rival devices, and plenty of other pared-back mechanical keyboards that will be much kinder to your wallet.
You want some more advanced customisation While the switches here can do rapid trigger and analog, rival devices can provide even more customisation, such as dynamic keystroke and mod tap to get even more out of the switches.
Razer Huntsman Signature Edition: Also consider
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless Gen 3 This SteelSeries choice mirrors the Huntsman Signature Edition in a lot of ways, with beefy switches (albeit with no analog powers), but fast rapid trigger inputs plus extensive software customisation and wireless connectivity. It's also much less expensive. Read our SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless review.View Deal
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% This BlackWidow choice trades some of its gaming power for mechanical versatility with hot-swappable Gen-3 Tactile switches and such, although it retains the classic Razer styling, comes with a wristrest and offers wireless connectivity. Again, it is also cheaper than the Huntsman Signature Edition by some margin. Read our Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review.View Deal
How I tested the Razer Huntsman Signature Edition
Tested for around two weeks
Used for gaming and productivity across Windows and macOS
A decade of experience as a journalist and mechanical keyboard hobbyist
I tested the Huntsman Signature Edition for around two weeks, using it as my main keyboard for work and play during this time with both Windows and macOS.
I played various games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Forza Horizon 5, to best gauge its optical switches for speed, precision, and the benefit of its analog powers. I also made sure to use Razer's Synapse software to test every facet of the keyboard.
I've been a journalist for the best part of a decade, and have reviewed plenty of keyboards in that time from brands big and small. I'm also a mechanical keyboard enthusiast, so I have a keen eye for peripherals, and have been involved with the hobby before it hit the mainstream.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is exactly what I expected it to be: a solid mid-tier Android smartphone that does enough to be great but doesn’t quite make it to excellence.
Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for Galaxy, the S26 Plus topped even the most premium competitors on performance. Jumping into games like Destiny Rising on the highest graphics is a breeze, and you can genuinely expect to enjoy performance that's largely comparable to the best gaming phones on Samsung's latest flagship middle child.
The S26 Plus' 6.7-inch display is just as bright and colorful as the S26 Ultra's, highlighting all of the gorgeous colors in my favorite media content. Its premium svelte design is stunning in certain colorways, too, and the near bezel-less face makes for an immersive viewing experience.
The battery life is decent, but not the best. I got a full day’s use out of the phone's 4,900mAh cell, needing to charge it toward the end of the night. The 45W fast charging makes the process pretty seamless, though. But the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and some of its competitors offer longer battery life.
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
Then there’s the cameras, which are solid overall, but should’ve gotten a boost, especially considering that the S26 Plus received a $100 / £100 / AU$150 price bump over the Galaxy S25 Plus, bringing its tag to $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is a great Android phone, but it’s not the best. If you’re looking for something that’s exactly this size, then the S26 Plus will serve you well, but if you don’t mind going up or down a size, you might find a better deal elsewhere. Again, that doesn’t remove all the great qualities that the Galaxy S26 Plus has to offer; it just means that its competitors do it better, albeit at varying prices.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
From $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849
Launched on March 11, 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus launched on March 11, 2026 in a prismatic spray, offering six different colorways and two variants of storage. You can purchase it directly from Samsung or any of the company’s retail partners.
At its starting price — $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 — you can get the Galaxy S26 Plus with 256GB of storage. That’s a $100 / £100 / AU$150 price hike compared with its predecessor. Bumping up to 512GB will cost you $1,299 / £1,279 / AU$2,149. That’s an $180 / £179 / AU$1,849 increase.
In other words, Samsung’s larger 6.7-inch phone is becoming less affordable, and that’s pretty frustrating if you’re someone who needs it. The iPhone Air is just a wee bit smaller (6.5 inches), but it costs less ($999 / £999 / AU$1,799). The iPhone 17 Pro Max sizes up to 6.9 inches and starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL sits at 6.8 inches for $1,199 / £1,199 / AU $1,999.
So, yes, the price hike is frustrating, but the Galaxy S26 Plus sits in this weird niche space between price and size in relation to its premium competitors, so there’s still some solid value here.
For better or worse, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus looks pretty much the same as its predecessor (and its predecessors before that). It’s the exact same size and weight as the S25 Plus, at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 millimeters and 190g. I’m not mad about this, though. Its thin build and round corners still give that svelte premium feel. The Galaxy S26 Plus also comes in a variety of colors.
Our review unit came in White, which is boring — sorry, not sorry. There’s Black and Silver Shadow, which fall in the same “meh” camp, but the more precious colors are Pink Gold, Sky Blue, and Cobalt Violet (my favorite). Tech products that offer more than shades of gray are a solid win.
The biggest design difference between the Galaxy S26 Plus and its predecessor is the appearance of its cameras. Now, the phone's rear module is slightly elevated on a platform. Apart from that, everything else is the same. The power and volume buttons are on the right, there are microphones on the top edge, and the bottom holds room for the USB-C port, SIM slot, speaker, and microphone.
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus still features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection against drops and scratches, but the S26 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which prioritizes reducing reflections as well as durability.
However, just like the S26 Ultra, the Plus is rated for IP68 water and dust protection. That means the device is completely dust-tight and can withstand immersions in water beyond one meter (up to three). I wouldn’t go testing this in the bathtub, though. But if you happen to drop it, the S26 Plus should be fine.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus still looks great. It would be nice for Samsung to get more experimental with its design, but the Galaxy lineup still cleans up nicely.
Design score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: display
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
6.7-inch AMOLED
3120 x 1440 resolution
120Hz refresh rate
2600-nit peak brightness
If you’re looking for a stunningly bright floating piece of glass on which to watch all your favorite content, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ 6.7-inch AMOLED delivers just that.
With a near bezel-less screen and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, its 3,120 x 1,440 resolution display makes everything in the background practically fade away (fun fact: the phone actually defaults to 2,340 x 1,080 to save battery). The cutout for the selfie camera is always going to be mildly distracting, but it's pretty tiny.
In Destiny Rising, the ethereal valley that leads to Haven popped against the gorgeous blues and pinks on the horizon. While it’s not necessarily a gaming phone by trade, the Galaxy S26 Plus put in the work to make the world of Destiny look good.
With the S26 Plus’ adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, the navigation experience felt super smooth, and it also allows games to climb up to 120fps (although Destiny hovered around 60fps).
The S26 Plus’ screen is just as good as the Ultra’s, with one exception — the Privacy Display on the latter phone, which adjusts the screen so people around you can’t see what you see. You won’t get this extra layer of privacy on the middle child in Samsung’s lineup. I wouldn’t necessarily weep over it, though. There are privacy screen protectors that can accomplish the same thing.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: cameras
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
50MP main (f/1.8)
12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
10MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4)
12MP selfie-cam
Up to 8K/30fps video
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera suite is effectively unchanged from the previous generation. On the rear, you get a 50MP main, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, while the front sports a 12MP selfie camera.
I took a lovely trip to the park and put the Galaxy S26 Plus’ cameras to work. One common occurrence I noticed while taking photos is that the ultra-wide camera captured slightly bolder colors, and it’s most noticeable when looking at the sky. Meanwhile, the other rear cameras captured more flat images. They don’t lack color per se. It seems like it would be a more natural representation, but the images captured by the 50MP main and 10MP 3x telephoto cameras were just faintly duller than real life.
However, when it came to clarity, all of the rear cameras excelled at capturing highly detailed images. It’s easy to get high-resolution photos, but it’s another thing when a camera sensor can focus on exactly what you need it to, providing both a sharp and clear image. Naturally, the 10MP 3x telephoto lens was better at this than the rest, capturing the individual notches in the wood of a gazebo from far away.
I’m also impressed by the S26 Ultra's digital zoom, which can go up to 30x. You’ll rarely be using it all the way turned up, but there are several shots where I needed to crank past 3x to get a full image of something. Despite using a digital zoom, images like the birdhouse (as you'll see below) looked great. Although you’re losing a decent amount of detail the further you zoom in.
However, a really cool image I captured was around dusk, when there was still some blue in the sky, but the moon was out. The standard lens couldn’t capture any detail because of the surrounding light, but zooming in 30x allowed the camera to focus on the moon. The S26 Plus is not winning any awards in astronomy photography, but being able to capture the craters on the moon was cool.
Overall, then, the S26 Plus' camera array is solid as is, but the biggest issue it’s facing is the tech itself. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is close in price, and it sports a 48MP ultra-wide camera and a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. For that aforementioned price hike, we should’ve had at least some upgrade to the camera array, but we’re stuck with the same hardware as last year’s model. Hopefully, this’ll change in the future (without another price hike).
Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset is fiercely competitive
Overall punchy performance
Like its siblings, the Galaxy S26 Plus is outfitted with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 chip that's specifically designed for Galaxy phones. Whatever Qualcomm and Samsung cooked up is supposedly meant to work better overall for the system. Well, running the standard Geekbench overall performance test proved that it outpaced its predecessor. It also beat the scores of Apple’s A19 Pro.
Getting into the crunchy numbers won’t tell you the real story, though. I played around with the S26 Plus for a week, and it reflected my inputs with incredible speed. I navigated through games, responded to emails, and voice chatted with friends with no noticeable slowdown.
I jumped into Destiny Rising in performance mode, and the game ran at a smooth 60fps. It kept up with my wild spray-and-pray tactics as I tore through the opening area. I didn’t see any screen tearing, and despite not being branded a gaming phone, the S26 Plus didn't suffer any performance drops.
However, I did notice that under a little pressure, it does get warm near the cameras. It’s not dramatic, but something to keep in mind if you’re out in the sun using your phone. I’ve had smartphones overheat on me at the beach, for instance.
Overall, even as the middle child of the Galaxy lineup, the S26 Plus is highly competitive with the best out there.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: software
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
AI everywhere
More personal suggestions
Unreliable generative AI features
The Galaxy S26 Plus ships with Android 16 dressed up in Samsung’s One UI 8.5 suit. Of course, it’s packed with a bunch of AI features that you may not ever use, many of which are facilitated by Samsung’s Galaxy AI as well as Perplexity, Bixby, and Google Gemini. It’s very much a “choose your Pokémon” situation.
Despite my reservations with AI, one of my favorite features is the automatic call screening, which Pixel phones have been doing for years now. But it’s nice not having to answer marketers or scammers on a Galaxy phone.
There is a new Galaxy AI feature called Now Nudge. It’s designed to constantly read what’s on your screen and suggest relevant actions, like creating a calendar event or sharing photos. It’ll also recall information, like saved contacts or location details.
Then there’s Now Brief, located at the bottom of the lock screen. Opening it will give you the weather, your calendar for the day, and whatever bleak news update is going on in the world. These features were useful for sure, but I don’t think you’re missing anything by not using them.
You’ve also got generative AI tools like Photo Assist and Creative Studio. I’m not a fan of generative AI tools, but for personal use, these are fine. The former is helpful for editing photos. I tried using it to change my hair color, and it worked well, except the original quality of the image became fuzzy. I tried recreating my epic goth D&D character in Creative Studio, but apparently, using “goth” was inappropriate. Then I tried creating a “fantasy warrior,” and it showed me a fantasy setting instead. Then I asked it to simply create a “woman and her dog” — it only made the dog. Creative Studio isn’t averse to creating people because one of the default prompts is to create a wedding couple. For my testing, however, it was incredibly unreliable.
Google is rolling out its Agentic features for Gemini. These will allow your smartphone to do more background tasks. For example, you could ask Gemini to call you an Uber, and all you need to do is review its work and accept. It’s great in theory, but it’s still under development. With more apps to follow, we'll get a better picture of its utility in Gemini in the future.
If you don’t want to use Google Gemini, you can use Bixby instead, which can accomplish similar tasks thanks to its being directly connected to Perplexity AI.
There are a lot of features packed into the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus. Well, I’d argue too many. And it’s unlikely one person will use them all. You could argue that Samsung is covering all its bases, but if you’re not big on AI to begin with, it can get overwhelming.
Software score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: battery life
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
4,900mAh battery
45W fast charging
No magnets
Despite its smaller battery, the Galaxy S26 Plus managed to last me quite a while throughout the week before needing to charge. With very limited use, I got over two days out of it. When it came to focused use, it lasted the whole day before I had to plug it in. In both use cases, the S26 Plus was set to max resolution and refresh rate.
The S26 Plus also charges remarkably fast. It features 45W charging, and it took only an hour to fully charge with Super Fast Charging 2.0. It does come with 25W wireless charging, but the back isn’t magnetic, so you’d need to get a case to make use of magnetic charging accessories.
While the S26 Plus served my purposes, it’s not the most long-lasting smartphone out there. The S26 Ultra comes with a battery that’s larger by just 100mAh, but despite the small difference, it lasted longer in my testing than the S26 Ultra by quite a few hours.
Regardless, thanks to the efficiency of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, the Galaxy S26 Plus will get you through the day before you need to charge it at night. Well, keep in mind the intensity of use. If you’re burning through Destiny Rising, then you’ll be burning through your battery.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ design hasn’t changed at all, but I’m not mad about it. It’s still a svelte piece of machinery with an array of gorgeous colors.
4.5 / 5
Display
This is exactly the kind of colorful and bright display you want in a 6.7-inch smartphone. With its near bezel-less screen, it’s like looking at a floating image.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 chip for Galaxy phones is an absolute beast and lets the Galaxy S26 Plus crush its more premium competition.
5 / 5
Camera
It’s tough to harshly judge the Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera array since it’s pretty solid in a vacuum, but the tech is behind the competition right now, so you can do better.
3.5 / 5
Battery
The Galaxy S26 Plus’ 4,900mAh battery will last you through most of the day with more focused use, but it’s still not as long-lasting as other smartphones.
4 / 5
Software
The Galaxy S26 Plus may be flooded with AI, but you can’t say it doesn’t have features. If you’re willing to use them, they can be useful.
4 / 5
Value
Even with the price hike, the Galaxy S26 Plus still offers decent value. But I’m still not happy about it.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a quality mid-sized Android phone One of Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ greatest strengths is its size. It sits somewhere between lower- and higher-end premium phones, making it great for someone looking for that goldilocks size of 6.7 inches. It’s also got the high-end performance to battle its more premium competitors.
You want a large phone with a pretty display The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus isn’t the largest phone out there, but it’s still packed with a hella gorgeous display, boasting a peak brightness of 2,600 nits.
You just like Samsung Samsung makes some sleek products, and if you’re already a fan of the design language, which hasn’t changed for better or worse, then the Galaxy S26 Plus is a no brainer. Its size sits at a comfortable medium. You’ll also get the utility of being able to connect to other Samsung products.
Don't buy it if...
You’re looking for a budget phone Especially considering the price hike, the middle child of the Galaxy S26 lineup is not very affordable. If you’re on a budget, I’d look elsewhere, to something like the Google Pixel 10a.
You want more out of your cameras The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera array is solid, but there are phones with better camera specs out there, like the S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. Just beware you’ll be paying more for it.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: also consider
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is a strong mid-tier smartphone, but you could get more elsewhere if you're willing to pay a bit extra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung S26 Ultra is by far Samsung's best Galaxy S phone yet, and while it doesn't reinvent the iconic Android handset, it moves its design, power, AI, and creative capabilities in a positive direction and without raising the price. People will be talking about the Privacy display and Super Steady video for some time to come. Sure, there might be too many AI options on board, but overall, the S26 Ultra is a winner and easily one of the best smartphones of the year.
The iPhone Air is Apple’s boldest design refresh in years — it’s almost impossibly thin at 5.64mm, yet still sturdy thanks to the use of titanium and Ceramic Shield. Its 6.5-inch ProMotion display and iOS 26’s Liquid Glass makeover feel purpose-built for this form factor — even after a week of use, this still feels like Apple’s most exciting design refresh in years. Battery life is solid if not class-leading, and the single 48MP camera limits flexibility, but for those who value design and portability above all else, it’s sexy and stunning — and maybe a new kind of Pro.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is just a bigger Pixel 9 Pro, but that's good enough. It doesn't have exclusive camera features or extra RAM for a boost; it's just got a bigger display and a bigger battery. That means the Pixel 9 Pro is an even better pick this year, but it also means that you can choose your Pixel based on the size you like, not the features you need.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is exactly what I expected it to be: a solid mid-tier Android smartphone that does enough to be great but doesn’t quite make it to excellence.
Powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset for Galaxy, the S26 Plus topped even the most premium competitors on performance. Jumping into games like Destiny Rising on the highest graphics is a breeze, and you can genuinely expect to enjoy performance that's largely comparable to the best gaming phones on Samsung's latest flagship middle child.
The S26 Plus' 6.7-inch display is just as bright and colorful as the S26 Ultra's, highlighting all of the gorgeous colors in my favorite media content. Its premium svelte design is stunning in certain colorways, too, and the near bezel-less face makes for an immersive viewing experience.
The battery life is decent, but not the best. I got a full day’s use out of the phone's 4,900mAh cell, needing to charge it toward the end of the night. The 45W fast charging makes the process pretty seamless, though. But the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and some of its competitors offer longer battery life.
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
Then there’s the cameras, which are solid overall, but should’ve gotten a boost, especially considering that the S26 Plus received a $100 / £100 / AU$150 price bump over the Galaxy S25 Plus, bringing its tag to $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is a great Android phone, but it’s not the best. If you’re looking for something that’s exactly this size, then the S26 Plus will serve you well, but if you don’t mind going up or down a size, you might find a better deal elsewhere. Again, that doesn’t remove all the great qualities that the Galaxy S26 Plus has to offer; it just means that its competitors do it better, albeit at varying prices.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: price and availability
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
From $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849
Launched on March 11, 2026
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus launched on March 11, 2026 in a prismatic spray, offering six different colorways and two variants of storage. You can purchase it directly from Samsung or any of the company’s retail partners.
At its starting price — $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 — you can get the Galaxy S26 Plus with 256GB of storage. That’s a $100 / £100 / AU$150 price hike compared with its predecessor. Bumping up to 512GB will cost you $1,299 / £1,279 / AU$2,149. That’s an $180 / £179 / AU$1,849 increase.
In other words, Samsung’s larger 6.7-inch phone is becoming less affordable, and that’s pretty frustrating if you’re someone who needs it. The iPhone Air is just a wee bit smaller (6.5 inches), but it costs less ($999 / £999 / AU$1,799). The iPhone 17 Pro Max sizes up to 6.9 inches and starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL sits at 6.8 inches for $1,199 / £1,199 / AU $1,999.
So, yes, the price hike is frustrating, but the Galaxy S26 Plus sits in this weird niche space between price and size in relation to its premium competitors, so there’s still some solid value here.
For better or worse, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus looks pretty much the same as its predecessor (and its predecessors before that). It’s the exact same size and weight as the S25 Plus, at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 millimeters and 190g. I’m not mad about this, though. Its thin build and round corners still give that svelte premium feel. The Galaxy S26 Plus also comes in a variety of colors.
Our review unit came in White, which is boring — sorry, not sorry. There’s Black and Silver Shadow, which fall in the same “meh” camp, but the more precious colors are Pink Gold, Sky Blue, and Cobalt Violet (my favorite). Tech products that offer more than shades of gray are a solid win.
The biggest design difference between the Galaxy S26 Plus and its predecessor is the appearance of its cameras. Now, the phone's rear module is slightly elevated on a platform. Apart from that, everything else is the same. The power and volume buttons are on the right, there are microphones on the top edge, and the bottom holds room for the USB-C port, SIM slot, speaker, and microphone.
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus still features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection against drops and scratches, but the S26 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Armor 2, which prioritizes reducing reflections as well as durability.
However, just like the S26 Ultra, the Plus is rated for IP68 water and dust protection. That means the device is completely dust-tight and can withstand immersions in water beyond one meter (up to three). I wouldn’t go testing this in the bathtub, though. But if you happen to drop it, the S26 Plus should be fine.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus still looks great. It would be nice for Samsung to get more experimental with its design, but the Galaxy lineup still cleans up nicely.
Design score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: display
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
6.7-inch AMOLED
3120 x 1440 resolution
120Hz refresh rate
2600-nit peak brightness
If you’re looking for a stunningly bright floating piece of glass on which to watch all your favorite content, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ 6.7-inch AMOLED delivers just that.
With a near bezel-less screen and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, its 3,120 x 1,440 resolution display makes everything in the background practically fade away (fun fact: the phone actually defaults to 2,340 x 1,080 to save battery). The cutout for the selfie camera is always going to be mildly distracting, but it's pretty tiny.
In Destiny Rising, the ethereal valley that leads to Haven popped against the gorgeous blues and pinks on the horizon. While it’s not necessarily a gaming phone by trade, the Galaxy S26 Plus put in the work to make the world of Destiny look good.
With the S26 Plus’ adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, the navigation experience felt super smooth, and it also allows games to climb up to 120fps (although Destiny hovered around 60fps).
The S26 Plus’ screen is just as good as the Ultra’s, with one exception — the Privacy Display on the latter phone, which adjusts the screen so people around you can’t see what you see. You won’t get this extra layer of privacy on the middle child in Samsung’s lineup. I wouldn’t necessarily weep over it, though. There are privacy screen protectors that can accomplish the same thing.
Display score: 4.5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: cameras
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
50MP main (f/1.8)
12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2)
10MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4)
12MP selfie-cam
Up to 8K/30fps video
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera suite is effectively unchanged from the previous generation. On the rear, you get a 50MP main, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto camera, while the front sports a 12MP selfie camera.
I took a lovely trip to the park and put the Galaxy S26 Plus’ cameras to work. One common occurrence I noticed while taking photos is that the ultra-wide camera captured slightly bolder colors, and it’s most noticeable when looking at the sky. Meanwhile, the other rear cameras captured more flat images. They don’t lack color per se. It seems like it would be a more natural representation, but the images captured by the 50MP main and 10MP 3x telephoto cameras were just faintly duller than real life.
However, when it came to clarity, all of the rear cameras excelled at capturing highly detailed images. It’s easy to get high-resolution photos, but it’s another thing when a camera sensor can focus on exactly what you need it to, providing both a sharp and clear image. Naturally, the 10MP 3x telephoto lens was better at this than the rest, capturing the individual notches in the wood of a gazebo from far away.
I’m also impressed by the S26 Ultra's digital zoom, which can go up to 30x. You’ll rarely be using it all the way turned up, but there are several shots where I needed to crank past 3x to get a full image of something. Despite using a digital zoom, images like the birdhouse (as you'll see below) looked great. Although you’re losing a decent amount of detail the further you zoom in.
However, a really cool image I captured was around dusk, when there was still some blue in the sky, but the moon was out. The standard lens couldn’t capture any detail because of the surrounding light, but zooming in 30x allowed the camera to focus on the moon. The S26 Plus is not winning any awards in astronomy photography, but being able to capture the craters on the moon was cool.
Overall, then, the S26 Plus' camera array is solid as is, but the biggest issue it’s facing is the tech itself. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is close in price, and it sports a 48MP ultra-wide camera and a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. For that aforementioned price hike, we should’ve had at least some upgrade to the camera array, but we’re stuck with the same hardware as last year’s model. Hopefully, this’ll change in the future (without another price hike).
Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset is fiercely competitive
Overall punchy performance
Like its siblings, the Galaxy S26 Plus is outfitted with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 chip that's specifically designed for Galaxy phones. Whatever Qualcomm and Samsung cooked up is supposedly meant to work better overall for the system. Well, running the standard Geekbench overall performance test proved that it outpaced its predecessor. It also beat the scores of Apple’s A19 Pro.
Getting into the crunchy numbers won’t tell you the real story, though. I played around with the S26 Plus for a week, and it reflected my inputs with incredible speed. I navigated through games, responded to emails, and voice chatted with friends with no noticeable slowdown.
I jumped into Destiny Rising in performance mode, and the game ran at a smooth 60fps. It kept up with my wild spray-and-pray tactics as I tore through the opening area. I didn’t see any screen tearing, and despite not being branded a gaming phone, the S26 Plus didn't suffer any performance drops.
However, I did notice that under a little pressure, it does get warm near the cameras. It’s not dramatic, but something to keep in mind if you’re out in the sun using your phone. I’ve had smartphones overheat on me at the beach, for instance.
Overall, even as the middle child of the Galaxy lineup, the S26 Plus is highly competitive with the best out there.
Performance score: 5 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: software
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
AI everywhere
More personal suggestions
Unreliable generative AI features
The Galaxy S26 Plus ships with Android 16 dressed up in Samsung’s One UI 8.5 suit. Of course, it’s packed with a bunch of AI features that you may not ever use, many of which are facilitated by Samsung’s Galaxy AI as well as Perplexity, Bixby, and Google Gemini. It’s very much a “choose your Pokémon” situation.
Despite my reservations with AI, one of my favorite features is the automatic call screening, which Pixel phones have been doing for years now. But it’s nice not having to answer marketers or scammers on a Galaxy phone.
There is a new Galaxy AI feature called Now Nudge. It’s designed to constantly read what’s on your screen and suggest relevant actions, like creating a calendar event or sharing photos. It’ll also recall information, like saved contacts or location details.
Then there’s Now Brief, located at the bottom of the lock screen. Opening it will give you the weather, your calendar for the day, and whatever bleak news update is going on in the world. These features were useful for sure, but I don’t think you’re missing anything by not using them.
You’ve also got generative AI tools like Photo Assist and Creative Studio. I’m not a fan of generative AI tools, but for personal use, these are fine. The former is helpful for editing photos. I tried using it to change my hair color, and it worked well, except the original quality of the image became fuzzy. I tried recreating my epic goth D&D character in Creative Studio, but apparently, using “goth” was inappropriate. Then I tried creating a “fantasy warrior,” and it showed me a fantasy setting instead. Then I asked it to simply create a “woman and her dog” — it only made the dog. Creative Studio isn’t averse to creating people because one of the default prompts is to create a wedding couple. For my testing, however, it was incredibly unreliable.
Google is rolling out its Agentic features for Gemini. These will allow your smartphone to do more background tasks. For example, you could ask Gemini to call you an Uber, and all you need to do is review its work and accept. It’s great in theory, but it’s still under development. With more apps to follow, we'll get a better picture of its utility in Gemini in the future.
If you don’t want to use Google Gemini, you can use Bixby instead, which can accomplish similar tasks thanks to its being directly connected to Perplexity AI.
There are a lot of features packed into the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus. Well, I’d argue too many. And it’s unlikely one person will use them all. You could argue that Samsung is covering all its bases, but if you’re not big on AI to begin with, it can get overwhelming.
Software score: 4 / 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: battery life
(Image credit: Future/Rami Tabari)
4,900mAh battery
45W fast charging
No magnets
Despite its smaller battery, the Galaxy S26 Plus managed to last me quite a while throughout the week before needing to charge. With very limited use, I got over two days out of it. When it came to focused use, it lasted the whole day before I had to plug it in. In both use cases, the S26 Plus was set to max resolution and refresh rate.
The S26 Plus also charges remarkably fast. It features 45W charging, and it took only an hour to fully charge with Super Fast Charging 2.0. It does come with 25W wireless charging, but the back isn’t magnetic, so you’d need to get a case to make use of magnetic charging accessories.
While the S26 Plus served my purposes, it’s not the most long-lasting smartphone out there. The S26 Ultra comes with a battery that’s larger by just 100mAh, but despite the small difference, it lasted longer in my testing than the S26 Ultra by quite a few hours.
Regardless, thanks to the efficiency of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, the Galaxy S26 Plus will get you through the day before you need to charge it at night. Well, keep in mind the intensity of use. If you’re burning through Destiny Rising, then you’ll be burning through your battery.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus scorecard
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ design hasn’t changed at all, but I’m not mad about it. It’s still a svelte piece of machinery with an array of gorgeous colors.
4.5 / 5
Display
This is exactly the kind of colorful and bright display you want in a 6.7-inch smartphone. With its near bezel-less screen, it’s like looking at a floating image.
4.5 / 5
Performance
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Gen 8 Elite 5 chip for Galaxy phones is an absolute beast and lets the Galaxy S26 Plus crush its more premium competition.
5 / 5
Camera
It’s tough to harshly judge the Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera array since it’s pretty solid in a vacuum, but the tech is behind the competition right now, so you can do better.
3.5 / 5
Battery
The Galaxy S26 Plus’ 4,900mAh battery will last you through most of the day with more focused use, but it’s still not as long-lasting as other smartphones.
4 / 5
Software
The Galaxy S26 Plus may be flooded with AI, but you can’t say it doesn’t have features. If you’re willing to use them, they can be useful.
4 / 5
Value
Even with the price hike, the Galaxy S26 Plus still offers decent value. But I’m still not happy about it.
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a quality mid-sized Android phone One of Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ greatest strengths is its size. It sits somewhere between lower- and higher-end premium phones, making it great for someone looking for that goldilocks size of 6.7 inches. It’s also got the high-end performance to battle its more premium competitors.
You want a large phone with a pretty display The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus isn’t the largest phone out there, but it’s still packed with a hella gorgeous display, boasting a peak brightness of 2,600 nits.
You just like Samsung Samsung makes some sleek products, and if you’re already a fan of the design language, which hasn’t changed for better or worse, then the Galaxy S26 Plus is a no brainer. Its size sits at a comfortable medium. You’ll also get the utility of being able to connect to other Samsung products.
Don't buy it if...
You’re looking for a budget phone Especially considering the price hike, the middle child of the Galaxy S26 lineup is not very affordable. If you’re on a budget, I’d look elsewhere, to something like the Google Pixel 10a.
You want more out of your cameras The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus’ camera array is solid, but there are phones with better camera specs out there, like the S26 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. Just beware you’ll be paying more for it.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review: also consider
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus is a strong mid-tier smartphone, but you could get more elsewhere if you're willing to pay a bit extra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung S26 Ultra is by far Samsung's best Galaxy S phone yet, and while it doesn't reinvent the iconic Android handset, it moves its design, power, AI, and creative capabilities in a positive direction and without raising the price. People will be talking about the Privacy display and Super Steady video for some time to come. Sure, there might be too many AI options on board, but overall, the S26 Ultra is a winner and easily one of the best smartphones of the year.
The iPhone Air is Apple’s boldest design refresh in years — it’s almost impossibly thin at 5.64mm, yet still sturdy thanks to the use of titanium and Ceramic Shield. Its 6.5-inch ProMotion display and iOS 26’s Liquid Glass makeover feel purpose-built for this form factor — even after a week of use, this still feels like Apple’s most exciting design refresh in years. Battery life is solid if not class-leading, and the single 48MP camera limits flexibility, but for those who value design and portability above all else, it’s sexy and stunning — and maybe a new kind of Pro.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is just a bigger Pixel 9 Pro, but that's good enough. It doesn't have exclusive camera features or extra RAM for a boost; it's just got a bigger display and a bigger battery. That means the Pixel 9 Pro is an even better pick this year, but it also means that you can choose your Pixel based on the size you like, not the features you need.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
...
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But a vivo...
There may be trouble brewing on the horizon for the Galaxy A57 and A37 – the results from last week’s poll are in and the consensus is that the two phones are overpriced. And that there is some serious competition in the mid-range market. Luckily, Galaxy A phones don’t stay at MSRP for long, so the first issue will correct itself soon enough. If it hasn’t already – we’re seeing deals in some markets.
Zooming in on the Samsung Galaxy A57, there is interest there, but it is strongly contingent on a lower price or a good bundle deal. At least one person in the comments appreciated the thinner...
