Samsung launches new models in its Galaxy S line every year. Sometimes it’s a big step forward; other times it’s an iterative update. As for the latter, that probably means it’s still worth investing in an older model phone if you can find it cheaply, since you’re only missing minor updates. This is the case of the Samsung Galaxy S26 compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25. You get minor changes, so even though it’s the newest model in the lineup, you can still benefit from opting for the Galaxy S25 instead.
To narrow things down, the biggest differences between these two devices are minor cosmetic changes (including new colors), slightly improved performance that you’ll only notice if you’re a heavy user and especially a gamer, moderately better battery life, and a few unique features like horizontal lock for video capture. If you’re considering an upgrade from the Galaxy S25, it’s not worth it. If you’re buying new, you might as well opt for the Galaxy S26, even if it’s a little more expensive. At regular price, they both cost about the same, so naturally you might as well buy the newer one. But if there’s a good deal for the Galaxy S25, you won’t be missing out on much by going back a generation.
There are no big differences
Christian de Looper / CNET
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is visually almost identical to the Galaxy S25, with the same flat-edged metallic design but different colors, like Cobalt Violet. It has the same cameras, the same IP68 dust and water resistance rating, and it maintains the same display resolution on an ever-slightly larger 6.3-inch screen. Both offer a maximum brightness of 2,600 nits. The Galaxy S26 has a slightly larger battery offering up to two more hours of video playback per charge. It has an upgraded processor with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. The horizontal lock feature of Super Steady mode is remarkable. This locks focus on a subject when you record video while moving, keeping it steady and in the correct orientation even if you physically rotate the phone. This is one of the Galaxy S26’s cool new features, and it’s impressive in the real world.
But overall, you get a similar software experience with both phones, as both can be updated to the latest Android 17 (One UI 8.5) operating system and both feature Galaxy AI and Gemini. So for those who already own a Galaxy S25, the upgrade isn’t worth it unless you upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra which adds compelling new features like the Privacy Display, one of our favorite features of the phone when we tested it. But if you’re buying new, you might still find value in the few upgrades the Samsung Galaxy S26 offers over the Galaxy S25.
Go new unless there’s a deal
Christian de Looper / CNET
For the base Samsung Galaxy S26 versus the Galaxy S25, there is no reason to rush to the Galaxy S26. If you find a good deal on the Galaxy S25 in 2026, go for it. Samsung’s biggest year-over-year upgrade is actually between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra, where along with the Privacy Display you get a better low-light camera, a larger battery with faster charging support, a lighter Armor aluminum frame, and a faster processor. It is worth noting that the horizontal lock feature is only available on Galaxy S26 series phones at the moment and it may never be available on the Galaxy S25. So if you shoot a lot of moving video, like at kids’ sporting events, or if you’re a content creator, you may find that this feature alone makes the Galaxy S26 worth getting.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether the marginal updates are attractive enough to accompany the Galaxy S26. The processor of the Samsung Galaxy S25 is still very powerful. You’ll get a little less life out of it since it’s a year older, and thus you lose a year of Samsung’s promise of seven years of software and security support. But in 2026, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is still a viable phone, and the Galaxy S26 isn’t a huge upgrade. That said, given that both phones are roughly the same price, it’s a no-brainer to go with the Samsung Galaxy S26, unless you can get the Galaxy S25 for much, much less.
