Samsung Releases S26, S26 Plus Phones

Samsung released its Galaxy S26 and S26 Plus smartphones on March 11, 2026, introducing minor hardware updates and increased pricing. The new models feature updated chipsets, with the S26 receiving a larger battery and the S26 Plus gaining faster wireless charging capabilities. However, the devices lack significant hardware innovations, such as magnetic Qi2 charging, which has been adopted by competitors.

The Galaxy S26, with a 6.3-inch display and 256GB storage, is priced at $899. The 6.7-inch S26 Plus, also with 256GB storage, costs $1,100. These prices represent a $100 increase over their predecessors, with the S26's base model now starting at 256GB, making it $40 more expensive than the equivalent S25 model. The S26 Ultra, priced $200 higher than the S26 Plus, offers upgraded cameras, a new privacy display, and the S Pen stylus.

Both the S26 and S26 Plus maintain a similar design to previous models, featuring straightened sides and a triple-camera setup. The primary visual change is the mounting of these cameras. The devices are supported by seven years of software updates.