As we strategy the discharge of the Galaxy S26 collection, it is clear there’s fairly a bit to sit up for. Rumors of bigger batteries, sooner charging, design modifications, and even a brand new Privateness Show on the Galaxy S26 Extremely are very thrilling, however final yr’s telephone continues to be a superb selection and comes at a reduced charge, too.
And let’s be actual. The leaks thus far concerning the Galaxy S26 Extremely are not Earth-shattering. Certain, Privateness Show seems to be to be an incredible new function, however a $12 privateness tempered glass protector will do 90% of the job for rather a lot much less cash. Samsung is claimed to be upgrading charging velocity, though battery capability, sadly, would possibly keep the identical. And the brand new, rounder corners on the S26 Extremely will doubtless have Galaxy S Extremely followers much more irritated, too.
Samsung, the software program king
Pay attention, for those who informed me a decade in the past that Samsung would develop into the king of smartphone software program and updates, I’d have laughed till I cried. However, through the years, Samsung took all of the complaints and detrimental suggestions about its terrible software program and eventually did one thing about it.
The previous yr with the Galaxy S25 Extremely is proof that Samsung is the king of smartphone software program, with sooner, extra secure updates than another firm, and common function updates that maintain the telephone feeling new and contemporary. Satirically, whereas the S25 collection launched with One UI 7, that wider software program rollout was one of many messier launches in latest Samsung historical past.
To make up for that, Samsung not solely delivered its Android 16 replace, One UI 8, effectively forward of schedule, but in addition with out the foremost issues that got here with One UI 7’s rollout. To prime it off, One UI 8.5 is already in beta and improves on what already makes Samsung’s software program nice: customizability and distinctive options.
The true irony right here is that, not like Apple and corporations like OnePlus, Samsung’s updates and UI modifications appear to be well-received by its prospects. Whereas a few of the modifications are possibly extra iOS-inspired than I might like, there isn’t any doubt that Samsung’s riffs on Apple design supply a superior expertise over an iPhone.
One among my favourite issues about One UI — and, certainly, all energy customers — is the extent of customization all through the UI. For those who do not just like the horrible paginated app drawer or navigation buttons that Samsung stubbornly clings to, you may simply change them in settings. Likewise, with the multitasking UI or the cut up notification panes. Toss in Good Lock, which is by far probably the most distinctive utility obtainable on any smartphone, and you will perceive why Samsung’s software program is so glorious.
Final, however actually not least, is the corporate’s dedication to privateness and safety. The Galaxy S25 Extremely is without doubt one of the solely flagship smartphones that enables you flip off cloud-based AI processing. It is a easy toggle change in safety settings, and it means you may take pleasure in nice AI-based options with out worrying about it being offloaded to some cloud server within the nice unknown.
Ache factors and design flaws
Total, I believe the Galaxy S25 Extremely is a very glorious telephone that’ll please almost anybody who buys it, however there are just a few ache factors and design flaws which have emerged during the last 12 months of use. I used to be by no means a fan of the telephone’s boxy design, and the longer I take advantage of it, the extra I hate these sharp edges across the show.
The Galaxy S25 Extremely’s show continues to be a literal ache for anybody delicate to PWM dimming, and Samsung hasn’t launched a flicker-reduction mode for customers affected by it. There is no telling if Samsung will tackle this within the S26 line, however the trade is shifting ahead with higher eye safety whereas Samsung continues to lag on this space.
The show’s oleophobic coating additionally appears relatively weak in comparison with the competitors, with a number of customers noting that the telephone turns into a fingerprint magnet after just a few months’ use. This does not occur with different Samsung telephones, so far as we are able to inform, so it is perhaps one thing with the anti-reflective layer on the S25 Extremely.
I’ve additionally discovered the fingerprint reader to be tremendous awful in comparison with telephones just like the Google Pixel 10 Professional or the OnePlus 15. It is so irritating to make use of that I’ve fully disabled it, and I am positively not alone right here. A fast Google search reveals rather a lot of responses from individuals who dislike Samsung’s ultrasonic sensors, and something from dry pores and skin to making use of a display protector nearly all the time makes issues worse.
I’ve seen fewer complaints about issues like overheating, poor battery life, and digital camera processing points, however all of these proceed to see common posts on locations like Reddit and Samsung’s official assist boards. I do not need to downplay these points or complaints, however most of them are extraordinarily subjective and rely on private telephone utilization, whereas the others are extra generalized or widespread.
Samsung’s greatest yr but
As we famous in our 2025 smartphone report card, 2025 was one of the best yr but for Samsung as an entire. That features the Galaxy S25 Extremely with its well-rounded expertise, fast and routine software program updates, stable construct high quality, and a plethora of equipment to select from.
Even the digital camera holds up towards newly launched telephones, because it continues to supply glorious images, particularly once you make the most of the 4 lenses on the again for zooming in or out. Samsung even improved movement seize for the reason that S25 Extremely’s launch, one thing we have usually harped on Samsung for in our digital camera critiques for years.
No telephone is ideal, however the Galaxy S25 Extremely continues to be a champ a yr later. Can Samsung enhance issues on the S26 Extremely? Completely, however for most individuals, I believe the overwhelming majority of any modifications will not be well worth the improve. This one’s nonetheless a superb purchase, and that features after the S26 Extremely launches, since you may undoubtedly have the ability to snag one for a file low value.
