Galaxy S22+ to Galaxy S26+: Is It Worth Upgrading?
A plain-English look at what actually changes, 4 years apart.
Yes — the Galaxy S26+ is a worthwhile upgrade
The Galaxy S26+ is 4 years newer than the Galaxy S22+, and the BeastScore rises from 81.5 to 84.3. The biggest improvements: performance rated 10 points higher, newer exynos 2600 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8 gen 1), 400 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: launched $100 more expensive.
What you gain with the Galaxy S26+
- Performance rated 10 points higher
- Newer Exynos 2600 chipset (replaces Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- 400 mAh bigger battery
- 5W faster wireless charging
- 0.1" larger screen
- 850 nits brighter peak display
- 4 GB more RAM
- 6 g lighter
What you give up
- Launched $100 more expensive
Head-to-head
| Spec | Galaxy S22+ | Galaxy S26+ | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 81.5 | 84.3 | +2.8 (3%) |
| Performance score | 80 | 90 | +10 (13%) |
| Camera score | 91 | 91 | No real change |
| Battery score | 78 | 78 | No real change |
| Display score | 88 | 90 | No real change |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 2600 | New generation chip |
| Battery capacity | 4,500 mAh | 4,900 mAh | +400 mAh (9%) |
| Wired charging | 45W | 45W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 20W | +5W (33%) |
| Screen size | 6.6" | 6.7" | +0.1" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,750 nits | 2,600 nits | +850 nits (49%) |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x | No real change |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | +4 GB (50%) |
| Weight | 196 g | 190 g | −6 g (3%) |
| Launch price | $999 | $1,099 | +$100 (10%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
- Your Galaxy S22+ is 4+ years old and its battery has worn down
Galaxy S22+ to Galaxy S26+: Common Questions
Is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S22+ to the Galaxy S26+?
Yes — the Galaxy S26+ is a worthwhile upgrade. The Galaxy S26+ is 4 years newer than the Galaxy S22+, and the BeastScore rises from 81.5 to 84.3. The biggest improvements: performance rated 10 points higher, newer exynos 2600 chipset (replaces snapdragon 8 gen 1), 400 mah bigger battery. Trade-offs to know: launched $100 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S26+?
Performance rated 10 points higher: 80 on the Galaxy S22+ vs 90 on the Galaxy S26+.
Does the Galaxy S26+ have a bigger battery than the Galaxy S22+?
The Galaxy S26+ has a 4,900 mAh battery versus 4,500 mAh on the Galaxy S22+ (+400 mAh (9%)).
Who should upgrade to the Galaxy S26+?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You play demanding games or want the newest on-device AI features; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen; Your Galaxy S22+ is 4+ years old and its battery has worn down.