Should You Upgrade from the Galaxy S25 to the Galaxy S26?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the Galaxy S25 to the Galaxy S26, 1 year apart.
Probably not — keep your Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S26 is 1 year newer than the Galaxy S25, and both phones land on almost the same BeastScore (84.0 vs 84.0). The biggest improvements: 300 mah bigger battery, 0.1" larger screen. Trade-offs to know: 5 g heavier, launched $100 more expensive.
What you gain with the Galaxy S26
- +300 mAh bigger battery
- +0.1" larger screen
What you give up
- −5 g heavier
- −Launched $100 more expensive
| Spec | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 84.0 | 84.0 | No real change |
| Performance score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Camera score | 91 | 91 | No real change |
| Battery score | 70 | 70 | No real change |
| Display score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAh | +300 mAh (8%) |
| Wired charging | 25W | 25W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.3" | +0.1" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 2,600 nits | 2,600 nits | No real change |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | No real change |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x | No real change |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 162 g | 167 g | +5 g (3%) |
| Launch price | $799 | $899 | +$100 (13%) |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S25 to the Galaxy S26?
Probably not — keep your Galaxy S25. The Galaxy S26 is 1 year newer than the Galaxy S25, and both phones land on almost the same BeastScore (84.0 vs 84.0). The biggest improvements: 300 mah bigger battery, 0.1" larger screen. Trade-offs to know: 5 g heavier, launched $100 more expensive.
What is the biggest difference between the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S26?
300 mAh bigger battery: 4,000 mAh on the Galaxy S25 vs 4,300 mAh on the Galaxy S26.
Does the Galaxy S26 have a bigger battery than the Galaxy S25?
The Galaxy S26 has a 4,300 mAh battery versus 4,000 mAh on the Galaxy S25 (+300 mAh (8%)).
Who should upgrade to the Galaxy S26?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day.