Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Samsung Galaxy S26

Quick answer

Too close to call. The critic scores are 2 points apart, well inside the usual difference between two critics. Pick on features, not score.

Critics score the Samsung Galaxy S25 80 (clear consensus) and the Samsung Galaxy S26 78 (clear consensus) out of 100, from 6 and 9 professional reviews. 6 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Samsung Galaxy S25 higher and 5 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Samsung Galaxy S25 2 points ahead.

Samsung Galaxy S25Image: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S25

Critic score how good?
80
Well liked · average of 6 professional reviews
Critic agreement how sure?
Clear consensus
Scores 80–80 · 6 of 6 recommend it

6 professional reviewers tested the Samsung Galaxy S25, and 6 recommend it. Most praised: performance and picture quality.

All 6 reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S25 →

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Samsung Galaxy S26Image: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S26

Critic score how good?
78
Mixed · average of 9 professional reviews
Critic agreement how sure?
Clear consensus
Scores 70–80 · 3 of 9 recommend it

9 professional reviewers tested the Samsung Galaxy S26, and 3 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.

All 9 reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S26 →

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Where every review landed

Each mark is one professional review, converted to 0–100
Galaxy S25 · 80Galaxy S26 · 785060708090100
Samsung Galaxy S25, above the line Samsung Galaxy S26, below the line

Which one is for you?

Pick the Samsung Galaxy S25 if

  • “Best compact Android flagship” is what you’re after

The catch: It changes little from the S24, and charging is slow.

Pick the Samsung Galaxy S26 if

Critics name no clear edge for it over the other.

In our words, from what the critics praise and complain about. It never changes a score.

What critics praise and fault

How many of each product's reviews mention the topic
TopicSamsung Galaxy S25Samsung Galaxy S26
Performance5 of 6 praise7 of 9 praise
Battery life3 of 6 praise 1 of 6 fault5 of 9 praise 2 of 9 fault
Picture quality3 of 6 praise4 of 9 praise
Pricenot mentioned4 of 9 fault

Critics who reviewed both

The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards
OutletGalaxy S25Galaxy S26Who scored higher
Android Central8070Galaxy S25 +10
Expert Reviews8080Same
Tech Advisor8080Same
TechRadar8080Same
Tom's Guide8080Same
Trusted Reviews8080Same

Scores converted to 0–100. Tiles with a dashed border are estimated from the verdict. Tap a score to read that review.

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Common questions

Which is better, the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?

It's too close to call on critic score: Samsung Galaxy S25 80 (clear consensus), Samsung Galaxy S26 78 (clear consensus). 6 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Samsung Galaxy S25 higher and 5 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Samsung Galaxy S25 2 points ahead.

Do critics agree about the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S25: clear consensus, scores from 80 to 80. The Samsung Galaxy S26: clear consensus, scores from 70 to 80.