Smartphones · Ranked #45 of 53 · Best for big-screen Galaxy

Samsung Galaxy S26+

Critic score how good?
76
Mixed · average of 9 professional reviews
Critic agreement how sure?
One dissenter
Scores 60–80 · 3 of 9 recommend it
Where the 9 reviews landedRange 60–80
5060709010076 avg

Score 76 (exact average 75.6). Every score was printed by the outlet.

Expert Reviews is the dissenter: it scored it lower than the others. Its review has no printed score; we read it as 60/100. The other 8 average 78.

Samsung Galaxy S26+Image: Samsung

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

Reviewed by TechRadar, Digital Trends, Trusted Reviews and 6 more

The catch: It barely improves on last year and costs more, with slow charging.

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What 9 critics said

Highest score first · all converted to 0–100
  1. 80
    TechRadarHands-on review · 2026

    A well-rounded, fast flagship with a great display and all-day battery, undermined by a price increase and slow charging.

    Read TechRadar review
  2. 80
    Digital TrendsHands-on review · 2026

    Fast, reliable and well-made, but a very predictable phone that offers no strong reason to pick it over its siblings.

    Read Digital Trends review
  3. 80
    Trusted ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    A fast, handsome and capable phone that is a sensible cheaper alternative to the Ultra.

    Read Trusted Reviews review
  4. 80
    Tech AdvisorHands-on review · 2026

    A refined, attractive compact flagship that does nearly everything well but little brilliantly.

    Read Tech Advisor review
  5. 80
    Tom's GuideHands-on review · 2026

    A good phone that does everything well, but its audience is narrow because the Ultra beats it on cameras and battery while the standard S26 is cheaper.

    Read Tom's Guide review
  6. 80
    EngadgetHands-on review · 2026

    A solid, premium but safe phone that is too similar to last year's model, with weak AI extras and shorter battery life on the Exynos version.

    Read Engadget review
  7. 70
    WIREDHands-on review

    A competent flagship with fast performance, good screens and long support, but it barely improves on last year and costs more.

    Read WIRED review
  8. 70
    Android CentralHands-on review · 2026

    Fast with smooth software, but the larger body, higher price, old cameras and slow charging make it hard to recommend at full price.

    Read Android Central review
  9. 60
    Expert ReviewsHands-on review · 2026

    A solid but unnecessary phone that costs more for nearly the same hardware as last year.

    Read Expert Reviews review

What critics praise most

Performance7 of 9
Battery life5 of 9
Picture quality4 of 9

What critics dislike most

Price4 of 9
Battery life2 of 9

Other smartphones critics rate highly

Also reviewed, not yet scored

Common questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S26+ worth it?

Critics are divided: 3 of 9 recommend it. It barely improves on last year and costs more, with slow charging.

Do critics agree about the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

Critic agreement: one dissenter. Scores range from 60 (Expert Reviews) to 80 (TechRadar), a spread of 20 points across 9 reviews. Expert Reviews is the dissenter: it scored it lower than the others. Its review has no printed score; we read it as 60/100. The other 8 average 78.

What do critics dislike about the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

Price (4 of 9 reviews), Battery life (2 of 9 reviews).

What is the best alternative to the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (critic score 91 (clear consensus)), top pick, narrowly.