Samsung’s approach to mid-range smartphones has remained largely unchanged over the years, consistently showcasing subtly refreshed designs paired with familiar hardware and software experiences. This consistency may appeal to some users, especially those loyal to Samsung’s software update commitments. The new Galaxy A26 continues this tradition, offering design and display enhancements. However, it struggles to keep pace with an increasingly competitive market.
Design of the Samsung Galaxy A26
The Galaxy A26, the entry-level model in Samsung’s A series, projects a sense of premium quality. It features Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, although only the rear panel effectively resists smudges.
The design remains largely unchanged from last year’s Galaxy A25, retaining the small raised bump on the right side of the flat frame for easy access to the volume and power buttons, a thoughtful inclusion considering the device’s size.
The raised bump around the volume and power buttons enhances accessibility.
The A26 gives off a quality impression, but this sense dissipates when viewed from the back. The device’s Super AMOLED display, albeit larger at 6.7 inches compared to the previous model’s 6.5 inches, still features thick bezels and an unattractive waterdrop notch. This design choice feels outdated for a mid-range phone in 2025, leading potential buyers to question its value.
The glossy rear panel is prone to fingerprints.
The combination of the glossy rear and matte polycarbonate mid-frame makes the phone somewhat slippery, prompting the need for a case, which is not included. The Galaxy A26 has received an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, enabling it to survive immersion in freshwater for up to one meter, although such damage is not covered by warranty.
Performance of the Samsung Galaxy A26
The performance has not significantly improved compared to its predecessor. The display’s colors, even in Natural mode, seem oversaturated, and while viewing angles are impressive, brightness levels fall short, making outdoor viewing difficult despite adequate indoor brightness. Unlike some competitors, the device does not support HDR10+ but does support Widevine L1 for streaming.
The single bottom-firing speaker lacks quality.
The Galaxy A26’s single bottom-firing speaker underwhelms, delivering treble-heavy audio that becomes more irritating than enjoyable at higher volumes. This is particularly disappointing given the mid-range pricing, where better audio options are available.
Operating on Samsung’s One UI 7, which is based on Android 15, the device boasts a smooth user experience, aided by its 120Hz refresh rate panel. However, this high refresh rate can impact battery life.
The Super AMOLED display offers deep blacks, but its design elements may deter some users.
Samsung includes several AI tools, of which the language translation feature stands out as particularly useful. Image editing tools are adequate but struggle with more complex tasks compared to flagship models. Live Notifications displayed on the lock screen add a layer of functionality, although some users may find Samsung’s default lock screen ads intrusive.
One UI 7 encompasses a variety of AI tools.
Gaming performance is what you would expect from a mid-range device. Most games can run on medium settings, and titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt Legends perform smoothly, though there are instances of heat buildup that can lead to slowdowns. Fortunately, Samsung has managed heat well, allowing for uninterrupted usage during high-demand scenarios.
The A26 maintains comparable performance to other phones in its price range, with the exception of those equipped with the more robust Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which outperformed it.
| Benchmarks | Samsung Galaxy A26 | Nothing Phone 3a | Poco F6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Display resolution | FHD+ | FHD+ | 1.5K |
| AnTuTu v10 | 6,08,318 | 8,04,179 | 14,57,491 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 14,250 | 13,554 | 15,743 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,013 | 1,158 | 1,835 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,932 | 3,255 | 4,693 |
| GFXB T-rex | 98 | 60 | 120 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 47 | 55 | 112 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 26 | 28 | 71 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | 4,688 | 5,485 | 5,481 |
| 3DM Slingshot | 5,820 | 6,954 | 4,655 |
| 3DM Wild Life | 2,805 | 3,988 | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 2,733 | 4,175 | 11,734 |
The camera setup on the Galaxy A26 remains unchanged from its predecessor, featuring a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter, alongside a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
Camera samples from the Samsung Galaxy A26’s primary lens reveal its capabilities (tap images to expand).
The images captured by the primary camera present decent quality at best. Daylight photos often appear overexposed, with a disappointing dynamic range and a lack of detail. The camera sometimes even struggles with clarity in intricate scenes, resulting in a “watercolor” effect when attempting night mode photography.
Low-light conditions reveal a significant lack of detail, resulting in a painted texture effect despite the image optimization attempts.
Selfies offer good color details but suffer from edge detection issues, leading to noticeable halos around subjects.
Portrait shots yield average results with accurate skin tones but suffer from reduced detail and aggressive edge detection.
The macro shots from the dedicated macro lens lack resolution, rendering it nearly useless compared to the primary camera’s abilities.
Ultrawide images from the A26 show darker tones and lower detail, particularly in shadowed areas, exacerbated by barrel distortion and purple fringing.
Video capabilities are moderately successful, with 4K recordings achieving decent detail but facing focus issues during panning. 1080p video at 60 fps displays some wobbling, while 30 fps records smooth footage, although at a reduced quality. Low-light recordings, while stable, lack detail, rendering 4K video particularly poor during such conditions.
Despite the A26 boasting a 5,000mAh battery, its performance in endurance tests is lacking.
The battery specifications remain the same as its predecessor, with a 5,000mAh capacity that charges moderately slowly. A third-party 100W charger takes nearly two hours to fully charge the device. However, the battery performance is unimpressive, showing only 8 hours and 53 minutes in standardized tests, significantly less than competitors. This suggests that the A26 may struggle to last a full workday under heavy use, while casual users could see a day’s worth of usage if not pushed too hard.
Final Verdict on the Samsung Galaxy A26
The Galaxy A26’s primary highlights are its software longevity and its IP67-rated construction, but its other features do not measure up against competitors in the mid-range segment. Unless strong software support and AI capabilities are paramount for a user, this smartphone may be hard to recommend.
There are numerous alternatives available for those in the market for a mid-range smartphone. The Nothing Phone 3a stands out for its unique design, while the Poco F6 and the recently launched iQOO Neo 10R offer better performance for similar pricing. For users prioritizing battery life, the Vivo T4 with its extensive 7,400mAh battery is also an excellent choice. Additionally, the OnePlus Nord 4 presents itself as a solid option for those willing to spend above Rs. 26,000.
