The newly released Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus has made some incremental upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Plus. The most notable change is the introduction of the Exynos 2600 chipset for most global markets, while the US, China, and Japan versions utilize the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Despite these updates, the two devices share similar designs and display features, including a 6.7-inch LTPO display with a resolution supporting up to 120Hz refresh rates.

Battery performance has improved in the S26 Plus, which boasts better endurance in web browsing and video streaming tests, although both models feature a 4,900 mAh battery and support 45W charging. In terms of audio, the S26 Plus offers better speaker tuning, while the S25 Plus has louder output.

Camera-wise, the S26 Plus introduces a new Isocell GNG sensor for its main camera and a wider selfie lens, but overall improvements are subtle. Users may find that the S25 Plus still performs admirably in many scenarios, especially considering the price difference. In Europe, the price gap is approximately €100-200, while in the US, the S25 Plus is priced around $1,000 and the S26 Plus at $1,100, though discounts can bring the latter down to approximately $850. Ultimately, the S25 Plus remains a compelling option for those looking for quality without the added cost.