While the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains in the spotlight with its ultra-premium specs, the standard Galaxy S26 promises a more balanced and powerful experience.

Bigger battery for longer life

Unlike the Ultra line, which has seen little change in battery capacity in recent years, the standard Galaxy series continues to receive upgrades.

The Galaxy S26 is expected to increase its battery capacity from 4,000mAh (on the S25) to 4,300mAh.

This 300mAh boost may seem modest, but when combined with improved chip efficiency, it could result in significantly longer real-world usage.

This is a tangible and practical upgrade, especially compared to the marginal changes often seen on the Ultra model.

Exynos makes a strong comeback

One of the key factors that could make the Galaxy S26 more attractive is Samsung's return to in-house chips.

The Exynos 2600, built on a 2nm process, is expected to power the entire S26 lineup.

According to Tom's Guide, the Exynos 2600 may outperform contemporary Snapdragon chips in both efficiency and power.

More importantly, the 2nm process allows for better performance while consuming less energy - a win-win for users seeking power and longevity.

Interestingly, even the S26 Ultra might feature Exynos 2600 in certain markets. That means the standard S26 won't be far behind in performance, especially in real-life tasks.

Larger, brighter display

Following Samsung's typical upgrade path, the Galaxy S26's screen is expected to grow slightly from 6.2 inches (on the S25) to 6.3 inches.

This offers a more immersive experience without making the phone bulky.

More impressively, the maximum brightness may increase from 2,600 nits to 3,000 nits thanks to new OLED materials.

This boost would enhance outdoor visibility and improve content viewing overall.

However, some reports remain uncertain, suggesting Samsung might stick with the current 2,600 nits limit. Regardless, display quality remains a top improvement area.

Sleeker, thinner design

Despite rumors that Samsung may drop the S26 Edge, the company remains committed to slim and stylish smartphones.

While the Galaxy S25 was already slim at 7.2mm, the S26 is expected to go even thinner, down to 6.9mm.

That makes it one of the slimmest mainstream flagships, just slightly thicker than the ultra-slim S25 Edge (5.8mm).

There may be a slight increase in weight, but it will likely go unnoticed in daily use.

Camera upgrades - maybe

Many early reports suggested the Galaxy S26 would receive significant camera improvements over its predecessor.

However, recent rumors indicate Samsung might reuse the S25's camera system to maintain price stability amid rising component costs.

If so, the lack of camera upgrades would be a slight letdown.

Still, if Samsung surprises consumers with a late-stage upgrade, this could be a decisive reason to choose the S26 standard over the Ultra - especially at a more accessible price.

In the end, the Galaxy S26 standard appears to strike the perfect balance: bigger battery, better chip, brighter screen, slimmer body, and the possibility of enhanced cameras.

While the Ultra version dazzles with specs, the S26 standard delivers where it counts for everyday users.

If you're looking for a strong, modern flagship without going all-in on ultra-premium pricing, the Galaxy S26 standard may be your perfect match for 2026.

Hai Phong