Samsung Galaxy A26 Review: A Worthy Budget Upgrade with Flagship DNA

Samsung’s Galaxy A26 may come from the entry-level A-series, but this year’s edition arrives with serious upgrades. From a larger 6.7″ Super AMOLED display and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection to the Exynos 1380 chipset and IP67 water resistance, the A26 packs premium-level features into a mid-€200 package.

Let’s dive into what makes the Galaxy A26 stand out in the budget space — and where it still leaves room for improvement.

Design & Build: Premium Looks at an Affordable Price

• Glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides)

• IP67-rated dust and water resistance

• 200g weight, 7.7mm thickness

Samsung has stepped up the design language on the A26 — this feels like a far more expensive phone in the hand. With both front and back clad in Victus+ glass and a sturdy plastic frame, it’s among the best-built phones in this segment.

Display: Big, Bright, and Smooth

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED

• Full HD+ (1080 x 2340) resolution

• 120Hz refresh rate

• Always-On Display support

The A26 offers a vibrant and fluid viewing experience, thanks to a large AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate. It’s ideal for streaming, casual gaming, and scrolling. Sunlight visibility is decent, though peak brightness could be higher for outdoor legibility.

Performance: Exynos 1380 Brings Real Muscle

• Exynos 1380 (5nm) – Same chip from Galaxy A35

• Up to 8GB RAM, 256GB storage

• Expandable storage via microSD

Performance is surprisingly solid for this price. The Exynos 1380 chip ensures smooth multitasking and efficient app handling. While it’s not a gaming beast, it can handle titles like Call of Duty Mobile or Asphalt 9 on medium settings without major hiccups.

Software: Future-Proof with Android 15 and One UI 7

Samsung promises 6 major Android upgrades, starting from Android 15 with One UI 7. That’s best-in-class support in the budget segment and ensures long-term usability — a huge win for anyone planning to keep the phone for 3+ years.

Cameras: Balanced Performance for the Price

Rear Camera Setup:

• 50MP main sensor, f/1.8, OIS

• 8MP ultrawide, 120˚ FOV

• 2MP macro

Front Camera:

• 13MP selfie camera, 1080p video support

Photos from the main 50MP shooter are detailed in daylight with natural color tones. OIS helps stabilize low-light shots, though they still fall behind mid-range phones. The ultrawide camera is usable but not standout, and the macro sensor feels more like filler.

Video quality is decent with 4K at 30fps on the rear camera and 1080p on the front, with gyro-EIS helping reduce shake.

Battery Life & Charging: Reliable, but Bring Your Own Charger

• 5000mAh battery

• 25W wired charging (PPS-supported)

• No charger in the box

Battery life is excellent, easily lasting over a full day with moderate usage. You’ll need to purchase a 25W PD charger separately to take advantage of the full charging speed. Expect around 50% in 30 minutes.

Extras & Connectivity

• 5G connectivity

• Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC

• Side-mounted fingerprint scanner

• Virtual proximity sensing

• New: Circle to Search feature

You also get modern software perks like Circle to Search, adding value beyond the spec sheet.

Verdict: A Solid All-Rounder in the Budget Space

The Samsung Galaxy A26 delivers meaningful improvements over its predecessor without inflating the price. With flagship-grade durability, solid performance, guaranteed software support, and a smooth AMOLED display, it’s one of the most compelling options under €300.

Pros:

• Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screen

• Premium design with Victus+ glass

• IP67 rating

• Excellent software update promise

• Reliable battery life

Cons:

• No charger in the box

• Macro camera is underwhelming

• Average low-light photography