Photography: Swapnil Dhawale
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ does not aim to reinvent itself and it shares a lot of its features with the standard S26. Nevertheless, the design still feels polished and premium, sticking to what has already worked well with the Samsung’s flagship series.
However, there are minor updates, like the rear camera module that looks a bit more refined, and the overall build quality feels strong. It feels sturdy in hand and is built to handle everyday use without much concern. The velvety finish on the back of the phone, does a decent job of keeping fingerprints and dust away. But those with sweaty palms might find holding it a bit annoying and using it with a case is what I did too. Despite the large size, it is comfortable enough for long use.
The display is easily one of the main highlights. The 6.7-inch AMOLED screen delivers bright and sharp visuals, with colours that look rich without being overdone, whether you’re indoors or outside in bright light. The experience is smooth, and while the specs haven’t changed much, it still feels like a proper flagship display. Samsung could have added the privacy display just like its flagship S26 Ultra, but that would have bumped the price considerably, and so it feels like a conscious decision. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor works quickly and reliably, and performs better than the face unlock in my opinion.
The camera system follows the same pattern of familiarity. It doesn’t bring major hardware changes, but the output remains solid. Photos in daylight are detailed, with accurate colours and a good balance of highlights and shadows. Indoors, the camera maintains clarity, though images can look warm. Low-light photography is handled well, with a focus on keeping colours natural. Night mode improves brightness and contrast without going overboard.
However, for someone who is well versed with smartphone photography, can tell you that the software works on the images to an extent. The zoom is usable for casual shots, but quality starts to drop after 10x, making the 3x optical zoom the most reliable option and of course the most used as well. The front camera does a good job for selfies, shooting clear images with natural skin tones. Video features like Horizon Lock add useful stability, especially when shooting on the move. It’s not a standout feature, but it works well in real-world use. For videos, it works absolutely flawlessly and we have shot a lot of content for our social media with the S26+. The 4K 60fps video is smooth and the image stabilisation works flawlessly, making the videos free of shakes and jerks, as you would expect it from a high voltage launch event.
Battery life is dependable, thanks to the 4,900mAh unit. It comfortably lasts a full day with typical usage. Charging speed is fast, though not the fastest, it gets the job done of juicing the phone quickly when needed. Performance is smooth and consistent, backed by Samsung’s One UI. The software remains feature-rich while still being easy to navigate. AI-based features are present, but they feel like additions rather than major changes, keeping the overall experience familiar.
In the end, the Galaxy S26+ is about getting the basics right and it delivers a reliable flagship experience for the daily user. Sitting between the standard model and the Ultra, it can feel like the safe middle option. Still, for those who want a no-nonsense flagship that performs well in all key areas, the S26+ remains a strong and sensible choice, especially at a starting price of ₹1.10 lakh.
Have is a gallery of sample images shot on the Samsung Galaxy S26+ in different conditions
