Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A26
Starting at
£179.49£299.00 new
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Starting at
£894.79£1,449.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Galaxy A26 vs S26 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A26 starts at £179.49, £715.30 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Main camera
Front camera
- Chipset: Exynos 1380 (5 nm) on the Galaxy A26, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch.
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra specs
The Galaxy A26 fits those who want a large 6.7 inch screen and solid everyday performance with 8 GB RAM and expandable storage via microSDXC. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a larger 6.9 inch, higher resolution screen and more memory with 12 GB RAM. It also caters to users who want extra camera options with a four-camera setup and larger storage choices up to 1TB. Both phones support 5G and unlocked carriers, but the S26 Ultra includes an eSIM alongside a physical SIM, while the A26 uses dual physical SIMs. Choose the Galaxy A26 for reliable everyday use with expandable storage. Opt for the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want more screen detail, more memory and storage, and a more versatile camera setup.
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra price
Colour
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra battery life and software updates
Both are unlocked for use with any carrier. These similarities mean both devices offer a standard level of durability in software support and network flexibility.
Software Support
This makes either device a good choice if staying up to date with software is important to you.
Carrier Flexibility
Both devices are unlocked, so you can use them with any UK carrier of your choice. This gives you the freedom to switch networks or use local SIM cards when travelling without restrictions.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra screen
The Galaxy A26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra differ in screen size and resolution, which affect how much you see and how sharp images appear. Both have large screens suited for watching videos and browsing, but the S26 Ultra offers a bigger and more detailed display.
Screen Size
The Galaxy A26 has a 6.7 inch screen, which provides a spacious viewing area for everyday tasks. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a slightly larger 6.9 inch screen, giving you a bit more room when watching videos or multitasking.
Screen Resolution
With a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels, the Galaxy A26 delivers clear visuals for most uses. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a higher resolution of 1440 by 3120 pixels, which means sharper images and finer detail, ideal if you often view high-resolution photos or videos.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra camera
Camera setups and front camera resolution differ between these two phones, affecting how you capture photos and use video calls. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more camera lenses for added photographic options, while the Galaxy A26 offers a higher resolution front camera.
Rear Cameras
The Galaxy A26 comes with a triple camera setup, which covers basic photography needs well. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a quadruple camera setup, providing more versatility and potentially more photographic features for those who enjoy taking a wider variety of photos.
Front Camera
For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A26 has a 13 megapixel front camera, which captures detailed images. The Galaxy S26 Ultra's front camera has 12 megapixels, just slightly lower but still suitable for clear video and selfies.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra size and design
Several other differences between the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra affect storage, SIM options, size, and weight. These details can influence daily convenience, how much content you keep, and how the phone feels in your hand.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A26 comes in 128GB and 256GB storage options and includes a microSDXC card slot for expanding storage. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers larger storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB but does not have a microSD slot, so all storage is internal.
SIM Card Setup
The Galaxy A26 supports dual physical SIM cards, allowing you to use two separate phone numbers or networks simultaneously. The Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a combination of one physical SIM and one eSIM, which can be convenient if you want to manage multiple numbers without needing two physical cards.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy A26 measures 164 mm in height, 77.5 mm in width, and 7.7 mm in depth, weighing 197 g. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is slightly shorter at 163.6 mm, a bit wider at 78.1 mm, and deeper at 7.9 mm, with a weight of 214 g. If you prefer a lighter phone, the Galaxy A26 might feel more comfortable to hold.
Connector and Network
Both phones use USB-C connectors for charging and data transfer and support 5G mobile networks, ensuring fast connectivity and modern charging standards.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
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Width
Galaxy A26 or Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A26 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £179.49, £715.30 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (200 g vs 214 g)
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (200 megapixels vs 50 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the Galaxy A26 appreciate its condition and ease of use. Many mention the phone feels like new and works perfectly for everyday tasks. Some found data transfer quick and were happy with the phone's overall performance, though one noted the battery life did not meet expectations when upgrading from an earlier model. A few customers mentioned issues with charging speed and warnings about moisture, which may affect charging times.
Buyers of the Galaxy S26 Ultra praise its excellent condition, often saying it looks and feels like new, with some receiving brand new, sealed devices. The camera and speed receive positive remarks, with users enjoying the device's performance and features like AI tutorials. A few mentioned minor cosmetic marks that are hidden once a case is applied. Battery life is described as long-lasting even with heavy use, though one user noted some occasional blurriness when posting pictures on WhatsApp.
The Galaxy A26 suits customers seeking a reliable, straightforward Android phone with expandable storage and good everyday performance. The Galaxy S26 Ultra appeals to those who want a larger, sharper screen, more memory, a versatile camera setup, and higher storage options for more demanding use.
Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra FAQs
Galaxy A26 vs S26 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 1380 (5 nm) on the Galaxy A26, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy A26 is cheaper refurbished, from £179.49 compared with £894.79 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Both have the same battery: 5000 mAh.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 50 megapixels.
The Galaxy A26 gets updates until Mar 2031. The Galaxy S26 Ultra gets updates until Mar 2033.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra adds more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (200 megapixels vs 50 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £715.30 more (from £894.79 vs £179.49).
Refurbished, the Galaxy A26 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
