Key Takeaways
1. Affordable Model: The Galaxy A26 is the most economical option in Samsung’s new A-series lineup, alongside the A36 and A56.
2. Key Features: It includes important features like water-resistance (IP67), long-term software support (six years of updates), a large 5,000mAh battery, and AI capabilities.
3. Display and Camera: The phone has a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP front camera, and a triple rear-camera setup (50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro).
4. Performance and Storage: Powered by the Exynos 1380 chip, it offers options of 6GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage with microSD card support.
5. Pricing and Availability: The Galaxy A26 is priced at $299.99 in the USA and varies in Europe and the UK, making it a competitive option in the budget smartphone market.
Samsung has recently introduced its newest A-series models, with the Galaxy A26 being the most economical option. Launched alongside the Galaxy A36 and A56, this model shares some important features with its more expensive counterparts, such as being water-resistant, offering long-term software updates, boasting a large battery, and including AI capabilities. However, there are also some noticeable compromises. Let’s take a closer look.
Galaxy A26 Specifications
The Galaxy A26 features a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. The first thing that stands out is its waterdrop-style notch, a design Samsung typically uses for its more affordable A-series devices, like the A16 and A06, rather than choosing a hole-punch cutout.
In the notch, there’s a 13MP front-facing camera, while the rear has a triple-camera arrangement: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.
The phone is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chip, the same processor from last year’s Galaxy A35. It comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and offers up to 256GB of storage, plus microSD card support for expansion.
Battery and Software
The A26 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, similar to the A36 and A56, but it charges at a slower rate of 25W. Even though it’s the least expensive of the three, the A26 doesn’t fall short on software support. It runs on One UI 7 based on Android 15 and comes with a commitment for six years of updates, just like the higher-priced models. This also means access to Samsung’s “Awesome Intelligence” AI features, including Circle to Search and Object Eraser.
Additional features worth mentioning are its IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a fingerprint scanner located on the side, and a slot for microSD cards.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy A26 is available in Black, Green, and White, with prices differing by region:
– USA
– 256GB Galaxy A26: $299.99
– Europe
– 128GB Galaxy A26: €299
– 256GB Galaxy A26: €369
– UK
– 256GB Galaxy A26: £299
Samsung’s newest budget smartphone maintains essential features while cutting some costs. At this price point, it could be a good value for those in the market.
