Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Smartphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
Samsung Galaxy S25 and Samsung Galaxy S26 are two of the most cross-shopped phones right now, and the gap between them is narrower in some rows and wider in others than the marketing suggests. The Galaxy S25 is Samsung's compact 2025 flagship, running the Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM in a 162-gram body. The Galaxy S26 is Samsung's compact 2026 flagship, moving to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 256 GB base storage and a 4,300 mAh battery.
Quick verdict
With VersusAnything Scores of 57 and 60, neither phone has a meaningful overall lead. Decide on the rows you will feel daily: Galaxy S25 for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support, Galaxy S26 for Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the smartphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Samsung Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 is Samsung's compact 2025 flagship, running the Snapdragon 8 Elite with 12 GB of RAM in a 162-gram body.
Best for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Galaxy S26 is Samsung's compact 2026 flagship, moving to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 256 GB base storage and a 4,300 mAh battery.
Best for Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip
Key differences
- Screen size: Galaxy S25 6.2" vs Galaxy S26 6.3" — a preference, not a scored win
- Chipset: Galaxy S25 Snapdragon 8 Elite vs Galaxy S26 Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 — a preference, not a scored win
- Operating system: Galaxy S25 Android (One UI) vs Galaxy S26 Android 16 (One UI 8.5) — a preference, not a scored win
- Base storage: Galaxy S25 128 GB vs Galaxy S26 256 GB — Galaxy S26 is better here
- Launch price (USD): Galaxy S25 $799 vs Galaxy S26 $899 — Galaxy S25 is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.3" |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) | Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto) |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Weight | 162 g | 163 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating system | Android (One UI) | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Promised OS updates | 7 years | 7 years |
| Launch price (USD) | $799 | $899 |
Display: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 52 · Galaxy S26 52
Display type is identical at Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Galaxy S25: 6.2". Galaxy S26: 6.3". Neither is scored, but a larger screen is easier for video and multitasking but harder to use one-handed.
Refresh rate is identical at 120 Hz.
Performance: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 39 · Galaxy S26 60
Galaxy S25: Snapdragon 8 Elite. Galaxy S26: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Neither is scored, but the chipset sets the ceiling for gaming, AI features and long-term speed. On RAM the two match exactly (12 GB).
Galaxy S26 offers 256 GB of base storage while Galaxy S25 stops at 128 GB; the 128 GB gap matters because base storage decides whether you need to pay for a bigger tier.
Camera: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 62 · Galaxy S26 62
On main camera the two match exactly (50 MP).
Rear cameras is identical at Triple (wide + ultrawide + 3x telephoto).
Battery: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 22 · Galaxy S26 30
The battery row goes to Galaxy S26: 4,300 mAh against 4,000 mAh. More capacity generally means more screen-on time between charges.
On wired charging the two match exactly (25 W).
Design: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 100 · Galaxy S26 96
On weight, Galaxy S25 keeps it to 162 g while Galaxy S26 lists 163 g. That 1 g edge counts since a lighter phone is more comfortable for long sessions and in a pocket.
Both list IP68 for water resistance, so nothing separates them here.
Software: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 72 · Galaxy S26 72
The two differ on operating system (Android (One UI) against Android 16 (One UI 8.5)), and the OS decides your app ecosystem and how the phone fits with your other devices.
Both list 7 years for promised OS updates, so nothing separates them here.
Value: Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26 Score: Galaxy S25 85 · Galaxy S26 70
Galaxy S25 is better on launch price (USD) at $799 against $899, a $100 difference; lower is better because the launch price is the fairest baseline because street prices vary by region.
Pros and cons
Galaxy S25
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- 12 GB RAM as standard
- Seven years of updates
- Better weight (162 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($799)
Cons
- Weaker base storage (128 GB)
- Weaker battery (4,000 mAh)
Galaxy S26
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- 256 GB base storage
- Seven years of updates
- Better weight (163 g)
- Better launch price (USD) ($899)
Cons
- Weaker base storage (256 GB)
- Weaker battery (4,300 mAh)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Samsung Galaxy S25 for…
Android users who want a small flagship with long software support. It stands out for snapdragon 8 elite for galaxy, 12 gb ram as standard, seven years of updates.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S26 for…
Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip. It stands out for snapdragon 8 elite gen 5, 256 gb base storage, seven years of updates.
Final verdict
With VersusAnything Scores of 57 and 60, neither phone has a meaningful overall lead. Decide on the rows you will feel daily: Galaxy S25 for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support, Galaxy S26 for Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Galaxy S25 better than Galaxy S26?
Not overall: they score 57 and 60 on our category weighting, which we treat as level. Galaxy S25 is the better fit for Android users who want a small flagship with long software support, and Galaxy S26 for Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip.
What is the biggest difference between Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S26?
The largest gap is screen size: Galaxy S25 lists 6.2" while Galaxy S26 lists 6.3". A larger screen is easier for video and multitasking but harder to use one-handed.
Which is cheaper, Galaxy S25 or Galaxy S26?
Galaxy S25 is cheaper on launch price (USD): $799 against $899 for Galaxy S26. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Galaxy S26 over Galaxy S25?
Galaxy S26 is the better fit for Android users who want a small flagship with the newest chip. Its strongest points are snapdragon 8 elite gen 5, 256 gb base storage, seven years of updates.
Sources
- Galaxy S25: Samsung product page (manufacturer)
- Galaxy S26: Samsung Galaxy S26 page (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.