Samsung Galaxy A26 Review: Features, Specs, Price, and Everything You Need to Know

Galaxy A26
Picture of Parimal Shingda

Parimal Shingda

Over the past few days, more details have emerged about Samsung’s upcoming mid-range smartphones, and it’s becoming clear that the company is gearing up to refresh its popular A-series lineup. Just yesterday, we caught a glimpse of the Galaxy A36’s potential design. But now, the Galaxy A26 has come into focus, and it’s making waves with the revelation of its processor and other critical details.

Galaxy A26 Powered by Exynos 1280

An unannounced Samsung device with the model number SM-A266B recently surfaced on Geekbench, giving us a closer look at what to expect. Judging from Samsung’s usual model numbering system, this new device is expected to be the Galaxy A26. Excitingly, it looks like the phone will support 5G connectivity, making it a solid choice for those looking for affordable yet fast network support. Moreover, the Galaxy A26 appears to be running Android 15, most likely paired with Samsung’s One UI 7.1 software, which is known for its user-friendly experience and smooth interface.

Galaxy A26

The Geekbench listing further reveals that the Galaxy A26 will feature a processor with the codename S5E8825, which is linked to the Exynos 1280 chip. This is an interesting choice for a mid-range device, and Samsung seems to be tweaking the chip to boost its performance. The benchmark data suggests that the processor in the Galaxy A26 is running at higher clock speeds than usual, which could mean a more responsive and faster user experience. It’s also accompanied by ARM’s Mali-G68 GPU, a reliable choice for handling gaming and multimedia tasks. The Galaxy A26 is listed with 6GB of RAM, a reasonable amount for multitasking and handling multiple apps simultaneously.

The Exynos 1280 itself is built with a 2+6 configuration, featuring two Cortex-A78 CPU cores typically clocked at 2.4GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 2GHz. However, it appears that Samsung has tweaked the chip’s performance cores to run at a higher speed of 2.6GHz. This is a significant upgrade, suggesting that Samsung may have used a more advanced fabrication process or optimized the chip further to maintain high performance without generating excessive heat.

Also read this: Samsung Galaxy A54 5G vs. Galaxy S23 FE: Midrange Marvel or Flagship Lite?

What to Expect from the Galaxy A26

Beyond the processor and RAM details, not much else has been confirmed about the Galaxy A26. However, based on trends and expectations from its predecessor, the Galaxy A25, we can make some educated guesses. Ideally, Samsung may adopt an Infinity-O display for the Galaxy A26, similar to the rumored design of the Galaxy A36. If this turns out to be true, it will give the phone a more modern and premium look compared to the Galaxy A25, which uses a U-shaped notch for the front camera. An Infinity-O display would not only enhance the phone’s aesthetic appeal but also provide users with a more immersive viewing experience, perfect for streaming videos and gaming.

As for the camera setup, it’s possible that Samsung will keep the same configuration found on the Galaxy A25. The previous model already features a 50MP primary camera along with an 8MP ultrawide lens, so it’s unlikely that the Galaxy A26 will receive a major upgrade in this area. The camera hardware is already quite capable, delivering high-quality photos that should satisfy most users.

When it comes to battery life, the Galaxy A26 may also follow in the footsteps of the Galaxy A25, which is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery. This large capacity battery has proven to be a great asset for users, providing ample power for a full day of usage without the need for frequent charging. Additionally, the Galaxy A26 is expected to support 25W fast charging, making it easier for users to quickly recharge their device and get back to their activities.

Android Updates and Long-Term Support

A notable aspect of the Galaxy A26 is its software support. With the phone expected to launch on Android 15, Samsung is likely to continue its trend of offering long-term software updates. The Galaxy A26 could receive up to six major Android OS updates, extending its usability until Android 21. This level of support ensures that users won’t be left behind with an outdated operating system and will have access to the latest features and security improvements for years to come.