(Image credit: Onleaks / Android headlines)

Samsung refreshes the Galaxy S lineup every year, so it’s no surprise that talk about the Samsung S26 vs S25 has already started. The Galaxy S25 launched in February 2025 and has been one of Samsung’s top phones this year, but the Samsung S26 is shaping up to offer some notable improvements in speed, battery, storage and design. For buyers in Nigeria these details matter, especially with the current rate of the naira and how quickly devices rise in price after launch.

In this review, we break down everything expected so far in the Samsung S26 vs S25 comparison, using current leaks, early performance numbers and pricing trends to help you decide whether to buy the S25 now or wait for the S26.

Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S25: Specifications

Samsung S26 vs S25 Release Date and Price

The Samsung S25 launched on February 7, 2025 with a starting price of 799 USD, which was about 1.35 million NGN at the time for the 128GB model. The 256GB model cost 859 USD, roughly 1.46 million NGN. By the time it hit the Nigerian market through official stores and retailers, the price often climbed higher.

With the Samsung S26, reports suggest a slightly later announcement. Most leaks point to February 25, 2026 for Galaxy Unpacked, which means the phone may land in stores by early March. Other reports hint that Samsung may keep its usual January window, so timelines are still uncertain, but the S26 will definitely arrive in Q1 2026.

The bigger change is storage. Samsung is rumored to be dropping the 128GB base model and starting at 256GB. If the Samsung S26 keeps the 799 USD price point, Nigerian buyers will be getting more storage for the same money. But it’s possible the price could shift closer to 899 USD, which is around 1.53 million NGN at the current rate.

Samsung S26 vs S25: Design and Display

(Image credit: Onleaks / Android headlines)

Anyone expecting a major redesign will likely be disappointed. The Samsung S26 vs S25 design language stays very close to what we already know. Samsung adopted the clean camera-island layout back in the S21 era and has been refining rather than reinventing ever since.

Leaked renders show slightly more rounded corners on the Samsung S26 and a brighter color option, including a standout orange version that feels like a throwback to the Galaxy S10e yellow model. Dimensions may shift a bit, with the S26 expected at 149.3 x 71.4 x 6.96mm compared to the S25 at 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm. That means the S26 may be a touch taller and wider, but also thinner.

The screen may get a tiny bump, moving from 6.2 inches on the S25 to 6.27 inches on the S26. Samsung is keeping the AMOLED Full HD+ panel, along with the same impressive 2,600-nit peak brightness. So the display upgrade is small, but the overall look is cleaner and a bit more premium.

Samsung S26 vs S25 Performance

(Image credit: Future)

This is where the biggest leap is expected. The Samsung S26 will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the US, while other regions, including Africa, may get the Exynos 2600. Thankfully, this year’s Exynos chip seems far better than earlier versions.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 shows strong early benchmark numbers.

Geekbench 6 single-core: 3,832

Geekbench 6 multi-core: 12,208

The S25 scored roughly 2,916 and 9,886 in the same tests. That’s a big gain in speed and efficiency.

Samsung tends to release a slightly tuned version called the “For Galaxy” variant, so we may see even higher numbers on the actual device. RAM stays at 12GB, the same as the S25.

For storage, the S26 may offer only 256GB and 512GB options. Dropping 128GB means the base model becomes more practical for people who shoot videos or keep large apps. If Samsung keeps the old starting price, this becomes a real win in the Samsung S26 vs S25 comparison.

Samsung S26 vs S25 Battery

The Samsung S25 comes with a 4,000mAh battery. Reports suggest the S26 will increase this to 4,300mAh. The 300mAh bump may look small, but combined with a more power-efficient processor, it should translate into longer battery life, especially when streaming, gaming or using 5G.

Fast-charging details aren’t confirmed yet, but Samsung will likely keep the same charging speeds.

Samsung S26 vs S25 Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

Camera rumors for the S26 are mixed. The main sensor is expected to remain 50MP, but Samsung may switch to the newer ISOCELL GN sensor. This type of upgrade often improves low-light shots, color accuracy and detail even when megapixels stay the same.

The ultra-wide camera is still unclear. Some leaks say Samsung may move from 12MP to 50MP, while others say nothing will change. The telephoto lens may shift from 10MP to 12MP, though well-known leaker Ice Universe insists Samsung will keep the 10MP 3x telephoto on all S26 models.

Even if hardware stays similar, the new chipset should deliver better image processing, which usually means cleaner night photos and sharper portraits.

Overall, the Samsung S26 vs S25 camera differences may be small, but improvements in processing could still make the S26 feel noticeably better in real use.

Samsung S26 vs S25: Outlook

From everything we know so far, the Samsung S26 vs S25 upgrade looks focused on performance, battery, storage and small design refinements. The display and camera changes are more subtle, but the internal upgrades are strong enough to make the S26 one of the likely top phones of 2026.

For Nigerian buyers, the decision comes down to timing and price. If the S26 launches at the same global price as the S25, then the extra storage and better processor make it the smarter buy. But if prices rise due to currency fluctuations, the S25 may remain attractive for those watching their budget.

If you want early access to deals on Samsung phones in Nigeria, including trade-ins and pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 when it launches, shop now on Rifugio.