Samsung - Galaxy S26 512GB (Unlocked) - White

I purchased my Samsung Galaxy S26 from Best Buy during the pre-release period. During that time I was able to trade-in my old Samsung S21 and get an extra trade-in amount toward the S26, that really made upgrading affordable. Best Buy also offered the 512GB phone for the same price as the 256GB phone. In addition, the trade-in process at Best Buy was very quick and simple. The cashier at Best Buy simply scanned my old phone's IMEI, turned my phone on and checked for damage, then took a photo of my phone with the scanner. Then to my surprise, my full trade-in amount was credited to my account within 3 days! I have used my new Samsung S26 for a month now. I really like it and I am glad I upgraded when I did to the S26. The most noticeable difference is that it is a faster processor and the screen is beautiful and a lot sharper. There is no lag when I scroll, switch between Apps, etc. Also, I feel the Settings is better organized and is easier for me to find what I am looking for. The S26 has more AI built in, but I'm not a big user of AI at the moment, so I can't comment either way on that. Samsung has improved the sound considerably over my old S21. I can hear phone calls, notifications, and music/videos much better. I am 65 years old with significant hearing loss, so that is truly beneficial for me. The camera quality is also excellent. I hardly use my DSLR anymore. The camera produces great photos and videos with sharp details, even in low light. Samsung has also added functions that allow you to edit your photos and videos to really unleash your creative side. The addition of WiFi 7 support is very beneficial. However, there have been a few unexpected changes too. The only negative change for me is that the phone's ringtone still plays over the speaker when you have headphones/earbuds on. I asked about that change on the Samsung Community page and they said it was because people were missing phone calls. But, it is very annoying to be in a quiet room listening to music/video and have your phone ring and disturb others around you. Also, Samsung is dropping support of the Message App, so users will need to switch to the Google Message App. After a month using it, I am used to the Google App and okay with that change. But, I saw that Samsung may also be dropping support for their own Music, Video, Email, etc. Apps. I hope they don't do that, because I prefer the simplicity of the Samsung Apps without any annoying Ads. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased with my new Samsung Galaxy S26. With my trade-in and the specials offered by Best Buy and Samsung, I feel the price is a very good value. I would highly recommend this phone and it would make an excellent gift.

I bought this phone instead of my Pixel 9 Pro. The S26 is a compact phone with a nice design, and I got it in blue. The phone is very compact and lightweight. The only downside is the battery, which is average, and the camera performs worse than the Pixel 9 Pro in nighttime and fast-motion photography. However, the camera performs well in daylight photography. Additionally, the battery only lasts until evening, which is a trade-off for its small size and lightweight design. On the other hand, the phone offers excellent video recording capabilities. Also, my S26 has 512 GB of storage, which is enough for all my needs. Plus, it has a very fast processor, and the phone feels almost weightless in my hands. The phone is good, but it's not without its flaws. I bought the 512 GB version for \$899, which I consider a good price for a new Samsung.

Cons: - Can run hot - Bloated with unnecessary apps (even on the unlocked phones) and AI features - Battery life not that great - No expandable storage - UI is not as intuitive as previous versions - Painful to hold with the 90 degree edges on the sides - Too wide to be convenient, especially once inside a protective case - Eye fatigue is a problem, even at low screen brightness and with blue-light protection turned on - Camera doesn’t wow, especially not enough to justify the practical issues caused by the camera bump - Camera bump is too big and creates issues with case wobble and poor lens protection options - Add-on lens protectors stick out past the camera bezel on almost all available cases - Most case options have a raised bezel around only 1/2 to 3/4 of the camera lens area, leaving the bottom or in some cases all three lenses exposed to damage - Many case options also lack good protection for the sides and back of the phone Pros: - If you’re used to Samsung, at least you aren’t having to learn a completely new UI from scratch - Any Samsung accessories you may have that are designed to only work seamlessly with Samsung phones will still have full function vs. if you’d jumped to a competitor’s phone -You can disable or uninstall at least some of the AI and bloatware