I Want Samsung to Add These Issues to the Galaxy S26 Extremely

Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra could also be coming extraordinarily quickly, in response to rumors, and my 14 years of expertise as a CNET assessment means I do know simply what the corporate must do to make it its finest cellphone ever. 

I’ve examined each technology of Samsung’s Ultra vary, together with taking thousands of photos and enjoying numerous hours of video games. Over time I’ve discovered a factor or two about why these telephones are up there with rivals from Apple and Google. However I’ve additionally discovered the place they are often improved. 

Over all that point, I’ve watched Samsung stay a dominant phone-maker, constantly out-selling its fundamental rivals. However that does not imply Samsung can relaxation on its dominance. I’ve additionally examined wonderful telephones from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei which can be extra revolutionary and cutting-edge than what Samsung has been doing with its Galaxy S-line. And it is time for Samsung to point out us all what it might probably do.

So with the Galaxy S26 Extremely nearly upon us, here is what I wish to see from Samsung’s subsequent tremendous cellphone. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely cameras want larger sensors

Samsung’s Extremely telephones have all the time been up there with the best in relation to taking photographs. Its Galaxy S telephones have excelled with night-time imagery, and it was among the many first firms to essentially wow us with telephoto zooms. However the digital camera {hardware} hasn’t modified a lot over the previous few generations of Extremely telephones, and it looks like it is time to go large. 

Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra blew me away with its images expertise, due to its 1-inch kind picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors you will discover in nearly some other cellphone digital camera. An even bigger picture sensor can seize extra mild, theoretically permitting for higher dynamic vary and extra element with out relying as laborious on software program picture processing. 

I really like the pictures I’ve taken with Xiaomi’s recent phones, and I wish to see Samsung create a digital camera that is really tailor-made to professional photographers like myself. Positive, the Galaxy S25 Extremely’s zoom is nice, and the additional decision we acquired added to the ultrawide is good to see. However slap in a much bigger fundamental digital camera sensor for the S26 Extremely and let me snap superb photographs that appear like they have been taken on a mirrorless digital camera, and yeah, you will be onto a winner there, Samsung. 

It will additionally assist the S26 Extremely distinguish itself from the S25 Edge and Z Fold 7, each of which characteristic the primary digital camera from the present S25 Extremely. And with Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra shaping as much as be a complete imaging powerhouse, it might be sensible of Samsung to essentially push the boat out right here.

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants extra photograph filter choices

Samsung’s cameras have already got a wide range of filters that regulate the colour firming and publicity of your photographs. They work effectively sufficient and are much like Apple’s Photographic Styles in which you can customise the look of every filter and change these settings even after you’ve got taken the picture. 

You can even create your own custom presets primarily based on the tones from a distinct supply picture, which works OK. What you’ll be able to’t do is then share that preset for different photographers to make use of, and I feel Samsung is lacking a trick right here. There’s a small tucked-away retailer the place you’ll be able to obtain a handful of further presets, but when Samsung opened up the flexibility for Galaxy homeowners to share their customized presets there for others to obtain, it will assist construct a neighborhood of eager photographers who would wish to hold utilizing Samsung’s digital camera telephones. 

Fujifilm has had related success with its cameras, permitting photographers to create ‘recipes’ that different photographers can merely key into their digital camera and instantly begin taking photographs utilizing the very same filmic fashion that caught their eye. Because of this, Fujifilm has an enormous, passionate fanbase that may greater than fortunately bore you inflexible about how nice Fujifilm’s cameras are due to the appears you may get while you use them. Samsung has a chance to create the identical factor for cell images. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants a smaller measurement possibility

The S25 Extremely is perhaps an absolute powerhouse, nevertheless it’s additionally immense. At 6.9 inches, it requires thumbs the dimensions of redwoods to kind on one-handed and attempting to squeeze it into skinny denims means struggling an embarrassing bulge in…locations you do not need an embarrassing bulge. 

And regardless of being 6-foot-2, I even have fairly small arms, so I’ve all the time most popular smaller phones. I exploit the iPhone 17 Pro, not the 17 Professional Max, as I a lot desire the 6.3-inch display over the gargantuan 6.9 inches on the Max. However in contrast to Apple, Samsung has all the time supplied its finest know-how in only one measurement, which forces you to decide on between pocketability and efficiency.

I would like to see Samsung take a cue from Apple right here and put the processor and digital camera expertise that make the Extremely collection what they’re right into a extra manageable measurement. I would even be completely satisfied to see the S Pen go to facilitate this — I by no means use it anyway.

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants extra colours

Whereas we’re speaking design selections, I would prefer to see some extra enjoyable colours within the Extremely line. Samsung briefly flirted with vibrant orange on the S22 Extremely, however its coloration ranges since then have been somewhat extra muted. OK, positive, the S25 Extremely does come in several colours than simply black or silver, however they’re very refined hues that, if I am feeling beneficiant, could possibly be described as elegant, and if I am not feeling beneficiant, then they’re merely boring.  

I really like the Cosmic orange color of the iPhone 17 Pro. I really like that it would not take itself in any respect severely, and why ought to we? Telephones are enjoyable equipment, and I do not want a impartial grey tone to match my enterprise go well with. I am sufficiently old to recollect the Motorola Razr V3, which got here in a scorching pink coloration, and I will be trustworthy, I completely beloved it. My finest buddy Charlie had one, and I used to be intensely envious. The present Motorola Razr Extremely comes not solely in pink but in addition makes use of cloth on the again to make it extra snug to carry and helps it stand out from the glass and aluminium crowd.

If Samsung takes that vibrant metallic pink and slaps it onto the S26 Extremely, then I will be principally pressured to throw my bank card at them to get one. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants a bigger battery and sooner charging

The Galaxy S25 Extremely packs a 5,000-mAh battery with a most of 45-watt recharge velocity. Which is identical specs because the S22 Extremely had when it launched 4 years in the past. Battery tech has moved on significantly within the final 4 years, and we’re seeing telephones now utilizing new silicon-carbon know-how for extra energy-dense cells and telephones with 100-watt charging speeds. 

A few of the fastest-charging telephones come from China, and lots of aren’t accessible within the US, however the OnePlus 15 affords 80-watt wired charging, and its 7,300-mAh battery severely impressed us within the full assessment.  

The S25 Extremely’s battery was definitely good once we examined it, however with new battery know-how getting used on rival telephones, it is time Samsung gave its Extremely collection a little bit of a refresh right here. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely’s value

I am asking for lots on this article, and I do know that if I had my means on all the things, the cellphone must see a big value enhance. Whereas the S25 Extremely really launched on the identical value as its predecessor, I do not anticipate that to be the case this time spherical. 

Between financial fluctuations, tariffs and the continued RAM shortage, which is making parts costlier, the S26 Extremely is probably going going to return with a much bigger price ticket — or see some specs lower to maintain prices down.

However I am hoping that Samsung is ready to hold this to a minimal and never use market adjustments as a chance to extend the value to a degree the place having the newest know-how is solely out of attain for anybody with out the title “Oil baron” on their enterprise card.