Samsung, if You Add This to the Galaxy S26 Extremely, I might Be Eternally Grateful

Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra could also be mere weeks away, in accordance with rumors, and I’ve obtained a number of issues I particularly need to see. 

In my 14 years as a CNET reviewer, I’ve examined each technology of Samsung’s Ultra vary. I’ve taken thousands of photos throughout all Galaxy fashions, performed numerous hours of video games and scrolled by way of photos of desserts on Instagram. So I’ve realized a factor or two about what makes these phones so good — but in addition, the place they are often improved. 

Over all that point, I’ve watched Samsung stay a dominant phone-maker, constantly out-selling manufacturers like Apple, Google and Motorola. However that does not imply Samsung can relaxation on its dominance. I’ve additionally examined superb telephones from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo and Huawei which are extra progressive and cutting-edge than what Samsung has been doing with its Galaxy S-line. And it is time for Samsung to indicate us all what it may well do.

So with the Galaxy S26 Extremely virtually upon us, this is what I need to see from Samsung’s subsequent tremendous telephone. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely cameras want larger sensors

Samsung’s Extremely telephones have at all times been up there with the best on the subject of 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 couple of generations of Extremely telephones, and it seems like it is time to go large. 

Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra blew me away with its images abilities, because of its 1-inch kind picture sensor, which is bodily bigger than the sensors you will discover in virtually every other telephone digital camera. A much bigger picture sensor can seize extra mild, theoretically permitting for higher dynamic vary and extra element with out relying as arduous on software program picture processing. 

I really like the photographs I’ve taken with Xiaomi’s recent phones, and I need 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 obtained added to the ultrawide is good to see. However slap in a much bigger primary digital camera sensor for the S26 Extremely and let me snap wonderful photographs that appear like they had 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 function the primary digital camera from the present S25 Extremely. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants extra picture filter choices

Samsung’s cameras have already got a wide range of filters that modify the colour firming and publicity of your photographs. They work effectively sufficient and are much like Apple’s Photographic Styles in that you could 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 special supply picture, which works OK. What you possibly can’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 possibly can obtain a handful of extra presets, but when Samsung opened up the power for Galaxy homeowners to share their customized presets there for others to obtain, it could assist construct a group of eager photographers who would need to preserve 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 model that caught their eye. In consequence, 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 will get while you use them. Samsung has a possibility to create the identical factor for cellular images. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants a smaller measurement choice

The S25 Extremely is likely to be 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 making an attempt to squeeze it into skinny denims means struggling an embarrassing bulge in…locations you don’t need an embarrassing bulge. 

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

I might like to see Samsung take a cue from Apple right here and put the processor and digital camera abilities that make the Extremely collection what they’re right into a extra manageable measurement. I might even be glad 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 might 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 slightly extra muted. OK, certain, the S25 Extremely does come in several colours than simply black or silver, however they’re very delicate hues that, if I am feeling beneficiant, may very well be described as stylish, 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 sincere, I completely beloved it. My greatest 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 material 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 mainly pressured to throw my bank card at them to get one. 

Galaxy S26 Extremely wants a bigger battery and quicker charging

The Galaxy S25 Extremely packs a 5,000-mAh battery with a most of 45-watt recharge velocity. Which is similar 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. 

Among the fastest-charging telephones come from China, and lots of aren’t accessible within the US, however the OnePlus 15 gives 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 method on every part, the telephone must see a big value improve. Whereas the S25 Extremely really launched on the similar value as its predecessor, I do not anticipate that to be the case this time spherical. 

Between financial fluctuations, tariffs and the continuing RAM shortage, which is making elements dearer, the S26 Extremely is probably going going to come back with a much bigger price ticket — or see some specs minimize to maintain prices down.

However I am hoping that Samsung is ready to preserve this to a minimal and never use market adjustments as a possibility to extend the value to some extent the place having the most recent know-how is just out of attain for anybody with out the title “Oil baron” on their enterprise card.