SIM Free Samsung Galaxy S26 5G 512GB AI Phone Cobalt Violet

Great phone…. but small on upgrade

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve upgraded to the S26 from the S25 and while it’s still a great phone, if I were to be honest, there’s limited difference in the features. That’s not to say that there’s not a lot of positives. Although the size is slightly bigger it’s still easy to handle and the cobalt violet colour is great. The processor is fast and although the camera is essentially the same as the S25, I was pleasantly surprised there were subtle changes such as now being able choose between a natural or warm tone for pictures, which does seem to make a difference. I haven’t noticed any significant change in battery life so far but I suspect that’ll more come if I’m away on holiday and using it more - it comfortably lasts a couple of days though. It’s unfortunate that new features such as the privacy display were all given to the ultra as that would have been more game changing. All in all, I would recommend it to anyone apart from those who already the S25.

DS1931, Aberdeen

Brilliant phone for every day use

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have finally stopped trying to keep up with the "bigger is better" crowd, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 is the reason why. After years of struggling with phones that felt like carrying a small tablet in my pocket, switching to this 6.3-inch model has been a breath of fresh air. While my friends are fumbling with their massive phones, I can comfortably navigate my entire day with one hand. It fits perfectly into my jacket pocket without weighing me down, and the flatter edges make it much easier to grip during my morning walks. The display is remarkably crisp, and because the screen is slightly smaller than its siblings, the text actually feels sharper to my eyes. I no longer feel like I am performing a thumb-stretching exercise just to reach the notification bar, which has made my daily digital life feel significantly less like a chore and more like the helpful tool it’s supposed to be. The usability of this device has truly simplified my routine, especially with the refined "Easy Mode" and the new AI features that don't feel like they require a computer science degree to operate. I spend a lot of time organizing family events and keeping track of my gardening schedule, and the S26 handles it all with a snappiness that never leaves me waiting. The battery life has been a pleasant surprise as well; even with a day full of checking maps, answering emails, and streaming the occasional podcast, it reliably lasts until I head to bed. Samsung has clearly thought about users who want high-end performance without the physical bulk. The interface is intuitive, the buttons are exactly where my fingers expect them to be, and the face recognition works instantly, even if I’m wearing my reading glasses. It is a sophisticated piece of technology that respects the fact that I want power, but I also want a phone that is practical for someone who isn't interested in a device the size of a brick. As the family historian, the camera was my biggest concern, but the 50MP main lens has exceeded every expectation. During my a recent birthday party, I was able to capture the moment he blew out his candles with stunning clarity, even in a room lit only by the cake. The colours are natural rather than overly bright, and the zoom allowed me to get a great shot of his expression from across the table without having to hover over him. What I appreciate most is the "Photo Assist" feature; if a stray napkin or a blurry hand ruins a perfect shot, the AI helps me tidy. Thumbs up.

mysticalmonkeymagic, Romford

Speedy impressive phone

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Straight out the box the phone looks and feels well made, with a nice sleek look. The phone is easy to set up with step by step guidance and it's easy transferring everything from your previous phone! Some of the new features have been really fun and useful to utilise. The ai translator works well and I can't wait use to use whilst on holiday, imagine it will be very useful. The photo editing software is a game changer for me, it's so simple to edit photos, remove unwanted details and my daughter loves the ai edits which make her look like cartoons. The phones responsive and battery life so far is good even with long usage. So far really impressed and happy.

Iamnotyourfriend, Warrington

Evolution rather than revolution

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The S26 is a nice evolutionary upgrade on my previous S22 phone with both hardware and software being improved. Everything is very familiar to use, but things work with less friction and the UI elements are smoother. Although the size is essentially the same, the reduced bezels does increase the screen real estate whilst feeling easy to hold. The fingerprint sensor is well-placed, responsive and more accurate than before. The battery capacity is now 4300 mAh, which lasts a day on moderate usage including Teams calls and some video watching on my 30 minute commute each way. However, any performative (high-frame-rate is smooth and stable) gaming drains it quickly. Wired charging is limited at 25W so recovery is not quick by 2026 standards. The camera bump is wider and results in ill-fitting with my previous Samsung wireless charger. The camera quality is excellent with nicely saturated and vibrant photos produced without much effort although I expected more with HDR and fast motion. The low-light performance is the best I have seen. The AI features are improved with magic eraser, in particular, working very fast and the filled in details better than competitors. (See photo for comparison.) The automated call screen feature is wonderful and shows great accuracy in captioning and transcription of calls. “Now Nudge” is rather hit and miss. It is a good idea in principle to act as shortcut to connect, say, your messages and calendar. However, it is hampered by requiring Samsung apps and also rather precise wording. I can see the next few iterations making usable improvements. In work, I have used the voice transcription: this is vastly better than the transcription quality on my Teams calls and my current go to. Overall, the S26 is a very mature hardware product with usable software. AI benefits are improving with every iteration and I look forward to seeing further evolution.

coherence, LONDON

Stunning Battery Life

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Coming from an S22, I was not expecting a massive change in functionality but this S26 marks a real upgrade in terms of battery life, I can use it pretty much between 10 and 12 hours a day and still have plenty of battery left at the end of the day is amazing. Everything is fluid, clear and I was able to transfer everything across from my old phone with no issues. Apps are super responsive, switching between apps is super quick and easy, split screen is still a winner in my eyes. Speakers are great too, not tinny or super quiet. The camera is awesome too, plenty of options to be able to change settings and apply filters directly before even shooting photo's. I've used the remove items ai tool a couple of times and it works really well, the ai fills in well and doesn't look out of place or replace the item with something completely different. I'm super happy with this upgrade, I'll definately be sticking with the Galaxy products as they work for me.

Fabjenni, Larkhall

Great feature

Bought a phone and it’s really good. Great features and easy to use

Kannan

An Ideal Phone for Everyday Use

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’m a basic phone user and don’t need anything too complicated. I mainly use my phone for communication, browsing and playing the occasional games. I was looking for a phone that would last the whole day and be responsive and easy to use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 delivers, and I have found it a great choice for my needs. My first impression from the moment I took it out of the box is that it felt slick and light yet has a premium feel. I got the popular Cobalt Violet colour and it is just beautiful! I love how thin the phone is, its rounded edge and flat design. This design also makes it comfortable to hold. The screen brightness is not too bright that it hurts your eye and not dull so still brings everything to life. What I really love about this phone is the performance - apps open quickly, and browsing can be done with ease. Playing games that require high processing speed are clear and run without any frustrating lag. I can get through a whole day more than comfortably with battery life to spare. The phone charges quickly and has wireless charging capabilities. The magnet is strong which makes charging wirelessly more reliable. I’m a terrible photographer, but the camera is dummy proof. I mainly use the camera to take photos of my dog - the pictures come out crisp and clear even the ones where I catch him in action! Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a high-quality phone that’s reliable, takes incredible photos, and delivers smooth performance for everyday needs.

susan077cats, London

S26 512 GB

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I ve had this phone for over 2 weeks ,it's really easy to use the camera quality is really good ,I find the phone slightly heavier then my previous s10 ,the screen size is the same as my previous phone. It would've been a good idea if the handset would come with a factory fitted screen protector and cover. The phone doesn't need charging often once a day is fine I find the handset is good value for money

hawa86, Leicester

Slight upgrade on S24

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I got the S26 as an upgrade from my S24. So far I haven't seen any huge differences, but obviously the battery life is better than a 2 year old phone. The Samsung switch made it easy to move everything over from my old phone, so I have all my old contacts and photos and stuff. The AI photo features are quite cool. I haven't used the Bixby feature yet as I prefer other AI systems. Overall I would say it's been worth it for me to upgrade even if just for the battery life and storage!

CatherineAndTheTwins, Gloucester

Average

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I bought this to replace a super old Samsung Galaxy S9 and I'm finding it distinctively average. As I have missed many upgrades, updates and generations between the S9 and S26, I'm finding the differences noticeable and rather annoying. For example, no LED notification on the top to indicate missed calls, texts or battery charging. The top status bar is lacking the alarm on or Bluetooth icons. Little things removed which made a difference. There is no SD memory card slot either. That's all well and good unless you have everything stored in a cloud which I didn't. The huge storage capacity present doesn't make up for the lack of ability to transfer photos or videos without having to buy a reader/adapter. The smartphone doesn't come with a charger plug, only a very short cable which doesn't fit into my previous Samsung charger. That's the second accessory I needed to purchase. The cameras should be simple but aren't. An app is required for additional features. There are so many settings to sift through. Again, things should be simple and easy to adjust or adapt but aren't. It features AI and Gemini which aren't necessary to me. I used AI to remove the sticker at the back on the device, that's all I could be bothered to do. Faking and manipulating photo isn't something to he encouraged. It's fairly lightweight, not as much as my previous one, but I wasn't expecting it to be but it's a handful as it's larger. It also comes with preloaded app, most of which I have uninstalled or disabled. I have picked up flaws and things I don't like and these changes matter to me but I'm sure I'll get use to them in time. But for the cost? No, not worth it.

J0DIE, Maesteg