Samsung Galaxy A26 A26 Black 256GB

The Samsung Galaxy A26 is a budget phone that gets the important stuff right. You get a gorgeous 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, excellent battery life, and IP67 water resistance. Just make sure you buy it at the right price, ideally under $250, and don't expect flagship-level gaming or low-light camera performance.

The Exynos 1380 sits in the 56th percentile for performance in our database, which translates to "fine for most people, but don't push it." Apps open quickly, and the 120Hz display makes scrolling through feeds feel fluid. Multitasking between a few apps is smooth thanks to the 6GB of RAM, though you might notice a slight stutter if you're rapidly switching between a game and a dozen Chrome tabs. For a phone in this price range, it's about what we expect, nothing more, nothing less.

Gaming is where you'll feel the limits. Titles like Genshin Impact will run, but you'll need to dial settings down to medium or low for a stable frame rate. The phone doesn't get uncomfortably hot, which is a plus, but it's clearly not built for heavy 3D gaming sessions. On the connectivity side, Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.3 are solid, though the lack of Wi-Fi 6 or 6E puts it in the 67th percentile, which is a bit behind some competitors at this price. The 5G support is there, and call quality is clear, so for everyday use, it gets the job done.

Stacked against the Google Pixel 10a, the Galaxy A26 holds its own on display size and battery life, but the Pixel pulls ahead in camera processing and software polish. The Pixel's computational photography is just smarter, especially in tricky lighting, and you get a cleaner Android experience. The A26 fights back with that expandable storage and IP67 rating, which the Pixel 10a might lack depending on the generation.

The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro is another interesting alternative. It brings a more distinctive design and a slightly more powerful chipset, but often at a higher price. The Galaxy A26's display is larger and arguably more vibrant, but the Nothing Phone's unique Glyph interface and cleaner software might sway you if you're tired of Samsung's One UI. For pure budget hunters, the Motorola razr ultra 2025 is a completely different beast, a foldable that's more about style than raw value, and it'll cost you significantly more. The A26 is the sensible, practical choice among these.

Value is where the Galaxy A26 gets interesting. We've seen it listed as low as $195 from some vendors, and at that price, it's an absolute steal. You're getting a 120Hz AMOLED screen, a capable main camera, and a battery that easily lasts a day and a half. But there's a catch, the price spread is insane, ranging up to $3,548 from other sellers. Do not pay anywhere near the high end. If you can snag it for under $250, it's one of the best budget phones you can buy. At $300 or above, you start bumping into refurbished flagships and more polished mid-rangers like the Google Pixel 8a, which offer better cameras and performance. Newegg currently has the best deal we've seen, so start your search there.

The Samsung Galaxy A26 is one of those phones that makes you wonder why you'd spend twice as much on a flagship. You get a big, smooth 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization, and a massive 5,000mAh battery, all wrapped in a slim body with an IP67 water resistance rating. For anyone hunting for a reliable daily driver that won't drain their bank account, this thing checks a lot of boxes right out of the gate. Samsung even promises six years of OS and security updates, which is frankly better than what some premium phones offer.

Under the hood, the Exynos 1380 processor and 6GB of RAM handle everyday tasks without much fuss. You're not going to mistake it for a Galaxy S25 when loading heavy games, but for social media, streaming, and snapping photos, it feels responsive. The 128GB of storage is a decent starting point, and the microSD slot lets you add up to 2TB more, which is a rarity these days. At around $195 from some vendors, it's positioned as a serious budget contender, though we've seen prices swing wildly up to $3,548 from less reputable sellers, so shop smart.

If you're wondering whether the Galaxy A26 is good for photography, the 50MP main sensor with OIS delivers sharp, well-stabilized shots in decent light. The 8MP ultrawide and macro lens round out a versatile setup, though low-light performance is just average for this price bracket. The 13MP selfie camera is perfectly fine for video calls and the occasional Instagram story. It's not going to dethrone a Pixel in computational photography, but for the money, it's a solid shooter.

Skip the Galaxy A26 if you're a heavy mobile gamer or if you need a top-tier camera for low-light photography. The processor just isn't cut out for demanding 3D games, and the camera falls behind Pixel and iPhone options in dim conditions. If you use your phone for work and need robust business features or DeX-like desktop modes, you'll also find it lacking. Instead, look at a refurbished Galaxy S23 or a Google Pixel 8a, both of which offer significantly more power and better cameras for not much more money if you shop around.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A26? If you need a big, beautiful screen, all-day battery life, and the peace of mind of water resistance without spending a fortune, yes. It's a phone that nails the basics and then throws in a few surprises like that IP67 rating and the long update commitment. It's perfect for students, parents, or anyone who just wants a reliable phone that doesn't feel cheap.

But if you're a mobile gamer or someone who takes a lot of photos in dimly lit restaurants and bars, you'll feel the limitations. The camera is good, not great, and the processor is built for efficiency, not speed. For the right price, ideally under $250, the Galaxy A26 is an easy recommendation. Just make sure you're buying from a reputable seller and not getting gouged.