Galaxy S26 design is proving to be divisive

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By Anam Hamid

Published: Feb 13, 2026, 2:18 AM

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The Galaxy S26 series. | Images by Evan Blass, collage by PhoneArena

Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Unpacked event, where the Galaxy S26 family will be announced, is set for February 25. With the phones likely to have a slightly tweaked aesthetic, many wonder if the new look will win customers over. Based on our recent survey, the verdict is split.

They love it, they love it not

We asked our readers for their thoughts on the Galaxy S26's design. Of the 732 readers polled, 314 (42.9%) found the look refined. 312 (42.6%) thought there were too few changes. 106 (15%) weren't impressed, and drew comparisons to the iPhone.

The most notable design shift is the return of the camera island, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is also expected to have rounder corners.

Do you like the design of the Galaxy S26 series?

Why the divide?

While these updates might seem iterative, small tweaks can often make a device feel significantly more polished. On the other hand, for those who value radical innovations, these minor changes might feel underwhelming.

As for the comparison with the iPhone, well, while both brands maintain distinctive aesthetics, the devices have similar silhouettes, making you yearn for a time when every phone had a personality of its own.

The deciding factor

Samsung's upcoming phones might be light on internal and external changes and cost more than their predecessors, but we are still holding out hope that they will have some game-changing features to justify the investment. AI will reportedly be more deeply interwoven into the devices, but whether that will meaningfully change how customers use the devices remains to be seen. Another interesting feature is the privacy display, which will protect on-screen content from prying eyes.

Ultimately, it will be the whole package that decides whether the phone is a hit, with the design being just one piece of the puzzle. But then again, with customers lapping up the iPhone 17 Pro for its orange color, it's clear that appearances carry immense weight.

Samsung has launched its much-awaited Galaxy S26 reservations. Pre-securing a unit straight away gives you a $30 Samsung credit, a chance to win a $5,000 sweepstake, and pre-order savings of up to $900.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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