[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Samsung's new flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S26, is set for release in the first half of 2026, and analysis comparing the premium Galaxy S26 Ultra with the base Galaxy S26 is drawing attention. On Dec. 10, local time, IT outlet PhoneArena listed five reasons the Galaxy S26 could be a more rational choice than the Ultra model.

Bigger battery The Galaxy S26 battery capacity has increased to 4,300 mAh from 4,000 mAh in the previous S25. The Ultra model's battery is expected to keep the same 5,000 mAh capacity as the previous model. PhoneArena projected longer use time as the base model improves gradually while the Ultra model's battery remains unchanged.

Exynos processor The Galaxy S26 is set to use Samsung's 2-nanometer Exynos 2600 chipset. Samsung recently released a teaser video for the Exynos 2600, its first application processor based on a 2-nanometer GAA (Gate-All-Around) process, and officially confirmed it will be used in the Galaxy S26. It is expected to deliver performance that surpasses current Snapdragon chipsets, and the 2-nanometer architecture is also expected to improve battery efficiency.

Larger display The Galaxy S26 display size is set to increase slightly to 6.3 inches from 6.2 inches. It has also been raised as a possibility that a new OLED material could push peak brightness to 3,000 nits. Another outlook said the brightness cap could still remain at 2,600 nits.

Slimmer design The Galaxy S26 is expected to be 6.9 mm thick, thinner than the previous model's 7.2 mm, according to what has been known. It features a slimmer design along with a return to a camera island design.

Possible camera upgrade Based on what is known so far, the Galaxy S26 camera is likely to use the same module as the previous model. That reflects Samsung's price-freeze strategy in consideration of rising component costs. PhoneArena said that if a camera upgrade happens, it would be another reason to choose the base model instead of the Ultra model.

Overall, the base Galaxy S26 is expected to offer competitiveness comparable to the Ultra model in key specifications such as the battery, chip, display and design, and it is expected to be seen as Samsung's strategic choice amid pressure to raise prices.

Samsung Electronics plans to hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, United States, on Feb. 25 next year and unveil the next-generation flagship Galaxy S26 series.