I was quite critical of the Galaxy S26 in my review, yet it remains frustratingly easy to appreciate.

      When I first got the Galaxy S26, my expectations were low for Samsung's newest compact flagship. These expectations were justified for several reasons since I was quite critical of it in my review. The camera hardware seems outdated, the charging speed is lackluster, and for a device starting at around $899, calling it "safe" isn't exactly a praise.

      However, I was genuinely surprised that after using the Galaxy S26 for a longer period, it ended up being my secondary phone that I kept in my pocket. During this time, I even began to like it quite a bit. Despite its various problems, the frustrating part is that it's remarkably easy to enjoy.

      It reminded me how great a truly compact flagship can feel.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      The primary reason is also the simplest one: the Galaxy S26 feels like a "mobile phone" once again, emphasizing the mobile aspect. It's neither a bulky slab nor a mini-tablet (sometimes referred to as a phablet). It’s just a flagship that easily fits in your pocket, sits comfortably in your hand, and doesn’t make one-handed usage feel like a juggling act. My main phone, the Xiaomi 15, is already a compact flagship, but the S26 takes it further with its impressively light 167g weight and slimmer design.

      And I have to admit, that matters more than I’d like to acknowledge. I could complain all day about the charging limitations and the outdated camera, yet the S26 excels in other everyday aspects of phone life. While it may not excel in the basics, it remains easy to take out, carry around, and live with. There’s a sense of freedom that larger flagship phones often forget.

      You still get the Ultra feel where it really counts.

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      Another reason the S26 keeps making its way back into my good books is its software. One UI 8.5 remains one of the best Android skins available, providing a polished, responsive, and feature-rich experience along with the general Galaxy AI capabilities that characterize the entire Galaxy S26 lineup.

      Samsung is also promising seven years of OS and security updates, ensuring that the base model doesn’t feel like the “less important” member of the family regarding software support.

      This is what makes the S26 so impressive. While it may not offer the camera capabilities or charging prowess of the S26 Ultra, it still provides much of the flagship experience. You aren't purchasing a stripped-down software version, which is something you will interact with far more than the cameras. You’re getting the same Samsung software in a form that doesn't feel cumbersome in your pocket.

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      Its flaws are real—but so is its appeal.

      I won't pretend that the issues have disappeared. The camera setup still seems outdated compared to competitors, and even favorable reviews often highlight the same concern: it is polished, capable, but far too iterative for the price. The base S26 still has the familiar camera configuration, and both charging and battery life continue to be points of contention in 2026.

      And that makes it even more frustrating to like this phone. It's not exciting enough to wholeheartedly praise, yet not poor enough to dismiss. The Galaxy S26 is a phone that makes more sense in your hands than it does on paper. I still believe Samsung played it too cautiously and that this model could use a bit more love and attention.

      I also think it’s one of the easier flagship phones to enjoy carrying, which makes it much harder to stay frustrated with.