{"id":315870,"date":"2026-03-01T06:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/315870\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T06:23:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:23:18","slug":"5-android-phones-you-should-buy-instead-of-the-samsung-galaxy-s26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/315870\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Samsung Galaxy S26"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Galaxy S26<\/a> \u2014 Samsung\u2019s base model in the latest Galaxy S lineup \u2014 is an interesting smartphone. It has a slightly larger display and a bigger battery than the S25, plus a new starting base storage of 256GB. Not bad!<\/p>\n

However, with a $100 price increase, the value proposition changes significantly \u2014 especially since practically every other aspect of the S26 remains unchanged from the S25. Ultimately, it means this year\u2019s base Galaxy S phone will likely be harder to recommend than ever.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are ample other choices available. If you aren\u2019t thrilled with the Galaxy S26, here are five other Android phones you should buy instead.<\/p>\n

What do you think is the best Samsung Galaxy S26 alternative?<\/p>\n

316 votes<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/p>\n

22%<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/p>\n

29%<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/p>\n

16%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/p>\n

16%<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/p>\n

11%<\/p>\n

Other (let us know in the comments)<\/p>\n

5%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

C. Scott Brown \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

It shouldn\u2019t come as any surprise that one of the best Galaxy S26 alternatives is the Galaxy S25<\/a>. Why? Because the two phones are\u00a0so\u00a0similar.<\/p>\n

The triple rear camera system and selfie camera? The same on both phones. Charging speeds? Identical. The displays? The exact same refresh rate, resolution, and max brightness. The RAM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity specs are unchanged, too.<\/p>\n

Given all of that, what\u2019s the point of the Galaxy S26? You get a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, but the Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the Galaxy S25 remains extremely capable in 2026. The S26 has a larger battery (4,300 mAh, up from 4,000 mAh), but Samsung only promises about an extra hour of use. The S26 also has a slightly larger 6.3-inch display, up from 6.2 inches on the S25.<\/p>\n

Are those upgrades worth $900? Not if you ask me. Without any discounts, the 128GB and 256GB variants of the Galaxy S25 ($800 and $860, respectively) are both better deals. And at this point in the S25\u2019s life, it\u2019s\u00a0very\u00a0easy to find it on sale for a dramatically lower price. Unless you absolutely need to have Samsung\u2019s newest phone, do yourself a favor and save some money with the Galaxy S25.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25<\/a>\"SamsungSamsung Galaxy S25<\/a><\/p>\n

12GB RAM \u2022 Vastly improved software \u2022 7 years of support<\/p>\n

Refined software, AI smarts, and next-gen hardware<\/p>\n

With an emphasis on AI features, and a move to Gemini, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is an exciting update to the Galaxy S line. Equipped with a 6.2-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, 12GB of RAM, a powerful 50MP camera, and updated hardware materials, we expect big things from the base model of Samsung’s 2025 flagship phone.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

C. Scott Brown \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The Galaxy S25 is a great choice over the S26, but it\u2019s not the phone I would choose. Instead, I\u2019d pick the Google Pixel 10<\/a>. And if you\u2019re not fully committed to the Samsung ecosystem, I think you should, too.<\/p>\n

As someone who frequently takes zoomed-in photos, the 5x telephoto camera on the Pixel 10 is a lot more versatile than the aging 3x telephoto sensor on the Galaxy S25 (and S26). I also adore the Pixel 10\u2019s built-in magnets. Yes, you can use Samsung\u2019s phones with magnetic chargers and accessories with a compatible case, but having that functionality built into the phone itself is a convenience I\u2019ve really come to rely on.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the software. I know a lot of people like Samsung One UI, but I find Google\u2019s Pixel interface to be the best way to use Android. It\u2019s cleaner, easier to navigate, and filled with AI features<\/a> that are (in my experience) significantly more useful. Plus, as an Android nerd, being first in line for major Android updates is an equally great perk.<\/p>\n

The Pixel 10 starts at $799 for the 128GB model, while the 256GB version is just a dollar shy of the Galaxy S26 at $899. However, at the time of writing, Amazon has the Pixel 10 on sale for as little as $675. Whether you have to pay full price or can find it on sale, the Pixel 10 stands out as a strong S26 alternative.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10<\/a>\"Google\"AAGoogle Pixel 10<\/a><\/p>\n

New optical zoom camera \u2022 Long-term updates \u2022 Loaded with Google AI features<\/p>\n

Baseline excellence.<\/p>\n

The Google Pixel 10 is the 6.3-inch base model of the in-house Android phones from Google. With plenty of high-speed storage options, a good amount of RAM, and the all-new Tensor G5 processor, it should blow through your mobile computing tasks with ease. A triple camera system includes standalone ultrawide and telephoto lenses, and a 50MP main sensor.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/p>\n

\"OnePlus<\/p>\n

Rushil Agrawal \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

While the Pixel 10 is my preferred phone on this list, I\u2019ll be the first to admit it\u2019s not the best choice if you want to get the absolute most bang for your buck. If that\u2019s the case, I\u2019d strongly recommend the OnePlus 13R<\/a>. Although OnePlus no longer sells the phone, you can still find it at third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy for $600 or less. For $300 less than the Galaxy S26, the 13R is an unbelievably good deal.<\/p>\n

Starting with the display, the OnePlus 13R has a much higher max brightness, a sharper resolution, and \u2014 critically for some users \u2014 a significantly higher PWM rate<\/a>. The 13R\u2019s 6,000mAh battery puts the S25\u2019s 4,300mAh battery to shame, as do OnePlus\u2019s 80W wired charging speeds (significantly faster than Samsung\u2019s 25W maximum). The 13R\u2019s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is still plenty powerful, and, like the S26, it comes with 256GB of storage by default.<\/p>\n

Naturally, there are some downsides. The OnePlus 13R\u2019s primary and telephoto cameras are decent, though the ultrawide sensor is a notable step down compared to the S26. The 13R has a lower IP65 rating than the S26\u2019s IP68 protection, no wireless charging, and a software update policy that\u2019s not nearly as strong (OnePlus only promises four major Android OS upgrades).<\/p>\n

Are those legitimate compromises? Absolutely. But is it worth spending an extra $300 for the Galaxy S26 instead of buying the OnePlus 13R? I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 13R<\/a>\"OnePlus\"AAOnePlus 13R<\/a><\/p>\n

Speedy performance \u2022 Long-lasting battery \u2022 Superb value for money<\/p>\n

R-eally great.<\/p>\n

The OnePlus 13R is everything you\u2019d expect from a OnePlus phone \u2014 blazing performance, amazing battery life, and rapid charging. Add to that a gorgeous display and a smooth, feature-packed Oxygen OS experience, and you have a phone that feels like it punches well above its $600 price tag.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

Hadlee Simons \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

The OnePlus 13R is a tremendous value, but it\u2019s not a Samsung phone \u2014 and if you\u2019re considering buying the Galaxy S26, that might be a deal-breaker. Lucky for you, there\u2019s another phone that might be perfect: the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Looking at the spec sheets side by side, the S25 FE is a downgrade compared to the S26 in most regards. However, those downgrades aren\u2019t\u00a0that\u00a0significant. The S25 FE\u2019s screen isn\u2019t as bright as the S26\u2019s, but it\u2019s still an AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and the same resolution. The Exynos 2400 chip is perfectly fine for most users, and the cameras are surprisingly similar, too. The S25 FE even comes out ahead in the battery and charging departments, featuring a 4,900mAh battery and 45W wired charging.<\/p>\n

At its retail price of $650 for the 128GB version (or $710 for 256GB), the Galaxy S25 FE is already a better deal than the Galaxy S26. However, if you time your purchase right, you can often buy the S25 FE for considerably less. Not that long ago, Samsung was selling the phone for just $450 \u2014 half the price of the Galaxy S26. If you find the Galaxy S25 FE on sale like that, it\u2019s a no-brainer purchase over the S26.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/a>\"Samsung\"AASamsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/a><\/p>\n

Large 120Hz display \u2022 Big battery \u2022 50MP camera<\/p>\n

Exynos-powered, 6.7-inch Samsung experience<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is a more affordable experience for fans of the S25 series. Powered by an Exynos 2400 processor, this 6.7-inch phone offers better specs than ever in a FE phone, and nearly all of the greatness found in mainline S25 phones.<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/p>\n

\"Nothing<\/p>\n

Ryan Haines \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

My last pick doesn\u2019t have the best specs compared to other phones on this list, and it\u2019s not the best value either. However, if you\u2019re less concerned with those things and primarily want a phone that\u2019s unique and different, the Nothing Phone 3<\/a> is the phone for you.<\/p>\n

Just one look at the Nothing Phone 3 shows why. With its transparent design, wild camera placement, and miniature rear display in the top-right corner, it\u2019s the perfect antidote to the Galaxy S26\u2019s rehashed design that Samsung\u2019s been using since the S23. No other Android phone looks like the Nothing Phone 3, and while it certainly isn\u2019t for everyone, it is commendable.<\/p>\n

The specs, while not mind-blowing, are still solid. The Nothing Phone 3 has a great OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, good cameras, a big battery, 65W wired charging, and is promised to receive up to five Android upgrades. And, yes, you get 256GB of storage by default.<\/p>\n

All of this is available for a retail price of $799, a not-insigificant $100 savings compared to the Galaxy S26. For an Android phone with such a unique design and solid all-around specs, that\u2019s not bad at all.<\/p>\n

Nothing Phone 3<\/a>\"Nothing\"AANothing Phone 3<\/a><\/p>\n

Excellent wired charging \u2022 Unique design \u2022 Solid cameras<\/p>\n

Nothing’s first ‘true flagship.’<\/p>\n

The Phone 3 is a stylish reinvention of Nothing’s Android phone series, now with flagship specs, including a large silicon-carbon battery, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, and a periscope zoom lens with macro photography support.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n

\"google\"google<\/a><\/p>\n

Thank you for being part of our community. Read our\u00a0Comment Policy<\/a> before posting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Galaxy S26 \u2014 Samsung\u2019s base model in the latest Galaxy S lineup \u2014 is an interesting smartphone.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":315871,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[5134,85,46,321,12090,12091,4757,26869,2891,125],"class_list":{"0":"post-315870","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-google-pixel-10","9":"tag-il","10":"tag-israel","11":"tag-mobile","12":"tag-nothing-phone-3","13":"tag-oneplus-13r","14":"tag-samsung-galaxy-s25","15":"tag-samsung-galaxy-s25-fe","16":"tag-samsung-galaxy-s26","17":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315870","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=315870"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/315870\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/315871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=315870"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=315870"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=315870"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}