{"id":446718,"date":"2026-02-26T13:30:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T13:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/446718\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:30:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T13:30:19","slug":"5-android-phones-you-should-buy-instead-of-the-galaxy-s26-ultra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/446718\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung\u2019s latest flagship Android phone, is finally here. It has a slightly refreshed design, some new colors, and the impressive Privacy Display feature. It\u2019s not the biggest upgrade we\u2019ve ever seen, but the S26 Ultra is still a new Samsung flagship. For some people, that\u2019s all that matters.<\/p>\n

However, before you rush out and spend $1,300+ on Samsung\u2019s latest, it\u2019s worth considering your other options. The S26 Ultra is far from a bad smartphone, but there are a ton of other great Android handsets to choose from \u2014 many of which you\u2019d probably be happier with.<\/p>\n

Here are my picks for five other Android phones you should buy instead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra.<\/p>\n

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

107 votes<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/p>\n

21%<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/p>\n

31%<\/p>\n

OnePlus 15<\/p>\n

21%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/p>\n

14%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/p>\n

7%<\/p>\n

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

6%<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

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

For many people reading this, the most sensible Galaxy S26 Ultra alternative is its predecessor: the Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/a>. While the S25 Ultra may no longer be the newest and flashiest Samsung phone, it delivers about 90% of the same smartphone experience as the S26 Ultra for less money.<\/p>\n

Both phones have the same 6.9-inch AMOLED displays with the same refresh rate, resolution, etc. The S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra share the same camera setups, battery capacity, and RAM\/storage amounts. Both phones also come with an included S Pen and Samsung\u2019s One UI software with a seven-year update guarantee. In so many regards, these are effectively the same smartphones.<\/p>\n

Of course, not\u00a0everything\u00a0is the same. The S26 Ultra has a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and faster 60W wired charging. While the camera system is largely identical, the S26 Ultra has a much brighter primary and telephoto camera \u2014 likely resulting in better low-light photos. And only the S26 Ultra features Privacy Display, which hides the contents of your screen from prying eyes.<\/p>\n

Are those nice upgrades? Absolutely. But they also aren\u2019t game-changers. If you can find the Galaxy S25 Ultra at a nice discount \u2014 which should be very easy now that the S26 Ultra has arrived \u2014 I\u2019d recommend saving a few hundred dollars and buying last year\u2019s phone instead.<\/p>\n

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

100x zoom \u2022 Big battery \u2022 7 years software support<\/p>\n

Samsung’s best for 2025<\/p>\n

Simply put, this is Samsung’s very best phone for 2025. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a 6.9-inch QHD+ device with 12GB of RAM, 256GB+ of storage, embedded S Pen, and the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. The key upgrade over the lower S25 models is a 200MP main camera and 100x Space Zoom.<\/p>\n

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

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

The S25 Ultra is a great choice, but what if you aren\u2019t fully committed to buying a Samsung phone? What if you\u2019re open to a phone from another brand? In that case, I\u2019d urge you to consider the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/a>. At this point in 2026, the Pixel 10 Pro XL and Galaxy S26 Ultra are two of the top choices for a big, flagship Android phone. And if it were my money, I\u2019d choose the Pixel 10 Pro XL every single time.<\/p>\n

There are a few reasons for this, one of which is software. While Samsung\u2019s One UI has its fans, I find Google\u2019s Pixel software to be\u00a0so\u00a0much more enjoyable. Not only is the interface cleaner and easier to navigate, but Google\u2019s Pixel-exclusive features \u2014 such as Now Playing and the various calling tools \u2014 are unmatched. And while both phones have a seven-year update guarantee, Pixels will always be updated faster than Galaxies.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just the software that makes me prefer the Pixel 10 Pro XL. I think Google\u2019s hardware design is a lot more stylish. I really love the Pixel camera experience, and the Pixel 10\u2019s built-in magnets are a huge convenience that the S26 Ultra unfortunately lacks. Samsung has the upper hand with raw performance and charging speeds, but for what I value in a smartphone, Google is a much better fit.<\/p>\n

To make things sweeter, the Pixel 10 Pro XL\u2019s retail price is $100 less than the S26 Ultra, and you can often find it on sale, too.<\/p>\n

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

Excellent build quality \u2022 Improved camera flexibility \u2022 Smooth-as-ever software<\/p>\n

Ultimate power from the Pixel 10 line<\/p>\n

The most powerful option from the Pixel 10 line is the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. With a 6.8-inch display, Tensor G5 shipset, 16GB of RAM, UFS 4.0 storage options, a powerful triple camera setup, and a battery in excess of 5,000mAh, you should be able to power through any task in your day.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 15<\/p>\n

\"OnePlus<\/p>\n

Tushar Mehta \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n

On the flip side, let\u2019s say software and cameras are less important to you, and instead you want a phone with the biggest and best specs possible \u2014 and you also want to spend a few hundred less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. In that case, I think you\u2019d be happy with the OnePlus 15<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Like the S26 Ultra, the OnePlus 15 also has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip with your choice of 12 or 16GB of RAM. OnePlus\u2019s 7,300mAh battery blows away the 5,000mAh battery in the S26 Ultra, and the OnePlus 15 delivers that much extra capacity in a design that\u2019s a couple of grams lighter than the S26 Ultra. Charging speeds are better, too, with the OnePlus 15 supporting 80W wired and 50W wireless speeds. OnePlus also delivers a faster 165Hz display refresh rate and more durable hardware with four IP ratings (IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K).<\/p>\n

Those monster specs come with a couple of catches. Although OnePlus\u2019s OxygenOS 16 software isn\u2019t terrible, it is more cluttered and less feature-rich than One UI. The OnePlus 15 is also promised just four years of major Android updates, and its camera isn\u2019t as impressive as the S26 Ultra.<\/p>\n

Those are big things to consider before buying the OnePlus 15, but the price really helps. At just $900, it\u2019s $400 less expensive than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. For that much in savings and for the specs you\u2019re getting, the OnePlus 15 might be a perfect choice for some of you.<\/p>\n

OnePlus 15<\/a>\"OnePlusOnePlus 15<\/a><\/p>\n

Big battery \u2022 Fast charging \u2022 165Hz display<\/p>\n

Peak power.<\/p>\n

The OnePlus 15 is a flagship-level smartphone with very competitive specs: blazing fast chip, excellent display, huge battery + fast charge, and a triple 50MP camera system.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE<\/p>\n

\"Samsung<\/p>\n

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

The OnePlus 15 is a great deal compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but if you want to stretch your dollars even further, you should consider the Galaxy S25 FE<\/a>. This is Samsung\u2019s latest \u201cvalue flagship\u201d smartphone, and while it may not have all the same bells and whistles as the S26 Ultra, it\u2019s also probably all the phone you really need.<\/p>\n

The S25 FE\u2019s 6.7-inch display isn\u2019t as sharp or bright as the S26 Ultra\u2019s, but it\u2019s still an AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Exynos 2400 chip is more than powerful enough for most people, battery life is great, and the 45W wired charging is solid, too. You also get Samsung\u2019s One UI software in all of its glory, plus the same seven-year update policy as the S26 Ultra.<\/p>\n

The Galaxy S25 FE\u2019s cameras are fine for casual use, but the S26 Ultra is much better-equipped here. You also get a lot more RAM and storage with the S26 Ultra, and, paired with its more capable Snapdragon chip, it\u2019s the best choice for hardcore power users. Then again, you\u2019d expect that for a phone that costs $1,300.<\/p>\n

By comparison, the Galaxy S25 FE retails for $650, and you can often find it for even less. Just a few days ago, it was on sale for a mere $450 \u2014 a whopping $850 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra is undeniably a cooler and fancier phone, but for that significant a price difference, is it really worth it? I\u2019d argue not.<\/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

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/p>\n

\"samsung<\/p>\n

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

But let\u2019s say you are comfortable spending $1,300 on the Galaxy S26 Ultra \u2014 whether because you have the money to burn or because you just have to have the latest and greatest tech. You could go ahead and buy the S26 Ultra, but why not spend just a little more for the Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/a> instead?<\/p>\n

Although the Fold 7\u2019s $2,000 retail price is more than \u201ca little\u201d pricier than the S26 Ultra, you can regularly buy the Fold for considerably less. At the time of publication, Amazon is selling a new Fold 7 for as little as $1,649. And as recently as a few days ago, it was down to $1,600.<\/p>\n

If you can find a Z Fold 7 at a sale price like that, I think there\u2019s a strong case for spending ~$300 more on it instead of the S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra may be Samsung\u2019s newest handset, but it\u2019s still just a traditional slab phone that\u2019s not all that different from Galaxy S Ultra releases of the last few years. By comparison, the Fold 7 is one of the most impressive foldables you can buy today \u2014 delivering an excellent phone and mini-tablet experience in one slim, lightweight package.<\/p>\n

Foldables aren\u2019t for everyone, but if you\u2019re planning to spend a substantial amount of money on a new Samsung phone \u2014 and you\u2019re OK taking the foldable leap \u2014 I think you\u2019ll be much happier with a Fold 7 than an S26 Ultra.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/a>\"Samsung\"AASamsung Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Thinnest, lightest Z Fold to date \u2022 More durable design \u2022 200MP primary camera \u2022 Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy<\/p>\n

Thin, light, high-powered, and it folds!<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers an 8-inch OLED screen, a 200MP camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, and a 4,400mAh battery. The Galaxy AI experience is baked in, offering tools across the camera, Circle to Search, and much more. Best of all, Samsung continues to evolve its foldable hinge assembly, promising reduced visibility of the crease.<\/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 Ultra, Samsung\u2019s latest flagship Android phone, is finally here. It has a slightly refreshed design,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":446719,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[1632,2306,70779,19081,32973,12968,3036,86,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-446718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mobile","tag-google-pixel-10","tag-mobile","tag-oneplus-15","tag-samsung-galaxy-s25","tag-samsung-galaxy-s25-fe","tag-samsung-galaxy-s26","tag-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446718","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446718"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446718\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446718"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446718"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446718"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}