Galaxy A25 Vs Galaxy A26

Galaxy A25
Galaxy A25
Starting at

Refurbished price:£122.00

Versus £272.58 new

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Galaxy A26
Galaxy A26
Starting at

Refurbished price:£152.00

Versus £419.55 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A25 (2023) and Galaxy A26 (2025) are both mid-range Android smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience for everyday users. While the Galaxy A25, released in late 2023, established a solid foundation, the newer Galaxy A26, launched in early 2025, introduces several refinements and upgrades. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services, but the A26 benefits from a more recent software version out of the box and extended support.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy A25 was released in December 2023, making it a slightly older model compared to the Galaxy A26, which launched in March 2025. This difference in release year directly impacts their expected practical lifespan, particularly concerning software updates.
  • OS Support Duration: Samsung has committed to providing four years of operating system updates and five years of security patches for the Galaxy A25. The Galaxy A26, being a newer model, benefits from an extended support policy, promising six years of software updates. This longer support period means the A26 will remain current with the latest Android features and security enhancements for a longer duration.
  • Durability Features: The Galaxy A25 features Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for its display, offering a degree of scratch resistance. The Galaxy A26 enhances physical durability with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, and notably includes an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature absent in its predecessor. This makes the A26 more resilient against environmental elements and accidental spills.

Year of Release

2023

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from browsing and social media to more demanding applications and light gaming. Both the Galaxy A25 and A26 are equipped to handle typical user needs, but with notable differences in their processing capabilities.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A25 is powered by a processor that handles everyday applications smoothly, though some users have noted occasional sluggishness with heavy use or demanding games. The Galaxy A26 features a newer, more capable processor in most regions, which offers improved performance and efficiency. This results in a more responsive user experience, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking.
  • Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications simultaneously. They also provide 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot, allowing users ample space for apps, photos, and media. The A26 supports up to 2TB microSD cards, while the A25 supports up to 1TB.
  • Battery Endurance: Both smartphones are equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, designed to provide a full day of use for most users. They support 25W wired fast charging, though neither includes a charger in the box. User reports indicate the A25 offers extensive battery life, lasting over 13 hours in video playback tests. The A26, despite having the same battery capacity, may see slightly varied real-world battery performance due to its larger screen and more powerful processor, though it is still expected to last a full day for typical usage.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy A25 and A26 offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with some distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices feature a Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing clear and vibrant visuals with deep blacks. This technology is well-suited for media consumption and general browsing.
  • Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A25 comes with a 6.5-inch display, offering a compact viewing area. The Galaxy A26 features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display, providing a more expansive canvas for content. Both maintain a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations.
  • Brightness for Outdoor Use: The Galaxy A25's display is noted for its brightness, with some measurements indicating over 1000 nits peak brightness, making it highly visible outdoors. While the Galaxy A26 also offers a bright display, some real-world tests suggest its typical brightness might be slightly lower than the A25, around 800 nits, despite some specifications listing higher peak brightness for HDR content.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy A25 and A26 are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a range of moments, from everyday snapshots to wider landscapes and close-ups.

  • Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a triple-camera setup on the rear. This includes a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The main camera performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed and vibrant images.
  • Low-Light and Ultrawide Performance: In lower light environments, the main camera on both devices can produce usable photos, especially with night mode, though detail may be reduced. The 8MP ultrawide camera is suitable for capturing broader scenes, but its performance, particularly in low light, is more limited. The 2MP macro lens is generally considered less impactful for most users.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with their main rear camera. For selfies and video calls, they are equipped with a 13MP front-facing camera. While the camera hardware is largely similar, the Galaxy A26 may offer slightly improved image processing, leading to sharper and more contrasted pictures.

Front camera

13 megapixels

13 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity Options: Both the Galaxy A25 and A26 support 5G connectivity, ensuring access to faster mobile networks. They also include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band) and Bluetooth 5.1 (A25) or 5.3 (A26) for wireless connections.
  • Ports and Sensors: The Galaxy A25 features a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy A26, however, removes the headphone jack, retaining only the USB-C 2.0 port. Both devices incorporate a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking.
  • Design and Audio: The Galaxy A25 has a design with a more noticeable notch and features stereo speakers, providing a richer audio experience for media consumption. The Galaxy A26 presents a slightly refined design, being marginally thinner, wider, and taller, but it downgrades to a single bottom-firing speaker.

Weight

197 g

197 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.5

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A25 and Galaxy A26 both offer compelling features within the mid-range smartphone segment, catering to slightly different user priorities. User feedback for the Galaxy A25 often praises its bright OLED display, reliable battery life, and the inclusion of stereo speakers and a headphone jack, making it a strong contender for multimedia enthusiasts. Some criticisms for the A25 include its processor performance for demanding tasks and the lack of an official IP rating.

The Galaxy A26, as the successor, builds upon this foundation with key upgrades. It is frequently lauded for its significantly longer software support, improved processor performance, and the addition of IP67 water and dust resistance, enhancing its overall durability and future-proofing. However, some users note the removal of the headphone jack and the downgrade to a single speaker as potential drawbacks. There are also mixed reports on its display brightness compared to its predecessor in typical usage.

Users prioritizing extended software longevity, enhanced physical durability, and a more responsive overall performance for general use and light gaming may find the Galaxy A26 better suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a brighter display, stereo audio, and the convenience of a headphone jack, and are content with slightly less processing power, might lean towards the Galaxy A25. Both devices represent solid choices, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to extend their lifecycle and provide excellent value.

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