Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. S24: After comparing both models, here's my take

"The Snapdragon processor on the Galaxy S26 is a couple of generations newer than that of the S24, so you can expect better performance from the latest phone. Samsung is also more heavily leaning into artificial intelligence (AI) features with each generation, and this year is no exception. The new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor offers faster performance than the Gen 3, better power efficiency, and more capable AI processing."

"It's worth noting, however, that even if an S26 delivers faster app launches and multitasking, you can expect the software features to also come to the S24. The biggest difference is that the S26's optimized hardware will likely make for better performance when using the AI experiences."

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S26 series, priced at $1,299, raising questions about upgrade necessity for existing S24 users. The S26 features the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, delivering faster performance, better power efficiency, and enhanced AI capabilities compared to the S24's Snapdragon Gen 3. New AI features include an upgraded Circle to Search recognizing multiple objects simultaneously, customizable AI agents, and proactive suggestions. However, the two phones share considerable similarities, with most software features expected to reach the S24 eventually. The primary advantage of upgrading lies in the S26's optimized hardware enabling superior performance when utilizing AI experiences, though this may not justify the cost for all users.

Read at ZDNET