GoKawiilMegan Ellis / Android Authority
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Years ago, I considered Samsung’s flagships as the best Android smartphones to beat. But that idea has seemed increasingly nostalgic as competitors in other markets overtake the company’s smartphones when it comes to hardware specs. Sometimes, even budget and mid-range devices have features that make Samsung’s phones seem outdated in comparison.
Despite the yearning among many for Samsung to return to its history of innovation, that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. And the key reason lies in its sales.
Do you think Samsung needs to innovate more when it comes to its smartphones? 106 votes Yes, that's why I don't buy its phones. 40 % Yes, but I still buy its phones. 49 % No, I think the phones do enough. 11 %
The S26 series left a lot to be desired
Earlier this year, Samsung launched its Galaxy S26 series with higher prices, a continued focus on AI, and minor hardware changes. The S26 Ultra brought a welcome increase in charging speeds and introduced new Privacy Display technology, but left many fans wishing Samsung had done more on the hardware front. For example, the S26 Ultra still carries a 5,000mAh battery, something that has been the standard since the first Ultra phone launched back in 2020.
Meanwhile, Chinese companies have used higher-capacity silicon-carbon batteries for years, to the point that HONOR’s budget X9d, launched in 2025, carries an 8,300mAh battery. This made Samsung’s reluctance to increase its battery capacity seem increasingly stubborn in comparison.
Samsung's hardware innovation has slowed in recent years as Chinese competitors outpace them on key specs.
We eventually got the dawn of silicon-carbon batteries in Samsung phones with the launch of the company’s latest foldables. But even with this step forward, the Z Flip 8 didn’t see an increase in its battery capacity compared to the Flip 7.
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