I am an iPhone consumer, however not a ride-or-die iPhone consumer. When I examined the Motorola Razr Extremely for Mashable final yr, it jogged my memory how a lot I like some Android options. And with the Samsung Galaxy S26 telephones rumored to be coming in late February with One UI 8.5, I am precisely the type of individual Samsung must woo.
Not like a number of iPhone customers I do know, I actually would think about ditching my iPhone for an Android handset — if the value (and feature-set) had been proper.
Samsung telephones are inclined to leak like a faucet forward of their official launch, and that is precisely what’s occurring proper now. We have already damaged down the whole lot we all know in regards to the Galaxy S26 line and the subsequent Galaxy Unpacked launch occasion. Given what we all know, these are the rumored S26 options that might persuade me to defect from Apple to Android.
Privateness Show
As I wrote yesterday, Privateness Show has all however been confirmed. As you possibly can see in an previous video from Samsung leaker Ice Universe, the Privateness Show hides the content material in your display screen from the folks round you. Usually, it’s important to purchase a separate privateness safety display screen to attain this impact.
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As somebody who typically makes use of his cellphone on a crowded subway, that is the type of modern function that appeals to me. And like AI and foldables, Samsung has as soon as once more crushed Apple to the punch.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
All S26 telephones launched in the USA are anticipated to come back with the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. And it is supposed to supply noticeable upgrades to battery life, on-device AI computing, graphics, and general efficiency. Apple remains to be king within the laptop computer world because of its M-series silicon, however early exams present that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 actually is the “world’s quickest cellular system on chip,” as Qualcomm has promised.
Free entry to Google Gemini
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 launched with a horny supply: six free months of Google AI One Professional, usually $19.99 monthly. That features expanded entry to the most recent Gemini instruments and cloud storage. I count on Samsung to place ahead an analogous launch supply for the S26 (as Pixel telephones did, with 12 months of entry at no cost).
Mashable Mild Velocity
Due to the worldwide reminiscence scarcity, Samsung is rumored to be dropping its regular launch supply, which helps you to get double the storage at no further price. An improved AI subscription supply would make sense, and I am hopeful we get an analogous or higher supply this time. Samsung already options a number of built-in Gemini AI options, and Apple is clearly dropping the AI arms race.
Rip-off Detection
Thus far, Google’s glorious Rip-off Detection function has been unique to Pixel Telephones, however per Android Authority, that might change with the S26 telephones. This AI device routinely alerts you are speaking to a scammer. Not like the iPhone, it does not simply flag sketchy cellphone numbers. It proactively alerts you when the cellphone detects pink flags.
Subsequent-gen Gorilla Glass
Leaker Ice Universe additionally studies that the S26 line may have a brand new type of Gorilla Glass that may make display screen protectors out of date. The enchantment for a function like that is apparent, I believe.
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Higher cameras and picture processing
It appears we’re unlikely to get considerably improved cameras with the S26 line. Nonetheless, a couple of modifications are rumored, corresponding to a bigger aperture on the principle digital camera (which may enhance low-light pictures) and a brand new sensor for the 3x telephoto lens. It is also attainable that the brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip will supply picture processing advantages.
By all accounts, the iPhone 17 Professional Max and Galaxy S25 Extremely are very evenly matched in pictures. If Samsung can show it has gained a big edge over the iPhone, I might think about switching.
Proper now, the most recent iPhones have two benefits: It is simpler to shoot 4K, HDR video, and so they have a greater selfie digital camera. As a tech journalist who takes a number of photographs and movies every day, that is necessary to me. Samsung Galaxy telephones do supply 8K video, however I believe that is extra of a gimmick relatively than a sensible function. Samsung ought to cease chasing the shiny new factor (8K video) and give attention to matching the iPhone’s capabilities right here.
A Liquid Glass-like look
I am not a Liquid Glass hater like a number of my friends within the tech world. I truly suppose the brand new design language seems to be very engaging. And Samsung appears poised to repeat this aesthetic in One UI 8.5, as I’ve reported beforehand.
Tranlucent components exist already in One UI 8.
Credit score: Samsung
This preview of One UI 8.5 seems to be similar to Liquid Glass and iOS 26.
Credit score: Samsung / Good Lock
Whereas I would want for Samsung to maneuver in a bolder, new course with its bodily cellphone design and UI (I miss the sq. corners), as iOS and Android techniques come nearer collectively, the change turns into simpler.
What may actually make me change? The Galaxy TriFold
Credit score: Timothy Werth / Mashable
We do not know whether or not we’ll get a U.S. launch date for the Galaxy TriFold on the subsequent Unpacked occasion, however I am crossing my fingers. I bought to mess around with this machine at CES 2026, and I can not cease excited about it.
