Samsung Galaxy S26: Not allowed to use precise location tracking?

To be precise, this refers to short-range wireless technologies such as NFC, UWB, and Bluetooth. While NFC is primarily used for mobile payments, UWB and Bluetooth also play a role in smart home applications and in locating objects. While UWB is integrated into the S26+ and S26 Ultra, buyers of the Galaxy S26 will still have to do without this precise short-range wireless technology. It plays a role not only in locating tracking tags but also as an access technology for smartphone-based car or door keys.

Bluetooth also plays an important role in the smart home and, starting with version 6.0, is expected to compete with first-generation UWB when it comes to locating smart objects; however, Samsung has artificially downgraded the Galaxy S26 in this regard by equipping it only with the older Bluetooth 5.4 standard. We can only hope that this artificial downgrade will be a thing of the past with the Galaxy S27.

Otherwise, the Galaxy S26 (buy here on Amazon) comes across in our review as a compact premium smartphone that impresses above all with its Exynos 2600 processor, 6.3-inch OLED display, and 4,300-mAh battery. It leaves a very high-quality impression in our review, as its build quality, feel, and choice of materials are clearly top-tier. The display is particularly impressive: it is very bright, evenly lit, and has precise color calibration, making the device pleasant to use in everyday situations and even outdoors. Added to this are fast and reliable operation, good reception and wireless performance, as well as Samsung’s long-term update commitment spanning seven years. Less impressive, however, are the rather conservative 25-watt charging speed, the only moderately improved battery life in everyday use, and the noticeable throttling of the chip under sustained load. The camera also remains largely on par with its predecessor in terms of technical specifications, so there are no major advancements. All in all, the S26 is not a radical reboot, but a carefully refined flagship that scores points above all for its display, usability, and overall quality.