The evolution of Samsung Galaxy S and A
When people talk about the modern smartphone era, they are usually talking about two companies. One of them is Samsung. The other does not need naming here. What matters is that Samsung Galaxy has been one of the most consistent drivers of change in the Android world since 2010, sometimes boldly, sometimes clumsily, often successfully.
2010–2011
The original Galaxy S launched in 2010 and, at the time, it was genuinely impressive. A 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM, Super AMOLED display and a thin profile helped it stand out in a market that was still finding its shape. The software experience was rough around the edges, with TouchWiz layered heavily over Android, but the hardware ambition was clear from day one.
That ambition paid off with the Galaxy S II. Thinner, faster, and far more refined, it introduced Super AMOLED Plus with a proper RGB matrix, making the display sharper and easier on the eyes. It also pushed Samsung into the mainstream conversation as a serious competitor rather than an Android experimenter.
2012–2013
The Galaxy S3 marked the point where Samsung stopped playing catch-up and started setting its own pace. Quad-core processing, strong battery life and a camera that held its own helped it sell in vast numbers. The design was divisive and the feature list was bloated, but performance rarely suffered.
The Galaxy S4 continued that trend. It sold extremely well and packed strong internals, a full HD AMOLED display and a 13MP camera. It also became the poster child for Samsung’s tendency to overdo software features.
2014–2015
The Galaxy S5 was the moment where cracks started to show. Despite strong performance and a capable camera, the plastic design felt out of step with rivals that had embraced metal builds. Samsung sold millions, but the criticism stuck.
The Galaxy S6 was a decisive pivot. Plastic was replaced by glass and metal. TouchWiz was trimmed down. The camera became one of the best available at the time. It looked and felt premium in a way previous Galaxy phones had not. The trade-off was the removal of expandable storage and a removable battery, which upset long-time Android fans but aligned Samsung more closely with the wider market.
The Galaxy A series launched in late 2014 with the A3 and A5, positioning itself as a more stylish, metallic alternative to the plastic-heavy mid-range phones of the time. Initially aimed at younger buyers, it borrowed design cues from the flagship line while keeping prices accessible.
2016–2017
The Galaxy S7 refined the S6 formula rather than reinventing it. Water resistance returned, expandable storage came back and the camera took a noticeable step forward, especially in low light. It was a sensible update that fixed most of the S6’s weaknesses.
Then came the Galaxy S8, in which the brand took a risk with the tall Infinity Display, minimal bezels and curved edges as standard. The phone looked modern and the display became a defining feature of Samsung. Some decisions, like the awkward fingerprint sensor placement, drew criticism but the overall direction was clear and confident.
At the same time, the Galaxy A series began to mature. Models released during this period adopted a design language closer to the S line and, notably, introduced features such as IP68 water resistance to the mid-range, something that had previously been reserved for flagships.
2018–2019
The Galaxy S9 refined previous models with modest improvements, most notably a variable aperture camera that adapted to lighting conditions. It was a solid update rather than a revolutionary one.
The Galaxy S10 range marked the end of Samsung’s early Galaxy design language. In-display fingerprint sensors, punch-hole cameras and a wider range of models showed Samsung preparing for its next phase. It was also the last time the company could safely play it conservative.
For the Galaxy A series, 2019 was a reset. Samsung overhauled its mid-range strategy, effectively replacing the older A and J lines with a broad new line-up spanning devices like the A10 through to the A80. This generation focused on variety and scale, introducing features such as rotating cameras and significantly larger batteries, while cementing the A series as a volume seller.
2020–2021
Samsung jumped straight to the Galaxy S20 series. High refresh rate displays became mainstream, bezels shrank further and the Ultra model came with a massive screen, a 108MP sensor and serious optical zoom.
The Galaxy S21 range softened some of the excess. Prices were lower, designs more playful and the Ultra became the real flagship, offering top-tier camera performance and optional S Pen support.
By this point, the Galaxy A series had become a cornerstone of Samsung’s lineup with the A11, A21, A21s, A31, A51, and A71 models. Especially the A20/A21 began adopting features once associated with flagships, including AMOLED displays, multi-camera systems and 5G support, often selling in higher volumes than the S series itself.
2022–2023
With the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung fully absorbed the Note line into the Galaxy S family. Built-in S Pen support, a large display and a powerful camera system made it the spiritual successor many users wanted.
The Galaxy S23 series focused on performance consistency. Powered by Snapdragon silicon across more regions, battery life and thermal behaviour improved.
The S23 Ultra, with its 200MP main sensor and strong zoom capabilities, was widely regarded as one of the best phones of its year.
In parallel, Galaxy A models such as the A52 and A54 reinforced the series’ reputation for delivering high refresh rate screens, reliable cameras and water resistance at mid-range prices, firmly positioning it between the S series and Samsung’s more budget-focused M range.
2024–2025
In the Galaxy S24 the camera hardware largely carried over, while software features, particularly AI-assisted tools, took centre stage. The Ultra model introduced a titanium frame and improved telephoto performance, while maintaining S Pen support.
The Galaxy S25 continued this trend. Hardware changes were minimal, with the focus firmly on Galaxy AI, One UI 7 and deeper integration of on-device intelligence. For some users, this felt like a natural evolution. For others, it felt like a pause while waiting for something more substantial.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy A series continued to prioritise scale and accessibility, with newer models bringing features like 120Hz displays, solid camera processing and broad 4G and 5G coverage to a wide audience.
Looking ahead
At the time of writing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 range has not been officially announced. Samsung is expected to follow its usual release pattern, with the S26 series launching likely around late February.
Leaks suggest Samsung will retain a three-model line-up once again: Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra. Design changes appear to be incremental rather than dramatic, with a revised rear camera layout and subtle chassis refinements, particularly on the Ultra model.
One rumoured hardware update across the range is support for Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, allowing snap-on chargers and accessories. The standard Galaxy S26 is expected to feature a slightly larger display, too. And given that Samsung already supplies similar sensors to competing manufacturers, they may as well introduce a 200MP telephoto sensor, which would mark a significant step forward for long-range and portrait photography.
Until Samsung makes an official announcement, these details remain provisional. What is clear is that interest in the S26 generation is higher than usual, following a Galaxy S25 cycle that focused more on software and AI refinement than major hardware changes.
