I can't really say one way or the other, because I've never used 26G before this build. I can't say whether the difference in the vape is the 26G or the verticals, but it was just something I wanted to try. Verticals are a pain in the ... when you're trying to use only the post holes, so I tried using the post holes for the positive lead and wrapped the negative lead under the screws. I picked this up from a friend at a vape shop, so I just wanted to give it a try. The difference between the post hole and the top of the post is pretty much perfect for using it like that to make a vertical coil, so it doesn't distort the coil at all. Wicking is kind of annoying with verticals, at least in the spirit.
I will try some verticals with 28G, which I've been using almost exclusively for a while, and post up if I think there is anything worth mentioning.