If recent leaks are accurate, we could be just weeks away from Samsung unveiling its next generation of Galaxy smartphones. The company traditionally introduces new flagship devices at its first Unpacked event of the year, and current rumors suggest that could happen as early as February 25.
With the Galaxy S26 lineup potentially right around the corner, now is a good time to think through your upgrade options. I track smartphone deals year-round for TechGenB readers, so I’ve been weighing up what kind of launch discounts and pricing we’re most likely to see once Samsung officially lifts the curtain.
Below is a breakdown of expected pricing, along with the most realistic deal scenarios in both the US and UK. As always with pre-launch coverage, it’s worth stressing that this is informed speculation — Samsung hasn’t announced the phones yet, and nothing around pricing or specs has been confirmed.
Expected Galaxy S26 pricing
Predicting prices this year isn’t straightforward. Several broader factors point toward a possible increase, including inflation and ongoing rises in component costs, particularly memory.
That said, companies like Samsung and Apple often have enough scale to absorb those pressures. Apple, for instance, held pricing steady across its latest iPhone lineup, and some rumors suggest Samsung may do the same with the Galaxy S26 range.
If pricing remains unchanged, we could see launch prices land around:
- Galaxy S26: $799 / £799 / AU$1,399
- Galaxy S26 Plus: $999 / £999 / AU$1,699
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,149
Likely Galaxy S26 launch deals
- Expected promotions
- Trade-in rebates of up to $1,200 / £600
- Possible small free gifts during the launch window
In the US, the strongest deals are almost certain to come from the major carriers, with trade-in offers doing most of the heavy lifting. We’ve recently seen rebates climb as high as $1,200 on premium phones like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so similar offers for the Galaxy S26 Ultra seem very plausible.
As usual, the biggest discounts will likely be tied to the most expensive unlimited plans. For top-tier models, that often means opening a new line on a plan costing $80 per month or more. Cheaper plans typically cap trade-in credits at around $830 — still enough to fully cover the cost of a base Galaxy S26.
Samsung’s own US store should also offer trade-in incentives. While the company has pulled back slightly in recent months — the Galaxy S25 Ultra maxed out at around $700 off — Samsung has previously gone as high as $1,100 on devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7. There’s a decent chance those discounts increase again for the S26 launch.
Another unknown is whether Samsung or carriers will bundle freebies. Launch windows and major sales events are often when we see bonus smartwatches, tablets, or accessories added to phone deals, usually with an additional cellular line attached. Similar offers could easily return for the S26 release.
UK Galaxy S26 deals
In the UK, the big networks — including EE, O2, and Three — are likely to focus heavily on trade-in promotions, with rebates typically reaching up to around £600. These deals usually combine a device discount with a relatively affordable unlimited data plan.
Smaller networks often take a different approach, offering extra monthly data or lower plan costs rather than reducing the phone’s upfront price. In those cases, the handset may remain full price, but the overall contract becomes better value over two or three years.
Samsung UK will almost certainly run its own trade-in program as well, usually in the £500–£600 range. While the discounts aren’t typically as generous as those in the US, Samsung UK often compensates with free extras such as chargers or Galaxy earbuds. On rare occasions — usually around Black Friday — the company has even bundled laptops like Chromebooks with flagship phones.
What we know about the Galaxy S26 so far
Rumors about the Galaxy S26 lineup have been circulating for months, and the current expectation is that this will be a fairly incremental update rather than a dramatic overhaul.
The most likely improvements include a new chipset, enhanced display privacy features, and support for magnetic wireless charging. Major design changes or brand-new camera hardware seem less likely this year, as Samsung appears focused on refining performance and expanding AI-driven software features.
If you want a deeper breakdown of expected specs and features, our Galaxy S26 rumors hub has a comprehensive roundup of everything reported so far.
