It’s that familiar time of year when I start asking myself the same question: should I buy one of Samsung’s current flagship phones now, or wait for the next generation?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series is likely just weeks away from its official debut, with February 25 widely tipped as the date for Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event. With that in mind, unless you urgently need a new phone, it makes far more sense to hold off and see what the Galaxy S26 lineup has to offer.
Based on what we’ve heard so far, the Galaxy S26 series looks set to be a fairly iterative update. Don’t expect dramatic changes to the camera hardware, design, or display. Performance should see a bump thanks to a new chipset, but it’s unlikely to be a generational leap.
The most meaningful upgrades will probably come on the software side, particularly with new Galaxy AI features. That said, it’s hard to see those additions convincing anyone but the most loyal Samsung fans to upgrade immediately.
What will happen, however, is that the arrival of a new Galaxy S series will push older models toward discontinuation or price cuts. Even if the Galaxy S26 doesn’t excite you, waiting for its launch could land you a Galaxy S25 at a much more attractive price.
There is one exception worth mentioning. In the US, Presidents’ Day falls on February 16, and retailers often use the occasion to run clearance sales. There’s a decent chance the Galaxy S25 lineup could see discounts as stores look to move stock. If you spot an S25 model with a substantial price cut — say $200 off or more — that’s a reasonable moment to break the “wait” rule.
Otherwise, my advice stands: hold off on buying a Galaxy S25, or any other Galaxy phone, until the Galaxy S26 is officially unveiled.
And if you’re desperate for a phone right now — maybe your current device is broken or unusable — consider picking up one of the best cheap phones instead. It’ll get you through until the S26 arrives, and you’ll end up with a handy backup device without spending a fortune.
If you’re unsure whether to buy now or wait, feel free to drop your questions in the comments below.
