Galaxy Unpacked is approaching — February 25, 2026 — and Samsung is getting ready to unveil the Galaxy S26 series. But this time, the story isn't so much about the phones themselves as it is about the pricing changes and the strategy behind them. We break it all down — what we know, what we expect, and whether it's worth the wait.
Announcement Date: February 25, 2026
The Galaxy Unpacked event date is now virtually confirmed. Well-known leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) posted an invitation for February 25, 2026, though the exact time has not yet been revealed. In addition to the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, the Galaxy Buds 4 are also expected, along with possible updates on the AR glasses Samsung teased in January.
The retail launch is expected a few days later — likely in early March 2026, following the pre-order → shipping pattern Samsung has established.
Pricing: Smaller Models Cost More, Ultra Gets Cheaper
The big news isn't the specs — it's the pricing strategy. According to Swedish dealer data (via WinFuture), Samsung is making a radical shift in pricing:
Estimated Galaxy S26 Series Prices (Europe)
| Storage | Galaxy S26 | Galaxy S26+ | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256GB | €1.049 | €1.299 | €1.399 |
| 512GB | €1.259 | €1.449 | €1.569 |
| 1TB | — | — | €1.809 |
What does this mean in practice? The base Galaxy S26 costs ~€100 more compared to the S25, but this is partly explained: Samsung is dropping the 128GB version, making 256GB the baseline. You're not paying more for the same thing — you're paying more because you're getting more.
The real surprise? The Galaxy S26 Ultra costs ~€100 less than the S25 Ultra. Samsung wants to make the Ultra more attractive, pushing buyers upward. If you were considering the S26+ at €1,299, the €100 gap to the Ultra (€1,399) makes the decision a lot easier.
Why Are Prices Going Up?
The reason is scarce DRAM. Demand for high-bandwidth memory — mainly driven by AI data centers — has sent RAM prices skyrocketing. Samsung, as both a phone manufacturer and a memory producer, finds itself in a contradictory position: it makes money selling RAM to third parties, but has to pay more for its own phones.
This isn't a Samsung-exclusive problem. We expect price increases across the entire smartphone industry throughout 2026.
What We Know About the Specs
According to leaks (Android Headlines, Evan Blass), the specs hold no surprises:
Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch display, 4,300mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600 (depending on region), 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2mm. 50MP + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto camera.
Galaxy S26+: 6.7-inch display, 4,900mAh battery, 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm. Same cameras as the S26. Samsung “rushed” its development after the Galaxy S25 Edge flopped — they originally planned to replace the Plus with the Edge, but the market said “no.”
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch display, 5,000mAh battery (same as previous), 0.3mm thinner (163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm), exclusively Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. 200MP + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP + 50MP telephoto camera. Runs One UI 8.5 out of the box.
Camera: The Big Disappointment?
Samsung started teasing videos on YouTube — “Groove,” “Glow,” “Closer” — promising improved low-light performance and enhanced zoom. But leaks indicate that the sensors remain unchanged. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ use exactly the same camera setup that's been around since the Galaxy S22 (2022).
Samsung may improve the processing, but let's be realistic: without new hardware, improvements will be incremental. The competition (Pixel 10 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro) is moving faster.
The AI-generated promo videos Samsung published received particular criticism: "Night Sight was impressive on the Pixel 2 XL in 2017. Today, low-light photography is table stakes," commented Will Sattelberg at 9to5Google.
What Else to Expect
No built-in Qi2: According to recent leaks, the Galaxy S26 doesn't have Qi2 magnets built into the phone itself. You'll need a case — a disappointing omission, given that even mid-range OnePlus phones support Qi2.
Satellite texting: Like the Pixel 10, the Galaxy S26 may support satellite messaging via T-Mobile/Starlink — a feature that works even without a T-Mobile subscription.
Privacy Display: The Galaxy S26 Ultra is reportedly equipped with new “Privacy Display” technology that restricts the viewing angle — so people next to you can't see your screen.
Is It Worth the Wait?
The honest answer depends on what you currently own:
If you have a Galaxy S24 or S25: It's hard to justify an upgrade. The specs are virtually unchanged, and the price is going up. Unless the Privacy Display or camera software improvements excite you, keep what you have.
If you have a Galaxy S22 or older: This is the generation where you should upgrade. Three years of improvements in chip, display, AI features, and camera processing make a noticeable difference.
If you're not locked into Samsung: Check what Google announces for the Pixel 10 first. The 7 years of updates, camera quality, and price (~$1,000 for the Pro) might give you more value.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy S26 series doesn't look like Samsung's most exciting generation. The failure of the S25 Edge forced the company to “rush” the S26+, the cameras are falling behind, and the price increases — even if justified — don't help.
But the Ultra's price drop is a smart move, and Samsung remains the leader in build quality, displays, and ecosystem. On February 25 we'll learn everything — and we'll update this article with the official information right after.
