Samsung has officially unveiled its latest smartphone series, the Galaxy S26, during its annual Unpacked event held on February 25, 2024, in San Francisco. The new lineup includes the standard Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the high-end Galaxy S26 Ultra. Customers can now pre-order these devices ahead of their official launch on March 11, 2024.
For buyers in the UK, the retail prices for the Galaxy S26 models are set at £879 for the standard version, £1,099 for the S26+, and £1,279 for the Ultra model. Those looking to purchase through Sky Mobile can take advantage of attractive pre-order deals. Monthly plans begin at £30 for the Galaxy S26, with the S26+ priced at £38 and the S26 Ultra at £44.
Pre-Order Offers and Bonuses
Customers who pre-order by the deadline of March 10, 2024, can receive significant bonuses. Buyers of the Galaxy S26 and S26+ will receive a complimentary Galaxy Watch8 valued at £319. The S26 Ultra comes with a more premium Galaxy Watch8 Classic, worth £449. Additionally, all pre-orders will include double storage at no extra charge, allowing buyers to secure a 512GB model for the price of the 256GB version.
While these deals are enticing, it is worth noting that Sky’s contracts come with a modest data allowance of 100MB. Users may require an upgrade to larger plans to avoid running out of data. Sky has also indicated that pricing may fluctuate during the 36-month minimum contract term, as reported by Birmingham Live.
Other retailers are offering competitive pre-order deals as well. At Mobiles.co.uk, which is backed by Currys, the Galaxy S26 can be secured for £34.99 per month with a £9 upfront fee, providing 100GB of data. Three offers a plan for £35.89 per month, plus a £40 upfront fee for unlimited data, while the S26 Ultra is available for £46.89 per month with a £50 upfront fee. EE’s offerings are slightly higher, with the S26 priced at £47 per month and a £30 upfront cost, which includes access to its superior 5G+ network in certain areas.
Key Features and Innovations
The Samsung Galaxy S26 series comes in four distinct colors: Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue. Significant specifications include an AMOLED display, the Exynos 2600 processor, faster wireless charging capabilities, and enhanced AI features. The S26 Ultra is particularly notable for featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which is the most powerful processor ever used in a Galaxy device.
This model boasts a sleek 7.9mm frame, making it the thinnest Ultra variant to date. Users can expect ultra-smooth performance for demanding tasks, coupled with advanced AI technology and a remarkable 200MP camera.
David Snelling, Technology Editor at The Mirror, attended the Galaxy Unpacked event and highlighted a unique feature of the S26 Ultra. He noted, “The S26 Ultra is not only thinner and faster than before, but it now comes with a Privacy Display, which stops prying eyes from seeing what’s on the screen.” This innovative feature automatically conceals content from anyone not directly facing the device, ensuring privacy in public settings.
While praising the device’s enhancements, Snelling remarked that the overall design remains quite similar to its predecessor, with only minor adjustments to the camera bump. He also emphasized the significant improvements in smart features, thanks to the Galaxy AI upgrade. This includes the new “Now Nudge” feature, which offers relevant suggestions to help users stay focused.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is now available for pre-order at various retailers, including Sky Mobile, Mobiles.co.uk, Three, EE, Samsung.com, and Amazon.
