Samsung has officially confirmed its next Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event, and the announcement quietly reveals three key details about the upcoming Galaxy S26 series: a likely price rise, the pre-order date, and the expected release date.
The event will take place on February 25 in San Francisco, matching earlier rumors. But Samsung’s official Unpacked page provides more than just a teaser. It gives away important clues about what’s coming.
Here’s what we know.
Galaxy S26 price rise looks confirmed
Samsung is once again offering its traditional pre-order storage upgrade deal: Get 512GB for the price of 256GB. However, the company states this offer will save buyers £170 in 2026.
That number is significant.
For comparison, the storage jump from 256GB to 512GB on the Galaxy S25 Ultra costs £100. A £170 saving strongly suggests Samsung is increasing base prices for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
While this figure appears on the UK page, it’s not listed on the US pre-registration page. Still, industry-wide memory shortages make a global price increase likely.
Suggested: Galaxy S26 Specs Fully Leaked: Display, Camera, Battery, and Price Revealed
Galaxy S26 pre-order date
Samsung doesn’t directly name the Galaxy S26 in its invite, instead referring to “our new AI phone” and “the new Galaxy S series.”
However, an FAQ section confirms: Pre-orders begin on February 25 at 6pm UK time, which is exactly when the Unpacked event starts.
Samsung describes the new devices as:
- The next generation of high-performing S Series smartphones
- Featuring hardware innovation
- Optimized software
- Ushering in a new phase of personal and adaptive AI
The Galaxy Buds 4 are also expected to launch alongside the phones.
Related: Samsung Teases Galaxy S26 Camera Upgrades: AI Zoom and Better Low Light Video
Galaxy S26 release date
Samsung’s registration offers which include a £30/$30 ecosystem discount and a chance to win a £500/$5,000 voucher, are valid until March 10.
That lines up perfectly with the rumored on-sale date of March 11, 2026.
While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the retail launch date in bold print, the timing strongly suggests March 11 is when the Galaxy S26 lineup will go on sale.
Quick summary
- Event Date: February 25, 2026
- Pre-orders: February 25 (during Unpacked)
- Expected Release: March 11, 2026
- Price: Likely increase, especially for Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung appears to be leaning heavily into AI positioning this year, signaling that the Galaxy S26 may focus more on intelligence and software integration than dramatic hardware redesigns.
More details will be revealed at Unpacked.
