Samsung has officially unveiled its latest smartphone series, the Galaxy S26, during its annual Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 25, 2024. The lineup includes the standard Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and the high-end Galaxy S26 Ultra. Customers can now pre-order these devices, with the official launch set for March 11, 2024. The pricing for the new smartphones in the UK starts at £879 for the Galaxy S26, £1,099 for the S26+, and £1,279 for the S26 Ultra.
For those opting for a financing plan, Sky Mobile has introduced attractive pre-order offers. Monthly payments begin at £30 for the Galaxy S26, rising to £38 for the S26+ and £44 for the S26 Ultra. Buyers who pre-order by the deadline of March 10 will receive a complimentary Galaxy Watch8, valued at £319, with the S26 and S26+, while the S26 Ultra includes a Galaxy Watch8 Classic worth £449. Additionally, pre-order customers can enjoy double storage at no extra cost, receiving a 512GB model for the price of a 256GB device.
While Sky Mobile’s contracts come with a modest 100MB data allowance, users may want to consider upgrading to larger plans to avoid any potential data shortages. According to Birmingham Live, Sky has indicated that prices may fluctuate during the 36-month contract period.
Competitive Offers from Other Retailers
Other retailers are also rolling out competitive offers for the Galaxy S26. At Mobiles.co.uk, a plan for the standard S26 is available for £34.99 per month with a £9 upfront fee, providing 100GB of data. Three’s offer includes unlimited data at £35.89 per month with a £40 upfront cost, while the S26 Ultra is priced at £46.89 per month with a £50 upfront fee. EE presents slightly higher prices, with the S26 costing £47 per month and a £30 upfront fee for a 125GB data allowance, along with access to EE’s enhanced 5G+ network in select areas.
Customers looking to purchase outright will find consistent pricing across major retailers, including Samsung.com and Amazon. The Galaxy S26 series is available in four color options: Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue. Key features include an AMOLED display, the Exynos 2600 processor, improved wireless charging, and advanced AI capabilities. Notably, the S26 Ultra features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, touted as the most powerful ever in a Galaxy phone, and boasts a sleek 7.9mm frame.
Innovations and Features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra
Technology Editor at The Mirror, David Snelling, attended the Unpacked event and highlighted the S26 Ultra’s standout feature: the Privacy Display. This innovative addition allows users to keep their screen content private by obscuring what is visible to others unless they are looking directly at the display. Snelling noted, “Once activated in the settings, content magically disappears if you aren’t staring directly at it,” making it ideal for use in public settings.
Alongside this feature, the S26 Ultra offers long battery life and rapid charging that can boost the battery from flat to 75% in just 30 minutes. The device also comes equipped with an updated quad rear camera system, enhancing low-light photography and video capture with upgraded Super Steady capabilities.
While Snelling praised the new features, he pointed out that the design of the S26 Ultra remains similar to its predecessor, the S22 Ultra. He stated, “Save for some tweaks to the camera bump, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the S26 Ultra for 2022’s S22 Ultra.”
Moreover, Samsung’s Galaxy AI advancements promise a more intuitive user experience. Features like Now Nudge will provide relevant suggestions, helping users stay organized and focused. For example, if a friend requests photos from a recent trip, the Galaxy S26 will suggest relevant images from the Gallery.
The Galaxy S26 series is now available for pre-order at various retailers, including Sky Mobile, Mobiles.co.uk, Three, EE, Samsung.com, and Amazon. With its array of new features and competitive pre-order bonuses, Samsung aims to capture the attention of smartphone enthusiasts worldwide.
