Galaxy S26 Series Launch with Discounts on S25 and Pixel 10: What You Need to Know

Today marks the global launch of the Galaxy S26 series. While the pre-order perks have ended, customers can still purchase one of the new flagship models, which includes a free storage upgrade and a gift card.

Pre-orders for the S26 series have surged 25% in the US, largely due to the impressive features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Notable aspects like the Privacy Display, horizon lock, and generative edit have garnered significant attention. For a detailed perspective, check out our review of the new Ultra model. If you're interested, you can acquire a 512GB device for the price of the 256GB version, along with a $200 Amazon gift card.

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ offers a more affordable choice but still retails for over $1,000—specifically $1,000 after applying the $100 gift card. This model lacks the privacy display, 200MP main camera, 5x ALoP periscope lens, and faster 60W charging found in the Ultra. To learn more about its offerings, refer to our review.

Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy S26 has received upgrades, including a larger 4,300mAh battery (+300mAh) and now matches its counterparts with 256GB of base storage. Additionally, its display is slightly larger at 6.3” (up from 6.2”), aligning with the Pixel 10 and iPhone 17 series as well as their Pro variants. A review is forthcoming, and the S26 also includes a $100 gift card like the Plus model.

Although the S25 Ultra is currently out of stock, the Galaxy S25+ remains available. The enhancements in the S26+ over the S25+ are minimal, with a new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, an increase of 5W for wireless charging (now up to 20W; wired charge remains at 45W), and new color options. Notably, there's only a $100 price difference between the 512GB S25+ and S26+, with the gift card effectively closing that gap.

Alternatively, the Galaxy S25 FE is available for approximately half the price. However, it features a 6.7” display with a lower resolution than the S26+ and S25+ (1080p+ vs. 1440p+), and it lacks an LTPO panel. Moreover, it is powered by the older Exynos 2400 chipset, as opposed to a Snapdragon. While the cameras are not identical, they are sufficiently comparable, as demonstrated in our earlier comparison between the S25+ and S25 FE.

The basic Galaxy S25 is also still available at a reasonable price, though it is limited to the base model with just 128GB of storage, which may be somewhat inadequate.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL stands out as a significant competitor to the S26 Ultra in the US market. While it may not match the same chipset performance, it features a solid camera setup with a 50MP 1/1.31” main sensor and a 48MP 5x/113mm telephoto, competing against the S26 Ultra's 200MP 1/1.3” main and 50MP 5x/111mm telephoto lens. Both Pixel UI and One UI are acknowledged as influential Android skins.

In contrast to Samsung, Google offers a compact flagship with the same camera quality as its top-tier model, the Pixel 10 Pro. It surpasses the standard S26 with a larger 50MP main sensor (1/1.31” vs. 1/1.56”), a higher resolution 48MP (vs. 10MP) telephoto with a longer lens (5x/113mm vs. 3x/67mm), and superior 48MP ultra-wide (vs. 12MP) and 42MP selfie cameras (vs. 12MP). The Pixel 10 Pro features 128GB of base storage and provides both Pro variants with 16GB of RAM, a configuration Samsung has been hesitant to offer.

You might even consider the standard Pixel 10 as a direct competitor to the S26. Although it's less advanced than the Pro variant (12GB of RAM and a non-LTPO display), it poses a substantial challenge to the S26. Its main camera utilizes a 48MP 1/2.0” sensor, accompanied by a 10.8MP telephoto with a longer 5x/112mm lens and a 13MP ultra-wide camera. The 12/256GB Pixel 10 is priced $150 lower than the S26 (or just $50 less when including the $100 gift card) and is available at an even greater discount with a trade-in.

Besides the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the OnePlus 15 is also in contention against the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The OnePlus 15 may be a better competitor for the Galaxy S26+ given their similar price points. Unlike its predecessors, this OnePlus model does not feature Hasselblad cameras, but it does come equipped with a 50MP main sensor (1/1.56”), a 50MP 3.5x/80mm telephoto, and a 50MP ultra-wide which stacks up well against the S26+. Notably, it boasts an impressive 7,300mAh battery with 80W fast wired and 50W wireless charging—features not offered by Samsung, Google, or Apple.

The OnePlus 15R is also available, although it is more aligned with the S25 FE than the S26+. It features a 6.83” non-LTPO display, an older Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 50+8MP camera setup that doesn't quite match the capabilities of the more advanced 13R camera. On the plus side, it does come with a sizable 7,400mAh battery with 80W wired-only charging.

Additionally, Samsung has launched the Galaxy Buds4 and Buds4 Pro today. We have the Pros available for review, so stay tuned for our insights on the new earbuds.

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