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The Privacy Display is the true showstopper this year. | Image by PhoneArena
Samsung's Galaxy S lineup always sells well. But this time around, signs indicate an unusually strong demand. According to Korean outlet ETnews, the Galaxy S26 is getting quite the momentum in the days after the announcement.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is now available for up to $720 off
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The Galaxy S26 Ultra has been announced, bringing a Privacy Screen feature, insanely fast processor, and multiple Galaxy AI enhancements. Right now, you can save up to $720 at the Samsung Store with eligible trade-ins. Alternatively, you can save $200 with Samsung Instant Savings.
The Galaxy S26+ is now available for up to $450 off
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The Galaxy S26+ is here, bringing improved software and a more powerful processor. The device can now be yours for up to $450 off with eligible device trade-ins. Alternatively, you can get it with a $200 discount, no trade-in required.
The Galaxy S26 is currently available at the Samsung Store with an exciting trade-in discount. Right now, you can buy the model with a $400 maximum price cut. If you don't have a suitable trade-in device, you can get the model at $100 off.
The Galaxy S26 is selling much faster than expected
ETnews' latest report (machine translated) points that the Galaxy S26 series might easily surpass the Galaxy S25 in the pre-order phase. Announced on February 25 during the Galaxy Unpacked event in San Francisco, the lineup has generated strong interest.
For context, the Galaxy S25 reached approximately 1.3 million pre-orders last year. While Samsung has yet to disclose official figures for this generation, Lim Sung-taek, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Korea, shared notable upgrades during MWC 2026 in Barcelona. In a meeting with SK Telecom President Jung Jae-heon, Sung-taek stated
Sales of the Galaxy S26 series have increased by approximately 15% compared to its predecessor, with the Ultra accounting for 70% of those sales. This is probably a Guinness (new record).
Lim Sung-taek, Vice President of Samsung Electronics Korea
Based on those figures, the Galaxy S26 might have reached 1.5 million units during the pre-order period alone, and the window remains open. However, it remains unclear whether these figures reflect global demand or are limited to South Korea.
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Have you already pre-ordered a Galaxy S26?
No, I intend to wait for the S27.
27.83%
I've already pre-ordered the Ultra.
48.53%
I chose the S26+ this year.
2.94%
I'm getting the Galaxy S26.
6.29%
I'll wait for discounts during shopping events.
14.41%
715 Votes
In the US, pre-orders will remain open until March 10, while the Korean market closes them in just two days. The Galaxy S26 lineup will be officially released on March 11.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra, expectedly, holds the crown
As Samsung Electronics Korea's VP Sang-taek said at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains the most highly sought model. This follows a familiar trend. Over the past two years, the Galaxy S Ultra models have accounted for over 50% of all orders.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra's Privacy Display is the new must-have! | Video by PhoneArena
What stands out this year is just how popular the Galaxy S26 Ultra has become. Accounting for nearly 70% of all orders, the flagship might indeed be setting a new record. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Ultra reached about 55% of all orders, while the S24 Ultra peaked at 65% of all S24 orders.
Samsung has been betting heavily on its Ultra models over the past few years, and 2026's lineup is no different. The S26 Ultra comes with incredibly useful upgrades, most notably the Privacy Display.
This feature allows users to shield on-screen content from prying eyes. It's built on a hardware level, allowing extensive customization, including blocking notifications from unwanted eyes.
Other changes this year include more advanced on-device AI features as well as an upgraded Circle to Search. The Galaxy S26 camera, naturally, has also been upgraded.
Is it just the Privacy Display — or not exactly?
Some might argue the Galaxy S26 Ultra has received the biggest upgrades this year, and I couldn't agree more. But is it really the Privacy Display and powerful on-device AI features that have made users want the S26 Ultra more than all other options?
I don't think so. For one thing, Samsung has raised prices for the "vanilla" model and Galaxy S26+ in almost all markets, while the base storage configuration of the Ultra has remained unchanged in the US. The pricing situation, combined with the upgrades of the Ultra, easily accounts for its higher demand.
All Galaxy S26 models look great, but there can be only one king! | Image by PhoneArena
Another thing is that the Galaxy S26 arrives later this year. Even before the announcement, many US carriers either froze discounts for the S25 or completely removed them entirely.
In other words, those looking to upgrade simply had to wait for the Galaxy S26. After all, who wants to buy a Galaxy S25 at full price when the S26 Ultra packs new features and significantly more attractive promotional pricing?
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Polina Kovalakova, a News and Affiliate Content Writer, has nurtured a passion for mobile technology since the era before smartphones. With a history of exploring a variety of devices, her insights into the mobile world are both broad and nuanced. Polina's non-partisan view extends to appreciating nearly every smartphone brand, a reflection of her open-minded approach to technology. Polina is equally passionate about uncovering the best online deals, tirelessly working to ensure her readers snag top-tier tech at unbeatable prices.
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