After weeks of shifting speculation, the launch window for Samsung’s next flagship is finally coming into focus. Fresh leaks now strongly suggest that Samsung will unveil the Galaxy S26 Ultra later than last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra — with February emerging as the most likely reveal month.
The new information lines up with earlier reports and comes from some of the most reliable names in the smartphone leak space.
February 25 Galaxy Unpacked Event All but Confirmed
Veteran tipster Evan Blass has now backed claims that Samsung will host its Galaxy S26 Unpacked event on February 25. Blass cited fellow leaker Ice Universe, who originally shared the date and later doubled down, calling it “100% correct.”
While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet, the alignment between multiple trusted sources makes a late-February launch event look increasingly certain.
When Will the Galaxy S26 Ultra Go on Sale?
Samsung traditionally opens pre-orders immediately after Unpacked, with retail availability following about two weeks later. Looking at the company’s last five flagship launches, phones typically hit shelves 14–16 days after their reveal.
If February 25 is indeed the announcement date, that puts the Galaxy S26 lineup — including the Ultra — on track for a March 13 retail release. That date also happens to fall on a Friday, Samsung’s preferred day for flagship launches.
While Ice Universe previously suggested an “early March” release, mid-March still fits Samsung’s usual playbook.
Price Hike Warnings Are Growing Louder
Timing isn’t the only concern. Price is becoming a major talking point.
At CES 2026, Samsung Electronics co-CEO TM Roh openly acknowledged that rising memory costs could force price increases across Samsung’s product lineup — including smartphones. He warned that no company is immune to the global memory shortage driven by AI demand.
Samsung’s global marketing president Wonjin Lee echoed the sentiment, admitting that rising memory prices will inevitably impact consumer pricing, even if Samsung tries to soften the blow.
In short: a Galaxy S26 price increase is very much on the table.
What Could the Galaxy S26 Ultra Cost?
According to reports from Korean media:
- Samsung is still undecided on final pricing
- One scenario involves keeping S26 prices flat and offsetting losses by raising Galaxy A-series prices
- Another scenario includes a price hike of ₩44,000–₩88,000 ($31–$62) per model
If the latter happens, U.S. pricing could land roughly around:
- Galaxy S26: ~$859
- Galaxy S26 Plus: ~$1,059
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: ~$1,359
That would mark one of the most expensive Galaxy Ultra models to date.
Pre-Order Deals May Not Be as Generous This Time
Samsung is known for aggressive pre-order incentives — especially its popular free storage upgrade offer. In previous years, buyers could get double the storage (256GB → 512GB), plus store credit and boosted trade-in values.
However, insiders now suggest this signature deal could be scaled back or removed entirely for the Galaxy S26 series. With memory prices surging due to AI data center demand, Samsung may no longer be able to absorb the cost of giving away extra storage.
If true, bargain-hunters may find the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s launch deals less attractive than what Galaxy S25 buyers enjoyed.
Why This Shift Matters
The Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to be arriving:
- Later than expected
- Possibly more expensive
- With fewer launch discounts
And Samsung isn’t alone. Nearly every major smartphone manufacturer is facing the same pressure as AI reshapes global supply chains and pushes up component costs.
Final Words
All signs now point to February 25 as the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s big reveal, followed by a mid-March launch. But unlike previous years, excitement may be tempered by pricing concerns and weaker pre-order perks.
Samsung still has time to fine-tune its strategy, but one thing is clear — the Galaxy S26 Ultra is shaping up to be a premium flagship in every sense, including its price tag.
