One of Samsung’s best pre-order perks might be disappearing in 2026.
Leaker @kro_roe claims Samsung plans to axe the “double storage” upgrade that’s been a staple of Galaxy S pre-orders for years. This perk let buyers snag 512GB for the 256GB price or 1TB for the 512GB price, saving anywhere from $120 to $240. The reason? Rising production costs, particularly for DRAM and other components.
The same leak also points to “significant” price hikes across the entire Galaxy S26 lineup compared to the Galaxy S25’s $799 starting price. However, rumors suggest 256GB could become the new base storage tier, which might soften the blow if Samsung bakes that upgrade into the standard pricing.
Samsung hasn’t officially announced anything yet, but the Galaxy S26 launch is reportedly pushed back to late February 2026, with retail availability slipping into March. That timing shift from the usual January window gives Samsung more room to finalize pricing strategy.
Grab S25 Deals Now or Wait for S26?
If 256GB feels tight for hoarding apps, photos, and videos, current Galaxy S25 deals often include the 512GB model at base prices through carrier promos or Samsung’s own offers. Those deals won’t last once inventory clears out ahead of the S26 launch.
The value equation gets tricky without free storage upgrades. Samsung faces pressure from iPhone price hikes and aggressive Chinese rivals, so ditching perks tests customer loyalty. The company might bundle AI extras or carrier cashback instead, but nothing’s confirmed.
The Galaxy S26 design appears iterative with rounder corners and the same camera hardware, which makes discounted Galaxy S25 Ultras tempting for power users who don’t need bleeding-edge features. If you’re budget-conscious and need more than 256GB, waiting to see final S26 pricing might leave you paying more for less compared to grabbing a deeply discounted S25 Ultra right now.
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Source: Samsung May Drop Its Popular “Double Storage” Pre-Order Perk for the Galaxy S26 Series
