The wait is over. After months of leaks and teasers, Samsung has officially unveiled the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra at its Galaxy Unpacked event, ushering in what it calls the era of the “AI phone”.
Samsung has decided that 2026 is the year artificial intelligence becomes more than a buzzword, as Galaxy AI now sits front and centre across the Galaxy S26 family. Using the technology, the S26 line-up can automatically sort and label your screenshots, trawl through messages and documents using plain, conversational language, and nudge you when it’s time to leave for an appointment based on your diary. It’ll even handle calls in smarter ways, offering live captions or converting typed replies into spoken responses on your behalf. It can also dampen background audio inside third-party apps like YouTube and Netflix, while expanded generative tools let you edit photos with short prompts. Basically, Samsung wants the phone to anticipate what you need rather than wait to be told.
In terms of hardware, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is slimmer than ever at 7.9mm thick, but still manages to squeeze in a larger vapour cooling chamber. It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and gains a new 50MP ultra-wide lens, improved low-light processing and a 360-degree horizon stabilisation feature designed to keep video steady even when you’re moving.
Perhaps the most intriguing new trick, however, is a built-in privacy display intended to thwart prying eyes on public transport. The S26 and S26 Plus receive gentler hardware updates, adopting Samsung’s Exynos 2600 chip alongside 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as standard.
There is, inevitably, a sting in the tail. Prices across all three handsets have crept up compared with last year’s S25 series in the UK, with the S26 Plus seeing the sharpest increase. The range lands on 11 March and is available to pre-order now — and here’s the full lowdown.
Samsung Galaxy S26 price: How much does the S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra cost in the UK?
While rumours suggested the S26 line-up would be getting a price hike in its home country of South Korea due to the rising costs of RAM, we weren’t expecting an increase to come to the UK as well. But after keeping prices broadly the same for the S23, S24 and S25 phones, Samsung has bumped up the price of the entire S26 line-up this year.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 now starts from £879 for the 256GB model, while the 512GB model costs £1,049. That’s a £30 price hike on last year’s S25. The S26 Plus starts at £1,099 for the 256GB model and £1,269 for the 512GB model – a steep £100 jump compared with its predecessor.
As for the Galaxy S26 Ultra? That one starts at £1,279 for the 256GB model, £1,449 for the 512GB and £1,699 for the 1TB model. That’s £30 more than the S25 Ultra at launch.
All three models now start at 256GB as standard, which Samsung will likely argue helps soften the blow.
When can you pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra?
Right now. The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra are available to pre-order now in the UK. It will start shipping on Wednesday 11 March.
The Samsung Galaxy S26, S26 Plus and S26 Ultra come in black, white, cobalt violet and sky blue. If you pre-order from Samsung directly, you can also get the S26 Ultra in pink gold or silver.
Samsung is also running bonuses for anyone who pre-orders the phones. Customers who order any Galaxy S26 model during the pre-order window will receive double the storage at no extra cost, meaning if you purchase a 256GB phone, you’ll get a 512GB phone at no extra cost, while 512GB models will be bumped up to 1TB. This pre-order bonus applies to every retailer and carrier.
Best Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
Mobile phone carriers are starting to drop pre-order deals on the latest handsets. If you’re looking to pair your smartphone with a new contract, we’re rounding up the best pre-order deals as they land.
Best Sky Mobile Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
Sky Mobile is the first carrier to announce its Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts from £45 per month, while the S26 Plus starts from £38 per month and the standard S26 from £30 per month. There’s also a £12 up-front cost on the handsets. Do note you’ll need to add a data plan on top, which pushes the monthly price higher.
Sky’s 5GB and 10GB data plans are currently half price for the first six months, costing £6 and £7 per month respectively before rising to their usual rates. There’s also a 40GB plan for £18 per month (currently £10), and unlimited data is available for £19 per month when bought with a device.
If you opt for Sky’s cheapest 5GB data plan, you’ll pay £42 per month for the Galaxy S26, £50 per month for the Galaxy S26 Plus and £57 per month for the Galaxy S26 Ultra on a 36-month contract.
Sky is also throwing in a few extras to sweeten the deal. Anyone who pre-orders an S26 model will get double storage at no extra cost, meaning the 512GB version costs the same as the 256GB model. And if you pre-order the S26 Ultra, you’ll also receive a Galaxy Watch8 Classic included for free. If you pre-order an S26 or S26 Plus, you’ll get a free Galaxy Watch8.
As usual with Sky Mobile, unused data rolls into its Piggybank for up to a year. You can swap to a new phone before your contract ends and streaming on Sky apps such as Sky Go and Sky Sports won’t eat into your data allowance.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with 5GB of data: £30 per month, £12 up-front, 36-month contract, Sky.com
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus with 5GB of data: £38 per month, £12 up-front, 36-month contract, Sky.com
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with 5GB of data: £45 per month, £12 up-front, 36-month contract, Sky.com
Best Vodafone Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
Vodafone is also offering pre-order deals on the Samsung Galaxy S26 range. The Samsung Galaxy S26 starts from £24.50 per month, the S26 Plus from £31 per month and the S26 Ultra from £35.50 per month on a 36-month contract. There’s a £40 up-front cost on the S26 and S26 Plus, and £50 up-front on the S26 Ultra. You’ll also need to add an airtime plan, so your monthly cost will be higher.
Vodafone’s cheapest airtime plan comes with 5GB of data for £18 per month on a 24-month contract. Larger data plans are available at higher monthly costs. Vodafone also offers unlimited data plan options. If you pair the handsets with Vodafone’s cheapest 5GB Airtime plan, you’ll pay £42.50 per month for the Galaxy S26, £49 per month for the Galaxy S26 Plus and £53.50 per month for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, plus the up-front fee.
You also get the same pre-order bonuses as every other retailer. If you pre-order by 10 March, you’ll get double storage at no extra cost. There’s also the option to save up to £914 with an eligible trade-in, while Vodafone’s Xchange programme lets you upgrade every year on selected plans. The network’s Lifetime Service Promise includes battery health checks, replacements and a lifetime warranty while you remain on a pay-monthly plan.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with 5GB of data: £42.50 per month, £40 up-front, 36-month contract and 24-month airtime, Vodafone.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus with 5GB of data: £49 per month, £40 up-front, 36-month contract and 24-month airtime, Vodafone.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with 5GB of data: £53.50 per month, £50 up-front, 36-month contract and 24-month airtime, Vodafone.co.uk
Best Three Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
Three also has pre-order deals on the Samsung Galaxy S26 line-up. The Samsung Galaxy S26 starts from £24.50 per month for the handset, the S26 Plus from £31 per month and the S26 Ultra from £35.50 per month on a 36-month device plan. There’s a £40 up-front cost on the S26 and S26 Plus, and £50 up-front on the Ultra. Like Vodafone, you’ll have to add a data plan.
Three’s cheapest Lite airtime plan comes with 5GB of data for £16 per month on a 24-month contract. If you opt for the 5GB plan, you’ll pay £40.50 per month for the Galaxy S26, £47 per month for the Galaxy S26 Plus and £51.50 per month for the Galaxy S26 Ultra on a 36-month device plan, plus the up-front cost.
If you pre-order by 10 March, you’ll also get the 512GB model for the price of the 256GB one. Plans include access to the Three+ rewards app and inclusive roaming to up to 160 destinations.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with 5GB of data: £40.50 per month, £40 up-front, 36-month device plan and 24-month airtime, Three.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus with 5GB of data: £47 per month, £40 up-front, 36-month device plan and 24-month airtime, Three.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with 5GB of data: £51.50 per month, £50 up-front, 36-month device plan and 24-month airtime, Three.co.uk
Best O2 Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
O2 is also taking pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S26 range, but it’s a little pricier than the other carriers. The Galaxy S26 costs £23.58 per month for the device itself, £29.69 for the S26 Plus and £34.69 for the S26 Ultra.
All three require a £30 up-front payment. You’ll then need to choose an airtime plan, with O2’s cheapest 5GB classic plan priced at £23 per month. Monthly, you’re looking at £48.80 for the S26, £52.69 for the S26 Plus and £57.69 for the S26 Ultra. O2 leans heavily on perks rather than price.
Customers get access to Priority for early gig tickets and rewards, EU roaming at no extra cost, and the option to upgrade to plus or ultimate plans for added benefits. Virgin Media broadband customers can also unlock double data through Volt.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with 5GB of data: £41.10 per month, £30 up-front, 36-month contract, O2.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus with 5GB of data: £52.69 per month, £30 up-front, 36-month contract, O2.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with 5GB of data: £49.40 per month, £30 up-front, 36-month contract, O2.co.uk
Best EE Samsung Galaxy S26 pre-order deals
You can also pre-order the S26 handsets at EE on a 36-month plan, with the handset cost spread over three years and airtime running on a separate 24-month contract. Pricing varies depending on which plan you choose, but using EE’s discounted 25GB essentials tariff works out the cheapest.
For 5GB of data, the Samsung Galaxy S26 works out at £51.26 per month with £30 upfront, while the S26 Ultra comes in at £63.59 per month. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus sits in between the two, costing £58.04 per month. All three require a £30 upfront payment.
As with other networks, EE is offering double storage on pre-orders until 10 March, meaning customers get 512GB for the price of 256GB. Those buying SIM-free can also claim a £150 EE Tech Voucher to spend in the EE store. EE’s essentials plans plans include 5G+ access, unlimited calls and texts, and the ability to gift data to family members. If you get the all-rounder or full works plan, you’ll also unlock inclusive extras such as Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Google One.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 with 5GB of data: £51.26 per month, £30 upfront, 36-month device and 24-month airtime, EE.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26+ with 5GB of data: £63.59 per month, £30 upfront, 36-month device and 24-month airtime, EE.co.uk
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with 5GB of data: £58.04 per month, £30 upfront, 36-month device and 24-month airtime, EE.co.uk
