Published: January 10, 2026
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 lineup is suddenly a lot more tempting than it was a few months ago. Retailers are slicing hundreds off the sticker price of the Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra—some to the lowest unlocked prices seen so far—right as fresh leaks tighten the timeline for Samsung’s next-generation Galaxy S26 launch.
That sets up a classic “upgrade dilemma”: lock in a deep discount on a still-top-tier flagship today, or hold out a little longer for the Galaxy S26 and its rumored improvements—plus whatever preorder perks Samsung and carriers might throw in.
Here’s what’s happening right now (as of Jan. 10, 2026), what the latest Galaxy S26 rumors say, and a practical guide to deciding whether to buy the Galaxy S25 at today’s prices or wait.
What’s new today: Galaxy S25 prices drop as Galaxy S26 launch chatter heats up
Two things are happening at once:
- Galaxy S25 prices are dropping fast. Tom’s Guide reports major discounts across the S25 family, including an unlocked Galaxy S25 for $649 at Amazon (down from $799), Galaxy S25 Plus for $899 (matching an all-time low), and Galaxy S25 Ultra around $1,048 at Amazon (roughly $250 off). It also notes a Best Buy path to $949 on the S25 Ultra if you activate on AT&T or Verizon at checkout.
The Galaxy S26 timing looks increasingly “locked.” Multiple outlets are now converging on a February 25, 2026 Samsung Unpacked date, citing prolific leaker Evan Blass (and other reporting). Tom’s Guide says Blass backed the date as “100% correct,” and adds that—based on Samsung’s recent cadence—that could put the phones in buyers’ hands in early March.
If that timing holds, the “wait” option isn’t a year away—it’s more like six to eight weeks.
Deal snapshot: the biggest Galaxy S25 discounts right now
Prices move quickly, but here are the most widely cited deals across major tech outlets as of this week:
Unlocked retail deals
- Galaxy S25 (unlocked): $649 at Amazon (about $150 off the usual $799 starting price).
Galaxy S25 Plus (unlocked): $899 at Amazon (about $100 off, matching an all-time low per Tom’s Guide).
Galaxy S25 Ultra (unlocked): ~$1,048 at Amazon (about $250 off).
Retailer + activation deals
- Galaxy S25 Ultra: $949 at Best Buy if you activate with AT&T or Verizon during checkout (Tom’s Guide notes $1,049 unlocked, then another $100 off with activation).
Carrier promos that slash monthly cost
- Verizon: Galaxy S25 Ultra for $4.99/month for 36 months when adding a line on eligible Unlimited Plus/Ultimate plans—no trade-in required, according to Android Central.
A high-storage “power user” discount worth noting
- PhoneArena highlights a Samsung deal on the 1TB Galaxy S25 Ultra for $1,119.99, claiming $540 off a listed $1,659.99 price, with no trade-in required for that discount.
Important caveat: Some deals are “unlocked and done,” while others are effectively long-term commitments (like 36-month bill credits). Always compare total cost, not just the headline number.
Why are Galaxy S25 prices falling now?
This is the most predictable part of the story: inventory + timing.
When the next flagship cycle approaches, retailers and carriers usually start “clearing the runway.” Tom’s Guide bluntly frames the moment as a buyer’s paradox: the S25 lineup can be a great buy because it’s about to be replaced.
And if the February 25 Galaxy S26 event is real, Samsung and its retail partners have every incentive to make the S25 look like an irresistible value proposition right now—especially for shoppers who aren’t obsessed with having the absolute newest model on day one.
Galaxy S26: the latest launch date, release window, and what it means for buyers
Expected announcement date: February 25, 2026 (rumored, but widely repeated)
Tom’s Guide reports the February 25 date and attributes confidence to leaker Evan Blass calling it “100% correct,” while noting Samsung’s recent January/early February pattern and suggesting early March availability if the cycle repeats.
TechRadar similarly says multiple sources now point to February 25 and also flags uncertainty around pricing.
Android Central goes a step further, repeating the February 25 date and adding that the referenced post claimed the event would take place in San Francisco, with sales in early March.
If you’re doing the math…
TechRadar’s analysis estimates that if preorders open on announcement day (a common Samsung pattern), an on-sale window could land roughly March 9–13.
That’s not official—but it’s useful for planning. If your current phone is hanging on, waiting may be relatively painless. If it’s failing (battery, screen, storage, unreliable performance), a discounted S25 becomes a much easier “yes.”
Will the Galaxy S26 cost more? Here’s what the latest reports say
This is the question that can swing the decision.
The “price hike” case
TechRadar cites a South Korean report indicating the S26 line could cost roughly $30–$50 more than the Galaxy S25 in South Korea, while stressing uncertainty on whether increases would apply globally.
Tom’s Guide also reports a similar range (44,000 to 88,000 won, roughly $30–$50) and notes the same drivers: DRAM and NAND prices and exchange-rate pressure—while also emphasizing that a Samsung representative said pricing isn’t finalized.
Separately, Reuters reported Samsung co-CEO T.M. Roh said no company is immune to an “unprecedented” memory chip shortage and didn’t rule out product price increases given rising memory costs—context that helps explain why price-hike rumors keep surfacing.
The “prices stay the same” case
Not all leaks agree. TechRadar notes there are also sources suggesting prices will remain unchanged, which means buyers shouldn’t assume a hike is guaranteed until Samsung says so.
Bottom line: A price bump is plausible, but not confirmed. If you’re extremely price-sensitive and you’ve found a deal you can afford today, the S25 is suddenly the safer bet.
Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26: rumored upgrades that actually matter
Even if the S26 is only weeks away, waiting only makes sense if you’ll benefit from what’s changing.
1) Battery: modest gains (for base models, at least)
Tom’s Guide says the base Galaxy S26 is expected to get a 4,300mAh battery vs 4,000mAh on the Galaxy S25—an upgrade, but not necessarily a game-changer by itself.
Tom’s Guide’s broader “everything we know” roundup also lists a 4,300mAh battery for the standard S26 in its rumored specs table.
2) Processor: Snapdragon vs Exynos (and why it matters)
Tom’s Guide says the chipset situation is the wild card: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is expected, but persistent rumors suggest some models (in some markets) could use Exynos 2600—and it’s unclear how it will compare in real-world performance.
TechRadar echoes the idea of a split, with South Korean models possibly getting Exynos 2600 while other markets get Snapdragon.
If you care most about gaming performance, sustained performance, or battery efficiency, the chip decision could be the biggest reason to wait—especially if you want to see reviews first.
3) Galaxy S26 Ultra: the strongest argument for waiting
According to Tom’s Guide, the biggest improvements are expected to land on the Ultra: potential boosts to processor and battery, plus camera tweaks like a wider aperture on the 200MP main camera and a higher-resolution sensor for the 3x telephoto.
There’s also “leak noise,” including an Android Central story about a video that allegedly shows the S26 Ultra design and claims specs like a 5,500mAh battery—but the same piece notes online skepticism and the possibility it’s fake or a dummy unit.
Translation: if you buy an S25 Ultra today, you might miss the most meaningful year-over-year changes—if the Ultra rumors pan out.
So… should you upgrade now or wait? A realistic decision guide
Here’s the simplest way to think about it:
Upgrade to a Galaxy S25 now if…
- Your current phone is struggling (battery health, storage, overheating, cracked display, unreliable modem) and you need a replacement soon.
- You want a big discount on an unlocked phone (no carrier lock, no long financing). The $649 unlocked Galaxy S25 is the standout “value flagship” number right now.
You’re the kind of buyer who keeps a phone 3–5 years, not 6–12 months. The S25 line is still a flagship class device, and Android Central notes the S25 Ultra comes with seven years of OS and security updates, which significantly reduces the downside of buying “last gen.”
You’re worried that S26 pricing may rise (even slightly). Multiple reports suggest a possible $30–$50 increase in some markets, and Samsung itself has acknowledged the broader memory-cost pressure behind the industry’s pricing concerns.
Best match: Galaxy S25 or S25 Plus buyers chasing maximum value per dollar.
Wait for the Galaxy S26 if…
- You strongly prefer having the newest silicon and potentially better efficiency—especially if the Snapdragon/Exynos split matters to you and you want confirmed benchmarks and battery tests first.
You’re aiming for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Ultra is where leaks point to the most meaningful upgrades, especially for cameras.
You rely on trade-in deals and preorder bundles. Samsung and carriers often make launch windows attractive with enhanced trade-in values or storage bumps. (Not guaranteed—but historically common.)
You can comfortably wait until late February or early March without your current phone becoming a daily headache.
Best match: Ultra shoppers, camera enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to maximize resale value by buying newest-gen.
The middle path many shoppers overlook
If you’re on the fence, set a personal deadline:
- If you find an S25 deal that feels “too good to ignore” (especially unlocked) before Unpacked, buying now can be rational.
- If you can wait to see Samsung’s official S26 pricing and real-world improvements, you’ll likely lose some S25 discounts—but you’ll buy with more information.
Shopping smart in January 2026: avoid the “cheap phone” trap
A deal isn’t automatically a bargain. Before you hit “buy,” run these quick checks:
- Unlocked vs carrier deal: Carrier promos can be amazing, but they often require a new line, specific plans, and long bill-credit terms (e.g., 36 months).
Total cost of ownership: A $5/month phone can still be expensive if the required plan costs significantly more than what you’d otherwise choose.
Return window + warranty: Especially important if you’re buying ahead of a new release cycle and fear buyer’s remorse.
Storage needs: If rumors about S26 moving to 256GB base storage become reality (as some reports claim), it could change value calculations for heavy users.
The bottom line
As of January 10, 2026, Galaxy S25 deals are strong enough that upgrading now makes real sense—particularly for the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus, where the rumored S26 changes sound incremental and the savings are immediate.
But if you’re an Ultra buyer, the smart play may be patience: leaks suggest Samsung is saving the most meaningful changes for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the expected launch window is close enough that waiting doesn’t mean suffering for months.
Either way, keep one thing in mind: the next big piece of certainty will be Samsung’s official Unpacked invite—and once that drops, both S25 discounts and S26 preorder offers can shift quickly.
