Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Gets Timed Discounts As Foldables Take Center Stage
Samsung is cutting prices on its flagship Galaxy S26 phones just as it shifts attention to its upcoming Z-foldables. The move is anything but random: right as the foldable lineup prepares to dominate the back half of 2026, Samsung is making its mainline S26 series harder to ignore. The base S26 now starts at 256GB—finally dropping the old 128GB minimum—and carries a €165 markdown. For buyers needing more storage, the 512GB variant also gets a price drop, sweetened by a discount voucher. This pattern repeats across all three S26 models: straight discount for the 256GB version, discount plus voucher for the 512GB upgrade.
The timing is surgical. As the S-series slides into its mid-cycle, Samsung is clearing the deck, enticing buyers who might otherwise wait for the next big thing. The storage bump is more than a footnote—it solidifies the S26 as a better long-term bet. For buyers tracking value per euro, this is Samsung’s strongest S26 offer since launch. These deals show Samsung isn’t just relying on hardware updates; it’s using targeted pricing to keep the S26 relevant even as the company pivots to foldables. Gsmarena
iPhones Join the Discount Wave—But Details Remain Thin
Samsung isn’t the only one slashing prices. The same wave of weekly deals includes iPhone models with unspecified price cuts. The source doesn’t break down which iPhones are discounted, how deep the cuts go, or whether any extras—like vouchers or bundles—are in play. All that’s clear is that Apple has joined the mid-year promotion cycle, putting its devices on the same discount roster as Samsung’s S26 family.
The lack of detail makes direct comparison tricky, but the inclusion of iPhones suggests a coordinated reset of flagship pricing as new launches loom. For Apple, these moves rarely happen in a vacuum; discounting is typically a signal that inventory needs to move or that new models are about to crowd the shelves. If the iPhone deals mirror Samsung’s approach—straightforward cuts on standard models, vouchers for higher storage—it would mark a rare moment of symmetry between the two smartphone giants. For now, though, the specifics on Apple’s side remain a black box.
Discounted Flagships Reshape the Mid-2026 Buyer’s Playbook
Massive cuts on Samsung’s S26 lineup, paired with iPhone price drops, rewrite the calculus for upgraders and new buyers. Right as manufacturers prepare to launch new hardware, they’re making current flagships materially more attractive—especially for those who care more about value than first-mover bragging rights.
Samsung’s shift to a 256GB base model, combined with visible discounts and vouchers, raises the bar for what buyers should expect from a “mainstream” flagship. This kind of deal structure doesn’t just nudge fence-sitters—it can pull buyers away from waiting for the next release altogether. The competitive timing, with both Samsung and Apple running promotions in the same window, hints at a deliberate attempt to lock in market share before the product cycle resets.
Still, without specifics on iPhone deals, it’s unclear whether Apple’s offers match Samsung’s in substance or are just a sign of seasonal clearing. The effect on brand loyalty is hard to measure, but for shoppers, the message is clear: mid-year is no longer a dead zone for flagship deals.
What This Round of Deal-Making Means for the Next Smartphone Cycle
Discounting flagships as new launches approach isn’t new, but the timing and structure here signal a sharper focus on clearing inventory and keeping premium buyers engaged. Samsung, in particular, is using storage upgrades and layered discounts to keep its S26 trio competitive, even as it prepares to spotlight foldables in the coming months.
If Apple’s iPhone deals turn out to be more than token markdowns, the next cycle could see both giants pushing value harder—either through larger base storage, more aggressive promotions, or both. The industry’s direction is clear: expect less patience from buyers when it comes to storage and value, and expect the lines between launch season and deal season to blur.
What’s still missing? The real numbers behind Apple’s discounts, and whether this is a one-off or the start of a more sustained trend. The next few weeks will reveal if Samsung’s playbook—discount now, pivot to new form factors later—forces Apple to get more tactical with its own pricing as 2026 winds down.
The Bottom Line
- Major flagship phones from Samsung and Apple are now available at lower prices, making premium models more accessible.
- Samsung’s storage upgrade and targeted discounts signal a shift in strategy as foldable phones gain prominence.
- Apple joining the discount wave hints at broader competitive moves ahead of new device launches.
