Samsung S26 Series

Do you have a link? As far as I know, the one around €1k is the standard 17, the ultra is €1500, and I don't know that we even get the Leica edition here, which has another camera add-on.

Any of those that are sold that way are generally imported via Hong Kong. The issue is if you need any repairs you need to send the phone to Hong Kong for warranty,

The Ultra is €149 with three if you switch, nearly €700 with vodafone….both €65pm.

I think that's a generally fair assessment of things. The jumps in performance have been negligible for a while with regard to pure numbers. They are still there to be clear, but become less and less apparent in real world usage, but even still, become less slight if one goes down a yearly cycle of upgrade. How much 'value' someone gets from this iteration is, as always, on a scale from where that person is coming from - far better for someone with a +3yr old device than someone only just celebrating their phone's first birthday. But then again, their cost of entry is offset with the trade-in offer to begin with a value ranging from a third up of a single year old model. They wait a year, and that scale remains consistent.

I get some are put off by the initial price and the removal of certain trade offers, and that's valid enough, as is the feeling that a person thinks they can get 'more' from previously unattractive brands for similar or less upfront, but everything comes with a caveat, even at the high-end, and these companies are not in business because they wilfully lose profit margins.

Thankfully, nobody is forcing people to switch up and only that person can justify if it's worth it. FWIW, I do think there are decent enough improvements on the new range that could sway potential buyers - battery performance looks good (but then I'm not in the camp of demanding always better than the perennial 5000mAh as I think it's a vastly overstated parameter given how the nature of charging has developed not to mention my own personal daily use - plus the potential cost-benefit overall might not be worth it despite people demanding some change, but I get how others can feel different), screen depth improvement sounds a nice addition, the aforementioned overhaul in charging, low light camera performance, plus one other thing that is certainly an improvement is the standardised move to 16GB twinned with the 1TB model as opposed to Samsung's previous region specific policy. Can argue that it's something that should extend down to the 512GBs, but at least it's a move in the right direction. Privacy feature - I can actually see the benefit of it to be fair, plus it's nice that it's on-the-fly as I'd not put up with the degredation in overall display quality if it was a global settings toggle. Not a system seller so to speak, but a preview of what may become standard in the high end.

TBH, I'm still undecided as of right now overall but will make a call over the next day or so. Even if they offered, say the Buds Pro, gratis in a few weeks, it probably wouldn't decide it for me one way or the other. It'll definitely be cheaper down the line, but not neccesarily a better 'deal' if looking to trade. A fair oul chunk is taken off a S26U 1TB right now with trade, 15% and PP, so 50/50 on it.

632GB on a 1TB 25U (used, not free)

Dont even have any games installed.

Honestly don't think the battery size demand holds up either with some level of review - don't get me wrong, more normally equals better - but not at a specific cost increase, which Samsung would most definitely pass onto the consumer. Even the Xiaomi's 6000mAH effeciency doesn't hold up as people would assume against say, a S25 Ultra's lesser amount, and overall I think the improvements in charge level on all modern makes can override a definite need to 'cram' more so to speak.

Everyone's use case can be different, but battery capacity increase is well down the list of any suggested improvements I could imagine for Samsung's next TBH. Certainly not at the cost Samsung might pass on.

There would undoubtedly be a cost change from various facets - development budget, design change, resource management, warranty concerns, shipping itinerary etc

Even without a simple dollar change on the MSRP, the cost can effectively come from other areas of the phone leading to cutbacks. S-pen for a kick-off. There is a reason why Samsung's battery policy hasn't undergone significant changes.

Other manufacturers have led the charge with capacity increases, and that's fine. People are free to place that as a selling point and a buying point from the consumers' perspective, but Samsung obviously weigh the pros and cons, and if it made business sense to make the move now, they would do that, but while it's probably on their list going forward, they have their reasons for not now or in recent years.

It's never as simple as some Youtube influencer or something comparing various phones, at no cost to them, using it as bullet points without overall context. Theres plenty of other ranges with larger batteries to choose from after all, so people are free to choose if it's their number one concern.

Edit - actually, it's funny. I'm sure everyone has had those signup things from Samsung where they ask you what you would like most from next time you're buying something - must admit, Ive always had display, trade offers and freebies as the selections.

Yes.....but thats not a 6000-7000mAH battery concern.

Battery life is obviously a concern, and a big one.

The S25 is an all day phone, which I suspect the S26 would be as well.

The Youtube comment is more in relation to someone propping up plusses and minuses, as if having a phone with a 5000mAH capacity that can last all day is a dealbreaker in comparison to one with 6K (even though it, in reality, may not last as long). It's far from it.

I guess the easiest way to state it is, that for my case, if the S26U had a 6000mAH battery, it still wouldn't affect my indecision right now about upgrading.

I change every year because it's a business phone. This year I got 512g s26U €1499, a wireless charger €79.90 & a magnet case €48.93. 15% discount & €100 PayPal discount brings it down to €592.98 after discount. I claim back €110.88 VAT leaving €482 for the three items. This means the phone is costing under €400 & I get tax releif on this too.

Having said all of that I totally agree with you that a 3 or even 4 year cycle is the best option for most people. there is no noticable difference between the s25U & the S24U that I traded last year except the s24U has bluetooth s pen (a feature I do miss). There isn't any massive differences in the S23U & the S25U in features. If a S26U is €1500 then it's costing most people €500 or more to trade up from the s25U. Doing this every year costs €500 X 3 years= €1500. Going for a new phone costs €1500 every 3 years Not taking into account what tradein you might get for your 3 year old phone & discounts. You'd save a good €500 over the 3 years & the battry will only be starting to anoy you then if looked afere correctly

If I wasn't getting 23% VAT back & the remainder tax deductable I don't think I'd be doing every year either

Looks like the screen isn't 10bit either

Just about to post it too. I dont think its that big a deal in real terms however its not a good look at all. I've a feeling this was a mistake at presser (simulated 10 bit versus actual 10 bit) rather than anything deliberate as all material i saw said 8 bit but its a real shot to the foot here from Samsung on a launch that was already getting a lot of stick. Dont be surprised if there's some inflated deals now if people start cancelling preorders.

They said delivery from 6 March so I would expect to receive a preorder on Friday or Saturday.

I'm pretty sure I got my s23 ultra on launch day straight from Samsung 3 years ago. Friday delivery would be great.

What case is everyone getting? I preordered the magnetic silicone from Samsung but I'm going to send it back on delivery (they wouldn't let me edit the order) I'd concerns over fall protection.

I bought pitaka moonrise cairn it looks class with the cobalt violet colour and should offer better protection than the silicone. I have used mous limitless for my last few phones but fancied something different and slightly less bulky this time.

I ordered this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G2XXF227?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1