Latest from Android Central in Samsung-galaxy

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last Galaxy Z Flip phone from Samsung

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:28:25 +0000

What you need to know

A leaker claims the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be Samsung's last small folding product.
Samsung's July 22 Unpacked event in London will bring the Z Fold 8, Z Fold 8 Ultra, and the Z Flip 8.
The new passport-style Z Fold 8 could eventually replace the flip-style form factor in Samsung's lineup.
Rising component costs and Apple's foldable iPhone may be pushing Samsung away from flip-style phones.

If you're a fan of Samsung's flip-style foldable lineup, we may have some bad news for you, as the next Galaxy Z Flip might be the last flip phone Samsung ever releases.

Samsung is set to launch its new foldable phones later this month at the Galaxy Unpacked event in London. The company is rumored to introduce two new Galaxy Z Fold 8 series phones, including a wider form factor device for the first time. Alongside those, Samsung is also expected to release the Galaxy Z Flip 8 as usual.

However, it seems the next Galaxy Z Flip could be the last one the company ever makes.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is likely to be Samsung's last small folding product. pic.twitter.com/9zN4nNRLT2July 9, 2026

Popular tipster Ice Universe shared on X that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is likely to be Samsung's last small folding product. That suggests we may be nearing the end of the small flip-style foldable from Samsung.

It's worth noting, though, that the tipster doesn't explicitly say it'll be the last Galaxy Z Flip. Instead, they refer to it as the last small folding product.

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

Samsung is entering a new era with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, launching a passport-style form factor for the first time. That form factor will be less tall and much wider than previous Galaxy Z Fold products, so it's possible it ends up replacing the Galaxy Z Flip series going forward. Of course, it's far too early to say for certain.

Either way, this is sad news for anyone who's been a fan of the Galaxy Z Flip or flip-style foldables in general.

There's no denying that making these phones is becoming increasingly expensive. We recently saw Motorola raise prices across this year's Razr lineup as well.

And with Apple entering the foldable market with a passport-like form factor of its own, it's possible that this ends up being the only foldable form factor that survives, with Samsung wanting to compete head-on.

Regardless, it's disappointing for flip-style foldable users. Plenty of people still genuinely prefer the flip form factor, even with book-style foldables dominating the market. If this turns out to be true, it really will be the end of an era.

Samsung's new teaser with Spider-Man all but confirms the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:07:14 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung has confirmed its next Unpacked event for July 22 in London, where the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will debut.
A new Spider-Man: Brand New Day teaser hints at a "brand new shape," pointing to the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 form factor.
A second teaser shows Spider-Man catching what appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, though few details are shown.

Samsung is all set to announce its new foldables soon, with a reportedly wider form factor launching for the first time. And the company isn't leaving anything to guesswork in its new teaser, released in collaboration with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Samsung took to Instagram, X, and other social media platforms to drop new teasers for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. The company has confirmed that its next Unpacked event takes place on July 22 in London, where it's expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, new Flip phones, and new Galaxy watches.

A post shared by Samsung Mobile USA (@samsungmobileusa)
A photo posted by on

One of the teasers features a Spider-Man postcard with the text "A brand new shape is coming," with the top half tearing off to reveal the new Spider-Man movie logo and details. The teaser ends with the line "A brand new shape for a brand new day," clearly hinting at the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and its wider form factor.

For those unaware, Samsung is reportedly launching two Galaxy Z Fold 8 phones this time around, with the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 set to take on Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone. It'll reportedly have a shorter but wider form factor, almost like a passport, meaning it'll feel like a true mini tablet when unfolded. This poster teaser seems to be pointing at exactly that.

A post shared by Samsung Mobile USA (@samsungmobileusa)
A photo posted by on

Another teaser posted on Instagram shows Spider-Man catching a foldable phone, which appears to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Not much else is revealed beyond the collaboration itself, but it's interesting to see Samsung partnering with Spider-Man for the new Z Fold series.

Thankfully, we won't have to wait long for the full picture. Samsung's launch event is just about a week away, where we'll be getting all the details about these upcoming foldable phones.

Samsung just confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is getting a massive silicon upgrade

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:05:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset.
The "for Galaxy" version means a custom-tuned Snapdragon processor, which has historically delivered slightly higher CPU and GPU performance than the standard chip.
Performance should get a meaningful boost for multitasking, gaming, and on-device AI, helping justify rumored price increases.

Recent rumors pointed to a major price hike for Samsung’s next wave of foldables. But hold your horses before you dismiss the upcoming lineup, because Samsung just confirmed a huge hardware upgrade that could actually make the extra cash worth it.

Samsung has now confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chip, solidifying its position on flagship processors for its high-end foldables. The confirmation comes ahead of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on July 22, where the company is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 8 along with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 8.

In a post on Weibo, the Korean tech giant revealed that the Fold 8 will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, the same silicon that powers the Galaxy S26 series. That might not be a huge surprise, but it settles weeks of speculation on whether Samsung would tap its own Exynos silicon in some markets.

No Exynos this time

Reports out earlier had already hinted that the U.S. model would stick with Qualcomm, but Samsung’s announcement makes it clear that Snapdragon will power the device worldwide.

It's a notable confirmation because Samsung didn’t just stop at the processor name. The company specifically noted the “Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy” branding, suggesting users should expect Samsung’s custom version of Qualcomm’s chip, not the standard version.

Historically, those “for Galaxy” editions have come with slightly higher CPU and GPU clock speeds, giving Samsung’s phones a modest performance edge over other Android flagships.

But the processor is not expected to be the only upgrade. Rumors suggest a wider, redesigned Fold 8 that will act more like a standard smartphone when closed, addressing one of the main complaints of previous Galaxy Fold models. Leaks have also hinted at improvements like a bigger battery and faster charging, though Samsung hasn’t confirmed those details yet.

Android Central's Take

I can't say I'm shocked that Samsung stuck with Snapdragon here — it would've been far riskier to gamble on anything else for a phone that will almost certainly cost well north of $1,800. The good news is that buyers should get the best performance Samsung has to offer for multitasking, gaming, and on-device AI. That said, I’d rather the company put as much energy into fixing the Fold’s long-standing pain points — like battery life, charging speed, and camera performance — as it does confirming the obvious.

Why wait for the Z Fold 8? Last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is still amazing, and it's a whopping $500 OFF with new deal

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:00:53 +0000

Samsung has confirmed that the next Galaxy Unpacked event will be held on July 22nd in London, which means we're likely just two weeks away from the unveiling of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

That being said, if you don't want to wait (or you simply don't want to shell out $2,000 for a smartphone), you're in luck: last year's Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is currently $500 off at Best Buy, making it a pretty compelling prospect for folks who want a great foldable phone experience without breaking the bank.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 256GB: ~~$1,999.99~~ $1,499.99 at Best Buy

Easily one of the best foldable phones ever built, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 sports an ultra-thin frame with a nearly-invisible crease and loads of powerful specs under the hood. It was prohibitively expensive at launch, but now you can grab the unlocked foldable with a $500 discount at Best Buy. There's also some trade-in credit up for grabs if you have an old device lying around. View Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is a beautiful foldable phone with a thin and lightweight design, two Dynamic AMOLED displays, and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset with 12GB of RAM. When opening the book-style foldable, the center crease is finally as imperceptible as Samsung claims it to be, and the upgraded camera system is one of the best we've ever seen on a foldable.

The phone's thin frame means that the battery life isn't anything to write home about (and Samsung removed the embedded stylus), but if you want a premium foldable phone experience, it doesn't get much better than the Z Fold 7 (well, maybe with the Motorola Razr Fold, but that's another discussion).

How does last year's phone compare to the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8? Well, we don't have official specs just yet, but the latest leaks and rumors suggest that the Z Fold 8 simply takes the foundation of its predecessor and adds a larger battery with faster charging and possibly an upgraded screen. Are those small updates worth an additional $500 at minimum? I don't think so, but you'll have to make the call.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Android Central's take

I've said it before and I'll it again: we don't need new phones every single year. With the current global memory shortage and prices going up on tech all across the board, maybe OEMs like Samsung should focus more on optimizing the devices that people already have rather than pushing out new generations every year.

This is particularly true when new devices only offer small upgrades between generations. If I were in the market for an unlocked foldable phone, I'd go with this discounted Galaxy Z Fold 7 and keep a bit of cash in my pocket for a rainy day. After all, what's the point of giving a device a seven-year software promise if you're not going to keep it for more than a year or two?

Amazon is discounting the entire Galaxy S26 lineup again — it's not Prime Day, but it's close

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:27:21 +0000

Good news, Samsung fans: Amazon just dropped some Galaxy S26 deals that are giving me serious Prime Day flashbacks. For a limited time, you can save up to $270 on these super-powered flagships when you buy unlocked, no trade-in required and no strings attached.

The Galaxy S26 lineup includes the base model S26, the balanced Galaxy S26 Plus, and the über-powerful Galaxy S26 Ultra. All three phones are powered by the efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and come with at least 12GB of RAM, a bunch of useful AI features, and seven years of software updates guaranteed. They're also pretty expensive, which is why the following S26 deals are so crucial.

See more of my favorite Samsung Galaxy S26 deals of July 2026

Amazon is bringing back Prime Day for the Galaxy S26 series

Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB: ~~$899.99~~ $799.99 at Amazon

The smallest of the three flagship phones, the Galaxy S26 boasts a stunning 6.3-inch AMOLED display with 256GB of storage and powerful performance that could compete with any Android phone on the market.

Right now, you can grab the Samsung flagship unlocked from Amazon and score a straight $100 off your purchase, totally offsetting that pesky price hike. The 512GB version of the phone is also $200 off as part of the sale (if you don't mind the White variant).

Check out our Samsung Galaxy S26 review to learn more.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus 256GB: ~~$1,099.99~~ $899.99 at Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus takes the foundation of the base model S26 and adds a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display, a long-lasting 4,900mAh battery, and a small increase in charging speeds.

Amazon is currently selling the 256GB phone for $899.99, which is $200 off the retail price AND what you'd usually pay if you were buying the standard Galaxy S26. If you want a phone that offers bang for the buck, the Galaxy S26 Plus is it.

Check out our Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus review to learn more.View Deal

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: ~~$1,299.99~~ $1,099.99 at Amazon

Easily one of the most powerful Android phones ever built, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra sports a generous 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with an embedded S Pen stylus, a fast-charging 5,000mAh battery, and innovative features such as Privacy Display.

It's also quite expensive, which is why I'm excited to see Amazon carve a straight $270 off the 256GB configuration for a limited time. According to the retailer, this deal is selling out fast, so I wouldn't wait too long if you're interested.

Check out our Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review to learn more.View Deal

More Samsung Galaxy S26 deals today

Enter a new era: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked confirmed for July, reservations begin

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung confirmed this evening that Galaxy Unpacked will take place on July 22 at 9 am ET/6 am PT in London, U.K.
The company brings its next foldables into the spotlight, stating a new era is coming for their intelligent capabilities and more, to make them feel personal.
Samsung's marketing campaign took over its Instagram, wiping all of its posts, as clues went up that users needed to decode.

The time has come. Samsung reveals the date for its summer Unpacked event and everything the keynote will discuss.

Samsung announced this evening that its 2026 summer Unpacked event will take place on July 22 in London, U.K. Interested parties can watch the event, which begins at 9 am ET/6 am PT, from Samsung's YouTube, Samsung.com, or its Newsroom. Of course, consumers are expecting to see what's next from the Korean OEM's many hardware series. Samsung states it will highlight the next era of its foldables.

It states these devices "combine intelligent capabilities and new form factors to deliver more personal, adaptive experiences and set a new standard for the AI era."

What's more, Samsung has kicked off its reserve program ahead of Unpacked, as usual. Consumers can "reserve to receive a $30 Samsung credit during pre-order for up to $1,230 in total savings. Customers can also enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of ten $500 Samsung.com gift cards."

Set a reminder (and get up early)

(Image credit: Samsung)

It goes without saying that Samsung is keeping things a little hush-hush. Its announcement places its foldables front and center, and that's not something we're surprised about. These are its phones, and we're expecting them every (mid) year. Teases started late June when Samsung kicked off a viral marketing campaign that wiped every Instagram post it had.

The company is looking forward to revealing the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 to consumers, but it wants to tell a story along the way. On Instagram, Samsung's been posting images, which serve as clues that we must decode. There's nothing like a bit of hype, and that's what Samsung's trying to cultivate. There's more to Galaxy Unpacked than its foldables.

We're also looking forward to the Galaxy Watch 9. We know there are some new health features, but what else? All will be revealed in two weeks.

Android Central's Take

This is the Galaxy Unpacked waiting room, please take a seat. We're two weeks out, and Samsung building up to something interesting (we hope, right?). What else other than foldables could we see? Also, what about these foldables are going to keep me interested and make me think about laying down some cash? I've got a lot of questions, but I'm curious by nature.

Big Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 display upgrade leaked ahead of launch

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:16:19 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is redesigning the hinge on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the new mechanism offering noticeably better crease control.
The crease performance is reportedly comparable to the Oppo Find N6, which currently has the best crease of any foldable.
Both the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Fold 8 Ultra are expected to benefit from the improved hinge design.

Samsung might finally be fixing the display crease problem with the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 series.

Samsung looks set to launch its new foldable phones later this month. The company has already kicked off its marketing campaign teasing the new devices, and while leaks have given us a good idea of what to expect, we're now getting closer to launch with new leaks confirming some of the bigger upgrades on the way.

According to tipster Ice Universe on X, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series is expected to feature a redesigned hinge, with the hinge feel reportedly being noticeably different from previous generations.

The tipster says Samsung has made several changes to the folding mechanism, making it more decisive. In practice, this means the phone is no longer as easy to hold open at certain in-between angles as before, which has led to better crease control.

Ice Universe goes on to say that it's reached the top level in the industry, with crease performance comparable to the Oppo Find N6.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The Oppo Find N6 launched earlier this year as a virtually crease-free foldable. Having spent an extended period with it hands-on, it still has the best crease performance of any foldable phone to date. It sounds like Samsung is finally closing that gap with the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Android Central's take

I've used the Oppo Find N6, and the crease really is that good. If Samsung is actually matching it with the Galaxy Z Fold 8, this might quietly end up being the most underrated upgrade on the entire phone.

It's also worth noting that the tipster is referring to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series as a whole, which suggests the improved crease performance will carry over to both the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

For those unfamiliar, the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 this time around will feature a slightly taller and wider, passport-style form factor, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple's foldable phone later this year. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, meanwhile, will be the successor to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7.

It remains to be seen just how much Samsung has improved the crease on the Galaxy Z Fold 8. But if the rumors hold up, the display upgrades alone should make it one of the bigger generational leaps for the lineup.

Upgrade Your Vacation: The Ultimate Summer 2026 Tech Guide

AC Staff — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:14:12 +0000

Hi Android Central readers!

We have updated this ultimate guide with more of the latest and greatest in tech when it comes to traveling this summer.

Any kind of travel can be stressful, and we know sometimes you might forget to pack the right tech gadget.

Android Central's full-time staff and some of its freelance contributors have helped put this entire guide together. We have spent hundreds of hours testing and reviewing these products to handpick the best gear and essentials to enhance your travel experience this summer.

There's a lot in this guide that will help you pick the right gadget to travel with, how to pack, and some great buying guides for your traveling convenience.

I would start by reading the article on "How to use this guide."

We hope you have a great summer vacation, and we hope this guide helps you!

— Shruti Shekar, Editor-in-Chief

How to use this guide

Traveling with your tech

Helpful traveling tips

Need a new phone for your summer travel plans? These are the Android devices you should consider in 2026

The only power and charging kits you need this summer: 6 essentials to keep your battery levels topped up

Tablets are essential travel companions, and I've selected the TOP 9 devices you should consider before hitting the road in 2026

I wouldn't leave my house without these excellent headphones to accompany me on my summer travels

How to lock your phone when traveling to the US

How to set up and use eSIM on Android

Tech must-haves for your pets during your summer travels

Tech, travel, and a toddler: Here's what we're taking on the road

Travel Buying Guides

Best prepaid sim cards

Best camera phones

Best portable chargers and power banks

Best portable high-capacity power banks

Best usb-c chargers

Best usb-c thumb drives

Best Kindle e-reader

Best microSD card for Android

Best travel app for Android

Best noise-cancelling headphones

Best Bluetooth tracker

Best bluetooth speaker

Best eSIM compatible Android phone

Best bluetooth headphone adapter

Best wireless plans for international travel

Best portable wi-fi hotspot

Best portable tablet

Best USB adapter for travel

Best sleep headphones

Best USB-C cable for travel

Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks pricier in these rumors, which isn't shocking in the least

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:49:03 +0000

What you need to know

Overseas rumors claim Samsung's upcoming summer lineup, featuring new foldables and watches, is set for price hikes.
Rumors suggest the Fold 7's successor, now rumored to be the "Fold 8 Ultra," could see a ~$114 increase for its base 256GB variant, and a ~$320 increase for its 1TB.
The Flip 8 could jump by ~$100 for its base storage, while the watches could rise by ~$45 to ~$50; however, these USD prices are simply estimations.

Price rumors are talking about Samsung's next wave of products this year, and what they're saying might (not) surprise you.

A post by WinFuture alleges a series of price increases for Samsung's upcoming foldables and watches (via Android Headlines). The publication cites its "reliable sources" in stating the Galaxy Z Fold 8 "Ultra," which was previously rumored to be the Fold 7's successor, could see a €100 (~$114) increase for its 256GB entry option. It claims that consumers looking to max out on storage with its 1TB variant might see a €280 (~$320) price hike.

That would put the 1TB variant at ~€2,799 (~$3,201). The "Wide" Fold 8 we've been hearing about could see a €1,999 (~$2,286) price tag for its 256GB model.

The post states that the starting price of the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could go up by €100. What's more, the starting prices for the 40mm Bluetooth Galaxy Watch 9 and its 44mm size variant could rise by €40 and €30 (~$45, ~$34), respectively. As far as the Watch Ultra 2 is concerned, the report claims that it could jump by €50 (~$57).

Nothing is set in stone, of course. These are rumors. Also, the USD estimations are simply estimations. Samsung usually tweaks these prices a bit to fit the market the device will be sold in. Keep that in mind. We are expecting Samsung to debut its next products in July, but there are other things we should discuss first.

What we might see

(Image credit: Onleaks and Android Headlines)

Earlier this week, alleged specifications for Samsung's wide foldable surfaced for the first time. We've "known" that this phone was going to adopt a wider stance than before; however, tipster Tarun Vats speculates the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (now the wider variant) could grab a 5.5-inch Quad HD Plus screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Inside, consumers could find a 7.6-inch Quad HD Plus display and a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The device is expected to use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 4,800mAh battery. The cameras were another talking point back in May. Those reports suggest the wider Fold's cameras won't be as interesting as its shape. Supposedly, the company is dropping a lens. We might only see a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultrawide lens. Basically, we could miss out on a telephoto, which makes the standard Fold we're used to look a little more appealing.

Android Central's Take

These rumors can get confusing. We've got name changes galore, and not much that's confirmed. Samsung recently started a marketing campaign after completely wiping its Instagram account. It's trying a different approach to teasing the next foldables. That means we—the users—need to turn into detectives and figure out what's going on. I think I'm more interested in finally seeing what these phones will offer than going over these rumors.

Samsung might bring Privacy Display to every Galaxy S27 model

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 09:15:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is reportedly considering bringing its built-in Privacy Display to every Galaxy S27 model, not just the Ultra or the rumored Pro.
Unlike traditional privacy films, Samsung's solution is built directly into the OLED panel, preserving brightness and image quality while blocking side glances.
Samsung hasn't confirmed the feature's rollout or even the existence of the Galaxy S27 Pro, so these rumors should be treated cautiously.

Samsung's hardware-based Privacy Display may not be exclusive for much longer. Now a new report indicates the company is considering rolling out the feature across the entire Galaxy S27 series, potentially bringing one of its most useful upgrades well beyond the Ultra.

That’s a big shift from previous rumors that suggested Privacy Display would only extend as far as the rumored Galaxy S27 Pro. But now, new information from The Elec suggests Samsung is mulling the feature for all Galaxy S27 models — the standard Galaxy S27, Galaxy S27 Plus, the rumored Galaxy S27 Pro, and the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Privacy Display first debuted on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, eliminating the need for traditional stick-on privacy screen protectors. Samsung’s solution is built into the OLED panel itself rather than a dark film, which always has an effect on brightness and image quality. This limits the display’s viewing angles so that when it’s on, only the person with the phone can see the screen clearly, and anyone trying to look from the side can see very little. It can also be set to automatically turn on when you open banking apps, read sensitive notifications, or enter passwords.

The tech itself is based on Samsung Display’s Flex Magic Pixel system, which combines two different kinds of subpixels. Both are active during normal use to provide a standard viewing experience. Turning on Privacy Display disables the subpixels at a wider angle, significantly reducing side visibility, with no external accessory required.

The wider rollout also coincides with rumors of a shake-up to Samsung's flagship lineup. A series of leaks suggest a new Galaxy S27 Pro alongside the standard, Plus, and Ultra versions, making a quartet of devices. The Pro should offer a ton of Ultra-grade features in a smaller form factor but won’t have the integrated S Pen.

Naturally, none of this is official. Samsung hasn't confirmed which Galaxy S27 models will get the Privacy Display or if the rumored Galaxy S27 Pro will even ever launch. There were also rumors that the company would launch a Pro-branded Galaxy S26 before settling on a three-phone lineup, so these reports should be taken with a grain of salt.

Android Central's Take

Hopefully this leak is accurate because Privacy Display sounds like a feature that shouldn’t be a luxury add-on. The feature does solve a real problem, and I would much rather see Samsung bring real privacy improvements to all flagships rather than keeping them behind the Ultra paywall. That said, if the company uses Privacy Display as yet another excuse to carve its lineup into even more confusing tiers, it risks overshadowing what is actually a genuinely useful innovation.

Samsung quietly brings back its BEST Galaxy S26 Ultra deal for the 4th of July weekend — with or without trade

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:57:01 +0000

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the most powerful phones ever built, but with a starting price of $1,299.99, it's also quite expensive. Fortunately, Samsung is attempting to ease the burden by resurrecting one of its best deals for the 4th of July weekend.

For a limited time, you can score up to $720 off the unlocked S26 Ultra when you trade in an old or broken device, no carrier activation required. Don't have anything to trade in? Skip that part of the process altogether and Samsung will STILL hook you up with $350 off the phone, a surprising straight discount that totally clobbers the current offers from Amazon and Best Buy.

Sure, Samsung Galaxy S26 deals are hardly uncommon, but it's unusual to see a straight discount this good outside of major sale events like Prime Day. If you want to buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra but hate all of the fine print included with most phone deals, this is your time to shine.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: ~~$1,299.99~~ From $579.99 with trade-in | $949.99 without at Samsung

Buy the unlocked Galaxy S26 Ultra directly from the source and you'll be eligible for up to $720 of instant trade-in credit. Skip the trade-in process and Samsung will still carve a straight $350 off your purchase, no strings attached. View Deal

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is Samsung's best phone yet, coming complete with a massive 6.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED display (with embedded stylus), unbelievable performance from the Snapdragon chipset, and some of the fastest battery charging we've ever seen in a smartphone. You also get to experience Samsung's handy new Privacy Display feature, plus all of the latest Galaxy AI tricks and seven years of software updates guaranteed.

In addition to the discount described above, Samsung is also offering some impressive savings when you bundle the phone with the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (~~$249~~ now $225) or Galaxy Watch Ultra (~~$649.99~~ now $435). Your purchase will also come with six months of SiriusXM streaming, two months of Adobe Lightroom, and a 30-day trial for Samsung Health.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra may not be a massive upgrade over its predecessor, but it's still one of the most powerful Android phones on the market today. If you missed the Samsung deals during last week's Prime Day sale, here's your chance to get a straight discount that's nearly just as good.

PSA: Samsung Messages app on your Galaxy phone will stop working this month

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:37:49 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung Messages is shutting down this month, though the company hasn't confirmed an exact date yet.
Users on Android 11 and earlier are unaffected, and emergency calls still work after the shutdown.
Google Messages is the official replacement, and Samsung has made the transition fairly easy to do.

It's July, which means the month has finally arrived for the Samsung Messages app on Galaxy phones to shut down.

Back in April 2026, Samsung announced it would be shutting down its Messages app later this year. The company published an official notice on its U.S. website confirming the change and specifying July 2026 as the cutoff. That month is now here, which means the app could stop working at any point.

Samsung still hasn't confirmed the exact date, but the shutdown is expected to happen fairly soon. The company has already stopped preloading the Messages app on flagship Galaxy devices since 2024, and while users could still install it from the Galaxy Store, even that option was pulled with the Galaxy S26 Ultra earlier this year. A full shutdown now looks imminent.

It's over for Samsung Messages on Galaxy phones

(Image credit: Sanuj Bhatia / Android Central)

Users on Android 11 and earlier won't be affected and will still be able to use Samsung Messages on their devices. It's also worth noting that even after the shutdown, you'll still be able to use Samsung Messages on a Galaxy device to contact emergency services. However, you won't be able to send or receive messages from regular contacts.

Samsung has already confirmed it's transitioning Galaxy phones to Google Messages, and the company has made the switch fairly straightforward. We've written a detailed guide on how to move your messages from Samsung Messages to Google Messages that you can follow to transfer all your messages from the old app to the new one.

If you'd rather not use Google Messages, there are a few Samsung Messages alternatives worth exploring. That said, none of them are a true one-to-one replacement, so there's a good chance you'll end up going with Google Messages anyway.

Android Central's Take

I get why some people are upset about this. Nobody likes being forced off an app they've used for years. That said, Google Messages is in a much better place than it used to be, so the switch isn't as painful as it sounds.

Samsung's wide foldable just got its first detailed specs leak

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:20:00 +0000

What you need to know

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to adopt a wider 4:3 design to compete more directly with Apple's foldable iPhone.
Leaked specs point to a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, 12GB RAM, up to 1TB storage, and a 4,800mAh battery.
Samsung could make the Fold 8 one of its lightest foldables yet, measuring just 4.5mm thick when unfolded.

It's officially July, which means we're finally in Samsung foldable season. And ahead of the company's rumored launch later this month, a new leak has revealed the full specs of the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup is shaping up to be particularly interesting this year. Samsung is reportedly renaming what used to be the standard Galaxy Z Fold into the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, while the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to become a wider, shorter foldable designed to compete more directly with Apple's rumored foldable iPhone.

Tarun Vats, who frequently shares One UI-related leaks on X, now claims the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will feature a 7.6-inch Quad HD+ internal display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The cover display is said to be a 5.5-inch Quad HD+ panel with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Both displays will reportedly use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with support for up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

(Image credit: X/@UniverseIce)

In terms of design, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to measure just 9.7mm thick when folded and only 4.5mm when unfolded. Its full dimensions are said to be 123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7mm folded and 123.9 × 161.4 × 4.5mm unfolded. The phone is also expected to weigh around 200 grams, which would make it impressively light for a foldable.

Like Samsung's other 2026 flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, the same chip found in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It will reportedly come with 12GB of RAM and storage options of up to 1TB.

Coming to the cameras, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is reportedly set to feature a 50MP primary camera alongside a 50MP ultra-wide sensor on the back. Both the cover and inner selfie cameras are also expected to use 10MP sensors.

Android Central's take

On paper, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is looking like a very compelling package. It seems to check almost every flagship box although the biggest differentiator this year could end up being the price. I'm actually more interested in seeing how the regular Galaxy Z Fold 8 performs than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra this time around.

One welcome upgrade is the battery. The leak suggests Samsung is increasing capacity to 4,800mAh, which is larger than previous Galaxy Z Fold models. The phone is also expected to support Super Fast Charging 2.0, although the exact charging speed hasn't been revealed yet.

Samsung still hasn't officially announced its summer Galaxy Unpacked event, but the company has started teasing its next launch on Instagram, suggesting an official announcement may not be too far away.

Samsung hits restart with a viral marketing campaign ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Flip 8

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:30:00 +0000

What you need to know

The company has kicked off a new social media campaign on its Samsung Mobile and Samsung Mobile USA Instagram accounts after hitting reset and wiping every post.
Samsung says it's looking to tell a new story ahead of its Galaxy Z Flip 8, Fold 8 launch with a series of cryptic posts that users will be required to unravel and "decode."
It states that "when we're ready" it will reveal everything we're used to seeing about phones ahead of a major debut.

We've been anticipating the launch of Samsung's next foldables for months. Tonight (June 30), the company's kicked off a new social media campaign, and it's completely wiped its Instagram.

Samsung says it's "hitting reset" leading up to its Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Fold 8 launch. The company's new social media campaign focuses on Instagram, as it states its account feed will be wiped completely. This will take place before Samsung's wave of "cryptic teaser videos." While this might seem a bit odd, Samsung says there's a purpose behind this campaign.

The company is interested in telling a different kind of story. One that's inspired by "familiar cultural touchpoints." Instead of dropping various details about its next foldables, Samsung says it's going to invite theories and speculation. This campaign will involve a series of mysterious "simple and highly visual" posts that seem mundane. However, there's a deeper meaning to these clues and posts, which Samsung says will require users to "decode."

Certain aspects of these cryptic posts will unearth patterns that users will have to be sharp to spot. Samsung says it won't explain anything until it's ready. When that time comes, it will dive into features for its next foldables. Until then, you might want to try to emulate the great Sherlock Holmes.

The campaign begins on Samsung Mobile and Samsung Mobile USA.

What does it all mean?

A post shared by Samsung Mobile USA (@samsungmobileusa)
A photo posted by on

There's quite a bit that we'd like to see from the next wave of Samsung foldables. However, there's a particularly strong focus on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (and all the rumors surrounding the extra stuff). In terms of design, we're not expecting the Fold 8 to stray too far from what the Fold 7 offered. The Fold 7 was incredibly popular when it debuted, for more reasons than one.

The device integrated a thinner form factor, a refined hinge, and display upgrades, which captivated consumers. It would seem strange for Samsung to teeter away from this, but we'll have to see what this social campaign has in store. On the other hand, a Samsung exec, shortly after the Flip 7 and Fold 7 debuted, said the company was "thinking about" bringing the S Pen back. Such a return would require the device to thicken again after becoming so slim.

Android Central's Take

At the time of me writing this post, Samsung's social media accounts are completely wiped. There's not a thing there. And it's funny to see, considering they have nearly 2 million followers on one of them. Samsung is looking to generate a buzz. It wants the attention, it wants the hype, the eyes, the press. It's encouraged us to "follow along." So I shall.

Prime Day is over, but Samsung's best cheap phone is STILL selling for a record low price at Amazon

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:11:32 +0000

Prime Day 2026 has come and gone, but you may be surprised at the number of Android phone deals that are still hanging around. One notable example of this would be the 256GB configuration of the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G, a midrange masterpiece that is still chilling with a 16% discount, days after the sale's end. That price decrease drops Samsung's 'budget king' to the lowest price ever recorded, no trade-in or Prime membership required!

The Galaxy A57 5G is the 'budget king', and now it's cheaper than ever before

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G 256GB: ~~$609.99~~ $509.99 at Amazon

Samsung's latest midrange masterpiece, the Galaxy A57 5G is an approachable Android phone that doesn't skimp on flagship-level specs. Grab the 256GB version from Amazon today and you'll score a historic 16% off your purchase.

Want to save even more? The 128GB version of the phone is also receiving an 18% discount, knocking the price down to $449.99 for a limited time.

💲Price comparison: Samsung - $509.99 | Best Buy - $449.99 (128GB version)View Deal

Although it often gets overlooked next to similarly-priced options like the Google Pixel 10a, the Galaxy A57 5G is an incredible phone in its own right, boasting a lovely 6.7-inch OLED display, versatile triple camera system, and IP68 water-and-dust protection, which is a rarity at this price point.

The A Series Samsung phone also comes with a durable aluminum-and-glass construction while still weighing less than Google's phone. Under the hood you get an efficient Exynos processor with 8GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery that should easily surpass a full day on a single charge.

On the other hand, the Galaxy A57 doesn't offer wireless charging support, the AI features are a bit lacking compared to some Samsung phones, and you only get six years of OS/security updates compared to Google's guaranteed seven. Still, the Galaxy A57 is a sophisticated smartphone that feels way more premium than its price would suggest.

Would I recommend buying the phone at full price? No. But slap on a historic discount and the midrange masterpiece becomes a seriously good value.

Hurry! There's still time to grab one of Samsung's best smartphones of 2026 at an all-time low

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 01:40:45 +0000

We're in the final stretch of Prime Day, so there's a bit of pressure to make sure you get everything in your cart before the deals end. Well, if you're still trying to figure out which new phone to buy, consider the search over, because this Galaxy S26 Plus deal just dropped the phone to its lowest price since launch.

When the Galaxy S26 Plus was released earlier this year, it retailed for $1,099, or $100 more than its predecessor. However, despite the price increase, Prime Day is slashing more than $300 off this rather excellent phone, meaning you pay less than the base model Galaxy S26.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

An expensive phone deserves a deep discount, and right now it doesn't get any deeper than this 31% deal on the Galaxy S26 Plus, which brings it down under $800. For a 2026 flagship smartphone, that's an incredible steal!

Price comparison: Best Buy - $799 | Samsung - $799 View Deal

✅Recommended if: You're in the market for a new flagship smartphone with good cameras, great battery life, and tons of AI features.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer smaller phones like the base Galaxy S26 or you want Samsung's cool new Privacy Display feature, which is only available on the Ultra.

I've used the Galaxy S26 Plus on and off since it launched earlier this year, and there's no doubt it's a fantastic phone. It plays a delicate balance between the cheaper S26 and pricier Galaxy S26 Ultra by offering a large display, a big battery, and fast 45W charging.

It misses out on some Ultra features, like a secondary telephoto lens, 60W charging, and the very cool Privacy Display that can keep onlookers from seeing the contents of your display.

That said, you still get the excellent One UI experience with smooth animations, the latest features like AirDrop support, and tons of Galaxy AI capabilities like advanced photo editing and a revamped Bixby. And with Gemini Screen automation, you can let the AI handle your Uber Eats orders while you sit back and relax.

The Galaxy S26 Plus may be the awkward middle child of the S series, but you shouldn't sleep on it when it's this cheap.

Sick of giant screens? I picked out the best SMALL phones that are getting big discounts this week

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:23:44 +0000

Prime Day is nearing an end, but there are still plenty of great Android phone deals hanging around if you know where to look. That said, there's one product category that hasn't received enough attention during the sale: small phones.

As you probably noticed, Android phones have been getting bigger and bigger in recent years. That's cool if you're into that kind of thing, but there is a growing population of users who would prefer something compact and powerful over a giant display that you can barely use with one hand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available if you prefer small phones, and many of them are on sale today.

Since it's ending tonight at midnight PST, I'll start by showcasing Prime Day deals — but if you missed Amazon's sale, don't forget that Best Buy and Walmart are also running their own rival sale events. The picks below range from no-frills budget phones to clamshell devices, so without further ado, let's dive right in.

Google Pixel 10a 128GB: ~~$499~~ $399 at Amazon

The Google Pixel 10a has a compact 6.3-inch pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, plus you get an efficient Tensor chipset and loads of useful AI features under the hood. Grab the already-affordable phone before Prime Day ends and you'll get a straight $100 knocked off your purchase.

💲Did you miss Prime Day? Best Buy - $424 View Deal

Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) 512GB: ~~$799.99~~ $684.99 at Amazon

Although it's technically a last-gen device now that the 2026 Razr lineup has come along, the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) is still one of the best flip phones around, with a super pocketable form factor, two vibrant displays, and lightning-fast performance from a Snapdragon chip. Grab the clamshell foldable from Amazon today and you'll score a smooth 14% off your purchase.

💲Did you miss Prime Day? Best Buy - $699.99 View Deal

Samsung Galaxy S26 128GB: ~~$899.99~~ $699.99 at Best Buy

Although it's not quite as compact as its predecessor, the Galaxy S26's 6.3-inch AMOLED display is still small by modern standards. You also get big specs under the hood, like a Snapdragon chipset, 4,300mAh battery, and 12GB of RAM as standard. Amazon is all sold out of the 256GB configuration (512GB is still available), but you can grab the phone during Best Buy's TechFest and save $200 through Sunday. View Deal

Motorola Razr (2025) FIFA World Cup Edition 256GB: ~~$699.99~~ $549.99 at Amazon

If you want to show the world how much you've enjoyed the World Cup this year, look no further than this limited edition of the Motorola Razr (2025). This flip phone has a bunch of hidden easter eggs for sports fans, plus its 3.6-inch form factor means it's incredibly easy to throw into a pocket or use with one hand. View Deal

What is considered a small phone?

Nowadays, small phones are considered any device with a screen that's less than 6.4 inches. Considering how many modern Android phones are 6.7-inch or larger, the category is smaller than you might think.

What time does Prime Day end?

Prime Day 2026 is set to formally end at 11:59pm PST. That means you only have a few more hours to take advantage of the best Prime Day deals until they're gone for good (or until Amazon decides to launch another sale event later this year).

A Galaxy S27 Pro database listing makes it feel like everything's coming together

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:17:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro has allegedly appeared in a GSMA database listing alongside the other three models.
The listing directly mentions the phone by name with a model number that's uniquely its own.
Previous rumors claim Samsung wants to expand the Galaxy S27 series with a fourth model, and it could feature a 6.4-inch display with "Ultra-like" features.

Rumors have been drumming up what we might see from Samsung's Galaxy S27 series for months. Now there's a report that says one alleged device could be real.

The eagle eyes of OVRPlus claim that the GSMA database now (allegedly) lists a new Galaxy S model that we've seen rumored: the Galaxy S27 Pro (via SamMobile). The publication states the device was listed with model number SM-S957B/DS. What's more, the listing details the manufacturer, which is Samsung, and the device's "market name" as "Galaxy S27 Pro."

Usually, listings from GSMA bear weight, but keep in mind that nothing's confirmed until Samsung says so.

The publication kept searching and found that the database listing contains model numbers and names for the other Galaxy S27 series phones. The company has posted listings for the base Galaxy S27, S27 Plus, and S27 Ultra. These three phones were expected, as they've become commonplace for Samsung's flagship series.

Pro on the way?

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

The latest leak surrounding the Galaxy S27 Pro came from a South Korean report that said it could bring "Ultra-like" features. The report got things going by stating Samsung was looking to expand its Galaxy S series next year with one additional model: the S27 Pro. While rumors suggest it could offer an experience that's closer to the Ultra, the Pro wouldn't feature an S Pen.

What's more, Samsung could give the S27 Pro a Privacy Display. This wouldn't be the first time we've seen a fourth model injected into the Galaxy S line. My colleague Sanuj Bhatia reminded us all of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which didn't perform as well. Whether the S27 Pro is simply an experiment or not remains to be seen. On the other hand, specification rumors surfaced for the S27 Pro, stating it could offer a 6.4-inch display.

A screen like this would place it between a base Galaxy S model and a Galaxy S Plus, if we're going by Samsung's history. The Pro could also grab the Ultra's main and ultrawide cameras; however, the difference could be in its telephoto.

Android Central's Take

A Galaxy S27 Pro would shake things up for sure. I think the display size, from what these rumors have said, would make it interesting, too. The Pro wouldn't be as big as the Ultra, but would carry features like it. I can see this phone grabbing the attention of people who love the Ultra's features, but don't enjoy holding such a big phone all day everyday.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is almost here, but why wait when the Z Fold 7 is over $500 off?

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:10:00 +0000

When Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Fold 7 last year, it pushed the foldable even further into premium territory with a price close to $2,000. But thanks to Amazon's Prime Day sale, that price is no longer as hard to justify, with Samsung's flagship foldable now discounted by more than $500.

Right now, you can grab the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for just $1,470 in the U.S., a massive 27% discount from its original $2,000 price. When we reviewed the Galaxy Z Fold 7, we said it was an excellent foldable but difficult to recommend at full price. We also suggested waiting for a big sale, and that sale has finally arrived.

Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 has dropped to a record-low $1,470 for Prime Day. With the Z Fold 8 expected to bring only minor upgrades, this is one of the easiest foldable phone deals to recommend.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a thin and light foldable, a cover display that feels like a regular smartphone, flagship performance, an excellent OLED display, and Samsung's Galaxy AI features.

❌Skip this deal if: you want the biggest battery, ultra-fast charging, or need stylus support on a foldable.

The timing also makes this deal particularly interesting. Samsung is expected to unveil the Galaxy Z Fold 8 next month at Unpacked, but current rumors suggest it won't be a massive upgrade over the Fold 7. Instead, Samsung appears to be focusing most of its attention on a new, wider foldable designed to compete with Apple's rumored foldable iPhone.

That's exactly why this Galaxy Z Fold 7 deal is so compelling. You're essentially getting what will still be one of Samsung's best foldables for well over $500 less than its launch price, without giving up much compared to what's expected from the Z Fold 8.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Samsung made some meaningful changes with the Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it thinner and lighter than previous generations while also widening the cover display so it feels much closer to using a regular smartphone. It's one of the biggest reasons I'd still recommend it today, because you get the convenience of a normal phone that unfolds into a proper tablet when you need it.

Sure, it doesn't support a stylus anymore, but you still get Samsung's Galaxy AI features, one of the fastest chipsets available on Android in Snapdragon 8 Elite, and a polished foldable software experience.

If you thought the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was simply too expensive at launch, this Prime Day deal finally makes it feel like the value it should have been all along.

The Galaxy A27 5G's screen is the best thing Samsung could've done to make it interesting

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:25:36 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung detailed its Galaxy A27 5G in its launch ahead of its July 14 availability for $349 in the U.S.
The device's main highlight is its revamped display, which offers a punch-hole camera and much thinner bezels than the A26.
Samsung also switches to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC, but retains its 5,000mAh battery.

Sending us into the end of the week is Samsung's latest mid-range phone launch that looks much more appealing this time around.

The Korean OEM launched its next-generation budget phone, the Galaxy A27. The phone begins at $349 and will be available in the U.S. on July 14. While Samsung continues to place its suite of Galaxy AI features into this phone for budget-conscious consumers, the main highlight is the A27 5G's display. Samsung says it's integrated "more screen" onto this A-series phone. After the A26 5G, this was needed.

Android Central's Take

This is the biggest thing for me: the display changes. Samsung has some decent mid-range phones. Sure, the power's maybe not what you'd want, but it is a mid-range. The display is what has always been a sour note on its A-series phone. The "infinity-U" camera notch on the A26 was terrible. It ate away valuable screen space, and then there were those massive bezels. It looks like Samsung got our nudges for something more.

Consumers will find a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with up to 120Hz refresh rate. However, Samsung introduced a punch-hole (12MP) selfie camera, which you'd see on its flagship models. While there's now more available screen toward the top-middle of the A27 5G, Samsung also reduced its bordering bezels. The company states this change "adds screen space and removes distractions to keep content front and center."

At a slim 7.8mm in thickness, the company intends to offer a more favorable mid-range this summer. On the back, users will find a 50MP ultra-wide, a 50MP OIS (optical image stabilization) wide, and a 2MP macro camera.

Trying to be "awesome"

(Image credit: Samsung)

Looking inward, the Galaxy A27 5G features Qualcomm's mid-range Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Performance is the phone's focal point. Samsung says this chip facilitates "more responsive" app switching and multitasking in the A27. More importantly, it delivers a graphical boost to the phone for "smoother" gaming sessions. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging support.

Elsewhere, the A27 5G offers a wide selection of Galaxy AI features we've become accustomed to in other phones. Object Eraser for clearing blemishes from your captures, as well as Voice Transcription, find their way onto the device. Google's Circle to Search and Gemini are featured for easy lookup and AI assistance. What's more, users will have the choice to swap Gemini for Perplexity if they prefer. Let's also not forget about Samsung's Bixby, which is a third option for users looking to utilize artificial assistance.

The A27 features quite the downgrade in water/dust resistance, dropping to IP64, instead of retaining the A26's IP67.

For its support, Samsung says the A27 5G receives six generations of Android OS (One UI) upgrades and six years of security updates.

The A27 5G launches July 14 for $349 in the U.S. in black for its 6/128GB (RAM/storage) option.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra scores a record-smashing discount during Prime Day — is it finally worth the price now?

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:38:03 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is an incredible phone with one very big problem — its price. With a starting retail tag of $1,299.99, the device was simply out of reach for a lot of people at launch, which means many were waiting for Prime Day to see if an Amazon discount could lessen the blow.

Thankfully, Prime Day didn't disappoint, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is currently chilling with a whopping 29% discount through June 26th. That price drop puts the 256GB configuration at $919.99, which is well below the previously held lowest price ever recorded.

Still, 900 bucks isn't exactly small change, so many folks are wondering: is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra worth the price yet? It's not an easy question to answer, so let's break it all down.

Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: ~~$1,299.99~~ $919.99 at Amazon

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has received a lot of accolades since it first dropped in March, and now you can get the premium phone at a record low price during Amazon Prime Day. That's a $380 no-strings discount, just be sure to sign into your Prime account (or sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial) to enjoy the savings.

💲Price comparison: Best Buy - $919.99 View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a powerful Samsung phone with a large display, built-in stylus, and top-tier Snapdragon performance; you're a Samsung enthusiast who simply can't miss the latest and greatest creations from the OEM.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't necessarily need the most powerful smartphone on the market; you can get a better Galaxy S26 deal through your wireless carrier; you need the best camera tech in your smartphones.

It's no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the most powerful Android phones ever built. It's basically Samsung's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink phone, sporting the latest Snapdragon processor, unbelievable charging speeds, and a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display. The phone also comes packed with new features like Privacy Display, plus you get all of the latest AI-boosted software tricks and 12GB of RAM as standard.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

But the question here isn't whether or not the Galaxy S26 Ultra is a good phone; the question is if it's worth the $919.99 price tag during Prime Day. After all, it does has some flaws. The camera hardware is a bit underwhelming, for instance, and the Ultra's slim frame means that the battery size isn't much of an upgrade over its predecessor.

Indeed, with regular day to day use, it's unlikely that you'll notice a difference in performance between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and say, the base model Galaxy S26 (currently just $669.99 during Prime Day) or even the Google Pixel 10 (discounted to $684 today).

If you're a Samsung enthusiast who's had your eye on the Galaxy S26 Ultra for a while, then by all means jump on this deal while you have the chance. After all, it's unlikely that we'll see an unlocked S26 Ultra deal this good again until the Fall sales kick off in October. But if you just want a great phone deal this Prime Day, there are plenty of other Samsung deals that won't cost you over $900 out the door. The choice is yours.

You might not need the Galaxy S26 Ultra after seeing this record-smashing Prime Day deal

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:15:00 +0000

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is arguably the best Android phone Samsung makes right now. With features like the Privacy Display and the company's latest Galaxy AI tools, it's about as complete a flagship as you can get. But if there's one deal that makes you seriously question spending Ultra money, it's the Galaxy S26 this Prime Day.

Samsung has knocked a massive $230 off the base Galaxy S26, bringing it down from $900 to just $670. That's the lowest price we've seen on the phone so far, and at this price, the base model suddenly becomes one of the most compelling Android phone deals around.

Prime Day is back June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Samsung's Galaxy S26 is down to just $670 for Prime Day, making the compact flagship far easier to recommend. You still get Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, One UI 8.5, Galaxy AI features, and seven years of software support.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want a compact flagship Android phone with long software support, top-tier performance, and the latest Galaxy AI features.

❌Skip this deal if: you want a large display, the longest battery life possible, or built-in Qi2 support.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 earlier this year, it increased the prices of both the base and Plus models by $100. That meant a phone we were used to seeing at around $800 suddenly started at $900, making it feel like a tougher sell. Prime Day changes that completely, dropping the phone to its best price yet.

The Galaxy S26 may not be a huge upgrade over its predecessor, but if you're buying a new flagship this year and prefer a phone that's compact and easy to carry, it's one of the best options available.

You get Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset along with One UI 8.5 out of the box, giving you access to Samsung's newest Galaxy AI features. And when it comes to the display, our reviewer Brady Snyder actually found the base Galaxy S26 to reach higher peak brightness than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Sure, you miss out on the Ultra-exclusive Privacy Display and the larger battery, but if your priority is getting a reliable flagship that fits comfortably in your hand and pocket, the Galaxy S26 is arguably one of the best Android phone deals available right now.

AI is causing phone prices to go up, but you can beat the RAM crisis with this powerfully underrated Galaxy phone

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

2026 has been increasingly plagued by the ongoing RAM crisis; as companies focus their resources on building more data centers for AI, smartphone prices get higher. Fortunately, some of last year's models are largely unaffected, and phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus remain viable options in 2026. In fact, the Galaxy S25 Plus is down to its lowest price thanks to this Prime Day deal, and it's quite an incredible steal.

The Galaxy S25 Plus launched at a relatively high price of $999, which is $100 less than the Galaxy S26 Plus's launch price. As a very powerful phone, it was priced pretty reasonably, but still eye-watering. However, at 34% off, you can grab this powerful AI phone for just $664.

Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

One of Samsung's best smartphones is more than $300 off, which is an incredible discount for a phone that still has plenty of life left in it and years of updates left. This is the cheapest we've seen it since it launched so grab this discount while you can!View Deal

I've reviewed the last few Galaxy S "Plus" models, and the S25 Plus is still an incredible smartphone, even with its more powerful successor available. It's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite and sports 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is a sweet spot for most consumers.

The Galaxy S25 Plus is something of a middle child of the S series, sporting a large QHD+ display and a big, all-day battery, but without the big 200MP quad-camera system of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Still, it features an impressive triple-camera system with a 50MP primary sensor and a 3x telephoto camera. It also comes in an array of colors, my favorite being the Navy hue.

One of the great things about the Galaxy S25 Plus is that it still gets many of the latest One UI 8.5 features found on the Galaxy S26 Plus. There are plenty of AI editing tools, upgraded camera features, and even a new AI-powered Bixby. And thanks to Samsung's generous update policy, the Galaxy S25 Plus will still receive years of OS upgrades and security updates.

There are plenty of reasons why you should still grab last year's Galaxy, especially at this price. However, if you wanted the latest model, the Galaxy S26 Plus is also on sale. The phone, which originally cost $1,099, is now down to as low as $759, which is a lot more reasonable for a phone with the latest Agentic AI features.

The Galaxy S26 Plus has only been out for half a year, but it's already hit its lowest price, under $800, making this Prime Day deal an incredible value for a phone that originally cost $100 more than its predecessor at launch.View Deal

Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak reveals colors and storage for three upcoming foldables

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:05:00 +0000

What you need to know

A new leak suggests Samsung is expanding color choices across the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series and Galaxy Z Flip 8.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8 could arrive in Butter, Graphite, Lavanda, and Pistacchio, while the Fold 8 Ultra may get exclusive Green Shadow and Violet Shadow finishes.
The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to launch in Cream, Graphite, Mint, and Pink.

Samsung’s next foldables are still weeks away from being launched, but a new leak may have already revealed one of the most important details for buyers: the color options.

According to new information that has surfaced via Digital Citizen, Samsung is preparing for a larger color palette for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 family and the Galaxy Z Flip 8. Some of the familiar shades are here to stay, but a few new ones might add a little more personality to the line-up.

Standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 is said to come in four finishes:

Butter
Graphite
Lavanda
Pistacchio

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is said to be getting its own exclusive colors:

Cream
Graphite
Green Shadow
Violet Shadow

Samsung's clamshell foldable will be no different, apparently. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 colors may be cream, graphite, mint, and pink.

Cream and graphite appear to be the common thread across all three devices, but Samsung is giving each model a pair of unique colors to help distinguish them.

Storage options have also reportedly surfaced. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to come with either 256GB or 512GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Fold 8 Ultra are also expected to get a 1TB variant along with 256GB and 512GB options. Fortunately, the leak indicates that Samsung will not restrict certain colors to certain storage configurations.

While Samsung has yet to formally announce its next Unpacked event, recent FCC filings indicate that launch preparations are already underway. The rumors now indicate July in London.

Of course, all these details are based on leaks, and so there is always a chance Samsung could change things before launch. But if the info pans out, the company's 2026 foldable lineup could be more diverse than we've seen in years — and buyers sick of playing it safe with black and silver phones may finally have some new options.

Android Central's Take

For one, I’m glad to see Samsung putting a little more thought into color options this year. Foldable phones are pricey devices, and owners deserve something that feels a little more personal than another shade of gray. More variety gives users the chance to pick a phone that really speaks to their style instead of taking whatever neutral option is left in the shop. That said, colors alone won't sell people on an upgrade. Samsung can paint these phones Pistachio or Violet Shadow or whatever fancy marketing name it comes up with next, but if the hardware and software improvements don’t feel meaningful, a fresh coat of paint will just look like a distraction rather than real progress.

Samsung's UFS 5.0 sets the tone for snappy AI on phones, aims for Q4 production

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:28:16 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung announced UFS 5.0 storage, stating it has achieved up to 9.5 GB/s writing and up to 10.8 GB/s reading speeds.
The company states UFS 5.0's power efficiency rose by 40% compared to the 4.1 solution, and it's 16.7% smaller.
Samsung also states UFS 5.0 upgrades on-device AI, providing quicker response times and lower latency, and it intends to enter mass production by Q4 2026.

The next generation of phone storage is on the way. Samsung announced the "fastest" solution for mobile phones, which means its next Galaxy series could get it.

This week, Samsung announced the UFS 5.0 storage solution for mobile devices. The latest memory standard can reportedly achieve "up to 10.8 gigabytes per second" (reading speed). The company adds that its development pushes UFS 5.0's writing speeds up to 9.5 GB/s. Samsung touts that its 5.0 solution is roughly "twice as fast" as the UFS 4.1 storage, which you'd find in the OnePlus 15.

Power efficiency has shot up with UFS 5.0 by "more than" 40%. What's more, Samsung was able to minimize its storage by ~16.7%, meaning thin phones aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Samsung states this advancement is not only a boon for phones, but smaller storage solutions mean better applications in wearables and XR devices.

While this aims to benefit phones and more, Samsung is eyeing another key aspect of mobile devices nowadays: AI. UFS 5.0 is said to facilitate "much faster storage and processing of large data" for on-device AI. Reduced latency and quicker response times from LLMs (large language models) will see improvements, too. With the announcement in June, Samsung states it aims to enter mass production of UFS 5.0 storage in Q4 2026. It will produce this in various sizes, up to 1TB of storage.

Much like its application outlook, Samsung intends for UFS 5.0 to be used in flagship phones, hoping to meet next-gen demand/growth.

Everybody loves good storage

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The announcement and Samsung's intentions for UFS 5.0 are interesting when you think back to those Galaxy S27 rumors. Mid-April reports claimed Samsung was shifting its mindset, moving to integrate UFS 5.0 into the Galaxy S27 series. However, while intriguing (and interesting now after the full reveal), the upgrade might not enhance the entire series. Apparently, UFS 5.0 will only arrive for "some"of Samsung's S27 series.

It's still unclear which devices would see it, but we're at least expecting the S27 Ultra to have it. Samsung states in its post that it plans to mass-produce UFS 5.0 late this year, but pricing is still a concern (per the rumors). We've seen how the phone market's been trending. Samsung reportedly has a lot to consider before applying this solution to its next phones.

Android Central's Take

Reading and writing speeds for a hard drive are crucial when it comes to computers. I never want my PC lagging behind during a download or while transferring files. It's the same sentiment when it comes to phones. Why get an expensive phone if it's lacking in its storage solution? If it's slow and takes too long for basic processes? This upgrade is double whammy, as Samsung's not only quickening its memory usefulness, impacting apps and more, but it also helps AI (more Galaxy AI anyone?).

Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals are still alive and kicking — record-smashing S26 discounts, SSD savings, and so much more

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:02:55 +0000

We're on the final day of Prime Day is now, and thankfully there is still no shortage of outstanding Samsung Galaxy deals to explore. Whether you're trying to upgrade your smartphone, wearable, or add a little extra storage to your laptop, hundreds of dollars of savings are up for grabs right now.

Naturally, I've included a selection of my favorite Samsung Galaxy deals from Prime Day 2026 into this guide. Many of the offers on display are breaking records too — clobbering even Black Friday prices — so be sure to place your order before Prime Day wraps up at the end of the day today, June 26th.

Don't forget that many of the best Prime Day discounts are exclusive to members. Haven't signed up for Prime just yet? Fear not: Amazon is running a 30-day free trial that lets you explore the ins and outs of a membership without paying a penny. You can even cancel at any time.

Prime Day quick links

Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Samsung Galaxy deals

Easily one of the most powerful Android phones ever built, the Galaxy S26 Ultra sports a luxurious design with a bounty of premium hardware. It's also pretty expensive, which is why I'm pleased to see Amazon slash 29% off the price of the phone during Prime DayView Deal

The base model Galaxy S26 boasts a lovely 6.3-inch AMOLED display with a Snapdragon processor and all of the latest Galaxy AI-boosted software features. Grab the flagship unlocked from Amazon today and you'll score a straight $200 off your purchase. View Deal

The middle child in Samsung's Galaxy S26 lineup, the S26 Plus boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset and a larger battery than the standard model. Best of all, it's $340 off during Prime Day!View Deal

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is our favorite Android smartwatch on the market today, and now you can save a straight 38% by buying the wearable during Amazon's early Prime Day sale. Just keep in mind that the the next-gen Galaxy Watch 9 is likely to be announced during a Samsung Unpacked event in July! View Deal

If you need a bit more power, look no further than the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Currently a whopping 42% off at Amazon, this rugged 47mm wearable boasts a bright, durable display with all of the latest health and fitness tracking software and some of the best battery life in the biz. View Deal

Need a new laptop? Head to Amazon today and you can score a whopping 42% off the powerful Samsung Galaxy Book 4 with included wireless mouse and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage. View Deal

Need a new pair of earbuds to match your other Samsung devices? The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are the perfect companions, with powerful noise cancellation, balanced sound, and seamless integration with the Samsung device ecosystem.View Deal

Currently a whopping 43% off at Amazon, the Galaxy Tab A11 Plus is a versatile tablet with a spacious 90Hz display, expandable storage, and enough power to handle gaming and streaming with ease. View Deal

Storage devices just keep getting more and more expensive, but that doesn't mean you can't find a good deal if you know where to look. Buy Samsung's 1TB T7 SSD from Amazon today and you'll get a cool 31% carved off the price. View Deal

Internal SSDs aren't exactly our bread and butter here at Android Central, but I'd be remiss if I didn't include this Prime Day deal that carves 42% off Samsung's ultra-fast 990 Pro PCIe 4.0 SSD with 2TB of storage. View Deal

Prime Day FAQ

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

When is Prime Day 2026?

Prime Day 2026 kicked off on June 23rd and concludes today, June 26th, which means you have only today to take advantage of some of the year's best deals at Amazon.

Can you shop Prime Day deals with an Amazon Prime free trial?

Yes! If you're not an Prime member, you can sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a subscription, including free shipping, unlimited streaming, and access to all of the best deals during Prime Day 2026. The best part is that you can cancel your membership at any time, which means you can sign up for the free trial today, do a bunch of shopping during Prime Day, and cancel your account after the sale without paying a cent.

Samsung's Privacy Display may not stay exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra for long

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:03:28 +0000

What you need to know

A new leak claims Samsung is testing the Privacy Display feature for the smaller Galaxy S27 Pro.
Samsung is rumored to launch four Galaxy S27 models next year, including a new Pro variant.
The Galaxy S27 Pro could feature a 6.47-inch display while retaining several Ultra-level features.

According to a new leak, Samsung could bring the Privacy Display feature from the Galaxy S26 Ultra to the rumored Galaxy S27 Pro next year.

It's only been a few months since the Galaxy S26 Ultra launched, but rumors surrounding the Galaxy S27 lineup have already started appearing. We recently heard reports suggesting Samsung could skip major hardware changes for the Galaxy S27 series due to rising component costs. At the same time, another rumor claimed the company may finally bring native Qi2 support to the Galaxy S27 lineup.

Now, a new leak from Digital Chat Station suggests Samsung could expand the Privacy Display feature beyond the Ultra model. For those who haven't been following the rumors, Samsung is reportedly planning to launch four Galaxy S27 models next year: the base model, Plus, Ultra, and a new Pro variant.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Galaxy S27 Pro is said to bring many of the Ultra's premium features to a smaller form factor, something Samsung fans have been asking for for years. According to the leak, Samsung is currently testing a 6.47-inch display for the Galaxy S27 Pro with Privacy Display technology built in.

For those who don't remember, Privacy Display is one of the new features of the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It prevents people viewing your screen from the side from seeing what's displayed by limiting visibility angles at the hardware level. When enabled, the person directly in front of the screen can see everything normally, while anyone viewing from the side mostly sees a darkened display.

This could be the Galaxy phone I'd actually buy

The leak also claims that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will feature a 6.89-inch 2K display, which would be very similar to the panel found on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S27 Pro, meanwhile, would offer a much more manageable screen size at just under 6.5 inches.

Of course, it's still far too early to treat any of this as confirmed. Samsung could easily add, remove, or change features before launch. We saw something similar happen with the Galaxy S26 lineup, where plans reportedly shifted late in development. There's also no guarantee that the Galaxy S27 Pro itself will actually launch.

That said, if Samsung does go ahead with the Galaxy S27 Pro, it could end up being one of the most interesting Galaxy phones in years. A smaller flagship with the Privacy Display feature is something I've wanted Samsung to build for a long time.

Rising costs could force Samsung to keep things mild for the Galaxy S27 next year

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Rumors from the social media platform Naver suggest Samsung could "freeze" upgrades that would raise the base Galaxy S27's price.
Such upgrades would be its display, as well as the phone's cameras next year.
Recent rumors suggest the company could rework its cameras to fit Qi2 magnets in the Galaxy S27 series, as well as a potential UFS 5.0 storage upgrade.

Rumors have started on an overseas social media platform, claiming Samsung's next base-level flagship could be a little underwhelming.

On Naver, tipster Lanzuk claims Samsung has turned away from certain changes/upgrades for the Galaxy S27 (via WccfTech). There's still some uncertainty behind these rumors, but judging by the smartphone market's current climate, perhaps there's merit. The tipster claims Samsung "will not change" the base Galaxy S27's camera in any meaningful way. Speculation pushes us to believe the device could look vastly similar to what we received with the Galaxy S26.

Android Central's Take

These rumors might be disappointing to users who like the smaller, entry-level flagship Galaxy. I'd imagine this would be the result of the company trying to manage interesting next-gen phones, while also giving users something a little more "affordable." It's still fairly early, so we'll have to wait a while to know how accurate these rumors are, and the Galaxy S27 will take a bad hit or not.

On the other hand, the tipster suggests Samsung won't be able to upgrade the "display materials" for the S27. This is where the market's current climate comes into play. Lanzuk claims that the OEM is "freezing cost increase factors," potentially hinting that any S27 display upgrades would drive up its price.

There's enough of that going on already with tech due to RAM, thanks to AI. The Naver post adds that there's allegedly been no "supply chain activity" from Samsung and that it could seek BOE for its display hardware.

Where to go from here

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

There hasn't been much about the base Galaxy S27, and maybe that's for a reason. However, there was one rumor that could impact future consumers of this model. Reports claim Samsung could give the next series a UFS 5.0 storage upgrade, but it might not arrive for every phone. Rumors only said that "some" models would see this, which, if we're thinking realistically here, would likely involve the Ultra.

Nothing is set in stone about this (other than this being a rumor). Apparently, Samsung is considering how phone prices would rise with this upgrade, as well as "mass production costs." What's more exciting is a rumor that claims Samsung is working on proper Qi2 integration and a camera redesign to make this happen. It's unclear how drastic this "redesign" could be. What's been said is that the cameras would have to move in order for Samsung to fit the Qi2 magnets into the phones.

This is still the best Samsung Galaxy S26 deal on the web, and nobody is talking about it

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:30:44 +0000

Everybody is getting pumped for next week's Prime Day sale event, but if you're on the hunt for an amazing Samsung Galaxy S26 deal, you don't need to wait. Mint Mobile has been running one of the best smartphone promotions on the web for months, and while it's no longer in the headlines, it deserves a second look before it's gone for good.

Purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 with one year of the Unlimited plan and Mint Mobile will give you $500 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That means you're getting a powerful 2026 flagship phone and a full 12 months of T-Mobile-powered wireless service for only $580 upfront (or $49 per month using affirm). The deal gets even better when you trade in, as Mint Mobile will give you up to $400 of additional savings depending on the age and condition of the device.

Mint Mobile has my favorite Galaxy S26 deal, and I don't care who knows it

Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB: ~~$900~~ $400, plus 50% off one year of Unlimited at Mint Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a sleek flagship phone that comes equipped with a gorgeous 6.3-inch OLED display, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features. You also get an upgraded battery and seven years of guaranteed OS and security updates.

Purchase the phone from Mint Mobile alongside one year of the Unlimited plan and the carrier will slash $500 off the phone AND give you 50% off the wireless, no strings attached. View Deal

I've been covering Samsung Galaxy S26 deals on a regular basis since the phone first debuted in March, and Mint's offer continues to impress as one of the best on the web. It's really all about the simplicity for me. Unlike most carrier deals, which force you to process a trade-in or sign up for some expensive data plan to receive the savings, all you need to do is hit the Add to Cart button to receive the phone and wireless bundle.

Activation just takes a few minutes, and again, it'll only cost you $580 out the door to get a new phone AND cover your phone bill until 2027. Considering that the Galaxy S26 usually retails for $900 on its own, it's a pretty remarkable opportunity.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

For a little perspective, think about it this way: according to Camelcamelcamel.com (an Amazon price history tracking tool) the price of the Samsung Galaxy S26 has never dropped lower than $799.99 at Amazon. Let's be generous and say that the upcoming Prime Day sale event drops the flagship phone to $699.99 unlocked. That's still $120 more expensive than Mint Mobile's deal, and it doesn't come with the full year of unlimited T-Mobile-powered wireless. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Sure, if you prefer the simplicity of unlocked phones or you don't want to commit to a full year of Mint, then this deal isn't for you. But if you hate paying your phone bill and you want a great deal on a great Samsung phone, grab this Mint Mobile offer before it disappears.

Nightmarish Galaxy S23 reports after downloading One UI 8.5 have me terrified

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Galaxy S23 Ultra users report a strange "pink vertical line" on their screen after downloading the One UI 8.5 upgrade.
A user states more problems have surfaced, such as glitches, animation bugs, and flickering font sizes/display scaling.
Recent report say Samsung removed the video filters option from Galaxy phones downloading the One UI 8.5 update.

Samsung has continued to roll out One UI 8.5 to its past-gen phones; however, one series is having problems to user wants to see.

A thread recently appeared on Samsung's Community Forum by a user with a Galaxy S23 Ultra who states the One UI 8.5 update messed up their display (via SamMobile). According to the user's report, after downloading the update, "a pink vertical line" appeared on their screen. The user covers their bases, stating their device has not received any external damage, nor have its internals been exposed to water.

Android Central's Take

I kept going through the thread, and users are upset. Understandably, I might add. We've been waiting for One UI 8.5 for months. Samsung's gone through extensive tests and bug fixes and delays. All users want is software that works. While bugs can happen, something like this really leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Hopefully it gets fixed quickly, but who knows how much pep is in Samsung's step.

The phone's display was perfectly fine beforehand, but now that One UI 8.5 is here, so is the pink line. It's unclear how widespread the problem is; however, some users have reported experiencing a similar phenomenon on their Galaxy S23 devices. The original poster went into more detail after a community moderator entered the thread.

Alongside the vertical strip, the user states their device's "font size and display scaling keep changing randomly and flickering." What's more, their display will strangely zoom in and out on its own, with stuttering, lag, and animation glitches becoming commonplace.

The moderator offered pretty standard at-home solutions: restart the device, update software (which seems to be the cause), and more. None of these seemed to offer relief. Samsung hasn't acknowledged these issues yet, so S23 users should take this with caution if you're just getting One UI 8.5.

Take a beat

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

One UI 8.5's stable rollout finally got going early in May. The software has been in testing since late 2025 and first arrived on the Galaxy S26 series. This was expected. The newer devices usually rock the latest software, but we were expecting One UI 8.5 to hit the Galaxy S25 and maybe the S24 shortly after. That didn't happen, as we've only just gotten our hands on it in May. Early on, Samsung started rolling it out for the Galaxy S25 and S24 series, alongside the Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S10.

Now the patch is hitting the S23, and with a problem no one would ever want. While Samsung seems to have picked up the pace for this software, maybe it's time for it to take a minute to fix this grueling issue. Reports popped up late in May about Samsung seemingly removing video features in One UI 8.5.

A user stated that the company took away the filters option for recordings. Multiple users chimed in, reporting the same.

Samsung hits a triple: One UI 9 Beta 3 is here for enrolled Galaxy S26 phones

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is reportedly rolling out One UI 9 Beta 3 to a few regions with enrolled Galaxy S26 devices.
The patch is 1.7GB and includes mostly bug fixes for Galaxy S26 phones.
Samsung has been speeding ahead with One UI 9, as tests originally began early in May before Beta 2 arrived later that same month.

Samsung's development for One UI 9 continues this week, as reports state another beta is rolling out for its flagships.

This update seems to be restricted to only a few regions. According to SamMobile, One UI 9 Beta 3 is rolling out for the Galaxy S26 series as vS94xBXXU3ZZF7. The patch is quite substantial at 1.7GB. However, the publication states this patch is "available in select markets," like South Korea, the U.K., Poland, and India. This update comes with Samsung's June 2026 security patch to keep testers up-to-date.

The changelog mostly informs users of the fixes Samsung is rolling out. The company states it's rolling out a fix for a device reboot that would occur while streaming videos. Another fix rolls in for a white screen issue that would appear when taking a call on the Galaxy S26.

Background issue fixes continue, as Samsung highlights solving a black background problem when pulling down the status bar. The Files app receives a fix, so now users can finally see a complete list of what's stored on their device, instead of getting stopped partway. The remainder of the patch notes is as follows:

Improved focus accuracy when using 30x camera zoom
Fixed an issue where the home screen would not swipe left or right when using the pen
Fixed an issue where widget information, such as weather and battery on the lock screen, was not updating correctly
Fixed an issue where part of the camera preview screen was cropped under certain conditions
Improved errors related to the privacy display when setting routines or toggling the Quick Panel ON/OFF

That makes three

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

We might see this update hit U.S. Galaxy S26 devices later in the week. Keep your eyes peeled if your device is enrolled.

Samsung's been wasting no time in preparing its next major OS update. Its Android 17-based software got underway in May, then we received Beta 2 late that same month. This update was also quite large at 1.6GB, and its patch notes were no different than what we're seeing today. Samsung continues to implement bug fixes as it fine-tunes its software ahead of release. A Good Lock module (LockStar) received a fix late last month, solving a lock screen clock issue.

Another fix concerned users attempting to delete messages in bulk. Originally, reports discussed new features in One UI 9. It looks like Samsung is working on linking its Contacts app and the Creative Studio, alongside customization tools in the Notes app.

Android Central's Take

Beta 3 is here, and it feels like Samsung's working to meet a deadline. We're kind of expecting Samsung to reveal One UI 9 later this summer, right around Unpacked for its foldables. If that's going to be the case, then it makes sense that it's working tirelessly to get things ready. Samsung's summer event is usually held in July, and we're expecting that this year.

Brand New Day: Samsung's foldables swing with Spider-Man, but you'll need the Spidey Tracker

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:08:34 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung announces a real-world campaign alongside Sony and Spider-Man: Brand New Day that brings the movie's Spidey Tracker to life.
On June 17, users can interact with the Spidey Tracker to see where our favorite webslinger is, and you might spot hidden easter eggs and more.
Samsung is showcasing its foldables and watches in the new movie, displaying the line's usability.

We all know the classic Spider-Man song, but this summer's movie is being bolstered by Samsung's devices and an app created by the film's Ned Leeds (played by Jacob Batalon).

Samsung wants to swing with the friendly neighborhood webslinger this summer, announcing the Spidey Tracker powered by Galaxy. The company says it's looking to "expand the narrative beyond the film" with this sticky (I'll stop the puns) collaboration. The Spidey Tracker is an interactive campaign that users can play with to follow Spider-Man sightings and "engage with the story in real time."

The tracker is coming online on June 17 in 35 countries worldwide.

Jeffrey Godsick, executive vice president, Global Partnerships, Sony Pictures Entertainment, said, "Spider-Man has always been a hero defined by his connection to his community. Teaming up with Samsung helped bring that spirit to life both on screen and beyond, integrating the technology people use every day into Spider-Man’s world while also bringing innovative and fun new ways for fans to engage through the Spidey Tracker."

Samsung's campaign with Spider-Man: Brand New Day doesn't stop at the tracker. The post highlights real-world moments where users can spot cast appearances and interviews, hidden easter eggs, content drops, and more. In the film, Samsung says movie-lovers will see the "portability" and usefulness of the Galaxy Z Flip, Fold, and Galaxy Watch in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

The company teases that users might even see Spider-Man pop up at an Experience Store in this campaign. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters July 31.

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a...

Samsung

Users should keep an eye out for the Spidey Tracker website tomorrow to begin tracking our favorite webslinger. Story-wise, Ned Leeds developed the tracker and is seen using it on a Galaxy Z Fold 7, as well as Spider-Man's mask on his Galaxy Watch. We'll have to wait for the movie to see how everything works for real in the Marvel Universe.

Samsung's making moves with this decision, and there's no getting around how extremely popular the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was last year. The Fold 7 was made lighter and thinner than previous iterations, and Samsung upgraded its hinge to withstand hundreds of thousands of folds. If you're thinking about the Galaxy Watch, the recent series has been upgraded with better health tracking and features to keep users on top of their wellbeing. Moreover, there was a report about the Galaxy Watch successfully detecting a fainting spell before it happened.

Android Central's Take

Needless to say, I'm a comic book nerd. This is pretty cool. Aside from the comics, if you've ever played the recent Spider-Man games on a PlayStation 5, there's something like a "tracking" aspect with him there. It's more social media based, and Spider-Man has a ton of followers there.

Samsung's next foldables and smartwatches are one step closer to launch

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:39:42 +0000

What you need to know

Several upcoming Samsung foldables and smartwatches have now cleared FCC certification in the U.S.
The FCC listings suggest Samsung's rumored July 22 Galaxy Unpacked event remains on schedule.
The rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide has not appeared yet, but its FCC filing could arrive soon.

Samsung is rumored to launch its next generation of foldable phones and smartwatches very soon, and the devices have just cleared a major launch hurdle in the U.S.

Samsung arguably makes some of the best foldable phones available today. The company made a significant leap forward with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 last year, and now attention is shifting to its upcoming foldable lineup. Samsung is rumored to launch as many as four foldable phones this year, and several of them have now appeared in FCC filings.

As spotted by Android Authority, FCC listings for Samsung's upcoming foldables and smartwatches have gone live. The publication identified multiple model numbers and linked them to the devices they're expected to represent.

Model Number	Rumored Device Name
SM-F776U	Galaxy Z Flip 8
SM-F976U	Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
SM-L340	Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm, Wi-Fi)
SM-L345	Galaxy Watch 9 (40mm, Cellular)
SM-L350	Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm, Wi-Fi)
SM-L355	Galaxy Watch 9 (44mm, Cellular)
SM-L715	Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 (Cellular)

The filings themselves don't reveal much about the hardware, but they do indicate that Samsung is getting very close to launch. Devices typically appear in FCC databases only when they're nearing commercial release, which adds further weight to reports suggesting Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for July 22.

One interesting detail, however, is that the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide hasn't yet appeared in FCC listings. That doesn't necessarily mean the device won't launch in the U.S., only that its filing may not have surfaced yet.

If Samsung is planning to release it alongside the rest of the lineup, we could see those documents appear in the coming days or weeks.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which is expected to succeed the Galaxy Z Fold 7, is rumored to bring several upgrades, including a larger battery, a newer chipset, and potentially the return of S Pen support. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide is expected to serve as Samsung's answer to Apple's rumored foldable iPhone, which is also expected to arrive later this year.

Android Central's Take

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra sounds like it'll be a solid refinement — and that's great and all, but the foldable I'm actually interested in is the Wide Fold. A wider aspect ratio could finally fix one of my biggest complaints with book-style foldables.

Should you wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8?

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 14:54:00 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series has consistently offered flip phones fit to compete with Motorola's Razr lineup. When I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 last year, I recommended it over the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025. Despite the raw performance and multitasking software deficiencies of the Galaxy Z Flip 7, it felt polished, premium, and durable. About a year later, the Motorola Razr 2026 family is already here, and we're awaiting the official launch of the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

If you were considering buying an Android flip phone ahead of an expected launch, I'd usually recommend waiting to see what happens. This year is different. Component shortages are raising prices across the board, and the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could be affected. For perspective, every Razr 2026 model — including the base, Plus, and Ultra variants — received a price hike of at least $100 this year. Could the latest flip phone launch be a sign of what's to come for the Galaxy Z Flip 8?

There's no perfect answer as to whether you should wait for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 or buy one of its competitors today. With so many unknowns, we don't know for sure how the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will stack up. That said, there's as good a reason as ever to buy now and avoid the risk of price hikes or sellouts.

Why you should wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Pricing considerations aside, this could be a big year for the Galaxy Z Flip line. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 is expected to include a number of upgrades, starting with the chipset. It'll be powered by the Samsung Exynos 2600, which uses a smaller 2nm Gate-All-Around (GAA) architecture. Compared to the Galaxy Z Flip 7's Exynos 2500 platform, the newer chip offers CPU performance up to 39% faster while delivering better power efficiency.

We know this because the Exynos 2600 already powers the Samsung Galaxy S26 in some regions, giving us a taste of how the Galaxy Z Flip 8 might perform. That processor is rumored to be paired with 12GB memory and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. The operating system will be One UI 9 based on Android 17, and we hope that Samsung finally opens up the cover screen for running full-screen apps without installing Good Lock.

There's quite a bit of room for Samsung to build upon the Galaxy Z Flip 7. The IP48 rating could be bumped to IP68, and the Qi2 Ready wireless charging could be replaced with the magnetic version. The device could get thinner or lighter, too. Unfortunately, none of these potential improvements is a sure thing for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. In fact, it may be more likely that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 doesn't include these upgrades, so keep this in mind as you make your choice.

(Image credit: Mymobile / @Onleaks)

For those who care about software support, the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will start with Android 17 and get a full seven years of guaranteed Android OS upgrades. While you could go with a Galaxy Z Flip 7 instead, it'll have a software support window that is a year shorter once it gets the Android 17 upgrade. The situation on Motorola Razr phones is worse, as you only get three years of Android OS upgrades, even on the flagship Ultra models.

You can also expect that the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will get new software features that may remain exclusive to Samsung's latest phones, at least to start. There's a new Gemini Intelligence suite of premium AI features set to debut on the Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 10 series later this summer. Might the Galaxy Z Flip 8 also be included? It certainly sounds reasonable.

So, there are a few solid reasons to wait for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. You'll probably get a new processor and major software improvements, with other uncertain hardware upgrades possible as a bonus. If the price is the same or only slightly higher than the Galaxy Z Flip 7, the newer model will be worth the wait.

Why you shouldn't wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Brady Snyder / Android Central

The biggest question mark surrounding the Galaxy Z Flip 8 is the phone's potential price point. If it launches at the same $1,099 sticker price as the Galaxy Z Flip 7, there may be enough upgrades to justify the purchase. After all, a new processor and exclusive software additions are all but guaranteed. That might be wishful thinking, though.

We just saw Motorola hike its flip phone prices, and Samsung increased the cost of both the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Plus earlier this year. Given the precedent, I'm going to assume the Galaxy Z Flip 8 will cost more until proven otherwise. To be clear, I hope I'm wrong. Reports from Korean news outlets like Newspim suggest the same.

A forthcoming Galaxy Z Flip 8 model with 256GB of storage could cost, say, $100 or $200 more and still make sense with carrier discounts. Those who purchase their phones unlocked and pay in full might find a $1,199 or $1,299 Galaxy Z Flip 8 a tough sell, and I can't really blame them.

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

Usually, I'd recommend interested buyers consider grabbing a discounted current-generation model ahead of the new one's debut, but the market conditions threw a wrinkle in that, too. The Galaxy Z Flip 7 isn't discounted at all by Samsung, Best Buy, or Amazon, likely due to the pricing challenges we've covered. If you're worried about the Galaxy Z Flip 8 being more expensive, it still might make sense to keep an eye out for a Galaxy Z Flip 7 deal instead of waiting.

An outside contender is the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025. The phone's successor, the Razr Ultra 2026, costs a whopping $1,500. It's not a serious option for people on most budgets. Meanwhile, the Razr Ultra 2025 is available for $800 and comes with 1TB of storage, and it'll make you think twice about waiting for the Galaxy Z Flip 8.

You'll need to accept the year-old processor and very short software support window. Those who can get over those hurdles could find themselves acquiring an outstanding flip phone for an even better price.

What about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 FE?

(Image credit: Nirave Gondhia)

Last year brought us the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and a cheaper Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, but will we get two Galaxy Z Flip 8 models this time around? It doesn't seem likely, as we haven't heard much of anything about a Galaxy Z Flip 8 FE, and we keep hearing about the Galaxy Z Flip 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 (wide), and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Samsung might be skipping the "Fan Edition" version this year, so don't hold your breath waiting for it.

We won't have to wait much longer to see what the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 holds. Rumors point to a Galaxy Unpacked event in London set for July 22, 2026. This is likely where we'll see the new Samsung foldables for the first time, with general availability coming around two weeks later.

Samsung

Galaxy Z Flip 7

The best, for now

If you need a superb Samsung flip phone today, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is your best bet. It includes a larger 4.1-inch cover screen, a capable Exynos 2500 processor, and One UI software. However, you still might want to wait for the Galaxy Z Flip 8 or opt for a Motorola Razr instead.

Should you wait for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8?

Nicholas Sutrich — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:35:14 +0000

For a few years there, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series was feeling a little boring. Most releases were very minor tweaks of the previous year's design, and Samsung wasn't pushing specs like it used to. But last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 changed that when it debuted as the thinnest foldable of all time, and Samsung apparently isn't done making major design changes for 2026's rumored release.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to debut in two sizes for the first time, and it appears to follow an industry trend of making book-style foldables wider rather than taller. If you don't like that trend, that's OK, because Samsung is allegedly going to offer both a tall and wide variant of the Z Fold 8, with a few other changes in store.

Is it worth waiting for the Galaxy Z Fold 8? Considering we're expecting to see the unveiling in just a few weeks on July 22 (per rumors), I'd say there's no reason to rush into a buying decision until then.

What changes do we expect for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8?

(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

While the Galaxy Z Fold 8 family is sure to receive the latest round of Qualcomm processors, the rumored size changes are apparently making Samsung consider a bit of a name change to the Z Fold 8. Here's what we expect to see:

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: This one's the "true" successor to the Z Fold 7 and is said to look nearly identical to that phone. Same tall dimensions, three cameras on the back, and top-tier specs with a slightly larger battery than last year. This one's rumored to be 2mm thicker than the Z Fold 7.
The Galaxy Z Fold 8: The standard Z Fold 8 is said to be the wider model, which essentially looks like someone took a Z Fold 7 and squashed it down. This is supposed to be more of a passport shape, allegedly only has room for two rear cameras, and likely has a smaller battery than the Ultra.
S Pen support is rumored to be added to at least one of these models. If I had to bet money on which one, it would be the Ultra since it's rumored to be thicker than the Z Fold 7.

S Pen support seems to be up in the air, depending on which rumor you follow. The latest rumors suggest the Ultra is 2mm thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, making it 0.18 mm thicker than the recently released Motorola Razr Fold.

Motorola's excellent foldable supports stylus input on both the inner and outer displays, something Samsung never offered on the Z Fold series, so this rumored thickness increase for the Z Fold 8 Ultra is almost certainly S Pen-related, if it's true.

2 big reasons to wait

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

If you're happy with the current size and shape of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra should offer a similar look and feel, albeit in a slightly thicker form factor (assuming that rumor is true). Samsung likely chose the name Ultra for this model because it's packing in all the tricks instead of focusing on a single ultra-thin model, as it did in 2025.

That means potential Z Fold 8 Ultra buyers can expect better battery life than the Z Fold 7, as well as potential camera upgrades and likely S Pen support. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 through 6 supported S Pen input on their foldable inner screens, but Samsung removed this support on the Z Fold 7 to keep it as thin as possible.

Stylus support comes with a thicker build, and since the Z Fold 8 Ultra is rumored to be 2mm thicker than the Z Fold 7, we're feeling pretty good about potential S Pen support returning. Since the battery is rumored to only be increasing by 600mAh, there's little likelihood that the thickness increase is only for battery space.

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

Furthermore, if you find current book-style foldables to be too unwieldy and tall, Samsung's rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 may be the device you were looking for. Oppo first launched a wide foldable in 2021, but abandoned the wide design a few years later. Google also debuted its first Pixel Fold with a wide design, and I hate to say I told you so, but Google got it right the first time.

Now, the wide design trend is back and looks to be better than ever. Huawei just launched its second-generation wide foldable, and now it's rumored that Vivo, Honor, and even Apple are launching wide foldable phones this year.

That means Samsung has a lot of upcoming competition in this space, so while you should wait for the Z Fold 8 if you want a wider foldable, I don't think you should actually buy something until you hear from the rest of those companies sometime this autumn.

Plenty of reasons to consider something else

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung gets a lot of things right, but the company has been guilty of "coasting" in more than one area in the past few years. Samsung's foldable phones nearly always sport the latest processors and have truly excellent software that's backed up for years to come, but the rest of the spec sheet falls behind the competition in some major areas.

Every other Android vendor with a book-style foldable phone — with the exception of Google Pixel Fold models — puts substantially higher-capacity, faster-charging silicon-carbon batteries inside their devices. That means longer battery life and less time hooked up to a charger than Samsung's phones.

Other companies, like Honor and Motorola, also offer even better build quality and life-proofing than Samsung does. The Razr Fold, for instance, has an IP49 rating, which makes it more resistant to water jets and other water-related activities than Samsung's IP48 rating. Folks outside of North America can also choose from the Oppo Find N6, which offers an IP59 rating, or the Honor Magic V6, which is IP69 rated.

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Samsung also often falls behind in cameras and displays, even if the company often experiments with things like anti-reflective displays and its trademark Privacy Display. The rumor is that the Z Fold 8 and 8 Ultra won't see either of those display enhancements, and there's no word on whether Samsung will finally make its displays safe for PWM-sensitive people.

We've also seen a massive jump in foldable phone camera quality over the past two years, with brands like Honor, Oppo, and (surprisingly) Motorola leading the way. Much of this has come from hardware and design innovation, as manufacturers figure out new ways to put big camera sensors into thin phones.

The Z Fold has never had cutting-edge cameras, and the Z Fold 8 family likely won't either. That's even more the case if you're considering the wider Z Fold 8 model, which is rumored to only have two cameras on the back.

One more thing

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

If you've been looking to buy any new piece of electronics this year, you're almost certainly aware of the huge price increases sweeping the world as AI data center construction has jacked up the prices of storage and RAM. Given that Samsung has already raised prices on many of its existing phones, there's little doubt the Z Fold 8 family will be subjected to the same price increases.

Samsung isn't alone in that, obviously, but nearly any new phone will cost you more than it would have last year, and that's a difficult reality to deal with in a year of high inflation. Even if you were going to buy an existing phone, though, you're going to pay those higher prices, so you might as well wait for a new model and see what the final word is.

A souped-up Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and a wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 certainly sound enticing, especially if you live in North America and have fewer options than the rest of the world, so why not wait until mid-July to make a decision you won't regret? I know I certainly would.

Galaxy phones are finally getting a feature Android users have wanted for years

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:57:44 +0000

What you need to know

One UI 9 finally adds a network speed meter to Galaxy phones.
Users can now monitor real-time upload and download speeds directly from the status bar while connected to Wi-Fi or mobile data.
The feature arrives through Good Lock's updated QuickStar module, eliminating the need for third-party apps or root-based workarounds.

Samsung has packed Galaxy phones with customization options for quite some time, but one surprisingly common Android feature has been missing. Finally, that changes with One UI 9.

The new software update from Samsung includes a built-in network speed indicator that allows users to view real-time upload and download speeds from the status bar, as spotted by SammyGuru. It’s a feature many Chinese Android brands have had for years, and Galaxy owners have repeatedly asked Samsung to add.

Previously, users of Galaxy devices who wanted this feature had to resort to third-party applications or unofficial hacks that required root access. With One UI 9, there’s a more official way through Samsung’s Good Lock ecosystem.

Early Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals: discounted S26 Ultra, Galaxy Watch 8

The feature hides inside QuickStar

The new choice comes through an upgraded version of QuickStar, one of the customization modules of Good Lock. After you enable it, the indicator will appear next to the existing status bar icons and will show you the current network speeds when you’re connected to either Wi-Fi or mobile data. Readout can change between KB/s, MB/s, and GB/s depending on the amount of traffic.

(Image credit: SammyGuru)

The feature isn’t replacing the existing Wi-Fi or cellular signal indicators, but it’s showing how fast data is moving. Instead, it offers users a different way to quickly determine if it’s the internet connection itself that’s causing a slow download, buffering video, or laggy app.

One UI 9 is currently in beta and is limited to the Galaxy S26 series in select markets like the U.S., UK, Germany, India, Poland, and South Korea. Samsung is expected to extend the rollout to older flagship models in the coming months.

Android Central's Take

I'm pleased to see Samsung finally implementing this feature, as a network speed meter is surprisingly useful once you have it. That said, it’s hard not to wonder why Galaxy users had to wait so long for something many Android brands have offered for years. And placing it behind Good Lock, as opposed to a simple toggle in settings, feels like Samsung is treating a basic quality of life feature as an enthusiast extra when it should have been standard from the start.

June fixes for the Galaxy S25 rollout: Samsung adds those missing AI features

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:53:17 +0000

What you need to know

The June 2026 security patch is reportedly rolling out for Samsung's South Korean Galaxy S25 users with a near-900MB download.
This patch seems to carry a few missing AI features for the series, such as "Prioritize" and "Summarize" options for notifications.
The Galaxy S25 series only received One UI 8.5 a month ago after months of testing and delays.

Reports surface, claiming Samsung's starting to roll out its monthly security patch for the Galaxy S25.

Early this morning, Tarun Vats on X reported that the June 2026 security patch for the Galaxy S25 series has started rolling out. Vats states the patch was spotted rolling out in South Korea, which is typical when Samsung's updates begin. The firmware carries vS938NKSUACZF1 and is around ~800 to ~900MB, per user reports. Elsewhere, Vats discovered that this update includes two missing AI notification features.

These features, "Prioritize" and "Summarize," help keep users on top of what's important and knowledgeable without having to dedicate too much time. The former puts what's important at the top of your alerts, while the latter is pretty self-explanatory. However, a user replied to the tipster's thread on X, stating Samsung included another feature: "Show file summaries" in the Galaxy S25's settings.

Samsung's description says this feature will leverage "AI-powered summaries of PDF and TXT files. This also shows summaries created from voice recordings in Voice Recorder." Users can toggle this feature on once it arrives if they choose.

Per usual, Samsung posted its list of fixes for its Galaxy devices this month. The company lists five "Critical" fixes and 28 "High" level inbound fixes. Among them, Samsung says it's fixing a vulnerability issue that's plagued Android 15 and 16 devices. It's strengthening its defenses to keep attackers at bay who may try to swipe sensitive information from users, too.

Still catching up

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

With South Korean users getting the June patch late this week, we can probably assume U.S., European, and other users will see it soon after.

It likely snuck under many users' noses, but Samsung forgot to give the Galaxy S25 these AI features when One UI 8.5 rolled out. As a result, rumors popped up, claiming the company was working on bringing those in for June. The Priority and AI summary features were highlighted in those rumors. This wasn't definite, of course, as anything could've hindered Samsung's work. What's more, users wondered about the Galaxy S24's potential to receive these features, but it seemed unlikely (for now, anyway).

One UI 8.5 rolled out onto the Galaxy S25 in the U.S. in May after months (and months and months) of testing. It brought a few Galaxy S26 AI features with it, like its AI call screening and image editing tools. Now Nudge was another notable feature, which feels like Google's Magic Cue in more ways than one.

Android Central's Take

Looks like Samsung didn't forget about these features, after all. I wondered if these would arrive, and I couldn't see a reason why they wouldn't. The Galaxy S25 doesn't feel like a device that's vastly underpowered for the Galaxy S26's AI features. I'm sure there are things Samsung has to tweak differently. Regardless, it's good to see these features arriving on its year-old flagship.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide): Wide screens or flagship features?

bradypsnyder@gmail.com (Brady Snyder) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:10:42 +0000

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The traditional fold

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, or whatever it ends up being called, will be the successor to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. You can expect a slim and refined design with a focus on flagship features, including a standout triple-camera featured. We'd also like to see a larger battery, and hope we don't see a significantly higher price.

Pros

We expect to see the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip here, too
A rumored 5,000mAh capacity would be a major improvement
A crease-less display or Privacy Display-like feature might be coming
Better cameras than standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 (the wide one)

Cons

Very similar to Galaxy Z Fold 7 design
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 might not be much better than 8 Elite for daily use
Higher prices are a possibility
No Qi2 or IP68 improvements expected

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8

Widescreen fold

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, previously rumored as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, will offer a wider cover screen and aspect ratio similar to the Huawei Pura X Max. It'll focus on content consumption due to the widescreen displays, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to be better in other areas, like battery life and camera quality. The wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 might be cheaper than the Ultra variant.

Pros

Could use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 platform
Expected to cost less than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
Wider aspect ratios should be better for content consumption

Cons

Fewer cameras than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
Could have a smaller battery than the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra
Will face tough competition against Razr Fold and Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Samsung is reportedly planning to launch two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models this year, but we don't know exactly what they'll be called. There's a traditional Galaxy Z Fold 7 successor in the works, plus a wider big-screen foldable supposedly in the pipeline.

The former was originally thought to be called the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the latter taking up the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide moniker. More recently, rumors point to Samsung calling the wider foldable simply the Galaxy Z Fold 8, with the flagship model being branded as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Regardless of how the naming scheme shakes out, it's all but confirmed that we are getting two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models from Samsung this release cycle. One of them will be a wide model akin to Huawei's Pura X Max, and the other will be similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Here's how we expect them to compare — and which one you should buy following Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event next month.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Pricing and availability

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

The two phones in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series are expected to be announced at Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event. Current rumors point to Samsung hosting a Galaxy Unpacked event in London on July 22, 2026, and that's when we expect to see the Galaxy Z Fold 8 models debut. The leak predicts that both the standard and wide Galaxy Z Fold models will arrive at this showcase.

Pricing and availability details for these phones, possibly called the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, aren't known yet. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 starts at $2,000, which can serve as a benchmark for potential Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra pricing. The wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to come in 256GB and 512GB variants, while the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is tabbed to offer an additional 1TB configuration.

We don't know which colors the Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will be available in, but we have seen them in leaks.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Design and displays

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra are expected to sport similar design languages, with flat sides and an oval-shaped rear camera platform. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra model could be slimmer than the wider version — you can expect it to match the Galaxy Z Fold 7's dimensions of 4.2mm thick when opened and about 8.9mm when closed, or go even thinner. It'll likely be lightweight as well, continuing the trend set by the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

It's unclear how slim the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 will be, but it may aim to match the Ultra model's thickness. Looking at the renders, we can see that the wider version certainly appears slim. The difference in aspect ratios is stark, though. There's a 5.4-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch foldable display, according to leaks. The inner display is smaller, but it does have a 4:3 aspect ratio that's better for watching TV shows and movies.

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

By comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra should come with at least a 6.5-inch cover screen and an 8-inch main screen. The inner display will offer a 1:1 aspect ratio, which might be more ideal for productivity work and less enjoyable for content consumption. On paper, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra's displays will be larger than the Galaxy Z Fold 8's wide screens.

As for specs, we can expect the two Galaxy Z Fold 8 models to feature foldable OLED panels with identical 120Hz refresh rates and high-brightness levels. Some rumors have pointed to Samsung toying with the idea of using Privacy Display here or bringing back the S Pen, but that sounds more like wishful thinking than a prediction at this juncture.

Other ways Samsung could upgrade its next generation of foldables are by adding Qi2 support or IP68 durability protection. However, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series will probably stick with basic "Qi2 Ready" charging and IP48 protection.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Hardware and specs

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

Both the wide and traditional Galaxy Z Fold 8 models are expected to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset. This is an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip that we already saw in the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Despite the two models potentially coming with different price tags, they could have the same chip, and that would be nice to see. Each phone will be paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of base storage.

Samsung could offer a variant with 16GB of RAM, but that'll likely be exclusive to the 1TB configuration of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Each phone will launch with One UI 9, based on Android 17, and get seven years of Android OS support thereafter.

Rumored specs breakdown
Category	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Rumored)	Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (Rumored)
Operating System	One UI 9 (Android 17)	One UI 9 (Android 17)
Display	Inner: 7.6-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz Outer: 5.4-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz	Inner: 8-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, crease-less Outer: 6.5-inch, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
Stylus support	No	No
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
RAM	12GB	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Rear cameras	50MP wide camera, 50MP ultrawide	200MP wide camera, 50MP ultrawide, 12MP telephoto 3x zoom
Front camera	10MP, 10MP	10MP, 10MP
Battery	Unknown	5,000mAh
Charging	45W wired	45W wired
IP rating	IP48	IP48
Weight	Unknown	Unknown
Dimensions	Unknown	Unfolded: 155.2 x 150.4 x 5.2 mm Folded: 155.2 x 76.3 x 10.8 mm
Colors	Unknown	Unknown

The camera systems will separate the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The wider version might only have a 50MP main camera and a 50MP ultrawide lens on the back. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, by comparison, will almost certainly sport a 200MP primary shooter, a 50MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens — the same setup as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but with a better ultrawide lens.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra could also offer a bigger battery, with rumors pointing to the flagship foldable having a 5,000mAh capacity.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 vs. Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra: Which upcoming foldable will be best?

(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines)

While it looks a bit unconventional, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 (or Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide) could be a more practical alternative to the current crop of big-screen foldables. A frustrating aspect of using foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is that video content isn't much bigger on the internal display. This is because the square aspect ratio of the main screen isn't conducive to widescreen video. Phones like the rumored wide Galaxy Z Fold 8 model will address this pain point and will be better for mobile content consumption.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will still be the flagship foldable, with the square internal aspect ratio that longtime users might still crave. It'll offer extra features like a third camera on the rear and feel generally more premium. We don't have concrete pricing or spec information for either phone, but the "Ultra" branding could signify a higher price point.

Personally, I'm excited for the wide Galaxy Z Fold 8. I use foldable phones a lot, and most of them never stick as my daily driver. This is partially because the aspect ratios currently offered aren't great for making the most of TV shows, movies, and games. The wider Samsung foldable will be a nice change of pace and could solve the problems users like myself find with folding phones.

Until we know the final details of these two Galaxy foldables, though, we can't say for sure which will be the better device or the better value.

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The flagship foldable

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra will likely be packed with premium perks. A flagship chip, superb camera system, and larger battery are a few things we expect to see from this model. It won't have the wide displays of the standard model, but it will have a thin, light, and familiar form factor.

Samsung

Galaxy Z Fold 8

Best for casuals

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Fold 8 Wide will excel at content consumption and cover screen apps. The wider aspect ratio makes the inner display feel larger for watching videos or movies. It'll also be great for multitasking or productivity work. However, this model might come with camera or battery downgrades.

You might see more of Samsung's Exynos chip very soon, and even into 2027, in expansion

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung's Exynos series finds itself in reports again, with one from a Korean publication alleging an "expansion" is coming in 2027.
Supposedly, Samsung wants to extend its Exynos reach next year to more devices in "new products," though those devices remain unnamed.
Recent Exynos 2700 rumors claim Samsung is speeding ahead with it, working on cooler internals and the possibility of placing it in its flagships next year.

Samsung is caught between decisions for its future devices, as it reportedly evaluates its chip strategy going forward in 2026 and 2027.

A report by The Bell (Korean) highlights a discussion with its "industry sources," who claim Samsung is taking another look at its Exynos chips for this year and the next (via Android Headlines). The publication reports that, for Samsung, the "procurement costs" for its Exynos chipset are lower than relying on Qualcomm. What's more, pricing and "internal transactions with the System LSI business unit are considered a strength" (machine translated).

With that in mind, the publication's sources allege that Samsung will look to "expand" its Exynos chip reach "in new products" for 2027. Nothing was specifically stated about this claim. We're still wondering if we'll see Samsung expand its chips into more flagship models, tablets, or even foldables.

Foldables are devices that the post leads us to next, as the post says Samsung will look to its Exynos chip for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. It adds that the company's pressure for implementing its Exynos chip in the Flip series is relatively low due to consumers seeking "design and portability" over raw chip power.

Exynos is going places

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 mention here is interesting. There was a rumor recently that said Samsung was looking to bring its dual-chip strategy back this summer. The company did something similar for its Galaxy S26 series. Regarding the Flip, Samsung could return Qualcomm's Snapdragon to the series this summer in "some" areas. This could mean the U.S. and a few other regions could get Snapdragon's power back after the Flip 7 was all Exynos.

Samsung's custom chip would likely remain close to home in South Korea. However, the publication throws Europe into the mix, too.

If we're looking ahead, the Exynos 2700 is where we're going. Reports in March said Samsung was cruising along with its development, looking to make it much cooler than the 2600. Samsung is reportedly interested in improving the HPB technology, which is responsible for throwing off the excess heat buildup on its chip. Curiously, these early rumors also claimed Samsung might expand its Exynos reach next year with the Galaxy S27.

Another report supposedly spotted the Exynos 2700 in a performance test with a ~12% boost over its predecessor.

Android Central's Take

You can look at this in a few different ways, I'd imagine. I see this as a result of the times and timing. Samsung's been trying to get its in-house chip business going for a while now, and it finally found some success with the Exynos 2600. It wasn't a bad chip and did well in an area where it typically fell horribly (heat generation). Samsung is hungry for more. Additionally, it can "save money" if everything is coming from within. Prices are soaring with RAM, thanks to AI. Pushing Exynos is probably just another business move.

Surprise: The Galaxy S26 FE might be borrowing a design feature from Samsung's flagships

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 20:08:22 +0000

What you need to know

An early WPC listing has revealed the first real-world look at Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 FE.
The Galaxy S26 FE appears to adopt the raised camera bump design introduced with the Galaxy S26 series.
Leaks suggest Samsung could use the Exynos 2500 chipset and pair it with 8GB of RAM.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE might still be a few months away, but an early leak has already given us our first look at Samsung's upcoming mid-range Galaxy phone.

It's only been a couple of months since the Galaxy S26 series launched. And while Samsung has continued to expand its A-series lineup, the company still seems committed to the "Fan Edition" lineup, offering a mix of flagship-inspired design, solid hardware, and a more affordable price point.

While we're likely still months away from the official Galaxy S26 FE launch, a new leak has revealed what the device may look like. As spotted by 9to5Google, the Galaxy S26 FE has appeared in an early Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) listing. The device, carrying the model number SM-S741, also includes what appears to be an image of the phone itself.

(Image credit: WPC Listing)

Based on that image, the Galaxy S26 FE looks very much like a familiar Samsung device. However, it appears to be borrowing one design element from the flagship Galaxy S26 lineup for the first time. Similar to the Galaxy S26 series, the S26 FE seems to feature a slightly raised camera bump around the camera array on the top-left corner.

Previous FE models typically used separate camera cutouts without any surrounding camera housing, but Samsung now appears to be bringing the flagship-style camera bump to the FE series as well.

That said, the placement in the leaked image looks a little unusual, with the camera module sitting very close to the top and side edges. Since the device is still months away, there's always a chance the final design changes before launch.

The WPC listing doesn't reveal much else about the phone. It doesn't mention wireless charging speeds, though rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 FE won't support full Qi2 functionality out of the box, as with the rest of the Galaxy S26 lineup.

Beyond that, recent leaks suggest the phone could be powered by Samsung's Exynos 2500 chipset and ship with 8GB of RAM. The device is also expected to run Android 17 out of the box. With the launch still some time away, we expect more details about the Galaxy S26 FE to emerge in the coming months.

Oh, happy day: Samsung might've started One UI 9 tests on the Galaxy S25

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:14:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung has reportedly started internally testing its One UI 9 build for the Galaxy S25 series.
There's little information available right now; however, it's been speculated that an official beta could begin later in June or in July.
The Galaxy S26 started its official One UI 9 Beta in May, before rolling out Beta 2 a couple of weeks after in mid-May.

The time has come; Samsung's Galaxy S25 is reportedly getting some early looks at what's coming for its next major Android OS.

Late last night (June 4), tipster Tarun Vats on X reported that Samsung has supposedly started testing One UI 9 internally for the Galaxy S25 series (via SamMobile). According to Vats, Samsung's "first internal build" has supposedly come to light, indicating that its year-old flagship series is moving into the next phase of Android testing. What's unfortunate is that the tipster was unable to dive into this early build to see what Samsung is working on.

This is likely to come at a later date, and it's something users should look forward to. The comments got going, with users asking when a beta for this is to be expected. Vats highlights that Samsung's testing for its next major Android OS is earlier than usual (for past-gens). In 2025, internal tests started toward the middle of June for the S24 series.

This year, for the S25, it's the first week of June. Back on topic, Vats speculates that an official One UI 9 Beta for the S25 series could start later in June or sometime in July. A user questioned when the S24 could expect testing to begin, to which Vats replied (speculated), "next month."

One UI 9 is flying

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

If true, then this is good news for Samsung's recent flagships. The Galaxy S26 series, which launched with One UI 8.5, was rumored to have started internal testing in March. Two months later, in early May, Samsung rolled it out officially as the One UI 9 Beta to enrolled Galaxy S26 users. A couple of weeks after that, the company rapidly pushed One UI 9 Beta 2 to its enrolled Galaxy testers.

From what was seen early on, Samsung was working on new customization tools in its Notes app and a direct link between the Contacts apps with the Creative Studio. The Quick Panel also received a few changes, giving its brightness, sound, and media player options separation for better control. As far as Beta 2 was concerned, Samsung rolled out a 1.6GB patch that carried mostly fixes.

Android Central's Take

Samsung's been moving fast with One UI 9 for its Galaxy S26 series. I know there are Galaxy S25 users (myself included) hoping to avoid a One UI 8.5 with what's coming next. It would be nice to have the upcoming software arrive around similar times for both series before we start walking it back to other past-gens. Only time will tell.

Samsung could return Snapdragon chips to Galaxy Z Flip 8 in 'some' areas

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Rumors claim the Galaxy Z Flip 8 could go down the dual-chip route like the Galaxy S26 and feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon and the Exynos 2600.
These claims started on Naver, with the tipster suggesting Samsung is running into cost issues with the Exynos and that Qualcomm's offer was "favorable."
The Galaxy S26 featured the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the U.S. and several other regions, leaving South Korea with the Exynos 2600.

There hasn't been too much excitement in the rumors for the Galaxy Z Flip 8, but this latest overseas claim could change that.

Earlier today (June 4), frequent tipster Lanzuk on Naver posted an allegation about the chip inside Samsung's next Flip (via 9to5Google). The rumor suggests the Flip 8 could take a dual-chip approach, similar to what Samsung did with the Galaxy S26 series. Lanzuk states the Flip 8 will feature a "Snapdragon in specific regions." Moreover, the company will also seek to spread its Exynos chip around to other regions where Qualcomm's SoC will not be available.

The tipster then went down an interesting route, claiming this could be a cost-conscious decision by the company. Supposedly, the cost to produce the next in-house chip (the Exynos 2600) is far too high. It would be even more egregious if Samsung were to feature this chipset in all markets that the Flip 8 would arrive in.

This points us toward Qualcomm's Snapdragon. The tipster claims Qualcomm approached Samsung with a "favorable price" to use its Snapdragon in the Flip 8. If that's the case, then perhaps we're to expect the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 to mark the return of this chip series in the Flip.

The story so far

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

As previously mentioned, the Galaxy S26 series went down this dual-chip route earlier this year. The Exynos 2600 debuted late last year and was the world's first chip built on the 2nm process for phones. Samsung integrated a new CPU layout to increase the chip's performance and efficiency, while also working on its heat generation, which has been a common (frustrating) problem for Exynos.

The Galaxy S26 series features Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the U.S. and a few other regions; however, South Korea got Samsung's Exynos 2600. It seems things have changed with Samsung's production of its in-house chip. Reports late in December suggested the Flip 8 was only looking at an Exynos future—we were thinking the same.

On the other hand, recent rumors about the Flip 8 haven't been so exciting. In fact, they've been quite boring, but that could be a good thing. The phone's 6.9-inch display and 4-inch cover screen could remain. Samsung is rumored to make the Flip 8 a bit slimmer when folded, too. All in all, if we're looking at things from a price perspective, maybe it won't take that much of a toll.

Android Central's Take

Hearing that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 could arrive on the Flip 8 is fantastic. There's always been this issue between Samsung's Exynos and Qualcomm's chips. Some markets gravitate toward one (the latter) more than the other. There's no hiding Samsung's Exynos problems, but the2600 wasn't that bad. In actuality, its early benchmarks were quite positive, showing the company really put in the effort to make it better. I'm still unsure about where Qualcomm's chip could return for the Flip 8, but the U.S. seems high in the probability meter.

Samsung Health app is all new: preps features to take the guesswork out of your wellbeing

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:35:14 +0000

What you need to know

The Samsung Health app is preparing to rollout a major redesign on devices on June 8, while also including features en route to the next Galaxy Watch.
The app prepares features like Vitals, which combines five crucial health metrics for users, Daily Cardio Load, Heart Health Score, and more.
Samsung is also rolling out proactive updates for its Antioxidant Index and AGEs Index, alongside the all-new Hearing Health.

Galaxy users are in for a treat this week with a glimpse of Samsung's overhauled Health app, which aims to be a clearer wellness companion.

A press release told the whole story: Samsung Health is getting upgraded "with a new look that helps users see a holistic view of their health data." What follows is set to begin rolling out on June 8. The company shared its blog post, which states that managing your overall health views will become easier with this new revamp. Simplification is the name of the game for Samsung. The app will turn the heavy, statistical biometric data into "simple, actionable guidance."

Also, what's a major upgrade from Samsung without a little AI to help in the background? AI will empower the app's Energy Score, alongside a home screen redesign that streamlines its layout to display Sleep, Activity, Nutrition, Mindfulness, and (the new) Vitals with ease.

Android Central's Take

Insights that matter make a true difference. Right now, the Samsung Health app gives us a multitude of numbers, but it can fall flat. What exactly am I looking for? What should change? Rolling out Vitals to build and give your Energy Score some more backbone is helpful. These analytics show changes clear as day, with short blurbs about what it could mean, so you know how to switch things up. How and what I need to do matters more than a bombardment of numbers.

While this update isn't set to start arriving until next week, Samsung teases that the following features are all "included in the upcoming Galaxy Watch." Kicking things off is "Vitals." This feature focuses on five important health metrics: heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and blood oxygen.

Vitals will take the current Energy Score to another level by analyzing these metrics against your "resting baseline" to find any noteworthy changes. Similarly, "Health Heart Score" notes your sleep, stress, activity, and body composition data. Samsung states this is to identify things in your life that may negatively impact your heart's health.

Samsung

"Daily Cardio Load" leans into your workouts more, but it also suggests when you should take your foot off the gas. According to Samsung, Daily Cardio Load monitors the stress on your cardiovascular system when you're active. It will suggest "optimal training targets" for users, alongside when they should rest. The idea is to meet your fitness goal, not wear yourself out before that ever happens.

The "Fitness Index" is another way the revamped Samsung Health app wants to deliver clear data that matters. As the name implies, the Fitness Index monitors your heart rate and VO2 Max, a key metric for aerobic activity. Additionally, the app will measure your daily step count. Samsung says this is all done to tailor content and goals to your physical strengths and weaknesses.

Boosting what's present

Samsung

Two major features—Antioxidant Index and AGEs Index—are receiving proactive updates once this patch arrives. Samsung says its Antioxidant Index will soon offer "an even clearer roadmap of the users’ nutritional intake." What users can expect are trend charts and daily history logs that paint the picture of how your diet is affecting you. The AGEs Index will now capture metrics overnight to help users understand how certain lifestyle choices are affecting their metabolic health and biological aging.

Hearing Health is a new feature that's joining the app and Samsung's proactive approach. This will work by leveraging your Galaxy Watch, phone, and buds to monitor the noise around you. If you're consistently exposed to high-noise environments, your Galaxy Watch will let you know, so you can make changes to preserve your hearing long-term.

At the beginning of this, Samsung mentioned that many of these features are included on its upcoming Galaxy Watch 9. It sounds like we're in for quite the health-focused approach to Samsung's showcase of this new device this summer.

After this database listing, it looks like the 'Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra' is for real

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:05:28 +0000

What you need to know

A report by a Japanese publication states it discovered a Bluetooth SIG listing that shows the "Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra."
This likely confirms the device name exists, but what's still in question is which phone Samsung will give it to.
Recent rumors suggest the successor to the Fold 7 will rock the "Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra" name, leaving the long-rumored Wide Fold with the standard "Fold 8" title.

Certain leaks feel significant before a new product launch, and this could be it for Samsung's next Fold series.

A post by the Japanese publication Sumaho Digest points out a recent Bluetooth SIG certification listing for Samsung's book-style foldable (via SamMobile). What's turning heads is the device name for this new product: the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. This is a phone name that's been in the news recently, alongside Samsung's expected "Wide" Fold 8. The significance of the Bluetooth SIG database openly displaying the "Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra" could indicate that this is the direction Samsung is going.

The publication assumes that this means the phone will be available in the Japanese market. Moreover, it reports discovering a handful of model numbers for the Fold 8 Ultra, each for a different carrier and a SIM-free version.

While this name is fine, it leaves much to the imagination. Bluetooth SIG listings are typically void of any specifications (which we're always hungry for), and this time is no different. Clarity around the significance of this is simple: the "Ultra" tag could be for the Fold we're already expecting.

This Unpacked will be interesting

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Last week, a Chinese tipster alleged that Samsung had changed the naming behavior for its upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 series. Supposedly, we can start thinking about an "Ultra" Fold 8, but it's not for the device you're thinking of. The tipster claims the Fold 8 Ultra will be the regular Fold 8—the successor to the Fold 7. The basic "Fold 8" will be kept for the wide foldable that's been rumored.

Staying on topic, recent Fold 8 (or Fold Ultra) rumors claim the device will miss out on some amazing features. This foldable could forget Samsung's Privacy Display exists, while also going S Penless this year. This last note is a give-or-take. On one hand, some consumers would like it to return, but on the other, Samsung thinned the Fold 7, and bringing the S Pen back would do the opposite.

Regarding the wider Fold 8, rumors claim it could feature a dual camera setup. A 50MP main and ultrawide lens could be all users find from it. The unfortunate thing is that it sounds like we won't get a telephoto lens, which the Fold 8 Ultra will likely feature.

Android Central's Take

This is an interesting scenario we find ourselves in. On one hand, we "know" the "Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra" title exists. This listing doesn't state whether it's the wide fold we've been hearing about or the regular one. I know what the rumors state, but it still feels strange that "Ultra" would go to the regular one. Could it be because of the camera setup? Usually, when I hear Ultra, I think, "oh, this phone has the bigger display, the better chip, blah blah." But, if I'm going by the rumors, that's not the case—for the screen, anyway.

Samsung is giving you a second chance to get Care+ — and it's easier on your wallet

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:48:23 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung is letting Galaxy users buy Care+ again, even if the original 60-day signup window has passed.
Samsung Care+ Theft and Loss plans are currently discounted by 16%, with pricing starting at $9/month.
Higher-tier plans include theft protection, same-day replacements, unlimited repairs, and $0 screen fixes.

If you missed your chance to buy Samsung Care+ when you first purchased your phone, Samsung is now giving you a second opportunity to sign up.

Samsung Care+ is typically offered when you buy a new Galaxy device. The protection plan includes benefits like unlimited repairs (though not all repairs are free), theft and loss protection, and even same-day replacement options depending on the tier you choose. Normally, users can only enroll within 60 days of purchasing a device, but Samsung is now opening that window much wider.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Samsung has announced that users can sign up for Samsung Care+ coverage through June 30, 2026. On top of that, the company is also offering a 16% discount on eligible protection plans. Pricing varies depending on the device, but some plans start at around $9 per month.

Android Central's take

If you ask me, this is probably a smarter purchase than upgrading your phone this year. With smartphone prices continuing to climb, spending a little money protecting a device you already own could make a lot more sense than buying a brand-new flagship in 2026.

The standard Samsung Care+ plan covers things like mechanical failures, cracked screens, cracked glass, accidental damage repairs, and replacements for a service fee. Samsung also offers a higher-tier Theft and Loss plan that includes up to three replacements per year if your phone is lost or stolen.

That tier also includes perks like same-day replacement, unlimited repairs, and even $0 battery and screen replacements in certain situations.

If you're interested, you can head over to Samsung's website and check pricing for your specific device. Just keep in mind that newer flagship phones will naturally cost more to insure.

That said, this is still a pretty good opportunity for Galaxy owners, especially if you're someone who prefers using your phone without a case or screen protector, or simply wants some extra peace of mind against theft, loss, or accidental damage.

Samsung is changing how you turn off your Galaxy in One UI 9 for your protection

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung reportedly worked on a verification process for its power-off menu in One UI 9.
It was reported that your device will now shut off its biometrics, forcing users to enter their PIN/password/pattern to complete their shutdown or restart.
Google has continued to work on various phone security features to keep thieves out of a users' phone if stolen or lost.

Enrolled Galaxy users are still experimenting with the One UI 9 beta; however, reports claim Samsung has changed the power-off process.

Recently, SammyFans posted information about how Samsung has changed how users will turn off their phones in One UI 9. The publication noticed that Samsung will require users to verify themselves before their phone turns off. It states that opening the power-off menu appears normally in One UI 9, but tapping "Power Off" or "Restart" is where the change occurs.

What's more, forcing users to verify themselves occurs twice: once to confirm their choice and to exit the menu if they changed their mind. SammyFans discovered that if the user is unable to complete the verification process, their device is stuck in a locked state. Another post by 9to5Google noted this, mentioning that testers on Reddit were experimenting with this security feature, too.

The users' post on Reddit states, "When you open the Power Menu and then exit it, your Galaxy device now returns directly to the lock screen instead of the previous screen." Biometrics are completely disabled in this verification process, meaning users will need to enter their PIN, password, or pattern.

Making the right moves

(Image credit: Brady Snyder / Android Central)

More users chimed into that Reddit thread, mentioning that Samsung's new security-forward practice for powering off a Galaxy phone mirrors lockdown mode. This mode is a one-time option users can enable, which forces the device to require a PIN or password. On Android, this mode not only disables biometrics but also trusted devices, voice recognition, and lock screen notifications.

This feature can be useful in a myriad of situations. Many believe (same as us) that Samsung's power-off menu security changes could be useful against thieves. Similarly, Google has continued to roll out protections against theft on Android. Back in January, the company's new protections made it more difficult for thieves to target phones. Google combined the trifecta: prevention, resistance, and recovery.

Failed Authentication Lock was given its own toggle, which gave users a more intuitive way to manage the strictness of their phone's security. The company also brought intelligence to its lockout for people trying to guess your PIN.

Android Central's Take

I always hear about thieves swiping people's phones in various countries. It's a scary thing. With the way life is, we have a lot of stuff on our phones. Usually, thieves would try to turn off various connections on a phone to stop you from remotely locking them out. Even shutting it down is an option. But developing security functions to stop that from happening sounds like a huge win for phone security. After all, what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours. Let's keep it that way.

Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak pits Samsung’s wider foldable against the rumored Ultra

techkritiko@gmail.com (Jay Bonggolto) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:05:00 +0000

What you need to know

Samsung’s wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 has leaked again, this time appearing alongside the rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.
A Samsung employee was also reportedly spotted using the wider Fold 8 in public, hinting that the company may already be testing the design outside controlled environments.
Multiple leaks are telling the same story, with dummy units and One UI 9 assets all pointing to a wider, thinner foldable with a larger cover screen.

Samsung has been iterating on the same tall-and-narrow Galaxy Z Fold formula for years, but now it seems to be trying something radically different, and the latest leaks indicate that the company isn’t even trying that hard to conceal it anymore.

A fresh leak shared by reliable tipster Ice Universe on X shows what appears to be Samsung’s upcoming wider Galaxy Z Fold 8 next to another model, believed to be the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. The comparison immediately exposes the difference between the two devices. The Ultra seems to adopt Samsung's common slim foldable design, but the bigger Fold 8 looks shorter, wider, and much more like a regular smartphone when closed, as hinted at by earlier leaks.

(Image credit: @UniverseIce / X)

That alone would be a big change for Samsung. The Galaxy Z Fold series has long been criticized for the small size of its outer display. This design allowed for a better grip for the device but felt cramped when typing and general use on the cover screen compared to normal flagship phones. The larger Fold 8 seems to directly address that complaint, with rumors suggesting a more tablet-like 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded.

Spotted in the wild

In a related but separate X post, Ice Universe says that a Samsung employee was seen using the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide in public. Details are limited, but the report may suggest that Samsung is already testing the new design in real-world conditions. If true, it suggests Samsung is becoming more confident in the final look of the device.

(Image credit: @UniverseIce / X)

It’s getting harder to dismiss the Wide model as a one-off experiment. Dummy units and software assets of One UI 9 have leaked recently, all of them pointing to the same design direction. The device is reportedly equipped with a significantly larger cover screen, an unusually thin body, and a form factor that resembles a small tablet much more when unfolded.

On the other hand, the standard Fold 8 is expected to have a better camera system and better premium hardware, while the wider Fold 8 might have to cut things like cameras to make the device thinner and cheaper.

This is all unofficial for now. But the leaks suggest that Samsung isn't simply giving the Galaxy Z Fold another year in the sun. It seems the company is gearing up for its biggest foldable shakeup since the original Galaxy Fold debuted.

And if a Samsung employee was indeed seen using the wider model in public, the company might already be considering it the future of the Fold lineup.

Android Central's Take

Some leaks answer fewer questions than they raise. The alleged Samsung Fold 8 lineup feels oddly confusing at the moment, with conflicting names, multiple form factors, and an "Ultra" branding plan that feels more confusing the more leaks emerge. At the very least, these rumors have succeeded in getting people to talk.

How fast is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 charging speed?

sharmarajat@zoho.com (Rajat Sharma) — Sat, 30 May 2026 08:05:00 +0000

How fast is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 charging speed?

Best answer: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to have a slightly bigger 5,000mAh battery. It's rumored to have faster 45W wired charging as well, even if the 15W wireless charging is likely to remain unchanged.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Minor upgrades that might just make a difference

With foldables no longer the niche products they were just a few years ago, competition in this segment has never been more intense. After the recent unveiling of the Razr Fold by Motorola, all eyes are now on Samsung's upcoming line-up of foldables, which is expected to go official on July 22.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is rumored to be largely identical to its predecessor, at least in terms of design. However, when compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the upcoming foldable is expected to have some welcome improvements on the inside, most notably in the battery and charging department.

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

If the leaks and rumors are to be believed, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 will get a bigger 5,000mAh battery. While not all that impressive by 2026 standards, it'll still be a worthy upgrade over the 4,400mAh power pack that has remained the same across multiple generations of Samsung's flagship foldable smartphone.

Not only that, but the newest foldable is also expected to support faster 45W wired charging. Again, it's nothing groundbreaking (even compared to the 60W wired charging speed of the Galaxy S26 Ultra), but it's still an upgrade over the measly 25W wired charging you get with the Galaxy Z Fold 7. As far as wireless charging is concerned, the 15W speed is expected to remain unchanged.

Even with all these improvements, Samsung's latest upcoming top-tier foldable won't be able to touch Motorola's Razr Fold, which packs blazing-fast 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, as well as a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery. Add in stylus support, and you'll see why it's one of the best foldable phones available in the market right now.

While we have no doubts that the Galaxy Z Fold 8 will end up being a part of that list as well, it's largely shaping up to be an incremental update over the previous-gen model.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Top-of-the-line Samsung foldable

With the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, you can expect the latest in terms of hardware specifications, a feature-laden software experience with years of OS and security updates, a bigger battery with slightly faster charging, and more.

Samsung could slowly trickle more missing Galaxy AI features on the Galaxy S25

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Fri, 29 May 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

After One UI 8.5, rumors say Samsung could introduce more S26 AI features on the Galaxy S25 series.
It's been reported that the June security update could bring Samsung's Priority and Summary AI notifications.
One UI 8.5 started rolling out for several of Samsung's past-gen phones earlier in May.

There's some talk on social media that the "next-gen" Galaxy AI features the Galaxy S25 received this month won't be all we can expect.

Rumors got underway this week, thanks to a post by Tarun Vats who claims Samsung's next update could introduce more Galaxy AI features on the S25 (via SamMobile). Like most companies, Samsung works on monthly security patches for its supported devices. Vats claims that the Korean OEM's June update could bring two missing Galaxy AI features: Priority and Summarize Notifications.

The post reminds users that these two features are available on the Galaxy S26 series; however, the One UI 8.5 patch did not include them for the S25. Even Vats themselves suggest caution surrounding this leak, as it may or may not happen next month. Users were quick to respond to the rumors, asking if anything similar would hit the Galaxy S24 series.

While One UI 8.5 has made its way to that two-year-old series, Vats states that there's "no info" to support Priority and Summarize Notifications on the S24. Curiously, Galaxy S25 users might be in for an improved fingerprint reader experience. One user asked if the "improve accuracy" option for fingerprints (available on the S26) will hit the S25. Vats offered speculation, stating, "I think that will also be added."

Samsung typically begins rolling out its monthly security patches early in their respective months, so perhaps we'll get our answers next week.

Looking to catch up

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

The Galaxy S25 series is strong (performance-wise) to keep up with Samsung's latest AI features, but consumers with those phones are still missing out. Much like Vats notes, SamMobile mentioned the lack of Now Nudge and the AI-enhanced Finder app on the S25 series. My colleague Derrek Lee got to play with the Galaxy S26 series a little early, and Samsung's Now Nudge deserved a brief word.

In his testing, Now Nudge reminded Derrek of Google's Magic Cue. Now Nudge works by surfacing "relevant" information and contextual suggestions. A key example Derrek was shown was someone asking about a photo in a text message. Now Nudge saw it, understood the assignment, and produced a "Share photos" button for the user. It basically took him to a selection of photos taken in Australia, which is what the other person asked for.

It's been a couple of weeks, but Galaxy S25 users (and the S24) have finally received One UI 8.5. After months and months of testing and small delays, Samsung's patch is available for its recent (past-gen) phones. Users are in for a refreshed user interface, AI call screening, and more AI image editing tools.

Android Central's Take

It's the little (not-so-little) AI features like this that Samsung has that matter more. These are the utilities, the AI features that help users complete tasks a little faster. These AI notifications bring more urgency and presence to alerts that you just can't miss. Moreover, the summarization part is just helpful for longer texts. My hope is that all of the AI features the S26 has will hit the S25. That might be too grand a hope, as perhaps there are minute capabilities the newer series has to support these features.

Samsung launches Father's Day sale with some of the year's best deals on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Watch 8 Ultra, and beyond

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:16:33 +0000

Father's Day is June 21st this year, but if you're having trouble choosing the right tech gift for dad, you're in luck: Samsung has launched a sitewide sale event with mega discounts on some of its most popular devices, from smartphones and tablets to feature-rich wearables.

I'm talking about deals like $720 of potential savings when you buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, or this offer that lands you up to $250 off the super-powered Galaxy Watch Ultra. As usual with Samsung, trading in an old or broken device is the best way to maximize your savings, although there are a few no-strings discounts available as well.

A few of the offers may even come with a free $100 credit if you've shopped at Samsung before. Keep reading for all of my favorite deals from Samsung's big Father's Day sale, and don't forget to check the company's full list of offers to make sure you don't miss anything!

See the full list of deals at Samsung.com

Samsung's 2026 Father's Day sale is LIVE

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: ~~$1,299.99~~ From $579.99 with trade-in | $1,099.99 without at Samsung

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of the best Android phones on the market, with all of the latest premium specs and a premium price tag to match. Fortunately, Samsung's Father's Day sale is offering up to $720 off the phone when you trade in an old or broken device today. Don't have anything to trade in? Skip the process and you'll still score a straight $200 off your purchase.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: ☆☆☆☆☆

💲Price comparison: Amazon | ~~$1,299.99~~ $1,049.99View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025): ~~$649.99~~ From $399.99 with trade-in | $549.99 without at Samsung

Pick up the super-powered Galaxy Watch Ultra (2025 version) from Samsung and you'll be eligible for up to $250 of instant trade-in credit during the big Father's Day sale. A $100 discount is also up for grabs for folks who don't want to trade in.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review: ☆☆☆☆☆

💲Price comparison: Amazon | ~~$649.99~~ $619View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 256GB: ~~$999.99~~ $599.99 with trade-in | $899.99 without at Samsung

Similar to other deals included on the list, you can get up to $400 off the Galaxy Tab S11 with eligible trade-in (or $100 off without) when you place your order during Samsung's Father's Day sale. The Galaxy Tab S11 is a versatile Samsung tablet with lightning-fast performance, a lightweight build, and a vibrant 11-inch OLED display. Samsung will also give you 30% off a protective keyboard cover when you bundle with the accessory.

💲Price comparison: Amazon | $749.99 View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra 256GB: ~~$1,299.99~~ From $799.99 with trade-in | $1,199.99 without at Samsung

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is one of the most powerful tablets money can buy, but it's also far from cheap. Trade in an old or broken device, however, and Samsung will slash up to $500 off the device, making the purchase price a much easier pill to swallow. Customers who skip the trade-in process altogether will be eligible for a straight $100 discount, plus you can get 30% off the Book Cover Slim keyboard case when you bundle.

💲Price comparison: Best Buy | $1,199.99View Deal

Latest from Android Central in Samsung-galaxy

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 might be the last Galaxy Z Flip phone from Samsung

What you need to know

Samsung's new teaser with Spider-Man all but confirms the wider Galaxy Z Fold 8

What you need to know

Samsung just confirmed the Galaxy Z Fold 8 is getting a massive silicon upgrade

What you need to know

No Exynos this time

Android Central's Take

Why wait for the Z Fold 8? Last year's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is still amazing, and it's a whopping $500 OFF with new deal

Android Central's take

Amazon is discounting the entire Galaxy S26 lineup again — it's not Prime Day, but it's close

Amazon is bringing back Prime Day for the Galaxy S26 series

More Samsung Galaxy S26 deals today

Enter a new era: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked confirmed for July, reservations begin

What you need to know

Set a reminder (and get up early)

Android Central's Take

Big Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 display upgrade leaked ahead of launch

What you need to know

Upgrade Your Vacation: The Ultimate Summer 2026 Tech Guide

How to use this guide

Helpful traveling tips

Travel Buying Guides

Galaxy Z Fold 8 looks pricier in these rumors, which isn't shocking in the least

What you need to know

What we might see

Android Central's Take

Samsung might bring Privacy Display to every Galaxy S27 model

What you need to know

Android Central's Take

Samsung quietly brings back its BEST Galaxy S26 Ultra deal for the 4th of July weekend — with or without trade

PSA: Samsung Messages app on your Galaxy phone will stop working this month

What you need to know

It's over for Samsung Messages on Galaxy phones

Android Central's Take

Samsung's wide foldable just got its first detailed specs leak

What you need to know

Samsung hits restart with a viral marketing campaign ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Flip 8

What you need to know

What does it all mean?

Android Central's Take

Prime Day is over, but Samsung's best cheap phone is STILL selling for a record low price at Amazon

The Galaxy A57 5G is the 'budget king', and now it's cheaper than ever before

Hurry! There's still time to grab one of Samsung's best smartphones of 2026 at an all-time low

Sick of giant screens? I picked out the best SMALL phones that are getting big discounts this week

What is considered a small phone?

What time does Prime Day end?

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

A Galaxy S27 Pro database listing makes it feel like everything's coming together

What you need to know

Pro on the way?

Android Central's Take

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is almost here, but why wait when the Z Fold 7 is over $500 off?

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

The Galaxy A27 5G's screen is the best thing Samsung could've done to make it interesting

What you need to know

Trying to be "awesome"

The Galaxy S26 Ultra scores a record-smashing discount during Prime Day — is it finally worth the price now?

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

You might not need the Galaxy S26 Ultra after seeing this record-smashing Prime Day deal

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

AI is causing phone prices to go up, but you can beat the RAM crisis with this powerfully underrated Galaxy phone

Galaxy Z Fold 8 leak reveals colors and storage for three upcoming foldables

What you need to know

Android Central's Take

Samsung's UFS 5.0 sets the tone for snappy AI on phones, aims for Q4 production

What you need to know

Everybody loves good storage

Android Central's Take

Prime Day Samsung Galaxy deals are still alive and kicking — record-smashing S26 discounts, SSD savings, and so much more

Prime Day quick links

Samsung Galaxy deals

Prime Day FAQ

When is Prime Day 2026?

Can you shop Prime Day deals with an Amazon Prime free trial?

Samsung's Privacy Display may not stay exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra for long

What you need to know

This could be the Galaxy phone I'd actually buy

Rising costs could force Samsung to keep things mild for the Galaxy S27 next year