Don't wait for Unpacked: last year's powerful Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a gorgeous display and built-in stylus, and it's currently $250 off at Best Buy

A vibrant astronaut wallpaper from the Backdrops app on the lockscreen of a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

We're likely just a few weeks away from the big unveiling of the Galaxy S26 lineup, but why wait when last year's Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is receiving some stellar discounts at Best Buy? 

As part of the retailer's early Presidents' Day sale, you can score a straight $250 off the premium flagship when you buy unlocked, OR you can activate the phone with AT&T or Verizon to increase your discount to $350. Sure, Samsung Galaxy deals aren't exactly a rare occurrence around here, but it's unusual to see the pricey S25 Ultra score a no-strings discount like this. 

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB:$1,299.99$1,049.99 at Best Buy
Up to $350 off

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB: $1,299.99 $1,049.99 at Best Buy

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is one of the most powerful and best-looking Android phones ever built, but with a starting price of $1,299, it's also far from cheap. Fortunately, Best Buy just launched an early Presidents' Day deal that drops a straight $250 off the phone, OR $350 off with activation.

✅Recommended if: you want a powerful unlocked phone with a stunning display, versatile camera tech, and one of the best processors in the biz.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather wait for the Galaxy S26 Ultra to be unveiled later this month; you can get a better deal through your wireless carrier. 

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED QHD+ display with a handy S Pen stylus embedded directly into the phone. You also get the incredible performance of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset with 12GB of RAM, six more years of guaranteed software support, and all of the latest AI-boosted software features straight out of the box. It's no wonder we called the Ultra "arguably the most powerful phone available" in our glowing 4.5/5-star review

Indeed, if you can afford it, there's only one big reason to not buy the S25 Ultra — the imminent arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Rumored to hit store shelves sometime in early March, the S26 Ultra is expected to improve upon its predecessor with a slightly better processor and some upgraded camera tech. 

A photo of a cat taken with a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Aside from a few spec boosts, however, the S26 Ultra isn't going to be that much more powerful than the S25 version. So if you prioritize bang for the buck when shopping for phones, ask yourself one question: are you looking for a preorder deal through your carrier or a straightforward discount on an unlocked phone? If you answered the latter, this $250 discount on the Galaxy S25 Ultra may be the Presidents' Day deal for you.

When does the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra come out?

If the latest leaks and rumors are correct, the Samsung Galaxy S26 series will be announced on February 25th with a street date of early March. 

Should I wait for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

It depends on what you're looking for. If you like to use the latest and greatest devices as soon as they're out, you might want to wait a few more weeks to see what kind of preorder deals become available after Samsung Unpacked wraps up. If, on the other hand, you simply want to buy a great phone today, last year's Galaxy S25 Ultra remains an outstanding pick for all Android fans. 

Patrick Farmer
eCommerce Editor

After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child. 

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