Galaxy s26 reservation perks don't live up to history
Galaxy s26 reservations open with no double storage bonus
Samsung's next flagship series is just around the corner, with the Galaxy S26 reservations now officially open.
However, fans might be disappointed to find that there's no double storage bonus this time around, unlike in previous years. The Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for February 25 at 10AM PT.
Galaxy s26 reservation perks compared to previous years
For the Galaxy S25, Samsung offered savings of over $1,250 on the Ultra model, including a $900 maximum trade-in price cut, a $120 free storage upgrade, and up to $300 in Samsung credits.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra was available with up to $990 in savings, featuring a $140 free storage upgrade, a $750 trade-in discount, and a $100 Samsung credit. Pre-orders for the vanilla S24 came with trade-in promo of up to $550, $100 Samsung credit, and $60-$120 in extra savings.
In contrast, the Galaxy S23 Ultra had a $50 reservation gift, the same as the S26, but also included a free storage upgrade and $100 Samsung credit.
What's changed this year?
One major shift is the substantially increased price of memory over the past year, which could explain Samsung's decision to ditch the double storage perk. After all, any company wants to make a profit.
Additionally, this year's reservation gift has decreased from $50 to $30, which may not seem like a big difference but could still feel like adding salt to injury, given the absence of the double storage benefit.
What does this mean for buyers?
While the trade-in price cut this year is actually solid, offering up to $900 in savings on an ultra-premium phone, the lack of the double storage bonus might be a drawback for some.
However, all pre-orders still come with a Samsung credit, separate from the reservation gift, which can be used on accessories.
Conclusion
The trade-in price cut this year is a highlight, but the decreased value of the reservation gift and the absence of the double storage perk might leave some fans feeling underwhelmed compared to previous years' offers.