The base Samsung Galaxy S26, launched at INR 87,999, is getting a secret price cut in offline stores. There’s a quiet deal happening right now that doesn’t exist anywhere on the Samsung website or on Flipkart or Amazon.

From March 21st through the 31st, if you walk into an offline store in India and pay with actual cash, you get the 12GB+256GB model for INR 79,999.

Why would Samsung do this?

Samsung is desperate to move units through offline channels, via AbhishekYadav. The online game has been eating retail alive for years, and this looks like a calculated attempt to push people back into physical stores.

No banner on Samsung website, no press release. Not even a mention on their social channels. This thing is strictly word-of-mouth, surfacing through store reps and people who actually bother showing up in person.

All three models got hit with price hikes this year, some as steep as INR 20,000. Hard to justify that when you’re quietly shaving INR 8,000 off the base model in select scenarios.

Pre-order buyers got the 512GB variant at the 256GB price.

Anyone who walked in during the first ten days and paid full freight just got torched. You spent INR 87,999 on launch week, and now someone else gets it for INR 79,999 because they happened to show up with cash two weeks later?

If you’re in the market for an S26 and you happen to have cash sitting around, this is your window. Ten days, offline only and bring notes. Don’t expect the guy at the store to advertise it either; you might have to ask directly.

The post Galaxy S26 gets secret price cut Samsung isn’t advertising online appeared first on Sammy Fans.

A new One UI 8.5 Beta update is in the making for the Galaxy S25 series, but a report signals a feature gap with Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series.

Samsung may release the 8th One UI 8.5 Beta for the Galaxy S25 series next week, but the ZZCB build doesn’t add new features from the Galaxy S26 series.

Tipster TarunVats, who may have already installed the ZZCB build on his Galaxy S25 Ultra, reports the feature gap with the Galaxy S26 lineup. If this build comes out, users might end up having an uninteresting experience.

It seems the source is talking about the best features of the Galaxy S26 series, such as Now Nudge, Photo Assist with text input, and enhanced Now Brief.

This move isn’t shocking either. Samsung usually keeps new features on hold for a certain time to prioritize the sales of new phones. Once they achieve their pre-determined milestone, feature expansion begins.

Meanwhile, it could stretch the ongoing delay of Stable rollout. It’s been around three months, and Galaxy S25 users are testing Beta firmware. One UI 8.5 has gone official with the S26 series, but S25’s Beta may not end early.

If Samsung goes ahead to test S26 features before public deployment, we may see the Beta Program extended. It doesn’t sound like good news for Samsung fans who are desperately waiting for their turn to install the major update.

Samsung knows Galaxy S25 users won’t upgrade to the S26 series on a scale. The upgrade rate from S23 and S24 users is higher than that of the latest models. The upgrade cycle has also been extended by a year to reach around three and a half years.

The post Galaxy S25 One UI 8.5 Beta report hints at feature gap with S26 appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung has added a new feature to its Galaxy S26 phones that allows you to use them as a webcam for your computer. Many people use old laptop webcams or small USB cameras that don’t give a clear picture. Your phone’s camera is usually much better, and now you can use it for video calls, online meetings, or streaming.

Previously, you needed additional apps to turn your phone into a webcam. But Google added a built-in USB webcam mode with Android 14 QPR1. With this feature, you just connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable and choose it as a webcam. There is no need to install extra software.

Samsung is now bringing this feature to the Galaxy S26 series. It makes it easy to get good video quality from your phone.

Image via Android Authority

Samsung phones already allowed you to share your camera with other Galaxy devices, but this new USB mode is simpler and more reliable. It works directly with your computer and gives a stable, high-quality video.

Right now, this feature is only available for the Galaxy S26 phones. It is not clear if Samsung will add it to older phones in the future. Even so, it is a useful feature for anyone who wants better video quality without buying a new webcam.

Using your phone as a webcam lets you make the most of its camera. It gives you a clearer picture, better colors, and a sharper video. Samsung is showing that phones can do more than just take photos.

The post Samsung Galaxy S26 introduces native webcam support appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung released the first update for Galaxy S26 Ultra in the Global markets, and when it did so in China, it had to pull back the 1GB software.

Tipster IceUniverse revealed that Samsung pushed a software update to Galaxy S26 series in China, carrying AZCG build version and weighing nearly 1GB. It was made available briefly, which was later pulled from the distribution server.

The changelog says “the stability and reliability of your device have been improved.” It’s a usual Samsung statement that comes stapled with almost every monthly update.

It appears to be the first software update for the Galaxy S26 series in China. But why the rollout was suspended overnight remains unknown. Samsung may have identified some issues, which caused sudden suspension.

The update will return after stability verification. Users may receive the same build or a newer iteration, bringing fixes for problems. You can look forward to receiving the latest update by the end of this month in China.

Source – Ice Universe

Samsung has also started the March 2026 update rollout. The company, so far, updated the S25 and S24 series, along with 2025 and 2024’s foldable phones. Internal One UI 8.5 Beta has also picked up a pace, expanding to several models.

April’s going to be a pretty important month from a software perspective. Samsung may expand the Beta Program to many older models, including the S24 series. The April 2026 security patch could also be provided early.

Related article:

• Galaxy S26 gets “seamless” surprise right before Global release

The post Samsung releases, then pulls a 1GB Galaxy S26 Ultra update appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung has introduced a new program in India – Galaxy Forever, and it sounds like a great deal for people who want a premium phone without paying the full price at a time. With this offer, customers can use high-end devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus by paying only half of the price in easy monthly installments for one year.

With Galaxy Forever, customers can use the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Plus by paying only half the cost in 12 easy, interest-free monthly installments. After one year, users have three choices: return the phone and get a guaranteed buyback value, keep the phone by paying the remaining 50% in easy installments, or upgrade to the newest Galaxy device.

The program also includes Samsung Care+ for 13 months. This gives protection against accidental damage and liquid spills, so users don’t have to worry much about repair costs.

Image via Samsung

However, there is one important limitation. The base Galaxy S26 model is not included in this program. Only the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus are eligible. This means users looking for a slightly more affordable flagship option may feel left out.

The offer is available on Samsung’s website and in many Samsung stores across India. It also supports different payment options like credit cards and Samsung Finance+, which makes it easier for more people to afford these phones.

The Galaxy Forever program makes it easy to own the Galaxy S26 Ultra or S26 Plus with affordable monthly payments. Here’s how the costs break down:

Galaxy S26 Ultra

• Starting Price: INR 1,39,999
• Device EMI: INR 5,833.29
• Programme Fee EMI: INR 749.92
• Total Monthly Payment: INR 6,583.21

Galaxy S26 Plus

• Starting Price: INR 1,19,999
• Device EMI: INR 4,999.96
• Programme Fee EMI: INR 749.92
• Total Monthly Payment: INR 5,749.88

Galaxy Forever is a smart and flexible offer, but it would have been even better if the base model had been included, too. Still, this program makes it easy to always stay updated with the latest technology without worrying about big payments.

The post Samsung Galaxy forever offer is nice but the base S26 is ineligible appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung has released a new update for its Camera Assistant app with version 4.5.00.20. This update is available for Galaxy S26 series running One UI 8.5. The update is small, but it makes using the camera a little easier and better.

The biggest change in this Camera Assistant update is related to the 24MP photo option. Samsung has made it easier to find and use. Along with that, the company has also improved camera stabilization. This means your photos can look clearer, even if your hands are slightly shaky while taking pictures.

Earlier, the 24MP option was hidden inside the advanced settings in the Camera Assistant app. Many users didn’t notice it because it was not easy to find. Now, Samsung has moved this option to the main settings screen. This new interface is simple and saves time. You don’t have to go through many steps anymore.

The 24MP mode gives a good balance as it offers better detail than 12MP photos, but it avoids issues seen in very high resolutions. The 24MP feature is available on the Galaxy S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra. You can also turn on the “Keep 24MP resolution” option, so the camera always opens in 24MP mode.

Aside from this update, the update also enhances stability of the app to provide a better Galaxy experience. You can download or update the Camera Assistant app from the Galaxy Store >> Menu option >> Updates or directly from the Good Lock app.

The post Samsung simplifies 24MP settings with latest Camera Assistant update appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung is still doing well with its older phones, mainly when people trade them in for new ones. Even after a few years, many users are still using their old devices and only upgrading now. This shows that people are not changing their phones as often as before.

A new report by Assurant shows that the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the most traded-in Android phone in the United States. It has stayed in the top spot for six quarters in a row. This means many people who bought the phone earlier are now finally upgrading. Also, Samsung is offering around $160 for the Galaxy S22 when users trade it in for a newer flagship phone.

The report also shows that the trade-in market is growing fast. In 2025, people got back more than $6.4 billion through trade-in programs. This is 42% higher than in 2024. Out of this, $2.8 billion came in the last part of the year, when many people buy new phones during sales and offers. The report also says that the iPhone 13 is the most traded-in phone overall.

Source – Samsung Mobile Press

It also has been spotted that people are keeping their phones for a longer time. On average, Android users now trade in their phones after almost four years. This clearly shows that users are waiting longer before buying a new phone.

To encourage people to upgrade, Samsung are giving better trade-in offers. Amazing deals help lower the price of new devices and make upgrading easier.

The post Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stays unstoppable in US trade-ins appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung says Care+ subscription has become a must-have as the Galaxy S26 trend grows. This is not just another phone purchase, but a serious investment.

We are no longer living in the two-year upgrade era. Today, people are holding onto their phones for over three years, often closer to three and a half, which changes everything.

A device like the Galaxy S26 is built to last that long. The hardware can handle it, the software will evolve, and the AI layer will only get better with updates.

A single drop, a cracked display, water damage on a trip: these are not rare events over a 3.5-year ownership window. They are almost inevitable, and without protection, every one of those moments becomes expensive.

Here is something more buyers are starting to consider, and rightly so. Resale value.

Roughly one in four users now factor in how much their phone will be worth when they eventually move on. That matters, especially if you are already eyeing what Samsung might do with a future Galaxy S29.

Condition is everything in the resale market.

A well-maintained device, repaired with original parts, backed by a service history, holds its value far better than one with third-party fixes or visible damage.

This is where Samsung Care+ quietly shifts from being a safety net to something else entirely.

Repairs are not just repairs

There is a difference between getting a phone fixed and getting it restored properly. Repairs are handled by certified technicians who work specifically on Galaxy devices, using genuine parts.

Samsung Care+ extends beyond borders. Whether you are in Seoul, London, Los Angeles, or Barcelona, you are not left searching for a reliable fix in an unfamiliar place. For frequent travelers, this alone makes a strong case.

The 60-day window you should not miss

Samsung gives you a 60-day window from the time you purchase your Galaxy S26 to enroll in Care+. You can sign up during checkout, or later through your phone itself by heading into Settings, then About Phone, then Samsung Care+.

The post Samsung Care+ is a must have for Galaxy S26 buyers – Here’s why appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Galaxy S26 flagships were delayed by a month, but Samsung didn’t delay the next update development cycle. On February 25, Samsung announced the Galaxy S26 series, and the public sales started on March 11, 2026.

The Galaxy S26 series should have arrived in January, but changes in the lineup caused the company to delay the event by four weeks. Talking about the next update, the new Samsung flagships will get one later this year.

One UI 9 appears days after Galaxy S26 release

We are talking about the One UI 9, based on Android 17. It will arrive on existing Samsung phones later this year. The rollout will follow the initial debut with the next-generation foldable phones, including the Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.

The foldable phones will ship with One UI 9 preinstalled. The launch is expected to take place in July, and the same month may witness the release. Meanwhile, a Beta Program of the software will likely arrive within two months.

Like last year, the hype for the next major OS upgrade has begun even before the company’s most anticipated flagships have settled. The release took place on March 11 only, and the first evidence of One UI 9 floated within a week.

Should I get One UI 9 now?

One UI 8.5 is an impressive software, which is even considered a major build, unlike One UI 8.5. Internal testing has started, and some users even managed to install the internal build on their smartphones for early access.

General users aren’t recommended to consider switching to the internal testing build. You can jump to the One UI 9 Beta when it goes official sometime in May. At present, One UI 8.5 is the best Samsung has to offer to its users.

We hope One UI 9 will further enhance the Galaxy user experience. There’s plenty of time for development and testing; Samsung will utilize this time.

The post Samsung flagships barely settle before the next update hype begins appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Despite putting forth what is largely an iterative update with the new Galaxy S26 series, Samsung appears to be raking in higher sales relative to the last year's Galaxy S25 series, at least as per initial impressions. Should this trend continue, however, it risks rewarding complacency, one that might feasibly result in progressively less competitive offerings from Samsung further down the line. Samsung Galaxy S26 series has recorded a pre-order volume of 1.35 million units in South Korea so far Samsung has now revealed that its initial pre-order volume for the new Galaxy S26 series stands at 1.35 million units […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/the-galaxy-s26-series-sales-are-pulling-ahead-of-the-s25-lineups-incentivizing-samsungs-laziness/