Is a discounted Galaxy S25 Ultra now the smarter purchase?

High memory costs have recently forced Samsung to raise prices for the Galaxy S26 series, first in India and Korea, then in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. These price hikes are unfortunate and may have unexpected consequences in some markets, where the Galaxy S25 series might suddenly look like a better purchase.

Samsung has increased prices only for the Galaxy S26 series while keeping S25 prices untouched. In other words, the company has widened the price gap between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra further than it was at the beginning of the year.

If you're in the market for a premium non-foldable flagship phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is probably the first choice that comes to mind.

However, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is suddenly a more appealing alternative because of the aforementioned extended price gap.

Should you buy the 2025 Galaxy S25 Ultra instead of the 2026 Galaxy S26 Ultra? Normally, we'd recommend the latest model, but right now, it really depends on local prices and how generous Samsung's trade-in program is in your market.

If you're planning to buy a new phone, we recommend checking your local Samsung online store to compare S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra prices and potential discounts side by side.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that some retailers may take a longer time to catch up with Samsung's price increases for the S26 series, so you may be able to find a better deal on the Galaxy S26 Ultra elsewhere.

As far as specs and features are concerned, if you decide to buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra for a considerably lower price instead of the S26 Ultra, you will lose out on a few unique features, but not much.

Galaxy S25 Ultra users can enjoy the same One UI 9 experience, including the same Galaxy AI toolset, as the Galaxy S26 Ultra after the latest update. The S25 Ultra also features a similar camera setup with 3x and 5x zoom cameras, anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass, the S Pen, and a 5,000 mAh battery.

However, if you choose the Galaxy S25 Ultra over the S26 Ultra, you will miss a few key features, including Privacy Display, faster wired (60W) and wireless charging (25W), and Bluetooth 6.0 with Channel Sounding.

The latter technology allows the new SmartTag 3 to offer better directional guidance in Compass View from a longer range. Bluetooth Sounding is available only on the S26+, the S26 Ultra, the Fold 8, and the Fold 8 Ultra. It's missing on the S25 Ultra.

All in all, it's very unusual for a previous-generation flagship to suddenly become more appealing roughly eight months after the launch of its successor. Or, to be more precise, it's unusual for a new phone to become more expensive months after launch. But that's exactly what's happening now due to memory price increases.

In the end, it all boils down to local pricing, so keep this current market shift in mind. If you are planning to buy a new Samsung phone, you'll probably want to cross-check prices before making a decision. You might get more value from a 2025 premium model. It's something to consider.