Samsung S26 Ultra release date, price and where to pre-order in the UK today

Samsung is releasing a new lineup of phones, adding to its popular S series. The new devices are called the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra.

Samsung unveiled its newest phones at today’s Unpacked event, boasting faster performance and improved displays. Key features include a better AMOLED screen, a battery that lasts up to 31 hours, and enhanced privacy protections.

Like previous Samsung S series phones, the best features are typically found in the S26 Ultra. It’s Samsung’s most advanced model and consistently delivers impressive improvements in camera performance, processing speed, and overall design.

The new S26 Ultra is thinner and features a more vibrant display than previous models. It’s available in four fresh colours: Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue.

Here’s a complete guide to getting the phone, covering its price, features, and how it stacks up against older versions.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung
Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Sky
Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Currys

Make sure you also check out the best Samsung Galaxy S26 deals.

Jump to:

What is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra UK release date?
What is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra UK price?
Which UK retailers have the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in stock?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra design: What does the smartphone look like?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs: What’s new about the device?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Is it worth the upgrade?

What is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra UK release date?

You can now pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, starting today, February 25th. The Galaxy S26 and S26+ are also available for pre-order.

The three devices will be available to order outright from Wednesday 11 March.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung

What is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra UK price?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 will start at £879 for the base model. The S26+ costs from £1,099, and the top-end S26 Ultra begins at £1,279.

The price will vary based on the storage capacity you choose. Currently, Samsung has a pre-order promotion where you can get double the storage at no extra cost. For example, the 512GB version of the S26 Ultra costs the same as the 256GB model – £1,279 – during this offer.

Samsung S26

256GB | £879
512GB | £1,049 £879

Samsung S26+

256GB | £1,099
512GB | £1,269 £1,099

Samsung S26 Ultra

256GB | £1,279
512GB | £1,449 £1,279
1TB | £1,529

Which UK retailers have the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra in stock?

You can buy the Samsung S26 Ultra directly from Samsung, but it’s also sold by other stores and mobile carriers. Sometimes, carriers offer deals that include cheaper data plans, and retailers like Sky and John Lewis might have discounts on accessories such as the Galaxy Watch8.

Samsung | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, Sky Blue, Pink Gold (Samsung only) and Silver Shadow (Samsung only)
Sky | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
Three | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
Vodafone| Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
O2 | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
Tesco | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
Currys | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
John Lewis | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock
Tesco | Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue in stock

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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra design: What does the smartphone look like?

The S26 Ultra’s design is very similar to previous models. It features a 6.9-inch display, just like the S25 Ultra, but is now a bit slimmer and lighter, measuring 7.9mm thick and weighing 214g.

I’m really impressed with the build quality of this phone! The frame is made from super strong Armor Aluminium, and the screen has Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass. It feels incredibly durable and I’m confident it’ll protect my phone from everyday wear and tear – it’s the best protection I’ve seen so far.

We’ve just received new colors, including Cobalt Violet, Black, White, and Sky Blue. Plus, Samsung customers can get the exclusive Silver Shadow and Pink Gold.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs: What’s new about the device?

Just as expected, the S26 Ultra’s camera is a standout feature. Samsung is touting it as their brightest yet, and it boasts impressive specs: a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide lens, a 50MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP front-facing camera.

This year brings a new feature called Privacy Display, and it’s exclusive to the S26 Ultra. It lets you keep your screen content – including apps and notifications – private by making it visible only to the person directly in front of the screen.

There is also new Ultra-fast, Ultra-long lasting charge which can power up to 75% in 30 minutes.

As you’d expect from Samsung, the new Ultra is incredibly fast. It’s powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, making it perfect for demanding tasks like gaming, work, creative projects, or even just enjoying your favorite shows – everything runs seamlessly.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Is it worth the upgrade?

Whether the Samsung S25 Ultra or S26 Ultra is better for you really depends on what you need. Both phones have similar screen sizes and powerful AI, but the S26 Ultra boasts significant improvements to its camera – photos and videos are brighter and clearer – and it’s noticeably faster. If you prioritize photography or gaming, the S26 Ultra is the better choice.

The S25 Ultra had limited color options, with only pink and jade green available. This year’s models offer a wider selection, including violet and sky blue.

Currently, the S25 Ultra isn’t significantly cheaper than the newer S26, making the S26 a worthwhile choice for just £30 more. However, good deals are appearing on the S25 Ultra from UK carriers – O2, for example, offers it for £26 a month – and we might see even better prices as the S26 becomes more popular. If you’re simply looking for a great phone with an excellent camera and smart AI features, the S25 Ultra still delivers a very similar experience.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at Samsung

Authors

Olivia Garrett

2026-02-25 22:35