Samsung may increase Galaxy S26 series prices by up to $100 starting October 1 in Korea, citing rising component costs and Apple's recent iPhone price hikes. The company states no decision has been finalized but is internally reviewing price adjustments.
Samsung has launched its 'Re-Newed' refurbished Galaxy S26 series with certified devices serviced directly by Samsung, offering discounts of around $200 off retail prices. The Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,099, compared to $1,299 for new models, with all colors available exclusively through Samsung.com.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is a book-style foldable phone that opens into a large tablet-like screen for productivity tasks like reading PDFs, running spreadsheets, or using multiple apps simultaneously, while closing to pocket size for quick tasks on its cover display. It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, improved hinge design with a less noticeable crease, Galaxy AI capabilities, and is currently discounted to $1,650 from $1,900 on Amazon.
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Samsung is preparing to launch the Galaxy S27 series in early 2027 with four models including the S27, S27 Plus, S27 Pro, and S27 Ultra, featuring major upgrades to display, processor, and battery. The S27 Ultra will introduce a new pill-shaped camera design, while Samsung will skip its Edge series lineup. The flagships will compete against Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and other premium smartphones.
Apple unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable smartphone, featuring a compact palm-size design with a 5.4-inch cover screen and 7.6-inch inner display. It competes with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, which offers a larger 6.5-inch cover screen, 8-inch inner display, and superior camera specs, though the iPhone Duo provides better durability with an IP68 rating and starts at $1,999 versus the Z Fold 8 Ultra's $2,100.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra are reportedly upgrading to M16 OLED panels with improved brightness, color accuracy, and power efficiency, marking the first major display material upgrade in three years. The standard S27 and S27+ will use M14 panels, while M16 panels will also appear in upcoming Z Flip 9 and Z Fold 9 foldables in late 2027.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Pro and S27 Ultra will feature M16 OLED panels, marking the first major OLED upgrade in three years, offering higher brightness, power efficiency, and color accuracy. The S27 and S27+ will use M14 panels. Samsung's foldable Z series is also expected to adopt M16 panels in 2027.
Samsung released an ad featuring a New Zealand man named Tim Cook who resembles Apple's former CEO, promoting the Galaxy Z Fold 8 as Apple announced iPhone Duo. The ad mimics Apple's cinematic style and references Cook's profile picture, continuing Samsung's long history of competitive advertising against Apple.
Samsung is developing Galaxy Buds On, open-ear loop-style wireless earbuds launching in Black and White. The earbuds feature pogo pin charging, touch controls, head gestures, and AI-powered voice recording with summarization, but lack ANC and 360 Audio.
Samsung's Galaxy Buds On, codenamed Able, feature a unique clip-on design with rounded bulbs connected by a silicone loop, available in black and white. New features include nod/shake gestures, Auto Volume adjustment, voice assistant wake capabilities, voice memo transcription, and sleep-pause functionality, though active noise cancellation is absent. The earbuds have cleared certification and are rumored for Q4 2026 launch.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is an impressive foldable smartphone with a wider format, slim design, and strong performance, but it falls short of perfection due to a missing telephoto lens, thermal throttling issues, lack of S Pen support, and a steep $1,899 starting price that limits its appeal beyond dedicated foldable enthusiasts.
Apple entered the foldable phone market with the iPhone Duo, which resembles Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8. The author questions who would buy such expensive devices, arguing that their target audience—people needing both phone and tablet functionality—either can't afford the premium price or would choose separate devices instead, leaving only status-seekers as potential buyers.
Samsung ended support for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic after delivering four promised generations of Wear OS updates, with the devices excluded from Samsung's September 2026 security bulletin. The company has since released newer models including the Galaxy Watch 8, Galaxy Watch 9, and Galaxy Watch Ultra 2.
Samsung is offering a $300 discount on the Galaxy Z Fold 8, bringing the price down to $1,600, as Apple prepares to announce its first foldable iPhone expected to cost $2,000. The Z Fold 8 features a redesigned lighter body, large AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and dual-camera system, with additional discounts available through Amazon and for higher storage models.
Samsung is offering up to $300 off the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and $250 off the Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phones with no trade-in required, coinciding with iPhone Duo's launch. Additional discounts up to $800 are available through Samsung's trade-in program, plus $200 in accessory credit.
Samsung has ended software support for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic after five years of updates, removing them from its security support list. The watches received their final updates in June and August and will no longer receive new software features, though users can continue using them or upgrade to newer models.
Samsung clarified that slight screen sinking at Galaxy Z Fold 8 corners is intentional design, not a defect. The cushioning structure provides durability and protection by allowing clearance between internal display components.