Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra available at 50 per cent discount by paying Rs 749, but there is a catch

Owning a premium smartphone has often meant paying a high price upfront, which keeps many buyers away. Samsung is trying to change that with a new program called Galaxy Forever in India. The idea is simple. You can own the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Plus by paying only 50 per cent of the cost for the first year. The rest can be paid later or skipped if you return the phone. This gives buyers more flexibility and lowers the entry barrier for flagship devices while keeping upgrade options open every year for those who like having the latest technology.

Here’s how you can get the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Plus at half their cost. 

What is Galaxy Forever?

Samsung’s Galaxy Forever is a new ownership model aimed at making its flagship devices more accessible. Under this programme, users can take home the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Plus by paying half of the device price through 12 no-cost EMIs.

The plan also includes Samsung Care Plus protection worth Rs 13,999 for 13 months. This covers accidental and liquid damage without extra charges.

Aside from that, the South Korean tech giant is also offering a one-of-a-kind offer to the buyers, as they’ll have an option to return the phone, keep it by paying the remaining amount, or upgrade to a newer Galaxy flagship.

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How the programme works

Samsung has ensured that the process to enrol in the Galaxy Forever programme is simple. 

Firstly, the customers need to pay 50 per cent of the phone’s price using a credit card or Samsung Finance Plus. Following that, the amount will be divided into 12 no-cost EMIs along with a small monthly programme fee of about Rs 749.

Once the consumer goes past the 12-month limit, he or she will be provided with a few choices. If you had used a credit card for the purchase, then you can also return the device and get the assured 50 per cent buyback value. Or you can also keep the phone by paying the remaining 50 per cent through another set of 12 no-cost EMIs.

However, if you purchased your Samsung Galaxy S26 series device using Samsung Finance Plus, then you’ll also have an option to return the device and upgrade to a new Galaxy model when it arrives. However, if you don’t want to do so, then you can keep the device simply by paying the full remaining amount in the 13th month.

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Pricing and deal details

The programme is available on Samsung’s official website and across more than 1,500 Samsung Experience Stores in India. Furthermore, Samsung has also partnered with Servify and DMI Finance to manage returns, upgrades, and settlements smoothly.

In terms of pricing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra officially starts at Rs 1,39,999, with a monthly payable amount of around Rs 6,583 including the programme fee. The Galaxy S26 Plus starts at Rs 1,19,999, with a monthly cost of about Rs 5,750.

Should you opt for Galaxy Forever?

This isn’t the first time we’re seeing something like this. Google introduced a Pixel Upgrade programme in India last year. The two programmes are quite similar, but there are a few key differences.

With Samsung’s programme, you need to pay 50 per cent upfront, and the remaining amount is covered through 12-month EMIs. Google, on the other hand, offers up to 24 months of EMIs without requiring such a large upfront payment. Samsung lets you decide whether to upgrade or keep the device after 12 months, while Google gives you that choice after 9 months.

What I personally like most about Samsung’s Galaxy Forever programme is the flexibility it offers. After 12 months, you can simply return the device and walk away if you don’t want to continue. Additionally, the programme includes Samsung Care+, which lets you use your device without worrying about accidental or liquid damage. This is something that’s missing from the Google Pixel upgrade program. Whether to use it or not yet comes down to personal preference.