It’s rare that we’d urge people not to buy phones that we warmly recommended just a few months ago, but that’s the case right now.
Samsung’s Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 Ultra were undoubtedly some of the best phones of 2025. Indeed, the Ultra remains the third finest handset you can buy at the time of writing.
But that doesn’t mean I’d recommend purchasing any of them right now, and there’s one big reason for that: the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung’s next generation of flagships is just weeks away, with the latest rumours pointing to a 25 February launch.
That’s later than in recent years, but the deluge of leaks all but confirms that they’re on the way. Here are two big reasons why you should hold off on the current generation in the meantime.
1. Your ‘new’ phone will be almost immediately out of date
If you’re in the market for an Android flagship, Samsung is undoubtedly one of the top options. And if you want one of the latest and greatest phones, the Galaxy S25 series is for you.
However, that ‘new’ phone that you buy will feel old in just a few weeks. The Galaxy S26 series isn’t an overhaul by any means, but there are some notable upgrades.
If you value having the latest phone, the Galaxy S25, S25+ and S25 Ultra will tick that box for a few weeks. If this is important and you need a phone right now, consider something like the Google Pixel 10 series, OnePlus 15 or Oppo Find X9 Pro – it’s several months until their successors are due.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
2. The Galaxy S25 will likely get even cheaper
If you just want a great phone at a great price, some of the Galaxy S25 series deals are tempting right now. You can save several hundred pounds/dollars across the lineup.
But don’t let clever marketing suck you in. Once the Galaxy S26 series launches, its predecessors are almost certain to get even cheaper. While Samsung might stop selling them, history tells us that they’ll continue to be available via third-party retailers such as Amazon, Currys and Best Buy for a good while.
Even if a price looks good right now, it’s worth holding off to see how things are looking in a few weeks. The same applies if you’re planning to get your next phone on contract, too.
While mega deals on new phones aren’t guaranteed, you’re almost certain to find a good price on a refurbished model. It’s the easiest way to ensure big savings, with trusted sites such as Back Market and musicMagpie putting safeguards in place to ensure you get a fully functioning device with a warranty.
Not set on Samsung? We can still recommend buying most of the other best phones right now.