What ShopSavvy's price data shows
In ShopSavvy's price observations for Samsung smartphones, prices ran lowest in June (6.5% below usual) and November (5.4% below usual), measured against each product's own median price over the previous 12 months.
Black Friday week (Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday): the median product sold 9.7% below its own early-October price (29 product-years, 2020-2023).
| Month | Vs. usual price | Chart | Products | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0% | 52 | 991 | |
| February | -1.4% | 51 | 645 | |
| March | 0% | 58 | 524 | |
| April | 0% | 51 | 422 | |
| May | 0% | 45 | 369 | |
| June | -6.5% | 38 | 380 | |
| July | -2.2% | 47 | 1,318 | |
| August | -1.8% | 46 | 896 | |
| September | -0.7% | 41 | 405 | |
| October | -5% | 36 | 334 | |
| November | -5.4% | 52 | 1,169 | |
| December | 0% | 54 | 2,500 |
Products these figures come from
The products with the most price observations behind this page; each links to its current prices and full price history.
- Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (544 observations)
- Galaxy Z Fold 4 (100 observations)
- Galaxy S23 Unlocked, Phantom Black (71 observations)
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 (43 observations)
- Galaxy S20 FE 5G (18 observations)
- Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G (10 observations)
Source: ShopSavvy price observations, 13,633 observations of 255 products, 2020-08 to 2026-09. New-condition, US-dollar prices from trusted retailers; eBay and marketplace sellers excluded; prices outside 0.4x-2.5x of a product's own median dropped as mismatched listings. Computed 2026-10-12.
- Coverage is uneven across years: 5,292 observations in 2022 against 61 in 2025, so busier years weigh more.
- Each month compares a product with its own recent price, so it measures timing, not how much cheaper one model is than another. Months marked "not enough data" had fewer than 20 product-months.
- Past patterns are a guide, not a promise: sale dates move and a new model can reset prices.
The same price history is available to developers through the ShopSavvy Data API and as licensed datasets.
The guide below was written from published retailer sale calendars and seasonal coverage. Its discount ranges are not ShopSavvy measurements; ShopSavvy's own figures are in the section above.
The Perfect Timing: When to Buy Samsung Smartphones for Maximum Savings
A Galaxy of Opportunities to Save on Your Next Purchase
As the world's largest smartphone manufacturer, commanding 19.1% of the global market in 2025, Samsung has established clear patterns in how they release and price their coveted Galaxy devices. After analyzing years of Samsung's pricing strategies, release schedules, and sales events, I've pinpointed exactly when you should pull the trigger on that Galaxy smartphone you've been eyeing—and when you should wait.
The Samsung Calendar: A Month-by-Month Buying Guide 📅
Samsung follows a fairly predictable annual release schedule, with major flagship launches typically occurring in January/February and foldable updates in July. This creates predictable ripple effects on pricing throughout the year. Let's break down the best (and worst) months to buy a Samsung smartphone:
| Month | Buy Rating | Average Discount | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 13.6-18.3% | Post-holiday clearance + pre-announcement deals on current models |
| February | ⭐⭐ | 9.1-12.8% | New flagship releases; good for previous generation |
| March | ⭐⭐⭐ | 16.9-19.7% | Spring sales start; initial price drops on previous models |
| April | ⭐⭐ | 8.5-11.9% | Easter promotions, but limited Samsung-specific deals |
| May | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 21.9-26.5% | Memorial Day sales offer significant Samsung discounts |
| June | ⭐⭐⭐ | 15.5-22.8% | Summer promotions begin; decent value |
| July | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 23.7-28.9% | Foldable launches & Amazon Prime Day deals |
| August | ⭐⭐⭐ | 16.9-20.5% | Back-to-school promotions continue |
| September | ⭐⭐ | 10.2-11.7% | Limited deals as focus shifts to competitor releases |
| October | ⭐⭐⭐ | 15.8-17.3% | October Prime Day deals + early holiday promotions |
| November | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 25.5-39.0% | Black Friday & Cyber Monday (best deals of the year) |
| December | ⭐⭐⭐ | 14.4-21.2% | Holiday promotions, but best deals already passed |
What makes Samsung unique is their multi-tier release strategy spanning flagships, foldables, the slim Edge, mid-range A series, and Fan Edition models, plus their aggressive discounting during major sales events. While other brands might hold firm on pricing for 6+ months after release, Samsung often begins meaningful discounts within 3-4 months.
Samsung's Release Cycle: Setting Your Purchase Clock ⏰
Understanding Samsung's release cadence is critical to timing your purchase perfectly:
- Galaxy S Series (Flagships): Announced in January/February with availability within two weeks
- Galaxy S Edge (Slim Flagship): Launched in May 2025; expect annual refreshes
- Galaxy Z Series (Foldables): Announced in July at summer Unpacked events, available late July
- Galaxy S FE (Fan Edition): Typically September/October launch
- Galaxy A Series (Mid-range): Key models launched at MWC in February/March
Here's what Samsung has released recently and what's coming next:
Recent Launches:
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series (February 7, 2025): Galaxy S25 ($799), S25+ ($999), S25 Ultra ($1,299). Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, 12GB RAM across the board, One UI 7 with Galaxy AI features.
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (May 30, 2025): Ultra-slim flagship at just 5.8mm thick, priced at $1,099. Features the same 200MP camera as the S25 Ultra in a slimmer body.
-
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (September 19, 2025): Fan Edition at $649, bringing flagship features to a more affordable price point with a 4,900 mAh battery.
-
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Z Flip 7 (July 25, 2025): Z Fold 7 starts at $1,999 with a 200MP camera. Z Flip 7 starts at $1,099 with a 4.1-inch edge-to-edge cover display. Z Flip 7 FE launched at $899.
-
Samsung Galaxy A56, A36, A26 (March 2025): Mid-range trio at $499, $399, and $299 respectively. First A-series phones with Galaxy AI features. Six years of updates.
Upcoming:
-
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series: Announced February 25, 2026. Available March 11, 2026. S26 Ultra starts at $1,299 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a wider-aperture camera collecting 47% more light. The S26 and S26+ see a slight price increase of about $100 over their predecessors.
-
Samsung Galaxy A57, A37, A27: Expected March 2026 alongside the usual mid-range refresh cycle.
-
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 & Z Flip 8: Expected July 2026 at summer Unpacked.
Pro Tip: If you're not concerned with having the very latest model, buy the previous generation Galaxy S series in May (3 months after release) during Memorial Day sales or wait until November for maximum discounts. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra hit a record-low $849 during Black Friday 2025.
Samsung's Sales Events: When Galaxies Go on Sale 🏷️
Samsung participates in major retail events but also runs several brand-specific promotions throughout the year. Here's when you can expect the deepest discounts:
Top Samsung Discount Events
| Event | Timing | Typical Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Friday/Cyber Monday | Late November | 25.5-39.0% off | Best overall deals of the year |
| Samsung Unpacked Events | February & July | 11.5-16.8% off | Pre-order bonuses on new models; steep discounts on previous gen |
| Memorial Day | Late May | 19.5-28.8% off | Excellent mid-year opportunity |
| Amazon Prime Day | July & October | 17.6-25.0% off | Competitive pricing; October event often better for Samsung |
| Back-to-School | July-September | 13.5-21.6% off | Often includes valuable bundles with earbuds or smartwatches |
| Samsung.com Flash Sales | Sporadic | 14.1-27.3% off | Unpredictable but worthwhile; often better through Samsung directly |
What separates Samsung from competitors is their aggressive trade-in programs, especially during launch periods. During the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event in January 2025, Samsung offered enhanced trade-in values that could reduce a new flagship's price by up to $750 with eligible devices.
The Samsung Price Lifecycle: From Launch to Clearance 📉
Samsung smartphones follow a predictable pricing pattern after release:
- Launch (Months 0-1): Full MSRP with pre-order bonuses (free earbuds, enhanced trade-ins)
- Early Adoption (Months 2-3): Minor discounts (7.5-10.1%) plus occasional bundle deals
- Initial Reductions (Months 4-6): First significant price drops (15.2-18.6%) during seasonal sales
- Mid-life Discounting (Months 7-9): Regular discounts of 20.9-26.1% during promotional periods
- Clearance Phase (Months 10-12): Aggressive discounting (27.8-36.9%) as next model approaches
- Discontinued (12+ months): Limited availability with maximum discounts (39.1%+)
For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra launched at $1,299 in February 2025 and hit a record-low price of $849 during Black Friday 2025 at Best Buy (with carrier activation), representing roughly a 35% discount just 9 months after launch. Samsung.com offered the 512GB model for $850 with a free storage upgrade.
Samsung Price History Revealed: Real Data on Real Savings 💸
Looking at recent Samsung flagships reveals consistent patterns in price reductions:
| Model | Launch Price | Best Recorded Price | Current Street Price (Mar 2026) | When to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | $1,299 | $849 (Nov 2025, Best Buy w/ activation) | ~$1,050-$1,170 | Late November (Black Friday) |
| Galaxy S25+ | $999 | ~$810 (Nov 2025) | ~$850 | Late November (Black Friday) |
| Galaxy S25 | $799 | ~$575 (Nov 2025, Amazon) | ~$650 | Late November (Black Friday) |
| Galaxy S25 Edge | $1,099 | ~$609 (Oct 2025, Prime Day) | ~$950 | October Prime Day or Black Friday |
| Galaxy S25 FE | $649 | ~$549 (Nov 2025) | ~$600 | Late November (Black Friday) |
| Galaxy Z Fold 7 | $1,999 | ~$1,400 (Nov 2025) | ~$1,600 | Late November (Black Friday) |
| Galaxy Z Flip 7 | $1,099 | ~$799 (Nov 2025) | ~$900 | Late November (Black Friday) |
The Samsung Waiting Game: Based on historical data, waiting approximately 9 months after release (from February to November) can save you 25-35% on Samsung flagships. For the budget-conscious, this patience translates to hundreds of dollars in savings.
The Samsung Trade-In Advantage
One factor that makes Samsung unique in the smartphone landscape is their aggressive trade-in program. Samsung consistently offers higher trade-in values than carriers or third-party resellers, especially during launch windows and major sales events.
For example, during the Galaxy S25 launch in January 2025, Samsung offered:
- Up to $750 trade-in credit for previous-generation Galaxy devices
- "Enhanced" trade-in values during the pre-order period
- Bonus credit ($50-100) for accessories when pre-ordering
During Black Friday 2025, trade-in values got even more aggressive:
- Up to $700 off the Galaxy S25 Ultra with a Galaxy S24 Ultra or Z Fold 7 trade-in
- Up to $1,000 off the Galaxy Z Fold 7 with an eligible trade-in
- Up to $600 off the Galaxy Z Flip 7 with an eligible trade-in
This can significantly alter the "best time to buy" equation if you have a recent Samsung device to trade. In some cases, the combination of a good trade-in value plus pre-order bonuses can make launch day purchases more economical than waiting for discounts.
What the Galaxy S26 Launch Means for Prices Right Now 🔮
With the Galaxy S26 series announced on February 25, 2026 and available March 11, 2026, here's how current models are being affected:
- Galaxy S25 Series: Already seeing significant price drops ahead of the S26 launch. The S25 Ultra 512GB is available for around $1,165 on Amazon (down from $1,419). Expect further clearance discounts through spring 2026.
- Galaxy S25 Edge: Prices declining as the S26 lineup takes the spotlight. Currently around $950, expected to drop further.
- Galaxy Z Fold 7 / Z Flip 7: Limited immediate impact since the next Z series isn't expected until July 2026.
- Galaxy A56/A36/A26: Minimal immediate impact; replacements (A57/A37/A27) expected around March 2026.
If you're considering a Galaxy S25 Ultra right now, this is actually a great time to buy. The S26 Ultra keeps the same $1,299 starting price, so S25 Ultra prices are dropping fast and will continue to fall. You can save $200-400 over the S26 while getting a phone that's still excellent.
The Samsung Buying Strategy: My Expert Recommendations 🧠
Based on years of analyzing Samsung's pricing patterns, here are my data-driven recommendations:
Best Times to Buy:
-
Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Late November): Hands down the best time for maximum discounts on all Samsung models. Average savings of 25-39% off MSRP. In 2025, the Galaxy S25 Ultra hit $849 and the Z Fold 7 dropped to $1,400.
-
Memorial Day Sales (Late May): An excellent mid-year opportunity with discounts averaging 20-29% off MSRP.
-
Amazon Prime Day (July & October): Two opportunities per year. The October 2025 event saw the Galaxy S25 Edge drop by $490, and $200 off Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models.
-
Immediately After New Model Announcements: Within 2 weeks of a new Galaxy S release, previous generation models see immediate price drops of 15-20%. Right now, with the S26 launching, S25 prices are falling fast.
Times to Avoid:
-
September-October (unless it's Prime Day): This period typically sees few meaningful Samsung-specific promotions as attention shifts to competitor releases.
-
1-2 Months After Release: The early adoption period offers minimal discounts (usually just 7-10% off) and doesn't provide good value.
Samsung-Specific Buying Tips 💡
-
Check Samsung.com First: Samsung often offers exclusive colorways, free storage upgrades, and better trade-in values than carriers or retailers. During Black Friday 2025, Samsung.com beat Amazon's S25 Ultra pricing.
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Bundle for Value: During major sales events, Samsung frequently bundles smartphones with Galaxy Buds, smartwatches, or tablets at significant discounts.
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Student and Military Discounts: Samsung offers year-round discounts of 10-15% for students, educators, first responders, and military personnel, which can be combined with seasonal promotions.
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Carrier vs. Unlocked: Carrier-specific deals can sometimes beat unlocked prices (Best Buy's $849 S25 Ultra required activation), but often come with strings attached. Compare total cost of ownership before deciding.
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Refurbished Options: Samsung's Certified Re-Newed program offers refurbished devices with a new battery and one-year warranty at 18-30% below new prices throughout the year.
-
Consider the Fan Edition: The Galaxy S25 FE at $649 (launched September 2025) brings most flagship features at a significant discount. Wait for Black Friday or later for even better pricing.
Final Verdict: The Best Time to Buy a Samsung Smartphone
If you're eyeing a Samsung flagship and can wait, late November during Black Friday will consistently offer the best value. The Galaxy S25 Ultra dropped to $849 in November 2025, and you can expect similar or better deals on the S26 series come November 2026.
For those who need a phone sooner, Memorial Day sales in May provide the best mid-year opportunity for significant discounts.
Right now (March 2026) is actually a solid time to buy a Galaxy S25 series phone. With the S26 just launching, S25 prices are at clearance levels. The S25 Ultra is available around $1,050-$1,170 new, and will likely drop further in the coming weeks.
However, if you have a recent device to trade in, the enhanced trade-in values during the pre-order period of new releases (like right now for the Galaxy S26) can sometimes offset the benefits of waiting for deeper discounts later in the year.
By aligning your purchase with Samsung's predictable calendar of releases and sales events, you can save hundreds of dollars on your next Galaxy smartphone. The key is patience and planning. Samsung will discount their devices; it's just a matter of when.
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How we researched this
How we figured this out: from 13,633 price observations ShopSavvy recorded between Aug 1, 2020 and Sep 1, 2026. Past patterns are a guide, not a promise.
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About "Best Time to Buy" Guides
Our "Best Time to Buy" guides pair published retailer sale calendars with ShopSavvy's own price observations, so you can see when prices actually dipped.
Month-by-month figures from ShopSavvy's price observations, with sample sizes
Black Friday week compared with early-October prices
Brand-specific insights and release schedules
Seasonal sale events and what to expect from them
