Samsung will lease you a Galaxy S26 Ultra for a year at 50% of its retail price.
Samsung has introduced a new strategy to attract more customers to the Galaxy S26 series in one of its major markets. In a press release issued earlier today, the company unveiled the "Galaxy Forever" program in India.
The program's name might cause some confusion, but it essentially functions as an ownership or upgrade scheme. Buyers can acquire the Galaxy S26 Ultra (priced from $1502) or the Galaxy S26 Plus (starting at $1,288) by paying 50% of the device's cost upfront, followed by 12 monthly installments with no interest. The standard Galaxy S26 is not included in this offer.
What does the Galaxy Forever program actually offer?
After a year, participants have three choices. They can return the device after 12 months of usage, which is akin to renting a smartphone, or keep it by paying the remaining 50% over 12 months.
The third option allows for an upgrade to the next Galaxy flagship, where 50% of the original device's price is deducted from the cost of the new phone. However, this option appears to be available only for those who have chosen Samsung Finance+ when purchasing the S26 Ultra or S26 Plus.
As part of the Galaxy Forever program, Samsung provides the Care+ plan, which offers protection against accidental and liquid damage for Rs. 13,999 (approximately $150) for 13 months. This coverage ensures that the device remains in good condition upon return, thereby allowing the owner to receive the full buyback value.
Nonetheless, to participate in the program, buyers must pay a monthly fee of Rs. 749.92 ($8.04), which covers accidental or liquid damage according to the standard policy in the country. Thus, even if someone wants to use the Ultra or Plus variant for six months, they will end up paying around $100 in addition to half the device's price.
Let's break down the economics of renting versus buying.
If I acquire the Galaxy S26 Ultra through the Galaxy Forever program, my total cost would be half the phone’s price (approximately $750) divided into 12 interest-free payments (approximately $62.5), plus the monthly program fee (around $8), totaling about $847 instead of just $750.
Moreover, when I consider trading in for a new device in the future, I would receive about $750 as the buyback value for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Currently, if I were to buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra and trade in an S25 Ultra upfront, I could get a maximum exchange value of Rs. 81,900, or about $879. If Samsung maintains this exchange value for the S26 Ultra, I could potentially lose $100 in the transaction.
This is an approximate figure, and the actual exchange price might be lower; if that happens, the cost difference between acquiring a phone through the program and purchasing one outright wouldn’t be significant. However, it's worth calculating the math at least once.
The Galaxy Forever program could resonate well with Samsung enthusiasts.
Regardless, the Galaxy Forever program has the potential to be quite successful among Samsung fans in the region (I know several of them).
Given the high price of the Galaxy S26 series, particularly in a value-sensitive market like India—where most smartphones sold are mid-range (around $300 to $500)—the Galaxy Forever program appears to be Samsung's method to draw more customers to the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus.
Currently, the Galaxy Forever program is available only in India. In the United States, prospective buyers may benefit more from carrier deals. For example, T-Mobile is offering the Galaxy S26 Ultra with a new line on the Experience Beyond plan, effectively making it free (with an additional $35 device connection fee).
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Samsung will lease you a Galaxy S26 Ultra for a year at 50% of its retail price.
Galaxy Forever reshapes flagship ownership in India — pay half now and then, after a year, choose whether to keep, return, or upgrade to the next Galaxy.