Presentation and sales schedule
According to South Korean outlet News1 Korea, Samsung will hold a presentation of the Galaxy S26 series on February 25, 2026. After the announcement, pre-orders for registered users will run from February 26 to March 4, and the mass pre-sale stage is scheduled for March 5–10. The official sales start is set for March 11, so as not to tie the release to Friday the 13th.
"Samsung plans to present the flagship Galaxy S26 series on February 25, but the official sales start has been moved to March 11"
— News1 Korea, South Korean outlet
Superstition or business logic?
At first glance, the decision to avoid Friday the 13th seems like a marketing gesture — companies take into account the cultural codes of markets (especially the US and Western Europe). But practical logistics may lie behind such a decision: pre-order time windows, supply-chain checks, and a desire to avoid uncertainty in the first days of sales.
Prices and chip shortages
Samsung may raise prices on the S26 due to a shortage of memory chips affecting production costs. Unlike the S25 (shown on January 22 last year), where prices remained at the same level, the S26 risks becoming more expensive — a factor important for consumers and retailers in Ukraine and the EU. Analysts note that even small shifts in memory supply can change the pricing policies of major manufacturers.
Evidence of product readiness
Alongside the presentation date, "live" photos and videos of the Galaxy S26 Ultra have appeared online, and the mid-range Galaxy A57 has passed certification in China — signals that the production chain is active, but the company is opting for a soft sales launch.
What this means for the Ukrainian market
In short — the delay itself is minimal, but the consequences can be noticeable: possible price increases in the first month of availability, longer pre-order queues, and higher demand for alternatives (previous models, the used market, other brands). For Ukrainian retailers this window is an opportunity to plan supplies and promotions; for consumers it's a signal to watch pricing and deals more closely.
Conclusion
Samsung's decision to postpone the sales start looks like a combination of cultural framing and pragmatic supply-chain risk management. For Ukrainians, it's important not to react emotionally to "superstitions", but to assess how this will affect price, availability, and delivery times. The next step is to check official pre-order terms with regional retailers and compare options.
