Samsung has come up with a new way to attract more customers to the Galaxy S26 series in one of its key markets. In a press release issued today, the company announced a new ‘Galaxy Forever’ program in India.
The name may be a bit confusing, but it’s essentially an ownership or periodic upgrade program where buyers can get the Galaxy S26 Ultra (available starting at $1,502) or the Galaxy S26 Plus (available starting at $1,288) by paying 50% of the device price upfront, spread over 12 interest-free monthly installments. The regular Galaxy S26 is not eligible.
What exactly does the new Galaxy Forever program include?
After one year, buyers have three options. You can either return the device after 12 months of use for a monthly fee, which is simply the same as renting a smartphone, or keep it by paying the remaining 50% in 12 monthly installments.
There is a third option for upgrading to the next Galaxy flagship, where 50% of the original price of the current device will be deducted from the price of the new smartphone. However, this method appears to only be available to buyers who opted for Samsung Finance+ when purchasing the S26 Ultra or S26 Plus.
As part of the Galaxy Forever program, Samsung is offering its Care+ plan, which offers accidental and liquid damage protection for Rs. 13,999 (around $150) for 13 months. Insurance coverage ensures the device remains in good condition when returned, allowing you to enjoy the full buyback value.
However, to use the program, buyers have to pay a monthly fee of Rs. 749.92 ($8.04), which covers accidental or liquid damage under the country’s standard insurance policy. Even if someone wants to use the Ultra or Plus variant for half a year, they will end up paying around $100 on top of half the price of the phone.
This is what the calculation between rent and purchase looks like
Assuming I get the Galaxy S26 Ultra through the Galaxy Forever program, I’ll end up paying half the price of the phone (about $750), divided into 12 interest-free installments (about $62.5), plus the monthly program fee (about $8), which comes to about $847, not $750.
Plus, I’ll only get half the price of the Galaxy S26 Ultra – around $750 – in cashback value when I buy a new phone in the future. However, if I buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra and trade-in for an S25 Ultra in advance, I get a maximum trade-in value of Rs. 81,900 or around $879. If Samsung keeps the exchange values ​​for the S26 Ultra, I could end up losing $100 in the process.
This is an estimated value and the actual exchange price may be lower; In this case, the difference between buying a phone through the program and buying a phone without the program would not be much. However, if this is not the case, it is worth checking the invoice at least once.
The Galaxy Forever program could be well received by Samsung fans
Still, the Galaxy Forever could prove very successful with Samsung devotees in the region (I know some of them).
Given that the Galaxy S26 series is quite expensive, especially in a price-conscious market like India where the majority of smartphones sold are mid-range (around $300 to $500), the Galaxy Forever program seems to be Samsung’s way to attract more customers to the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Plus.
Currently, the Galaxy Forever program is limited to India. In the US, it’s better to purchase a new Galaxy S26 Ultra through deals from carriers. T-Mobile, for example, is giving away the Galaxy S26 Ultra (virtually free) with a new line on the Experience Beyond plan (plus a $35 device connection fee).
