Overview
- Samsung says preorders are about 25% higher than for the S25, with the Ultra model accounting for roughly 70–80% of early orders according to regional data and industry tracking.
- Android Authority’s audit measured more than 40 GB used after initial setup on a 512 GB Galaxy S26 Ultra, including background-installed packages.
- Reports detail preinstalled bundles from Meta, Spotify and Microsoft that cannot be opted out of during onboarding, with exact app mixes varying by market.
- Outlets note some Google apps are mandated by Play Store licensing, yet overlapping Google and Samsung utilities contribute to the out-of-box storage footprint.
- New lab reviews emphasize deliberate model gaps: S26 and S26 Plus run Exynos 2600 chips and lack the Ultra’s Privacy Display and second telephoto, with early retailer discounts already appearing for the Plus.