Samsung’s mobile business is under mounting pressure as rising memory chip prices continue to squeeze profit margins, while global shipping and supply routes face fresh disruption tied to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. With costs climbing and uncertainty rippling through logistics, Samsung appears to be pulling out every stop to keep demand strong for its newest flagship lineup, the Galaxy S26 series.
One of the company’s most attention-grabbing moves is now live in India: a new upgrade-and-return plan that lets customers use a Galaxy S26 device for a full year by paying only half the phone’s listed price upfront.
The offer is part of Samsung’s newly introduced Galaxy Forever program for India. The idea is simple and aggressive. Buyers can pick any Galaxy S26 variant, pay 50 percent of the retail price at the start, and use the phone for 12 months. Samsung is also bundling free comprehensive device insurance as part of the package, which adds real value for anyone worried about accidental damage during that year.
When the 12 months are up, users get three clear choices:
1) Keep the phone by paying the remaining 50 percent
2) Return the phone with no additional payment due
3) Upgrade, encouraging a move to the next Galaxy S model when it arrives
From a strategy standpoint, Galaxy Forever is designed to do two things at once. In the short term, it can boost Galaxy S26 sales by lowering the barrier to entry for buyers who may hesitate at full flagship pricing. Over the long term, it helps Samsung build a predictable annual upgrade pipeline, keeping customers on a yearly refresh cycle that benefits the company’s premium smartphone business.
This isn’t the first time Samsung has tested versions of this approach. Similar upgrade-style programs have appeared in other markets in the past, including promotions tied to Galaxy foldables in Southeast Asia, as well as earlier carrier-based attempts in the United States years ago. The renewed push in India signals that Samsung sees the region as a critical battleground for flagship growth.
Behind the scenes, Samsung’s cost-cutting efforts show just how intense the pressure has become. Recent reports indicate the mobile division has initiated internal measures to reduce spending, including tighter travel rules for many executives and initiatives aimed at lowering overall overhead. Supply-chain decisions are also shifting, with Samsung reportedly seeking more cost-effective OLED panel sourcing for certain models such as the Galaxy S26 FE and the Galaxy A57.
At the same time, Samsung has been experimenting with revenue-protection tactics in customer support channels, including offering sizeable refunds in some return scenarios involving the Galaxy S26 Ultra—an unusual step that suggests the company is working hard to keep customer satisfaction high and reduce the risk of losing premium buyers.
For consumers in India, Galaxy Forever could be a genuinely compelling way to try the Galaxy S26 lineup without committing to the full upfront cost immediately. For Samsung, it’s a calculated play to defend sales momentum during a period of rising component costs, tighter margins, and global logistics volatility.
