Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ Pre-Bookings Open in Nepal: Exynos Makes a Return

Usually, the Ultra option of the Samsung Galaxy S series creates all the buzz. But this time, the lower models also have talking points, just not for the right reasons. The pricing took a bit of an uncomfortable leap, while the dreaded Exynos makes a return.

So, we have quite a bit to unpack with these phones. What exactly is going on with the S26 and S26+? What are we getting? Let’s take a closer look:

What is the Price of Samsung Galaxy S26/S26+ in Nepal?

It was pretty obvious that Samsung may raise the prices of its upcoming phones due to rising chip costs, and that is exactly what happened. When the Galaxy S26 series was revealed at the Galaxy Unpacked event on February 25, the base and plus models saw a $100 price bump globally, reaching $899 and $1,099, respectively.

Which is a pretty similar story to what happened in Nepal. The Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ price in Nepal are set at Rs 1,33,999 and Rs 1,82,999, respectively, for the 12/256GB variant, which is the only one arriving this time.

Now, the price may seem a bit too steep, since the base S25 started at Rs 1,04,999 last year. But that was for the 128GB variant, though. This time, the starting model has 256GB storage, which previously cost Rs 1,14,999. Taking that into consideration, the price jump for the base Galaxy S26 isn’t all that bad.

Which is something I cannot say for the Plus model, because it was Rs 1,41,999 for the (12/256GB), which already felt like it was asking too much. Now, the price has skyrocketed to Rs 1,82,999. I really don’t have much to say. I am just lost for words.

At least, Samsung is running pre-booking offers, where you can get Rs 5,000 off on both the phones, bringing their effective prices down to Rs 1,28,999 and Rs 1,77,999, respectively. You can visit the Samsung Campaigns website to pre-order your unit.

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This offer runs from March 8 to March 18, 2026 till the stock lasts. You can opt for EMI or exchange facilities as well. Regardless of how you get the phone, you get a free one-year breakage insurance bundled with the phone.

Now that we’ve covered the price and the expected launch date in Nepal, let’s dive into the official specifications of the S26 and S26+.

Samsung Galaxy S26/ S26+ Overview

The overall design and dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ remain largely unchanged.

The most noticeable visual update is the addition of a camera island, with the camera rings now integrated into a raised bump, similar to the design seen on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Personally, I prefer this approach over the individual camera rings on the Samsung Galaxy S25.

The display did not see major upgrades this year. However, S26’s screen size has been upgraded to a 6.3-inch screen from 6.2, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ runs the same 6.7-inch display. Both models also run Samsung’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO panels with a 120Hz refresh rate. The S26 and S26+ also miss out on the “Privacy Display” that the S26 Ultra flexes. Bummer!

ALSO READ: Samsung Mobile Price in Nepal (March 2026 Updated)

For performance, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ pack the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but only in the US and Canada. The rest of the world, meanwhile, is getting the in-house Exynos 2600 processor, including Nepal, yes.

The track record of Exynos isn’t exactly exciting, but I am still curious as to how this chip actually performs. After all, it’s the first silicon built on a 2nm process, which, at least in theory, should be better than 3nm chips like the 8 Elite Gen 5. But sadly, it is reportedly still an inferior chip to the mighty Snapdragon. So, I want to see what the case is for myself!

As for storage and memory, the S26 and S26+ are available in a single configuration with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM.

So far, the S26 lineup is feeling somewhat underwhelming. And that feeling continues with the camera department as well.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ feature the same 50MP primary sensor, paired with a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the front, the 12MP selfie camera is also similar to the S25.

At least the battery on the Samsung Galaxy S26 got a slight upgrade from 4000mAh to 4300mAh. The Samsung Galaxy S26+, on the other hand, retained the same 4900mAh battery. Charging speeds also remain unchanged at 25W and 45W for S26 and S26+, respectively, which feels a bit disappointing in today’s fast-charging era.

On the brighter side, S26+ wireless charging is upgraded to Qi2 20W. However, the S26 Series still lacks built-in native Qi2 magnets, meaning users need compatible cases to fully take advantage of the feature.

As expected, the S26 series will come with One UI 8.5 on top of Android 16 with up to 7 major Android upgrades.

While many of these features feel like familiar ground, Samsung has introduced some legitimate heavy hitters in the AI department this year. They’ve added features like Call Screening and Now Nudge, while fan favorites like Photo Assist make a return. But the most impressive upgrade easily belongs to Bixby.

For those who don’t know, Bixby is Samsung’s virtual assistant, and it’s now LLM-powered. In a surprising twist, it features deep integration with both Gemini and Perplexity AI. This isn’t just a surface-level app; it’s integrated into core system apps like Notes, Clock, Gallery, Reminders, and Calendar. Samsung even claims that Perplexity will work with select third-party apps through specific partnerships.

Ultimately, it feels like Samsung is throwing a massive amount of AI at the wall to see what sticks. And for the first time in a while, some of it looks like it might actually land.

ALSO READ: iPhone 17 Price in Nepal (March 2026 Updated)

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ appear to be incremental upgrades rather than bold new flagships. With familiar cameras, minor display enhancements, and modest battery improvements, this year’s lineup feels more like a refinement than a reinvention. On top of that, Nepal is missing out on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is a major disappointment.

Since we aren’t seeing significant upgrades to the cameras or displays, and only a slight improvement in battery technology, the S26 series (at least the Standard and Plus models) feels even more stale than last year’s S25 launch. And with such a heavy price surge, the S26 and S26+ aren’t enticing any tech enthusiasts.

Nevertheless, Samsung’s brand value remains so high that the average Nepali buyer, or a non-tech enthusiast, will likely still choose the latest Galaxy flagship over Vivo or Xiaomi alternatives, which technically offer superior specs at much more aggressive prices.

What are your thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series? Let us know in the comments below!