Galaxy S26 vs S25 Ultra: Moldova prices and which to buy

Samsung's flagships are a rare piece of good news this autumn: in the cheapest store, the new S26 Ultra costs only a little more than last year's S25 Ultra. There is a catch, which we cover below.

How much do the Galaxy S26 and S25 Ultra cost in Moldova?

The situation on 01.11.2026, for models you could actually buy:

The gap between stores is huge: 10,900 lei on the Galaxy S26 Ultra 256 GB (from 19,999 to 30,899 lei) and 7,350 lei on the S25 256 GB Navy. Cactus most often has the lowest price; for the S25 Ultra it is Gorilla.

Why is the Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper in Moldova than in the US?

The NBM rate on 30.10.2026 was 18.0365 lei per dollar. Samsung announced US prices when the series launched: the S26 from $899.99, the S26+ from $1,099.99 and the S26 Ultra from $1,299.99; sales started on 11 March 2026. US prices exclude sales tax, while Moldovan prices include 20% VAT.

The result is a little odd: the cheapest S26 Ultra in Moldova is 3,448 lei below the converted US price, and the base S26 is slightly lower too. The explanation is mundane. The US prices are the recommended launch prices, and in eight months on sale retailers have had time to cut them. Don't celebrate too soon, though: only one store asks 19,999 lei for the S26 Ultra, and the next one already wants 22,499 lei. Before you buy, be sure to check the warranty and the regional version.

Samsung flagships have not got pricier since summer

The lowest price on the market in summer and now (15 July and 31 October 2026):

Samsung's flagships are a rare case where prices did not rise in autumn and even fell in places. The S26 Ultra 256 GB is 1,000 lei cheaper, and so is the S25 Ultra. The exception is the S26 512 GB: its lowest price went from 15,999 to 17,999 lei, so there is now a 2,000 lei gap between the 256 GB and 512 GB versions. For comparison, phones overall rose about 6% over this period, as we wrote in our piece on electronics prices.

Which to choose: Galaxy S26, S25 Ultra or S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S26 256 GB (from 15,999 lei): if you want a compact new-generation flagship and don't need the S Pen. It is the cheapest way into the S26 series.

Galaxy S25 Ultra 256 GB (from 18,099 lei): if a big screen and the S Pen matter and your budget is limited. But the gap to the S26 Ultra is only 1,900 lei, so last year's model only makes sense with a noticeable discount.

Galaxy S26 Ultra 256 GB (from 19,999 lei): if you want the best. According to Samsung, it has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, 12 GB of RAM, a 5,000 mAh battery, a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide, 3x (10 MP) and 5x (50 MP) telephoto lenses, plus the first built-in Privacy Display, a screen that hides the image from people sitting next to you.

Where each model is cheapest

• S26 256 GB and 512 GB: at Cactus, 15,999 and 17,999 lei.
• S26+ 256 GB: at GSMShop, 21,029 lei.
• S26 Ultra 256 GB and 512 GB: at Cactus, 19,999 and 23,999 lei.
• S25 Ultra 256 GB and 512 GB: at Gorilla, 18,099 and 20,099 lei.
• S25 256 GB: at Cactus, 13,849 lei.

Why the same model differs by almost 11,000 lei between stores is explained in detail in Price gaps between stores: almost 11,000 lei. If you are choosing between Samsung and Apple, compare with iPhone 16 vs iPhone 17: which to buy in 2026. And if your budget is under 5,000 lei, see Best phone under 5,000 lei in 2026 and where to buy it.

October price cuts on the S25 and S26 Ultra

In the second half of October several stores moved prices on the Galaxy S25 and S26 Ultra. These are the cuts that were not reversed by the end of the month:

The biggest cut in percentage terms was at Maximum on the Galaxy S25 (−12.7%), but even after it the S25 256 GB is cheaper at Cactus. One-leu cosmetics and one-day deals are not included, only prices that held until the end of October.

Is it worth waiting for November?

We would not wait long. Samsung's flagships are already at their summer and autumn lows, so we do not expect a sudden collapse. Remember two numbers: 19,999 lei for the S26 Ultra 256 GB and 18,099 lei for the S25 Ultra 256 GB. A November "discount" above those prices is no bargain.

Source: the PriceList.md catalog, 01.11.2026 (the comparison with summer uses 15.07 and 31.10.2026), 17 stores in Moldova, in-stock products only. If a store's price looks too good, check availability and warranty with them. And if the website price and the in-store price don't match, ask the salesperson directly which one applies.